mountain top experience definition mountain top experience definition

All rights reserved. What is your ultimate mountaintop experience? As Christians, when we know what we have, we never want to leave the mountain of God. That somebody is my wife, Joani, and Ive asked Joani to briefly describe her mountaintop experience with us today. Their dedication and devotion to Jesus brought special blessings into their lives. It is always dangerous to say something when you dont know what to say! died on Mt. Even though winter is ending soon, it does not mean the cold is. Moses finally made it to the promise land! Learn a new word every day. Amen. You come down from the mountaintop ready for a changed life. He neither deserves the honor or respect that entails. 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". Next came the same audible voice from heaven that had spoken previously at Jesus baptism (Matt. Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. Moses had asked to see Gods glory, and only got to see the backside of God as he passed by. But as great as those experiences are, there not the greatest experiences of my life. Theres only one tabernacle where God dwells, Jesus Christ! White in the Bible speaks of purity, absolute holiness. Have you been born again? Then in Matthew 17, Jesus is once again climbing a mountaintradition says it's Mt. He will not let your foot be moved;he who keeps you will not slumber. And then there was Jesus. 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. Built a tabernacle of PRAISE for Jesus alone in your heart! We long for the mountaintop. A bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud. I doubt any of us will go there. Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. -For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The cloud alone would have been enough to confirm Gods presence and blessings on Jesus. When the Word is preached, the power and majesty of God are communicated to His people. Jesus would rise in a glorified body, ascend to heaven and sit on the right hand of the throne of God. Tag-along Tours run for past customers by the MTE club enable you to travel in your own 4WD vehicle, but with the confidence of knowing you are being looked after. This is my favorite source for everything Christian. This one might seem obvious, but what if I told you that having a cup of hot cocoa is more than chocolate powder in warm milk? I have ordered from them with great satisfaction for over 20 years. From this mountain-top experience, we learn the purpose of mountain-top experiences. 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! If there ever was a time for silence, this was it. We go down to the valley to meditate on our recent revelation, allowing us to learn from our mountaintop experiences. 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. 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). I have established you on the mountaintop. But dedication to Jesus is the key to blessings. as he tells you to deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow him. To grow and restore the family of Christ on the foundation of His Word and His promises. Moses who represents those who die; and Elijah who represent those who are caught up and never die; will both see Jesus in his glory! 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. Soon, weekends can be filled with park trips and beach adventures, but for now, the weather is temperamental, so a movie night can suffice. Build a pillow fort on your bed in any clear space using four chairs, an abundance of blankets and all the pillows you can find. (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. The relationships he had with family and friends had caused him both happiness and sorrow. V:33-let us make here three tabernacles; one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. We forget what it felt like to trust God while on the mission field. Some experiences are more calm and rational moments. This is what all our experiences, all our theology, all our work should come to; bring is to the place to see Jesus! -They spoke about his decrease, which he would accomplish at Jerusalem, There on that high mountain with the representatives of the O.T. Because whatever happens, God has it all in control. They didn't last for years. That is how we need to look at our daily issues. For this reason, friends, its only fair to tell you that mountaintops can be dangerous places. In other words, the fulfillment of the Messiahs mission of salvation was nearer than the three disciplesknew. Did you notice that Joani is in a waiting period after her time on the mountain? And we forget the promises we made to our Holy God in the midst of that mountain top experience. What is it about mountains that invoke a spiritual or religious response from us as human beings? In Exodus 24 God summoned Moses and a company of others to come back to the mountain. Peter, James, and John were transformed by the transfigured Christ. They saw for the first time the dazzling Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ! Those moments at a worship concert or at the end of a sermon when the person holding the microphone makes a powerful speech with emotional music playing in the background. Remember, it was on top of Mt. Husband of Orlena. But heaven will be a place of glory! Those who separate themselves to pray are the ones who see the Glory of Jesus! God doesnt intend for us to live in a perpetual state of emotional highs when it comes to faith. He reflected on the massive amount of time, effort and energy it took to reach the specific goals that he had laid out for his life. - the law and the, Prophets; the son of God and the three great apostles of the church they are talking about the Cross! Or you were convicted about something in your life that you now need accountability for from a friend or mentor. Amen, we all agree with that; to be on the mountain top in the presence of Jesus and to see His glory! You come down from the mountaintop ready for a changed life. In that silence, as I sat on the mountaintop looking at the miles and miles of land stretching out before me, I had what some might call a mountaintop experience.. When the Bible says that Jesus was transfigured, it means that He became on the outside what He was on the inside. Apart from Jesus they fail miserably in dealing with the demon. The Mountaintop Experience. Father of 5 (David, Jenny, Elisha, Esther, Seth). How do you respond? 1. a natural elevation of land rising more or less abruptly to a summit, and attaining an altitude greater than that of a hill. When I heard that story, I identified with it so very much. 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. Yes, he would soon be nailed to a cross. 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. To hear the voice of God is to be led to the mountaintop. Certainly, there is a rhythmic, ordinary nature to daily encounter with Gods Word. , it was a manifestation of the presence of God, the form in which God revealed himself to Israel. The greatest things that have happened in my life have all been. 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. Then in Matthew 17, Jesus is once again climbing a mountaintradition says its Mt. If the bible is any guide, theres no better place to meet the divine than on or around a mountain. the law and the prophets. And as we immerse our lives in the majestic glory of the Word of God, we never need to. 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. Through His Word, Jesus presents grace to frightened disciples on the mountain. Jesus skin and clothing no longer glowed. Living on a spiritual high all the time would make for an exhausting life, but there are lessons we can take from each moment and implant them into our routines. 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. For once weve faced them head on, then well have a better understanding of what to do next. They are solid and unmovable. This often propels us into a greater service for God. They see His Glory and they worship Him! The Israelites were deeply moved by what Moses reported, and promised to obey all that they had heard. Im guessing most of us have had at least one episode in our lives wed call a mountaintop experience. Carmel that Elijah staged his mesmerizing victory over 450 prophets of Baal when God breathed down fire from heaven at Elijahs request. I love to see groups of people work together and everyone succeed. Branded DISC Profile Service Back Office Login (has a different login than this website). It was a Mountain top experience, as heaven came down on that mountain. Moses was not left unchanged by his time with God. Just zoom out and think about your problems in the large scheme of things. 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. Soaking in the memory of what God revealed to us on the mountain will remind us of our purpose in the valley. Delivered to your inbox! V:36-And when the voice was passed, Jesus was found alone. when we meet with Jesus, and he reveals himself to us. Moses and Elijah were still alive and conscience though they had left the earth hundreds of years before this. 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. Tabor. The first time we see Jesus on a high mountain is in Matthew 4 when he is being tempted by the Devil. Reflection and resources at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens. I found myself late every afternoon sitting and simply meditating on the mountains, remembering what it was like to be on top of them and giving thanks for their ancient and imposing beauty. and try to imagine what it was like went Jesus showed them His glory up on that mountain. mountaintop synonyms, mountaintop pronunciation, mountaintop translation, English dictionary definition of mountaintop. With this idea, though, one final observation must be made. Life is a continually ascending and descending in our religious experiences. 2nd Purpose for a mountain-top experiences is that you will: 2. There is a mountaintop experience all Christians seek. Our God is an awesome God, and He loves to come to us in ways He knows will change us. Jesus would rise in a glorified body, ascend to heaven and sit on the right hand of the throne of God. 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. Cable TV and high speed internet. This reminds me of Church! adj. Mountains are a symbol of steadfastness. Proclaiming the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. Thats because mountaintop experience is a figure of speech that comes right out of Holy Scripture. And the thought of spending an additional 40 days in the fog listening for the voice of God doesnt excite me either. The shekinah glory cloud was gone. You respond in Worship, praise, awe, thanksgiving, tears, and joy!! 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. Our job is to share Gods reconciliation with them and bring them to the mountaintop for their own personal experience with God. But never forget that it is a rhythmic, ordinary encounter with the Majestic Voice of God speaking in His Word. That is the reality of the experience of this thing we call life. Instead of presenting a contrast of experiences, Peter presents a parallel. We can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us. And I find myself squirming when I read that Moses spent six days engulfed in the clouds on the top of Mt. Peter was hoping Jesus would settle in on the summit. But Jesus came and touched [the disciples], saying, 'Rise, and have no fear' (Matt. V:29-his arraignment was white and glistening. Pastor James McDonald describes the biblical mountaintop experience as one that involves your mind, emotions, and will. It also known valleys are quiet places of rest and peace. The law and prophets all meet in Jesus, they point to Jesus, and they preach Jesus. Maybe thats why to this day so many Christian retreat centers are on top of or around mountains. We need to pray with Neil Griffith, Builder of mountains, make me like a mountain, Firm let me stand against the winds of strife; Give me a soul that reaches up to heaven, But plant my feet in needs of human life. The mountaintop experience enables the believer to remain stable when they reach low points in their life. Accessed 4 Mar. For that reason, even people who follow God to the mountaintop will likely find themselves waiting patiently and praying for Gods guidance for their next move. 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. Question Origin of mountaintop First recorded in 1585-95; mountain + top 1 Words nearby mountaintop Jesus face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. What matters most is that you end up standing on top of it all rather than being consumed by it! 1:20). 1:19). Just as the disciples heard the Word on the mountain (2 Pet. Perhaps it was getting our drivers license at the age of sixteen. Jesus wants them to know that he is the King of glory, and one day he will wear the crown; but the cross would come before the crown. Thats when you see people all around you move forward as they listen to the call of their mountain top experience. If youll notice, neither Moses nor Jesus retired on top of a mountain. These men NEVER forgot what they saw that night. was the founder of Israels worship of God. They witnessed Jesus transfigurationa majestic visualization of the Lords divine nature as well as His approaching death and resurrection. 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. Granted, Jesus did some of his best work on and around water, but he was a mountain man, too. The sun shall not strike you byday,nor the moon by night. The question is, will you enter into that change as you walk down the mountain into the valley? Challenging Standardized Test Words, Vol. Especially if you have school work to do, background music can help fill the silence of late night studying. . Pastor at Columbus (IN) RP Church. At first they were deathly afraid of what they had seenwho wouldnt be!? Mountain Top Experience's season generally runs from April through December each year. If you need it, they have it. Metamorphosis- An outward change that comes from the inside. 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. Grab a blanket and a glass of hot chocolate, and do these five warm indoor activities for those rainy winter days. Jesus was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Three of Jesus disciples would no doubt put a different experience atop their list. One moose, two moose. One of the principles of listening to God speak through scripture is that you should notice what causes you to resist as well as resonate. A glorious, spiritual experience where you were alone with Jesus and your soul was lifted above this old world, and you got a taste of heaven. It is a high point in your life when youre with Gods people and Jesus in his glory shows up! Jesus was the fulfillment of everything the Law and prophets pointed toward. I thought about all the ways God had provided up until that day and I felt like a fool. Though it had not been easy, it had all been well worth the journey to get to where he wanted to be in life. Most of us have had some type of mountaintop experience during our lifetime. And suddenly, it appears like what we experienced was just an emotional reaction crafted by the situation at hand. Afterwards, we go back into the valleys where we live our lives. We are to listen to no voice that contradicts his voice, his word! Confront the Danger. Together they represent the entire O.T. Jesus was God incognito, dressed in human flesh. What an amazing sight! 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. Peter immediately recommended the building of three shelters, presumably so that all six people could stay together on the mountain indefinitely. The fact that the transfiguration is reported in all three of the Synoptic Gospels (Matt. We also learn something about how things will be in the next life for the saved: When your body dies, you are not annihilated. This works in making work more enjoyable too. (. If youve ever been to a mountaintop, then you are familiar with the feeling of dizziness. These days weve been talking about the sacred rhythms of spiritual formation. That is what happens to Peter, James and John on that mountain. It means when you worry, stress, or get angry, think about your struggles from a different perspective. Now this isnt to say drop everything you are doing in life because it doesnt matter. Once weve processed our mountain top experience, well be able to face the valley without resentment or guilt. 2023. He has it all in control. There closeness to Jesus is connected to Prayer! He talked about the struggles and challenges he had faced both personally and professionally. When we read His Word, the Majestic Glory of God speaks through His Spirit. The transfiguration was a foreshadowing of that event, but Christs followers would not be able to clearly see that until after the resurrection. Notice, too, that mountaintops offer a perfect setting for life-changing transformation. Maybe the thinness of the air, the lack of oxygen, or the exhaustion when we finally reach the top? After his death, would come his resurrection and exaltation! 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. 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. They allow us to listen to our Christian books while driving, working, or cooking dinner. They would come down that mountain knowing without a shadow of a doubt who Jesus Christ was! 17:1). MTE's 4WD tag-along tours throughout the Victorian High Country and passenger tours around Walhalla became very popular . Heres another rhythm to add to the listcoming up the mountain to be with God; then going down the mountain to serve Gods people. It had been six hundred years since anyone in Israel had seen the Shekinah glory cloud. 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! This past summer I worked every day in a place surrounded by mountains. Moses is a prime example of this. Taborthis time with his three closest disciples, Peter, James, and John. At those times, we receive revelation and teaching from God. However, the truth of the matter is simply this: the mountain really is made out of a lot of stuff (both good and bad). But now Moses is getting to see the glory of God face-to-face, in the person of Jesus Christ. You can read my full article about the importance of the mountaintop experience HERE. Dear Lord, I thank you for every mountaintop experience I have had and look forward to more of them. Thanksgiving Pancake Breakfast & Goodbye to Jack Liskey! 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. As we walked onto a short trail through the snow and frozen ground, Owen remarked that it must be a strange job to drive to the top of a mountain and talk with thousands of visitors who pass through the center every day - like an environmental guru waiting at the peak for travelers to come seeking knowledge and insight. The only way to properly do this is to be comfortable, because why relax when you could relax? They were catching a glimpse of the glory that God would reveal in Jesus Christ in the future. First off, there are a variety of flavors, from White Chocolate, Pumpkin Spice, Mint, Caramel and the list goes on. There are several reasons. After clarifying among the three who the real hillbilly is (its the one who has Salvation is not in a program, or a plan, but in a person-. In those moments, do we lose the passion and the awe we once felt on top of that mountain? Moses and Elijah had disappeared, the voice of the Father was silent, and the three disciples saw only Jesus! But what, biblically speaking, is a mountaintop experience? After a certain amount of time the caterpillar comes out of the cocoon a butterfly. 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; . What is your ultimate mountaintop experience? Howdoes that experience encourage you now? Jesus would die on the Cross, be buried in a borrowed tomb, and rise again three days later. Mountaintop experiences are moments where people experience a dramatic expression of faith. Jesus is above all men, Jesus has no Equal! Believe: What Secret Does It Hold For You Today. This was the glory that Jesus had with his father before the world began. God met me in Atlanta and it seemed to me that He was saying, Lets do this together.. They took my breath away from ground level and, when I climbed them, they whisked away any anxious thought Id ever have. While such fear is proper, it may and must be accompanied by hearing the other mountain-voice of the transfiguration. There, Jesus face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light (Matt. while Peter is still talking; God interrupts Peters speech. The saved are in glory, this life is one of suffering and humiliation for the saints. The speaker concludes talking with an invitation to come to the altar and lay your burdens down at the feet of Jesus. Joe cartoons from the 80's that said, " Knowing is half the battle! That had to be a long six days. Many people want special blessings, and mountain top experiences but they do not want to be dedicated to Jesus. 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. And one day he would return with clouds of glory at his second coming. The disciples needed to know who Jesus was because in the days ahead they would be discouraged, disillusioned as they saw Jesus suffer and die on the cross. Sinai again and again to commune with God and to better understand not just the essential laws for the life of the community, but the rhythms and cycles of what their covenantal life together will be like in the Promised Land. Maybe it was getting married or having children. If you have Netflix or Hulu, the possibilities of movies are endless. 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. TheLordwill keep you from allevil;he will keep your life. The prophet Elijah had his share of mountaintop moments as well. After hearing those commandments, Moses came back down the mountain and reported to the Israelites all that God had said to him.