Ascending the Hill: A Spiritual Journey to God
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound spiritual journey of ascending the hill of the Lord, drawing from Psalm 24. The metaphor of climbing Mount Adams served as a vivid illustration of the spiritual ascent required to draw closer to God. The journey is not easy; it demands the right equipment, the right supplies, the right attitude, and the right training. Just as physical preparation is essential for a mountain climb, spiritual preparation is crucial for our walk with God. We need clean hands, a pure heart, and honesty to ascend the hill of the Lord and receive His blessings and righteousness.
Mountains in the Bible symbolize stability, permanence, and divine encounters. From Mount Sinai to Mount Calvary, these peaks represent moments of profound spiritual significance. Our spiritual climb requires inspiration, a supportive team, faith, and a guide. Inspiration comes from those who have gone before us, showing us the way. A team helps bear our burdens, making the climb more manageable. Faith assures us that we can reach the summit, trusting in God's provision. Finally, a guide, the Holy Spirit, directs our steps, ensuring we stay on the right path.
The journey to spiritual heights is challenging but immensely rewarding. It requires us to overcome false summits and continue striving for greater intimacy with God. The climb is worth it, as it leads to a deeper understanding of God's beauty, peace, and purpose. The message concluded with an invitation to those who feel distant from God to take the first step in their spiritual ascent by accepting Jesus Christ and beginning a transformative relationship with Him.
### Key Takeaways
1. Spiritual Preparation is Essential: Just as climbing a physical mountain requires the right equipment and training, our spiritual journey necessitates preparation. We must equip ourselves with the armor of God—truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, and the Word of God—to stand firm against spiritual challenges. This preparation enables us to ascend the hill of the Lord with clean hands and a pure heart. [48:01]
2. Inspiration from Spiritual Ancestors: Drawing inspiration from those who have walked the path before us is crucial. Biblical figures and personal mentors provide footprints and blueprints for our spiritual journey. Their lives of faith, prayer, and perseverance serve as guides, showing us how to navigate our own spiritual climbs. [55:39]
3. The Importance of Community: We cannot climb the spiritual mountain alone. A supportive community helps bear our burdens during difficult times. Just as a fellow climber might carry our pack for a stretch, our spiritual community provides support, prayer, and encouragement, helping us overcome obstacles and continue our ascent. [58:03]
4. Faith in God's Provision: Faith is trusting that God will provide what we need for our journey, even when we cannot see the way forward. Just as climbers trust their guides to find water and safe paths, we must trust God to meet our needs and guide us through life's challenges. His past faithfulness assures us of His future provision. [59:57]
5. Guidance of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit acts as our guide, directing our steps and ensuring we stay on the right path. By tuning into His voice and following His lead, we can navigate the spiritual terrain safely. The Spirit's guidance helps us avoid pitfalls and leads us to the summit of our spiritual journey. [01:03:37]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[35:10] - Introduction and Personal Story
[35:56] - Evangelism and Productions
[36:50] - Invitation to Walk with the Lord
[37:33] - God's Grace and Forgiveness
[38:18] - Simplicity of Faith
[38:59] - Prayer and Psalm 24
[40:23] - Physical Challenges and Fundraising
[41:09] - Climbing Mount Adams
[41:59] - Significance of Mountains in the Bible
[45:06] - Requirements for Ascending the Hill of the Lord
[46:35] - Right Equipment for the Journey
[48:25] - Right Supply and Counting the Cost
[49:58] - Right Attitude and Self-Talk
[52:16] - Right Training and Discipline
[53:42] - Inspiration from Scripture
[55:39] - Following Footprints of Faith
[57:24] - Importance of a Supportive Team
[59:25] - Faith in God's Provision
[01:01:33] - Guidance of the Holy Spirit
[01:06:04] - The Reward of the Climb
[01:08:09] - Planting Seeds of Faith
[01:10:01] - Personal Testimony and Invitation
[01:12:36] - Call to Commitment
[01:14:21] - Prayer and Confession
[01:17:29] - Closing and Worship Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Psalm 24:3-5 (NIV): "Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 24, what are the requirements for ascending the hill of the Lord?
2. In the sermon, what metaphor did the pastor use to illustrate the spiritual journey of drawing closer to God? [41:09]
3. What are the four essential elements mentioned in the sermon that are necessary for a spiritual climb? [46:35]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the requirement of having "clean hands and a pure heart" in Psalm 24 relate to our daily spiritual practices?
2. The pastor mentioned the importance of having the right equipment for a spiritual journey. How can the "armor of God" be seen as this equipment? [48:01]
3. What role does community play in our spiritual journey according to the sermon, and how does this align with biblical teachings on fellowship? [57:24]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current spiritual practices. Do you feel spiritually prepared to ascend the hill of the Lord? What steps can you take to better equip yourself? [46:35]
2. Think about a time when you drew inspiration from a spiritual ancestor or mentor. How did their example impact your faith journey? How can you be an inspiration to others? [55:39]
3. In what ways can you actively contribute to your spiritual community to help bear each other's burdens? Are there specific actions you can take this week to support someone in your community? [58:03]
4. How do you practice faith in God's provision in your daily life? Can you recall a situation where trusting in God's provision made a significant difference? [59:57]
5. The pastor emphasized the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our spiritual journey. How do you discern the Holy Spirit's guidance in your life? Are there practices you can adopt to better tune into His voice? [01:03:37]
6. The sermon concluded with an invitation to take the first step in a spiritual ascent by accepting Jesus Christ. If you have already taken this step, how can you deepen your relationship with Him? If not, what is holding you back from making this commitment? [01:10:01]
7. Identify a "false summit" in your spiritual journey—an obstacle or challenge that made you feel like giving up. How did you overcome it, or how can you plan to overcome it with God's help? [01:07:28]
Devotional
Day 1: Equip Yourself for the Spiritual Journey
Spiritual preparation is essential for our journey with God. Just as a mountain climber needs the right equipment and training, we must equip ourselves with the armor of God—truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. This preparation enables us to ascend the hill of the Lord with clean hands and a pure heart. Without proper spiritual preparation, we are vulnerable to the challenges and temptations that can derail our journey. By committing to daily spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, and worship, we can ensure that we are ready to face whatever comes our way. [48:01]
Ephesians 6:13-17 (ESV): "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
Reflection: What specific spiritual disciplines can you commit to this week to better equip yourself for your journey with God?
Day 2: Draw Inspiration from Spiritual Ancestors
Drawing inspiration from those who have walked the path before us is crucial. Biblical figures and personal mentors provide footprints and blueprints for our spiritual journey. Their lives of faith, prayer, and perseverance serve as guides, showing us how to navigate our own spiritual climbs. Reflecting on the stories of these spiritual ancestors can provide us with the encouragement and wisdom we need to continue our journey, even when it becomes difficult. By studying their lives and learning from their experiences, we can find the strength to persevere in our own spiritual walk. [55:39]
Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Reflection: Who is one spiritual ancestor or mentor whose life you can study this week? How can their example inspire you in your current spiritual journey?
Day 3: Embrace the Importance of Community
We cannot climb the spiritual mountain alone. A supportive community helps bear our burdens during difficult times. Just as a fellow climber might carry our pack for a stretch, our spiritual community provides support, prayer, and encouragement, helping us overcome obstacles and continue our ascent. Being part of a community allows us to share our struggles and victories, receive guidance, and offer support to others. It reminds us that we are not alone in our journey and that together, we can achieve more than we ever could on our own. [58:03]
Galatians 6:2 (ESV): "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Reflection: How can you actively support someone in your spiritual community this week? What specific actions can you take to help bear their burdens?
Day 4: Trust in God's Provision
Faith is trusting that God will provide what we need for our journey, even when we cannot see the way forward. Just as climbers trust their guides to find water and safe paths, we must trust God to meet our needs and guide us through life's challenges. His past faithfulness assures us of His future provision. By remembering how God has provided for us in the past, we can have confidence that He will continue to do so in the future. This trust allows us to move forward with courage and hope, knowing that God is with us every step of the way. [59:57]
Matthew 6:31-33 (ESV): "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust God’s provision more fully? How can you actively practice that trust this week?
Day 5: Follow the Guidance of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit acts as our guide, directing our steps and ensuring we stay on the right path. By tuning into His voice and following His lead, we can navigate the spiritual terrain safely. The Spirit's guidance helps us avoid pitfalls and leads us to the summit of our spiritual journey. Listening to the Holy Spirit requires us to be attentive and obedient, willing to follow His direction even when it is difficult or unclear. By cultivating a relationship with the Holy Spirit through prayer and meditation, we can become more sensitive to His guidance and more confident in our steps. [01:03:37]
John 16:13 (ESV): "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come."
Reflection: How can you create space in your daily routine to listen to the Holy Spirit’s guidance? What steps can you take to be more attentive to His voice?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "People think you got to do a lot of stuff to walk with Jesus. Really? You just have to receive the free gift of God. Ephesians two 89 says it's by grace. You've been saved through faith. This is not a works lest anyone boast about it. He died on the cross, became sin for us so that we might walk in the righteousness of God and it's available to everybody." [37:33] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "He'll forgive you of anything and everything. And it's not a fancy prayer away. I've heard the fancy prayers. I heard a guy pray like this one time. Lord, as you look over the balconies of heaven, Marshall, your influence. Is it the superfluity of naughtiness? And I think the angels looked at each other and said, have no idea what that guy just said. We come into the kingdom like a little child. Imagine a kid crawling up in Jesus lap. Hey mister, your beard is soft. You smell like the earth. You want to play? That's how we come into the kingdom. Just simple as we are." [38:18] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God has already given us all the equipment that we need to fight the battle and to go to the top with him. Can somebody say amen? You got to have the right supply, number two. You got to have the right supply. Now, I think it's better to have it up there and not need it than to need it and not have it. So you look at me, I don't miss many meals. I'm six foot three, 200 pounds. So listen, this is the food that I had left. You can't believe how absolutely heavy that food is." [48:01] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Now, faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Finally, you need a guide. You need a guide. The Bible says when the spirit of truth comes, he'll guide you into all the truth. My grandmother, I was born to, in an illegitimate situation, my mother tried to get an illegal abortion. My grandmother, which was actually my aunt by blood, I was adopted within the family. She talked my aunt out of getting the abortion, my mom, biological mom, out of getting the abortion." [01:00:54] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "There are 7.951 billion people on the earth, Jesus said, take the way that's not broad. Take the narrow path. Because wide is the gate that leads to destruction and many there are that are on it. But narrow is the way that leads to life. There are 7.9 billion people on the planet and the percentage of people that saw what I was able to see is absolutely minuscule. And you can only get there by climbing. Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? It's the one who climbs." [01:06:04] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Mountains represent stability and permanence. Mystery represents vastness, power, timelessness. They're splendid and majestic. They're the place of refuge. Strongholds of protection have been in mountains for ages. God created mountains to appeal to our sense of wonder. They call us to something. Something higher. It's an invitation from God. The mountains call us home. The woman at the well said to Jesus, Our fathers used to worship on that mountain right there. Mountains are a big deal in the Bible." [44:24] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You got to have the right attitude. I'm going to show you some statistics and give you the total. This is from my buddy AC and he was with me every step of the way. We went 7,579 feet of elevation gain, 12.39 miles, burned 7,419 calories, climbed for 19.72 hours and took 45,316 hours. 22 steps. And I want you to know how important something called self-talk is for me." [49:58] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You need a team. Number two, you need a team. Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. I'll show you this picture. This picture means a lot to me because there were a couple of times going up the hill and I'll show you a picture sort of where that happened in a moment. I was trying to carry this 30-pound pack and the wind was catching it and it was difficult, really difficult." [57:24] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You got to have faith. Number three, faith. That you can make it. You can't wake up and say, well, I'm just going to give this a try. I think I'll climb up there. No, you got to say, I'm going up there. And here's a definition of faith to me that's very, very simplistic. When we left on Monday, a week from tomorrow, so six days ago, this was all the water I had in my possession. And I looked on the internet and it says that water is important for human beings to live on the earth." [59:25] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "There are fall summits in our lives. The Bible says, if any man thinks he stand, he needs to take heed lest he fall. There's someplace higher that you can go. The last scripture I give is from 2 Corinthians 3, 18. With unveiled face, beholding as in a miracle, the glory of the Lord. We're being transformed into the image from glory, from glory to glory, just as by the spirit of the Lord. There's a higher place to go in God than you are right now. And then I'm at right now. There's a deeper place to go in God. And it's worth the climb." [01:07:28] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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