Theres only one place to meet with God; only one mediator between God and man the man Christ Jesus! We cant leave them behind us. No wonder Peter fell to his face. Sinai a third time to get a new copy of the commandments we read in Exodus 34 that Moses face was shining so brightly with the spirit of God that he had to veil his face when he was around people. Now this isnt to say drop everything you are doing in life because it doesnt matter. Nighttime temperatures drop wellbelow zero, the air is razor-thin, and killer storms can strike without warning. The saved are in glory, this life is one of suffering and humiliation for the saints. Our moments with God shouldnt remain hidden in the past. One trait that gets very little press is that mountain top experiences often involve waiting. Jesus Christ, furthering His kingdom, and bringing glory to God through it all. To save this word, you'll need to log in. Despite this uncertainty, the definition of a mountain is a landform that rises significantly above the surrounding landscape. Three of Jesus disciples would no doubt put a different experience atop their list. Jesus does not fall to temptation but whips the Devil soundly on the mountain, and the Evil One slinks away, biding his time until he can harass Jesus again. It doesnt mean well have an answer to every question we faced on the mountain top. Your Promised Land Is Chosen by God for Your Freedom and Success. 6. resembling or suggesting a mountain, as in size. Pastor James McDonald describes the biblical mountaintop experience as one that involves your mind, emotions, and will. For after the disciples fall in fear, the Divine Voice speaks again on the mountain. Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church625 Montgomery AvenueBryn Mawr, PA 19010(610) 525-2821. Metamorphosis- An outward change that comes from the inside. 17:5), and Peter and the disciples fall to their faces (17:6). This reminds me of Church! This is my favorite source for everything Christian. Yet, it seems that Peter actually does the opposite. We learned this word in school, a caterpillar goes through metamorphosis, that caterpillar wraps a cocoon around itself and goes through the process of change. A review of both the Old and New Testaments makes it clear as daywhen it comes to entering sacred space where you can meet God and/or Jesus face to face, theres no substitute for a mountaintop. It is interesting to imagine what it would be like to staff other peoples mountain top experiences. Above: Muhammad, Buda, Knish, or any other name. We long for the mountaintop. 17:7)." , it was a manifestation of the presence of God, the form in which God revealed himself to Israel. Finally, one day he reached the top of his mountain. As a result, God often reveals himself on a mountaintop in the text. That is what happens to Peter, James and John on that mountain. You feel overcome by a greater awareness of Gods reality. , the fashion of his countenance was altered and his raiment was white and glistering. The story in our text today is recorded in Matthew, Mark and Luke and I believe it's the source of the phrase "A Mountain Top Experience. Jesus gives us his word that we might obey it, put it to practice in our lives, and live it out every day! Death moves our soul to another place, and that particular place is determined by what you do with Jesus in this life. To grow and restore the family of Christ on the foundation of His Word and His promises. Not all mountain top experiences drip with emotion. . It dishonored Jesus; it put Jesus on the same level with Moses and Elijah! This passage in Isaiah carries a prophetic word for Mountaintop Worship Center. What is your ultimate mountaintop experience? It is regularly updated with the latest 4WD developments, and with amusing anecdotes and stories . Jesus dead on the Cross as the Lamb of God means Exodus, freedom from sins bondage to all who will apply the blood of Jesus to their heart in faith! died on Mt. Some of us may prefer to not be confronted with such a frightening voice whenever our Bibles are opened. for who he really is, in all of his love, grace and glory, it is a mountain-top experience! Check out my Recommended Resources list. It actually turned out to be a good place. Old truths and new stories of the Appalachian experience. The words of Psalm 121 came to my mind each afternoon gazing upon the mountains, and they are what I expect will be transporting me back there over the next several months. You can read my full article about the importance of the mountaintop experience HERE. Though it had not been easy, it had all been well worth the journey to get to where he wanted to be in life. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Sinai. Is what youre worried about really worth the worry? Jesus was the fulfillment of everything the Law and prophets pointed toward. For six days Moses lingered in the cloud of God at the top of the mountain. Jesus skin and clothing no longer glowed. was the founder of Israels worship of God. My time in Dallas was informative and meaningful and challenging, but I would not say it was a mountaintop experience. Jesus would rise in a glorified body, ascend to heaven and sit on the right hand of the throne of God. In the Old Testament, the mountains of Sinai and Zion are most significant. The greatest things that have happened in my life have all been. Moses is a prime example of this. The heap on which he stood consisted of all the experiences and obstacles that he had faced on his journey through life. Jesus is dazzling glory is talking to Moses who had been dead over fourteen hundred years and to Elijah who had been gone about nine hundred. David Briscoe is a content editor at Lifeway for Explore the Bible resources. A Mountain Top Experience This is such an awesome piece of Scripture that describes the imagery of a future time when "the mountain of the LORD" and "the house of the God of Jacob" will be a holy place for all the diverse people groups from every nation and of every ethnicity, worshipping God and learning the ways of His wisdom - Amen! Address it with all of them, and make them aware of the pros and cons of the mountain top. I love life! Mountains are a symbol of steadfastness. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with (Jesus). They allow us to listen to our Christian books while driving, working, or cooking dinner. Still others need to spend time contemplating it all in the quiet of their own prayers. They took my breath away from ground level and, when I climbed them, they whisked away any anxious thought Id ever have. Idioms: 3. a huge amount: a mountain of mail. David Benner says, Our challenge is to unmask the divine in the natural and name the presence of God in our lives. The second part of Listen to Your Life is just as important and that is developing the gift of listening to each others stories. Howdoes that experience encourage you now? I love to see groups of people work together and everyone succeed. But God also spoke, it was Gods voice. Amen, we all agree with that; to be on the mountain top in the presence of Jesus and to see His glory! The aspect of a beautiful mountaintop experience has a whole new meaning when you realize that it does not matter what the mountain is made of. Hermon. Pastor James McDonald describes the biblical mountaintop experience as one that involves your mind, emotions, and will. Youve never seen something so beautiful and peaceful. Did you notice that Joani is in a waiting period after her time on the mountain? It had been six hundred years since anyone in Israel had seen the Shekinah glory cloud. Have you been born again? - the law and the, Prophets; the son of God and the three great apostles of the church they are talking about the Cross! I suddenly gained a perspective about life I had never had up until that moment. Jesus deity and glory would be hid; but they knew underneath his humanity, was deity. First, unlike other benefactors, God is unwaveringly benevolent. Why not begin to consider what stuff makes up your own mountain? Notice, too, that mountaintops offer a perfect setting for life-changing transformation. Recently, when I was complaining to a friend about waiting for God to do something, this spiritually wise person noted that God almost never hurries. Sleeps up to 6 (one queen bed, one double bed, and two twin beds). You learn something new about who God is. After his death, would come his resurrection and exaltation! In the presence of Jesus with the saints, talking about the Cross! Ron & Andrea Camier established Mountain-Top Experience in 1998 following Ron's retrenchment from brown coal research and development engineering due to the privatisation of the power industry. Branded DISC Profile Service Back Office Login (has a different login than this website). Theres only one tabernacle where God dwells, Jesus Christ! Consider how Peter engages this question in 2 Peter 1:16-21. 1:20). These men where dedicated and devoted to Jesus; these three men went on to be. The greatest experiences of my life have been the times when God moved in power, and make himself none to me through his word and by his Spirit; making Jesus real to my heart! The mountaintop transfiguration of Jesus Christ was certainly a transcendent visual experience for Peter, James, and John. The transfiguration was a foreshadowing of that event, but Christs followers would not be able to clearly see that until after the resurrection. Moses was not left unchanged by his time with God. The cloud alone would have been enough to confirm Gods presence and blessings on Jesus. In any case, whenever something really wonderful happens to us, our excitement causes us to view it as one of lifes mountaintop experiences. This is where audiobooks are helpful. Sinai still a third time because he shattered the tablets bearing the Ten Commandments upon hearing that the Israelites had manufactured and worshiped a golden calf in his absence. You might have been counting down the days until spring, but make the most of these chilly and cloudy days. You feel overcome by a greater awareness of God's reality. Heaven or Hell! The realization that I could release control was like lifting bricks off my shoulders. 1:19). The only way to properly do this is to be comfortable, because why relax when you could relax? The term mountain top experience comes from those moments in the Bible when God revealed Himself to people on a mountain. It was a great privilege to see Moses and Elijah, but Jesus was the son of God! Heaven will not be a place of strangers. 1:21). You are a stumbling block to me. Jesus recognized the voice of the Evil One again, this time speaking through Peter, and he told him to back off. revisiting them will prove a way to spur us on as we continue to live changed. Jesus was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. For once weve faced them head on, then well have a better understanding of what to do next. Simon Peter and the brothers James and John accompanied Jesus one day up on a high mountain (Matt. The fact that the transfiguration is reported in all three of the Synoptic Gospels (Matt. Click the link below to sign up for updates from Good Faith Media via our daily or weekly e-newsletters. -The city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God did lighten it, and the lamb is the light thereof. And one day he would return with clouds of glory at his second coming. Yet, if we keep going and if we keep climbing, the sum total of all those experiences will keep us moving upward in the right direction. But heaven will be a place of glory! Jesus would die on the Cross, be buried in a borrowed tomb, and rise again three days later. As the transfiguration reveals, the voice of Majestic Glory in the Word is a fearful thing. Learn a new word every day. Some experiences are more calm and rational moments. We must take what weve learned and processed, allowing it to change us. In other words, the fulfillment of the Messiahs mission of salvation was nearer than the three disciplesknew. First things first, don't be afraid to talk openly about mountain top experiences with your students. Jesus is greater than Moses, and Elijah! Moses and Elijah were known by Peter, James and John. A bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud. . (. God truly does reveal Himself to us in different ways, some more intense than others. The person and name of Jesus is a name that is above every name! It means when you worry, stress, or get angry, think about your struggles from a different perspective. Yes it is, it is good to be in the presence of Jesus, it is good to be in good company, Moses, Elijah, James and John. Full kitchen, with cookware and dinnerware, dishwasher, microwave, stove/oven, full fridge, coffeemaker. Finally, its just Moses moving to the top of Mt. For six days Peter and the other 11 disciples have their heads spinning by the prediciton that Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God, would die on a cross. Frankly, I cant imagine being stuck in a dense mountain fog for six days with absolutely nothing to do but look at the fog! You come down from the mountaintop ready for a changed life. What is the purpose of a Mountain-top experience? At first they were deathly afraid of what they had seenwho wouldnt be!? No one deserves worship but Jesus! Climbing the mountains in Western North Carolina with my former youth from Indiana who made it a tradition to climb together early in the morning and then share affirmations on the mountain top at the end of a Montreat Youth Conference. The voice of the father, encouraged Jesus in his preparation for the cross. Things may not be the way you want them to be right now, but as long as you do the next right thing and move in a positive direction, you will continue to learn and grow. and try to imagine what it was like went Jesus showed them His glory up on that mountain. They saw things they had never seen before, they were aware of things they were never aware of before, they were in the presence of God! Properly understood, it is something we receive just like our salvation. In Exodus 24 God summoned Moses and a company of others to come back to the mountain. If you have Netflix or Hulu, the possibilities of movies are endless. 2023. from that experience knowing more about Jesus, more prepared to live and die for him! The one time I climbed a mountain of any size, I was amazed at how long I enjoyed spending time just looking at the view in the distance, enjoying the air, and experiencing the warm sun. After a certain amount of time the caterpillar comes out of the cocoon a butterfly. Thanksgiving Pancake Breakfast & Goodbye to Jack Liskey! But if we dont use what we have experienced on the mountain to affect the valley, then they might as well just be quick reactions to a fleeting moment. Peter was hoping Jesus would settle in on the summit. The Cross was a great accomplishment; not an accident, tragedy, disaster! When Jesus entered this world, he came as a man, he was born in a stable, wore peasant clothing, and worked as a carpenter in a small town. Pastor at Columbus (IN) RP Church. By adding some whipped cream and a cinnamon stick, a regular cup of warm chocolate powder in milk becomes more like a dessert. But dont forget that six days prior, the disciples spent their own time in a theological fog, utterly confused about the proposed suffering and death of Jesus. My purpose is to lead believers into a deeper relationship with God, resulting in them becoming A Bold Christian. Tabor. Shes still not sure whats she supposed to do with what shes learning, and now shes in her own personal waiting period trusting God to clarify her next move. I walked down that mountain with a fresh, new fear for the Lord and new readiness to serve Him and only Him. It was a Mountain top experience, as heaven came down on that mountain. I doubt any of us will go there. They would come down that mountain knowing without a shadow of a doubt who Jesus Christ was! But then, out of nowhere, God's presence became real to them. What is your ultimate mountaintop experience? This looks differently for everyone, but its a step we cannot ignore. And what does really matter in life? Accessed 4 Mar. Built a tabernacle of PRAISE for Jesus alone in your heart! Moses is a prime example of this. And suddenly, it appears like what we experienced was just an emotional reaction crafted by the situation at hand. Then in Matthew 17, Jesus is once again climbing a mountaintradition says it's Mt. Thousands of people would say the answer is to stand on the "roof of the world," the summit of Mount Everest. Jesus asked his disciples, who do you say that I am? The Father speaks from the cloud (Matt. He neither deserves the honor or respect that entails. Perhaps it was getting our drivers license at the age of sixteen. In Atlanta, as we met and talked and worshipped, I had a strong sense of energy and enthusiasm and knew clearly that God was saying to me, The time is right and you are ready to begin this work of listening. Whereas before, Listen to My Life sounded really interested and well-done, this time it felt truly life giving. Amen. Horeb, which is described in the bible as the mountain of God. Later, Moses will climb Mt. We cant disqualify a mountain top experience as just an emotional reaction. Valleys contain lakes and streams and are where rich grasses and varied types of trees grow.Therefore, ranchers take their cattle and sheep to the valley for the rich food. He talked about the struggles and challenges he had faced both personally and professionally. As he stood there looking out over his life and all of his accomplishments, he looked down and realized that the mountaintop was not at all what he thought it would be. This was the glory of God that had been veiled by his human flesh shining through. Just as the disciples heard the Word on the mountain (2 Pet. But as great as it will be to see our loved ones, the main person we will want to see will be JESUS! We will recognize our loved ones and others in heaven. A true Spiritual mountain-top experience always revolves around JESUS! I have had my fair share of mountain top experiences, both literal and spiritual. Peter a man who always had something to say when nothing should be said; said: V:33-Jesus, master, it is good for us to be here. There, for Peter, the mountain-hearing of the Fathers Majestic-Glory serves as the paradigm for the churchs engagement with the Word of God. Do what I have called you to do, and people will say, Let us go to Mountaintop Worship Center. Everything is tiny and nothing seems to matter when you are that far away from people. We forget what it felt like to trust God while on the mission field. those moments in the Bible when God revealed Himself to people on a mountain. God knows how our brains work and how our individual personalities respond. We stayed just outside the park, in full view of the snow-topped mountain range. Unfortunately, busy schedules can interfere with reading time. Now, as we review Exodus 24 and Matthew 17, I want us to notice certain traits of mountaintop experiences. To hear the voice of God in His Word is to be led to the mountaintop of glory and grace. With this idea, though, one final observation must be made. God met me in Atlanta and it seemed to me that He was saying, Lets do this together.. The High Mountain became the Holy Mountain because he saw the glory of Jesus there! It is the most sacred spot on earth! Romances and horrors are great genres to cozy up to in the dark. Just as the Majestic Glory spoke on the mountain (2 Pet. Mountaintop experiences are moments where people experience a dramatic expression of faith. That thought even reminds me of a song that was once sung by a group that was known as Blood, Sweat and Tears entitled "Spinning Wheel". While we face the last couple of weeks of winter there are many things you need to do. mountain noun [C] (VERY LARGE HILL) A2 a raised part of the earth's surface, much larger than a hill, the top of which might be covered in snow: The Matterhorn is one of the biggest mountains in Europe. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. A sunrise view from the Solid Rock Hideaway our Vision. But now Moses is getting to see the glory of God face-to-face, in the person of Jesus Christ. The distinction between the two is clear (now). When it happens, they become excited and zealous for God. After surviving his 40 day and night fast, Jesus climbs down one mountain only to go up another, where he delivers the greatest sermon of all time, the Sermon on the Mount.. There, Jesus face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light (Matt. 4. of or pertaining to mountains. All nations will stream to it, and many peoples will come and say, Come, lets go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. We experience gratitude most naturally and intensely when a giver (1) unpredictably and (2) at cost to him- or herself (3) transfers to our full possession (4) a benefit that pleases us. There we will walk in His paths and will be taught His ways. For instruction and revelation will come out from Mountaintop Worship Center. We see Him working and moving throughout the lives of the people there, and we come home with a new vigor to live life differently, more passionately. I have ordered from them with great satisfaction for over 20 years. If youll notice, neither Moses nor Jesus retired on top of a mountain. -They spoke about his decrease, which he would accomplish at Jerusalem, There on that high mountain with the representatives of the O.T. That could prove dangerous and manipulative. Living, Planning, Dying Well: Getting Your Affairs in Order, 2023 Youth Sunday & Souper Bowl of Caring, Interfaith Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, Advent Gift Market a yearlong commitment to mission. Whoever has ears, let them hear. The Word communicated the fullness of the glory of God manifested to them. Then, only Moses and his associate, Joshua moved further up the mountain. 3:17). The term "mountain top experience" comes from those moments in the Bible when God revealed Himself to people on a mountain. It was simply a huge heap of stuff (both good and bad) that he had climbed up in order to get to where he was. This often propels us into a greater service for God. V:35-And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, this is my beloved son: hear him. Why not Isaiah and Jeremiah? Yet over time we go back to normal life. But our mountaintop moments are not designed by God just to give us warm fuzzies at high altitudesthey are designed to go fill us with the Spirit of God that we have the courage and strength to do the work of the kingdom in the valley. Peter, James, and John climb up this high mountain with Jesus; probably Mount. glory cloud Ezekiel saw rise from between the cherubim and move to the threshold of the Temple because of Israels apostasy and then slowly rising to be seen no more from the Mount of Olives. Through His Word, Jesus presents grace to frightened disciples on the mountain. Together they represent the entire O.T. A good book on a rainy day or with calming music is a wonderful way to take a break from the responsibilities of life and escape into another world. Mountaintop. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mountaintop. Peter said it is good to be here. Running Together: Evening Worship at 5:00. If you keep striving and climbing you will eventually get on top of it and you will have a life that is helpful to you, profitable to your family and a good influence on your friends. There is an actual valley connected to rough times and depression in Psalm 23, known as the shadow of death, that is outside of Jericho in Israel. But, before we get into the prophetic message, lets look at the importance of the mountaintop experience.The mountaintop experience is something many Christians seek after. This mountaintop experience takes place during a time of prayer! Jesus visage became as bright as the sun even as the long-dead Old Testament heroes Moses (representing the law) and Elijah (representing the prophets) appeared and talked with Jesus. Prophecy is not about a happening, an event, is about a person. Yet, right after this, Christians often go back into the valley where they seem to dwell most of the time. The stress I feel towards a particular class is so small compared to what really matters in life. there is only one way to be saved and that is through. It is always a good to say nothing when you dont know what to say! We can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us. But as great as those experiences are, there not the greatest experiences of my life. As Christians, we long for experiences of the transcendent that we believe will forever change our perspective on life. The people live in the valleys. We are to listen to no voice that contradicts his voice, his word! Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! When I heard that story, I identified with it so very much. The voice of God clearly identified Jesus as his only son, his beloved son, unique one-of-a-kind son. (Mark 9:2-3 ESV) Jesus takes his inner circle to a mountain with him and they experience a "God thing." It was something unlike anything they had ever seen. Mountain top removal means a coal mining operation that will remove an entire coal seam or seams running through the upper fraction of a mountain, ridge, or hill by removing all of the overburden and creating a level plateau with no highwalls remaining instead of restoring to approximate original contour, and is capable of supporting postmining It so happens that I know of somebody thats had a mountaintop experience just this past week. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mountaintop.' But as Jesus might say, We cant work effectively for God in the valley until we have been transformed spiritually with God on the mountain. Send us feedback. And we forget the promises we made to our Holy God in the midst of that mountain top experience. What matters most is that you end up standing on top of it all rather than being consumed by it! It was the voice of the Heavenly Father, saying, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased. The experience completely mortifiedPeter, James, and Johnuntil Jesus calmed them, and they saw that only Jesus remained. Heres another rhythm to add to the listcoming up the mountain to be with God; then going down the mountain to serve Gods people. At the very least, tell a fellow Christian about your decision and ask for guidance. Mountain Top TV No monthly fee. What is it about mountains that invoke a spiritual or religious response from us as human beings? Nebo, and God buried him in a grave known only to God. After surviving his 40 day and night fast, Jesus climbs down one mountain only to go up another, where he delivers the greatest sermon of all time, the "Sermon on the Mount.". If not, why not today? So what next? Thats because mountaintop experience is a figure of speech that comes right out of Holy Scripture. 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36) and is alluded to in Johns Gospel (John 1:14) as well as in 2 Peter 1:16-18 underscores that Peter, James, and John never forgot their trip with Jesus up on the mountain. Soaking in the memory of what God revealed to us on the mountain will remind us of our purpose in the valley. Salvation is not in a program, or a plan, but in a person-.
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