Father of 5 (David, Jenny, Elisha, Esther, Seth). You come down from the mountaintop ready for a changed life. 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. When is the last time you had a mountain-top experience? 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. But now Moses is getting to see the glory of God face-to-face, in the person of Jesus Christ. Sinai. What is the purpose of a Mountain-top experience? It is always a good to say nothing when you dont know what to say! There, Jesus face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light (Matt. The Holy Spirit really works through the sacrament of baptism. Maybe it was getting married or having children. Scripture gives us stories of literal mountain top experiences that color our expectations for what it means to encounter the divine - Abraham and Isaac climbing together in an act of extreme devotion to God and experiencing the mercy of God at its apex. Yet over time we go back to normal life. As the transfiguration reveals, the voice of Majestic Glory in the Word is a fearful thing. We are to listen to no voice that contradicts his voice, his word! Tabor. If the bible is any guide, theres no better place to meet the divine than on or around a mountain. To hear the voice of God is to be led to the mountaintop. Moses still had flaws that would prevent him from entering the Promised Land. I would classify Atlanta as a mountaintop experience. They allow us to listen to our Christian books while driving, working, or cooking dinner. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up on a mountain; and they see His glory, they have a Mountain-Top Experience. - the law and the, Prophets; the son of God and the three great apostles of the church they are talking about the Cross! for a mountain-top experiences is that you will: Jesus was not alone on the mountain, two famous men from the Old Testament show up. Their dedication and devotion to Jesus brought special blessings into their lives. Is what youre worried about really worth the worry? In the Bible, mountains are often the places where God encounters His people, changes their lives, and sends them back down to the world with a prophetic message. That is what happens to Peter, James and John on that mountain. Because whatever happens, God has it all in control. And if weve implanted them in some way in our present, then revisiting them will prove a way to spur us on as we continue to live changed. You feel overcome by a greater awareness of Gods reality. Did you notice that Joani is in a waiting period after her time on the mountain? But as great as it will be to see our loved ones, the main person we will want to see will be JESUS! For Christians, it seems that anything from a relaxing woods retreat to a Mountain-Dew-induced sugar-high at a youth conference can gain the mountaintop moniker. It so happens that I know of somebody thats had a mountaintop experience just this past week. A Mountain Top Experience - The Odyssey Online What matters most is that you end up standing on top of it all rather than being consumed by it! What matters most is that you end up standing on top of it all rather than being consumed by it! No one deserves worship but Jesus! We, of course, visited the ranger station and gift shop at the top, and chatted with one of the rangers about what short hikes we could do while we were at the top and about the recent snowstorm that made the road impassible. We know how important it is to feed our faith and build our knowledge through reading Christian books. 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. Heres another rhythm to add to the listcoming up the mountain to be with God; then going down the mountain to serve Gods people. Learn a new word every day. Moses and company obeyed, hiking to the foot of the mountain where an astonishing thing happened: they saw the God of Israel, and they lived to talk about it! Amen. Christianity is living a life of obedience to Jesus! He neither deserves the honor or respect that entails. It is part of your sacred story and it will be a tremendous source of comfort and strength to you when you have to face the dark valley. Next came the same audible voice from heaven that had spoken previously at Jesus baptism (Matt. When we read His Word, the Majestic Glory of God speaks through His Spirit. I thought about all the ways God had provided up until that day and I felt like a fool. They see His Glory and they worship Him! Mountaintop Experience - Explore the Bible - LifeWay Christian Resources As a result, God often reveals himself on a mountaintop in the text. Now this isnt to say drop everything you are doing in life because it doesnt matter. Consider how Peter engages this question in 2 Peter 1:16-21. Mountain top removal Definition | Law Insider And as we immerse our lives in the majestic glory of the Word of God, we never need to. This is the walk Jesus makes of his life. That somebody is my wife, Joani, and Ive asked Joani to briefly describe her mountaintop experience with us today. If youll notice, neither Moses nor Jesus retired on top of a mountain. Still others need to spend time contemplating it all in the quiet of their own prayers. Yet, it seems that Peter actually does the opposite. Peter said it is good to be here. A variety of day trips, long weekends, and extended . Worrying about finances doesnt measure up to what really matters in life. Theyre moments when we experience God in an intense, intimate way. Despite this uncertainty, the definition of a mountain is a landform that rises significantly above the surrounding landscape. Maybe your mountain top experience was giving your life to Christ for the first time at that altar call. Do you understand that Jesus came to this earth, lived a sinless life; and took your sin, and died in your place that you might experience forgiveness and salvation? I suddenly gained a perspective about life I had never had up until that moment. The Christian's Mountaintop Experience - Gentle Reformation And eventually Peter would deny the very one who changed his life. To save this word, you'll need to log in. What is Your Mountain Top Experience? - Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church Mountaintop Experience - Good Faith Media My belief is the valley is as good as the mountaintop and just as important to our spiritual growth. Youve never seen something so beautiful and peaceful. The glory of God shines the brightest with the topic of conversation is the redemptive work of Jesus Christ! The greatest things that have happened in my life have all been. 1:19). Moses is a prime example of this. Not sure of the resources you need for Bible study? He talked about the struggles and challenges he had faced both personally and professionally. 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. 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. The High Mountain became the Holy Mountain because he saw the glory of Jesus there! We must take what weve learned and processed, allowing it to change us. You will recall that Moses had to return to Mt. So when it is too cold for an ice cream party, you can have a hot chocolate party instead! He will teach us about his ways so that we may walk in his paths. For instruction will go out of Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:2-3 CSB). These men NEVER forgot what they saw that night. It was a great privilege to see Moses and Elijah, but Jesus was the son of God! Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. . But Jesus was not reflecting the glory of God; He was shining out the glory of God from within. Have you trusted in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? But the Holy Spirit is not constrained to work through baptism only in the moment when it is administered. 1:16), so the Word is as a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts (2 Pet. Copyright 2023 Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church. as he calls you to leave bitterness behind, and to forgive and find joy. We forget what God said to us when we approached the altar during that sermon. If youve ever been to a mountaintop, then you are familiar with the sensation of inexplicable awe. Tabor. Yet over time we go back to normal life. Mountain Characteristics & Formation | What is a Mountain? - Video My time in Dallas was informative and meaningful and challenging, but I would not say it was a mountaintop experience. Yes, I was on a literal mountaintop, but I am talking about a biblical mountaintop experience. Idioms: But Jesus saves the day, and then sends his disciples on deeper into the valley, urging them to have the kind of faith that can move mountains, because they were just on one. It was a Mountain experience, because JESUS was there! Jesus climbing to the top of a mountain not to receive, but to give a new interpretation and understanding of those laws shaping our communal life together as Christians through the Sermon on the Mount. Of all the things the apostles witnessed, none was more spectacular and the vision of the glorified Christ on top on the Mount of Transfiguration. 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. And you will walk away changed!. Click the link below to sign up for updates from Good Faith Media via our daily or weekly e-newsletters. Tip: Re-evaluate your mountaintop experience. - Insights These moments can be truly genuine and beautiful. I recently heard a man say that he had worked all of his life to get to the top of his own personal mountain. How does a congregation go Together they represent the entire O.T. Jesus was God incognito, dressed in human flesh. Im glad Joani could share today because I really needed a fresh illustration of a mountaintop experience for this sermon! 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. Sinai. died on Mt. IN THE BOREDOM AND PAIN OF IT NO LESS THAN IN THE EXCITEMENT, AND GLADNESS: TOUCH, TASTE, SMELL YOUR WAY TO THE HOLY, BECAUSE IN THE LAST ANALYSIS, ALL MOMENTS, ARE KEY MOMENTS AND ALL OF LIFE ITSELF IS GRACE. The Word communicated the fullness of the glory of God manifested to them. Peter, James, and John were caught in heavens high beams as they saw the glory of God shining through the humanity of Jesus. But those were all just moments. How to Use the Mountain Top Experience in the Valley Since the first reported successful climb of that 29,000-foot peak in 1953 by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, more than four thousand different individuals have experienced the thrill. If you need it, they have it. Don't start to rationalize it, no matter how unbelievable it may sound to some. One trait that gets very little press is that mountain top experiences often involve waiting. What we should do is go back every now and then to the memories, the journal entries, the conversations. Im guessing most of us have had at least one episode in our lives wed call a mountaintop experience. n. The summit of a mountain. V:31-Which he would accomplish at Jerusalem. The person and name of Jesus is a name that is above every name! 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, Later that day in February, Ms. Dean visited the, The Tanners handed the Red & Black their first loss of the season and reminded everyone who sits atop the Middlesex, The duo in recent days flew back to Los Angeles from the snowy city of Aspen, Colorado, where they were huddled in deep planning, and now like holy figures coming down from the, The best team in the states largest classification reached the, In the film, Korean detective Hae-joon (Park Hae-il) is probing the death of a climber who fell from a, Post the Definition of mountaintop to Facebook, Share the Definition of mountaintop on Twitter, The businesss new computer system proved not to be a. If not, why not today? 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. It is interesting to imagine what it would be like to staff other peoples mountain top experiences. One moose, two moose. 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. 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. II. Ironically, the three disciples misunderstood nearly everything about that experience as it was occurring. God truly does reveal Himself to us in different ways, some more intense than others. (see Exodus 19)We need the mountaintop experiences to experience the glory of God and receive revelation. Bible Verses About the Mountaintop Experience & Godly Journey Gratitude and the Asbury Revival | Kent Dunnington | First Things Our moments with God shouldnt remain hidden in the past. It matters not that the mountain is composed of a lot of stuff. Since the first reported successful climb of that 29,000-foot peak in 1953 by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, more than four thousand different individuals have experienced the thrill. Check out my Recommended Resources list. In the Bible, mountains are often the places where God encounters His people, changes their lives, and sends them back down to the world with a prophetic message. When we read His Word, the Majestic Glory of God speaks through His Spirit. The goal is "Living All Out For Jesus". Yet the valley has become a symbol of rough times and depression.I dont believe this should be true. I love life! Mountaintop. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mountaintop. every Bible should be bound and shoe leather. Prophecy is not about a happening, an event, is about a person. 2. a large mass or heap; pile. This meditation allows us to digest the revelation so we can be more effective ambassadors for Christ. when we meet with Jesus, and he reveals himself to us. Baptism is NOT something we do. 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. was the founder of Israels worship of God. And I find myself squirming when I read that Moses spent six days engulfed in the clouds on the top of Mt. It could have been graduating from college and then stepping into a dream job. Theres only one tabernacle where God dwells, Jesus Christ! Pastor at Columbus (IN) RP Church. The cloud alone would have been enough to confirm Gods presence and blessings on Jesus. the mighty apostle of Pentecost was a great leader in the early church, crucified upside down. Moses was reflecting the glory of God because he had been in the presence of God; that is something we all should do! And suddenly, it appears like what we experienced was just an emotional reaction crafted by the situation at hand. He has performed miracle after miracle and, in that mountaintop experience, my blinded eyes were healed. Hebrew tells us he is greater than all the O.T prophets! 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. 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. They were catching a glimpse of the glory that God would reveal in Jesus Christ in the future. But as Jesus and his inner circle stood on that mountain the Shekinah glory cloud overshadowed them. The heap on which he stood consisted of all the experiences and obstacles that he had faced on his journey through life. My purpose is to lead believers into a deeper relationship with God, resulting in them becoming A Bold Christian. We will recognize our loved ones and others in heaven. Others need to share with a close friend a detailed description of all they experienced. 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. In. This is the walk all . 6. resembling or suggesting a mountain, as in size. Finally, its just Moses moving to the top of Mt. Reflection and resources at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens. But Jesus explained that Elijah had already come in the ministry of John the Baptist. 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. Jesus asked his disciples, who do the people say I am? But as great as those experiences are, there not the greatest experiences of my life. and try to imagine what it was like went Jesus showed them His glory up on that mountain. Remember, Moses first met God at the burning bush on Mt. So, over the past week I went searching for stories and quotes about Mountain top experiences, and I stumbled on this comment: "The Outing Club is hosting world traveler and Mount Everest Climber, Jeff . Mixed in with all of that were some great memories and wonderful times of happiness, too. It actually turned out to be a good place. BRICKS IN THE VALLEY Text: Matthew 17:1 - 9 We all know from the laws of gravity that what goes up must also come down. Peter himself later recounts that the disciples were "eyewitnesses of his majesty (2 Pet. This looks differently for everyone, but its a step we cannot ignore. Of course, except for Jesus, even people who undergo mountaintop transformations remain flawed. 1. a natural elevation of land rising more or less abruptly to a summit, and attaining an altitude greater than that of a hill. Every Christian needs a place to be alone and talk with the Lord, when he described this mountain top experience, he called this high mountain; . There will be times of recognition, success, fun, laughter, happiness, financial success and many wonderful experiences together with family and friends. Finally, Jesus directed the three disciples not to tell others about their experience until after His resurrection. The sun shall not strike you byday,nor the moon by night. Sinai with Joshua and Owen during our last days in Egypt, watching the sun rise over the vast chains of mountains in the desert there, and experience a diverse and international group of pilgrims praying their unique prayers at the top. Those are great experiences that God has given to me, and I am thankful for them. The fact that the transfiguration is reported in all three of the Synoptic Gospels (Matt. Mountain Top TV No monthly fee. 17:1). 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. 1:20). On one day, we drove to the top of the mountains on Trail Ridge Road that cuts right through Rocky Mountain National Park peaking at an elevation of 12,000 feet - a literal arctic tundra in northern Colorado. And dont forget that Jesus didnt make a move until he had spent his own forty days and night on top of a mountain, and thirty years plying his trade as a carpenter before that. Howdoes that experience encourage you now? The sum total of all of the things he had done and experienced in life had brought him to the place where he stood at that moment in time. This will make any chill session that much more enjoyable. Lead me to those where the harvest is ready, for I am Your willing laborer.In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 1:17). And so: Often, 2 Peter 1:16-21 is presented with the idea that Peter contrasts the visual mountain experience with the Word-based experience of heeding the prophetic word more fully confirmed (2 Pet. Ironically, remaining on the summit for more than just a few minutes can be dangerous for climberseven life-threatening. Question Origin of mountaintop First recorded in 1585-95; mountain + top 1 Words nearby mountaintop A sunrise view from the Solid Rock Hideaway our Vision. Thousands of people would say the answer is to stand on the roof of the world, the summit of Mount Everest. Through His Word, Jesus presents grace to frightened disciples on the mountain. Dedication to the Lord still brings special blessings into our lives! Those who separate themselves to pray are the ones who see the Glory of Jesus! Our job is to share Gods reconciliation with them and bring them to the mountaintop for their own personal experience with God. , and respond as he calls you to trust him for eternal life. Yet we can quickly walk down off the mountain and return to normal life in the valley. After clarifying among the three who the real hillbilly is (its the one who has The term "mountain top experience" comes from those moments in the Bible when God revealed Himself to people on a mountain. You learn something new about who God is. Thats when you see people all around you move forward as they listen to the call of their mountain top experience. We long for the mountaintop. Sleeps up to 6 (one queen bed, one double bed, and two twin beds). A bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud. God met me in Atlanta and it seemed to me that He was saying, Lets do this together.. The Mountain Top Experience - Sermon Central Stick with that original version of your mountain-top experience--the way you have experienced God. Taborthis time with his three closest disciples, Peter, James, and John. And appropriately enough, a bright cloud overshadows them, and from the cloud a voice said, This is my Son, the Beloved; with whom I am well pleased; listen to him! As great as Moses and Elijah were, Jesus was and is greater still. I love to see families encouraging and helping one another. If youve ever been to a mountaintop, then you are familiar with the feeling of dizziness. Some experiences are more calm and rational moments. They were the Lords closes friends, they were with him when he raised Jarius daughter from the dead, and they would be with him in the garden of Gethsemane. 1:19). I doubt any of us will go there. Running Together: Evening Worship at 5:00. First off, there are a variety of flavors, from White Chocolate, Pumpkin Spice, Mint, Caramel and the list goes on. Even so, flaws and all, God sends us from our mountaintops into the valleys below. Even though winter is ending soon, it does not mean the cold is. Now, as we review Exodus 24 and Matthew 17, I want us to notice certain traits of mountaintop experiences. Remember, it was on top of Mt. The law and prophets all meet in Jesus, they point to Jesus, and they preach Jesus. Jesus asked his disciples, who do you say that I am? He who keeps Israelwill neither slumber nor sleep. Jesus deity and glory would be hid; but they knew underneath his humanity, was deity. We cant disqualify a mountain top experience as just an emotional reaction. Do what I have called you to do, and people will say, Let us go to Mountaintop Worship Center. mountaintop [ moun-tn-top ] SHOW IPA noun the top or summit of a mountain. Living Your Mountaintop Experience Everyday - Spiritually Hungry This often propels us into a greater service for God. 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 Now suddenly, Jesus invites Peter, James, and John for an evening hike up Mt. The voice of God clearly identified Jesus as his only son, his beloved son, unique one-of-a-kind son. You are not THE mountain of the Lord, but you are A mountain of the Lord. The Cross was a great accomplishment; not an accident, tragedy, disaster! They didnt last for years. Above: Muhammad, Buda, Knish, or any other name. Built a tabernacle of PRAISE for Jesus alone in your heart! Dan Allender has written, God has crafted our character and gives us a role that will reveal something about Him that no-one elses story can reveal in quite the same way. I am excited to see How God can lead us to discover our unique stories and then become Holy Listeners for each other. So many of us begin to desire to leave God's mountaintop through lax engagement with God's Word because the experience feels so ordinary. Now for the Lords prophetic word: This is what the Lord is saying to the people of Mountaintop Worship Center. Jesus would rise in a glorified body, ascend to heaven and sit on the right hand of the throne of God. Maybe the thinness of the air, the lack of oxygen, or the exhaustion when we finally reach the top? 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. Then in Matthew 17, Jesus is once again climbing a mountaintradition says it's Mt. Have you ever witnessed an altar call? Instead of presenting a contrast of experiences, Peter presents a parallel. Jesus is above all men, Jesus has no Equal! He will not let your foot be moved;he who keeps you will not slumber. Peter, James, and John thought that Elijahs appearance on the mountain with Jesus that day surely was a fulfillment of prophecy. Like the testing of Abraham (Genesis 22:1-19), the receiving of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 19-20:21) and, of course, the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13). 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. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mountaintop.'