n. The summit of a mountain. 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? When the Word is preached, the power and majesty of God are communicated to His people. Or did we just respond with emotions that were not actually genuine for the long run? We dont know the name of the mountain or its heightthe tallest peak in the region was less than ten thousand feet highbut we know this eventbecame the trios ultimate mountaintop experience. I doubt any of us will go there. Tabor. Maybe your mountain top experience was giving your life to Christ for the first time at that altar call. 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. Full kitchen, with cookware and dinnerware, dishwasher, microwave, stove/oven, full fridge, coffeemaker. Jesus death on the cross is the topic of conversation when you have a mountaintop experience! And Im guessing wed have a mountaintop experience at church if we took the time to listen to each other describe our mountaintop experiences. You might have been counting down the days until spring, but make the most of these chilly and cloudy days. Peter, James, and John climb up this high mountain with Jesus; probably Mount. But it seems that the visual experience did not generate the immediate fear and awe one might expect. But the Holy Spirit is not constrained to work through baptism only in the moment when it is administered. My purpose is to lead believers into a deeper relationship with God, resulting in them becoming A Bold Christian. 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. And as we immerse our lives in the majestic glory of the Word of God, we never need to. To hear the voice of God is to be led to the mountaintop. Yes, I was on a literal mountaintop, but I am talking about a biblical mountaintop experience. -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. Both these men had talked with God on mountaintops before. Tabor. They see His Glory and they worship Him! 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. By adding some whipped cream and a cinnamon stick, a regular cup of warm chocolate powder in milk becomes more like a dessert. 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. 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. Those are great experiences that God has given to me, and I am thankful for them. Jesus would die on the Cross, be buried in a borrowed tomb, and rise again three days later. When is the last time you had a mountain-top experience? He will not let your foot be moved;he who keeps you will not slumber. to what Jesus says in his word. Carmel that Elijah staged his mesmerizing victory over 450 prophets of Baal when God breathed down fire from heaven at Elijahs request. Thousands of people would say the answer is to stand on the roof of the world, the summit of Mount Everest. Why Elijah and Moses? encourage them and help them in the days ahead. I'd love to go mountain - climbing. The Israelites were deeply moved by what Moses reported, and promised to obey all that they had heard. 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. mountaintop synonyms, mountaintop pronunciation, mountaintop translation, English dictionary definition of mountaintop. 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. 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 . 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. A sermon delivered by David Hughes, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, Nc., March 6, 2011. The glory cloud was a sign that Jesus was Gods dwelling place on earth, Jesus was the Mercy seat, he alone provides salvation and forgiveness! The training notes 'Mountain-Top 4 Wheel Driving or reflections on over 40 years of mistakes in the Victorian high country' is a 44-page booklet covering 'Getting the Right Gear', 'Tackling Tough Trails' and 'Touring Tips'. 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. The first time we see Jesus on a high mountain is in Matthew 4 when he is being tempted by the Devil. 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. 2. 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. He talked about the struggles and challenges he had faced both personally and professionally. Proclaiming the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. Their eyes opened and they saw a whole new reality; the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. 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. It had been six hundred years since anyone in Israel had seen the Shekinah glory cloud. Learn a new word every day. 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. When we read His Word, the Majestic Glory of God speaks through His Spirit. , when Moses met with God on Mount Sinai he came down with the glory of God radiating off his face. That is the reality of the experience of this thing we call life. On this mountaintop; theyre going to see who Jesus is; theyre going to see the glory of the son of God; theyre going to hear the voice of God as he says this is my beloved son. If not, why not today? Im guessing most of us have had at least one episode in our lives wed call a mountaintop experience. Husband of Orlena. The mountain top experience was a sanctuary, and a challenge. We wont be able to implant every detail of the mountain top into the valley, but we cant waste those moments. 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. Jesus skin and clothing no longer glowed. Address it with all of them, and make them aware of the pros and cons of the mountain top. This looks differently for everyone, but its a step we cannot ignore. Now this isnt to say drop everything you are doing in life because it doesnt matter. The other gospel writers say his raiment was white as snow, as no washer on earth could make them. -In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son. What was the difference? (. I thought about all the ways God had provided up until that day and I felt like a fool. Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. as he calls you to leave bitterness behind, and to forgive and find joy. 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 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. Yet, it seems that Peter actually does the opposite. 3:17). Metamorphosis- An outward change that comes from the inside. MTE's 4WD tag-along tours throughout the Victorian High Country and passenger tours around Walhalla became very popular . 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. To hear the voice of God is to be led to the mountaintop. Because whatever happens, God has it all in control. Tip: Re-evaluate your mountaintop experience. He and his disciples went up this mountain to pray. Jesus Christ, furthering His kingdom, and bringing glory to God through it all. And if we keep moving upward an onward, we will eventually get to the peak or sum total of our own personal mountaintop experience! What we should do is go back every now and then to the memories, the journal entries, the conversations. It could have been graduating from college and then stepping into a dream job. 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 One moose, two moose. That night on the mount of Transfiguration, the glory of God that was within shined-forth through his humanity. 1:16). Worrying about finances doesnt measure up to what really matters in life. How do you respond? Heres another rhythm to add to the listcoming up the mountain to be with God; then going down the mountain to serve Gods people. There are several reasons. There is so much to be done here in the valley. mountaintop [ moun-tn-top ] SHOW IPA noun the top or summit of a mountain. We can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us. 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. Moses still had flaws that would prevent him from entering the Promised Land. They are solid and unmovable. We stayed just outside the park, in full view of the snow-topped mountain range. The law and prophets all meet in Jesus, they point to Jesus, and they preach Jesus. The goal is "Living All Out For Jesus". Others need to share with a close friend a detailed description of all they experienced. 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. I have established you on the mountaintop. 1:20). As a result, God often reveals himself on a mountaintop in the text. After his death, would come his resurrection and exaltation! That is how we need to look at our daily issues. every Bible should be bound and shoe leather. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with (Jesus). Don't be surprised if none of them want the spotl One goose, two geese. 1:19). Im glad Joani could share today because I really needed a fresh illustration of a mountaintop experience for this sermon! Mountain Top TV No monthly fee. Granted, Jesus did some of his best work on and around water, but he was a mountain man, too. No one deserves worship but Jesus! As the transfiguration reveals, the voice of Majestic Glory in the Word is a fearful thing. But God also spoke, it was Gods voice. The mission field proves a common place where we experience God in new ways. In the presence of Jesus with the saints, talking about the Cross! 2nd Purpose for a mountain-top experiences is that you will: 2. 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. After clarifying among the three who the real hillbilly is (its the one who has Suddenly your problems dont seem like problems anymore. revisiting them will prove a way to spur us on as we continue to live changed. Appropriately enough, both Moses and Elijah, the greatest lawgiver and the greatest prophet, show up to talk with Jesus. On that mountaintop I realized that all the problems and worries that suffocate me daily were so worldly. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples I'm sure you have left over hot chocolate from November and December, so it's time to finish them off. This was the glory that Jesus had with his father before the world began. 17:2). Or you were convicted about something in your life that you now need accountability for from a friend or mentor. Thousands of people would say the answer is to stand on the "roof of the world," the summit of Mount Everest. the cloud which covered the Tabernacle with Gods glory. First off, there are a variety of flavors, from White Chocolate, Pumpkin Spice, Mint, Caramel and the list goes on. 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. Moses and Elijah were still alive and conscience though they had left the earth hundreds of years before this. Some people need to journal each moment while still on the mountain. Define mountaintop. Running Together: Evening Worship at 5:00. When it happens, they become excited and zealous for God. I have placed you on the mountaintop for my glory in the last days.. The mountaintop experience enables the believer to remain stable when they reach low points in their life. Moses is a prime example of this. 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. There, Jesus face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light (Matt. All rights reserved. . Moses had asked to see Gods glory, and only got to see the backside of God as he passed by. If you need it, they have it. As Christians, when we know what we have, we never want to leave the mountain of God. What matters most is that you end up standing on top of it all rather than being consumed by it! Have you ever witnessed an altar call? Through His Word, Jesus presents grace to frightened disciples on the mountain. Jesus asked his disciples, who do you say that I am? 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. Now, as we review Exodus 24 and Matthew 17, I want us to notice certain traits of mountaintop experiences. There is a mountaintop experience all Christians seek. They didn't last for years. A sunrise view from the Solid Rock Hideaway our Vision. Thats almost seven weeks of sitting around in the fog! adj. For six days Moses lingered in the cloud of God at the top of the mountain. The Word communicated the fullness of the glory of God manifested to them. As for how this takes shape in the coming future, I dont really know and I am okay with that because I am very confident that my job is to be willing and available and He will open and close doors. Finally, its just Moses moving to the top of Mt. 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 ). Now, even though Joanis Listen to Your Life conference in Atlanta took place in the suburbs rather than on top of nearby Stone Mountain (which is where, by the way, I proposed to Joani), she still refers to the conference as a mountaintop experience. Questions for further thought: Where and when have you been overwhelmed by a deeper understanding of who Jesus is and what He has done for you on the cross? Mountains are a symbol of steadfastness. It is interesting to imagine what it would be like to staff other peoples mountain top experiences. And minds that were already spinning are now completely blown. 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. Hebrew tells us he is greater than all the O.T prophets! 5. living, growing, or located in the mountains. Sinai. The Holy Spirit really works through the sacrament of baptism. They witnessed Jesus transfigurationa majestic visualization of the Lords divine nature as well as His approaching death and resurrection. If there ever was a time for silence, this was it. To hear the voice of God in His Word is to be led to the mountaintop of glory and grace. The question is, will you enter into that change as you walk down the mountain into the valley? 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. But as Jesus and his inner circle stood on that mountain the Shekinah glory cloud overshadowed them. This is so prevalent that the mountaintop experience has become a Christian clich of excitement and zeal. 1:21). This will make any chill session that much more enjoyable. 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. But God never intended for us to live there. The Mountaintop Experience. It actually turned out to be a good place. Consider how Peter engages this question in 2 Peter 1:16-21. Get our latest tips and leader helps with our free monthly e-newsletter. Notice, too, that mountaintops offer a perfect setting for life-changing transformation. We go down to the valley to meditate on our recent revelation, allowing us to learn from our mountaintop experiences. They saw for the first time the dazzling Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ! 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. Their dedication and devotion to Jesus brought special blessings into their lives. Do what I have called you to do, and people will say, Let us go to Mountaintop Worship Center. These moments can be truly genuine and beautiful. Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for mountaintop, Nglish: Translation of mountaintop for Spanish Speakers. This reminds me of Church! 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! Stick with that original version of your mountain-top experience--the way you have experienced God. Pastor at Columbus (IN) RP Church. 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. My greatest insight from a week of mountain climbing came from the time spent at the bottom of the mountains. Baptism is NOT something we do. The glory of God shines the brightest with the topic of conversation is the redemptive work of Jesus Christ! We long for the mountaintop. 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. Moses finally made it to the promise land! -For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. If you have Netflix or Hulu, the possibilities of movies are endless. These men NEVER forgot what they saw that night. 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. Yet, right after this, Christians often go back into the valley where they seem to dwell most of the time. Death moves our soul to another place, and that particular place is determined by what you do with Jesus in this life. At first they were deathly afraid of what they had seenwho wouldnt be!? The person and name of Jesus is a name that is above every name! We must take what weve learned and processed, allowing it to change us. Jesus asked his disciples, who do the people say I am? Many people want special blessings, and mountain top experiences but they do not want to be dedicated to Jesus. Sinai. The prophet Elijah had his share of mountaintop moments as well. Some of us may prefer to not be confronted with such a frightening voice whenever our Bibles are opened. Just as the disciples heard the Word on the mountain (2 Pet. 6. resembling or suggesting a mountain, as in size. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. The valley is not what you may think. Jesus is greater than Moses, and Elijah! Jesus was God incognito, dressed in human flesh. As Christians, we long for experiences of the transcendent that we believe will forever change our perspective on life. Yet over time we go back to normal life. What is the purpose of a Mountain-top experience? Though it had not been easy, it had all been well worth the journey to get to where he wanted to be in life. Any place be it mountaintop, retreat center, or worship service, that can change you inside out should be considered dangerous. This past week I attended a two day conference in Atlanta for facilitators of a program called Listen to Your Life. When you looked at Jesus he was a common, ordinary Jew-, YET Jesus Christ was much more than a common man when he walked on this earth. What is it about mountains that invoke a spiritual or religious response from us as human beings? To grow and restore the family of Christ on the foundation of His Word and His promises. Joe cartoons from the 80's that said, " Knowing is half the battle! Click the link below to sign up for updates from Good Faith Media via our daily or weekly e-newsletters. At those times, we receive revelation and teaching from God. as he tells you to deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow him. But what, biblically speaking, is a mountaintop experience? You come down from the mountaintop ready for a changed life. If the bible is any guide, theres no better place to meet the divine than on or around a mountain. By now, its a Christian clich: the mountaintop experience. 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. While such fear is proper, it may and must be accompanied by hearing the other mountain-voice of the transfiguration. If movies aren't your style or you need a quieter way to relax, pick up a good book. 17:7)." SEE IT FOR THE FATHOMLESS MYSTERY THAT IT IS. 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 sum total of the Christian life is listening to and doing what Jesus says. The term mountain top experience comes from those moments in the Bible when God revealed Himself to people on a mountain. Not all mountain top experiences drip with emotion. He was the God-Man, Immanuel- God with us! Here at Mountaintop Worship Center, we spend every Sunday and Wednesday on the mountaintop. Properly understood, it is something we receive just like our salvation. This works in making work more enjoyable too. Maybe the thinness of the air, the lack of oxygen, or the exhaustion when we finally reach the top? The only way to properly do this is to be comfortable, because why relax when you could relax? He fulfilled what the. And then there was Jesus. 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.. Then in Matthew 17, Jesus is once again climbing a mountaintradition says its Mt. With this idea, though, one final observation must be made. 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. Under his feet lay challenge after challenge that he had encountered along the way in his business and personal life. died on Mt. 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. II. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mountaintop.' Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church625 Montgomery AvenueBryn Mawr, PA 19010(610) 525-2821. The cloud alone would have been enough to confirm Gods presence and blessings on Jesus. But, maybe you say, The church doesnt hear the voice like Peter did. 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. If youve ever been to a mountaintop, then you are familiar with the sensation of inexplicable awe. In later reflection, Peter described what he heard as the Majestic Glory (2 Pet. Soaking in the memory of what God revealed to us on the mountain will remind us of our purpose in the valley. Still, nearly a thousand people everyyear train vigorously, pay steep fees, and make the trip to south Asia for the opportunityto enjoy an ultimate mountaintop experience. 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. It is time to drop the negative connotation attached to valleys and embrace their true purpose. In Exodus 24 God summoned Moses and a company of others to come back to the mountain. Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way. 1:17). Now would be the time to get involved in a church or Bible study. It is a high point in your life when youre with Gods people and Jesus in his glory shows up! 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. From this mountain-top experience, we learn the purpose of mountain-top experiences. Perhaps they were previously lost, or filled with anger, depression, addiction, confusion. First things first, don't be afraid to talk openly about mountain top experiences with your students. This is what all our experiences, all our theology, all our work should come to; bring is to the place to see Jesus! Afterwards, we go back into the valleys where we live our lives. (see Exodus 19)We need the mountaintop experiences to experience the glory of God and receive revelation. When I heard that story, I identified with it so very much. Copyright 2023, Good Faith Media | Site by, Lincoln Lessons: Real Church, Real Theology, New GFM Podcast on Race, Religion and Politics Drops in, Five Things to Listen for in Raceless Gospel Podcast. Personally, I find waiting very hard to do. 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. He neither deserves the honor or respect that entails. Why not Isaiah and Jeremiah? Top selling author and speaker, Robert Rohm Ph.D. is founder of Personality Insights Inc. and The Robert Rohm Co. As you will see, Dr. Rohm specializes in helping people better understand themselves and others.
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