Worrying about finances doesnt measure up to what really matters in life. The Mountaintop Experience. The way to cultivate a close relationship with Jesus is to spend time with him in prayer. They saw for the first time the dazzling Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ! He has it all in control. What we should do is go back every now and then to the memories, the journal entries, the conversations. Would you pray and ask God to give you a mountaintop experience; when he does you will see his glory and worship him, understand his work and trust him, hear his word and obey him. Copyright 2023 Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church. (see Exodus 19) Full kitchen, with cookware and dinnerware, dishwasher, microwave, stove/oven, full fridge, coffeemaker. 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. Yes it was temporary eclipsed by the cross, but they remember it after the resurrection and they spoke about it for the rest of their lives. Mountains are a symbol of steadfastness. Ironically, the three disciples misunderstood nearly everything about that experience as it was occurring. Why does God allow you to have a Mountain-top experience? The valley is not what you may think. And that moment made such an impression on Peter that years later he would refer to it in one of his New Testament letters as proof positive that that he didnt make up the gospel, but was an eyewitness to the very power and majesty of Jesus that changed his life forever. These men where dedicated and devoted to Jesus; these three men went on to be. 1:21). They didnt last for years. You can read my full article about the importance of the mountaintop experience HERE. Philippians 4:13. Just as the Majestic Glory spoke on the mountain (2 Pet. I'm sure you have left over hot chocolate from November and December, so it's time to finish them off. (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. Jesus is the only one to ever walk this earth who was absolutely sinless and holy! 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. goats), the guys get to the true subject at hand. Six days earlier Jesus had asked his disciples the question of the hour Who do you say that I am? WhenPeter answered, You are the Messiah, Son of the living God, Jesus was ecstatic, and on the spot named Peter the future head of the church. , it was a manifestation of the presence of God, the form in which God revealed himself to Israel. My belief is the valley is as good as the mountaintop and just as important to our spiritual growth. 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. There are several reasons. Together they represent the entire O.T. Is what youre worried about really worth the worry? Then in Matthew 17, Jesus is once again climbing a mountaintradition says its Mt. Yet, it seems that Peter actually does the opposite. If you need it, they have it. These guys had seen Jesus on multiple occasions, do amazing things, but they had NEVER seen him like they are going to see him on that mountain. A time when you just felt like Gods Spirit was all over you, and around you, and joy filled your heart, and you just felt like you were going to bust! This meditation allows us to digest the revelation so we can be more effective ambassadors for Christ. They would come down that mountain knowing without a shadow of a doubt who Jesus Christ was! How does a congregation go But never forget that it is a rhythmic, ordinary encounter with the Majestic Voice of God speaking in His Word. Reflection and resources at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens. And we forget the promises we made to our Holy God in the midst of that mountain top experience. The voice of the father, encouraged Jesus in his preparation for the cross. All rights reserved. The Father speaks from the cloud (Matt. Maybe your mountain top experience was giving your life to Christ for the first time at that altar call. But sitting each day in the shadow of the mountains made me wonder how we can find better ways to continue to connect with and draw inspiration from those brief moments when we have been on the mountain - meditating on the scripture or hymns that remind us of our mountain top experiences, bringing images back with us from our spiritual mountain tops and keeping them in places that call to mind our moments on the mountain. It is the most sacred spot on earth! This doesnt mean attempting to recreate our mountain top experience. The mountain top experience was a sanctuary, and a challenge. If we stifle what weve seen and heard and done during those mountain top experiences, then we wont know how to carry them with us into the valley. The glory cloud was the sign of Gods approval on the work that Jesus Christ had come to do; to die on the cross as a sacrifice for mans sin, and be raised from the dead the third day. 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. 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. Under his feet lay challenge after challenge that he had encountered along the way in his business and personal life. Death moves our soul to another place, and that particular place is determined by what you do with Jesus in this life. Not all mountain top experiences drip with emotion. The stress I feel towards a particular class is so small compared to what really matters in life. It also known valleys are quiet places of rest and peace. But those were all just moments. The fascinating story behind many people's favori Can you handle the (barometric) pressure? Jesus is the light of the world, and when we get to heaven he will be the light. God truly does reveal Himself to us in different ways, some more intense than others. So what next? 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. To experience Christ in the midst of the Great Smoky Mountains. Mountain Top TV No monthly fee. By adding some whipped cream and a cinnamon stick, a regular cup of warm chocolate powder in milk becomes more like a dessert. We all need spiritual refreshing from the presence of the Lord; we need encouragement that can come only from being in the presence of Jesus. Peter immediately recommended the building of three shelters, presumably so that all six people could stay together on the mountain indefinitely. adjective situated at the top or summit of a mountain: a mountaintop house. Next came the same audible voice from heaven that had spoken previously at Jesus baptism (Matt. 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. To hear the voice of God in His Word is to be led to the mountaintop of glory and grace. God knows how our brains work and how our individual personalities respond. Peter, James, and John climb up this high mountain with Jesus; probably Mount. For after the disciples fall in fear, the Divine Voice speaks again on the mountain. The sum total of the Christian life is listening to and doing what Jesus says. It is a high point in your life when youre with Gods people and Jesus in his glory shows up! Send us feedback. They are solid and unmovable. Simon Peter and the brothers James and John accompanied Jesus one day up on a high mountain (Matt. The "deeper something" comes when one takes the divine voice as a motivation to trust in God during the hardships on the journey. This is so prevalent that the mountaintop experience has become a Christian clich of excitement and zeal. We wont be able to implant every detail of the mountain top into the valley, but we cant waste those moments. while Peter is still talking; God interrupts Peters speech. V:33-let us make here three tabernacles; one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. 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. If youve ever been to a mountaintop, then you are familiar with the feeling of dizziness. Now, as we review Exodus 24 and Matthew 17, I want us to notice certain traits of mountaintop experiences. Suddenly your problems dont seem like problems anymore. Both these men had talked with God on mountaintops before. God, unlike Peter knew exactly what he was talking about. If you have Netflix or Hulu, the possibilities of movies are endless. I commit myself to daily sharing with others good things You have done for me. 2. Mountains are a symbol of steadfastness. Sinai. David Briscoe is a content editor at Lifeway for Explore the Bible resources. A bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud. 17:7)." We are to listen to no voice that contradicts his voice, his word! There were many heartaches and tears shed over painful relationships with family members and close friends which were also part of the pile. 1:18), so the believer does well to pay attention to the Words of the prophets (2 Pet. Define mountaintop. from that experience knowing more about Jesus, more prepared to live and die for him! For this reason, friends, its only fair to tell you that mountaintops can be dangerous places. Have you ever witnessed an altar call? the mighty apostle of Pentecost was a great leader in the early church, crucified upside down. Moses finally made it to the promise land! Get our latest tips and leader helps with our free monthly e-newsletter. 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. top maun-tn-tp Synonyms of mountaintop : the summit of a mountain Example Sentences Recent Examples on the Web Barkley spent his final four seasons with the Rockets, but the team's big threecomprised of him, as well as Olajuwon and Clyde Drexlerwas never able to get them back to the NBA mountaintop. Keep reading Matthew 17 and youll see that during their descent from the mountain the disciples have a frightening encounter with a demon from hell. It was a Mountain experience, because JESUS was there! That had to be a long six days. There will be times of recognition, success, fun, laughter, happiness, financial success and many wonderful experiences together with family and friends. revisiting them will prove a way to spur us on as we continue to live changed.
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