Embracing Everyday Faith Beyond Mountaintop Experiences

Summary

### Summary

Good morning, Grace Bible Church. Today, we explored the concept of "mountaintop experiences" with Jesus and how they impact our spiritual journey. I shared a personal story from 2006 when I was in Nairobi, Kenya, and witnessed a powerful response to the gospel at a boys' school. This experience was a spiritual high for me, but I realized that my faith often relied on these high moments, treating them like a gas station where I would fill up and then sputter along until the next one.

We delved into the story of Jesus' transfiguration in Mark 9:1-13, where Peter, James, and John witnessed Jesus in His glorified state alongside Moses and Elijah. This was a profound moment meant to inspire and affirm their faith. However, Jesus didn't intend for them to stay on the mountaintop. Instead, He led them back down, emphasizing that true spiritual growth happens in the daily grind of life, not just in extraordinary moments.

Mountaintop experiences are gifts from God, meant to wow us and draw us closer to Him. They often involve our spiritual heroes, who inspire us to grow in our faith. However, we must be careful not to rely solely on these experiences. The real work of faith happens in the trenches of everyday life, where we make consistent, faithful decisions to follow Jesus.

We discussed the dangers of wanting to stay on the mountaintop, such as seeking glory without the guts to endure hardship and thinking too highly of ourselves because of these experiences. True transformation happens in the valleys, where we face challenges and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. Ultimately, our journey will lead us to the ultimate mountaintop experience in eternity, where we will shine like the sun in God's kingdom.

### Key Takeaways

1. Mountaintop Experiences as Gifts: Mountaintop experiences are divine gifts meant to inspire and draw us closer to Jesus. They are moments of profound spiritual encounter that remind us of God's glory and power. However, they are not the entirety of our faith journey but rather a part of it. [34:56]

2. Daily Faithfulness Over Spiritual Highs: True spiritual growth happens in the daily grind of life. While mountaintop experiences are significant, the consistent, faithful decisions we make every day to follow Jesus are what truly transform us. This daily dedication to God's Word and prayer is more impactful over time than any single spiritual high. [39:43]

3. Admiring Spiritual Heroes: God places spiritual heroes in our lives to inspire and guide us. These individuals, like Moses and Elijah for Peter, James, and John, serve as examples of faithfulness and integrity. We should admire and learn from them, but our ultimate focus should always be on Jesus. [50:38]

4. The Dangers of Staying on the Mountaintop: There are significant dangers in wanting to stay on the mountaintop, such as seeking glory without the willingness to endure hardship and thinking too highly of ourselves because of these experiences. True spiritual maturity requires us to come down from the mountain and live out our faith in the valleys of everyday life. [01:00:03]

5. Transformation in the Trenches: Real transformation happens in the trenches of life, not on the mountaintop. As we face challenges and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we are gradually transformed into His likeness. This process requires patience and trust in God's plan, knowing that He is with us every step of the way. [01:07:21]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[30:47] - Introduction: Mountaintop Experiences
[31:45] - Worship in Kenya
[32:29] - The Call to Salvation
[33:16] - Overwhelming Response to the Gospel
[34:04] - Power Outage and Continued Worship
[34:56] - Personal Reflection on Mountaintop Experiences
[35:42] - The Gas Station Analogy
[36:25] - Living Off Spiritual Highs
[37:14] - The Most Profound Spiritual Impact
[37:53] - Treasuring Mountaintop Experiences
[38:45] - Daily Faithfulness
[39:18] - The Impact of Daily Bible Reading
[40:34] - Reading Mark 9:1-13
[42:29] - Jesus' Transfiguration
[43:54] - The Meaning of Metamorphosis
[45:35] - Marveling at Jesus
[46:45] - Being Wowed by Jesus
[48:17] - Spiritual Heroes on the Mountaintop
[50:38] - Admiring Spiritual Heroes
[55:03] - The Cloud and God's Voice
[56:01] - Affirming Jesus as Lord
[57:39] - Coming Down from the Mountain
[59:29] - Tripping Hazards: Relaxing Without Resiliency
[01:01:19] - Tripping Hazards: Glory Without Guts
[01:05:00] - Avoiding Pride
[01:07:21] - Transformation in the Trenches
[01:11:02] - Trusting the Process
[01:14:23] - The Ultimate Mountaintop Experience
[01:16:56] - Conclusion and Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
- Mark 9:1-13: The Transfiguration of Jesus

### Observation Questions
1. What significant event did Peter, James, and John witness on the mountaintop with Jesus? ([40:56])
2. How did Peter react to seeing Jesus transfigured alongside Moses and Elijah? ([41:32])
3. What did the voice from the cloud say during the Transfiguration? ([55:31])
4. What instructions did Jesus give to Peter, James, and John as they were coming down the mountain? ([42:02])

### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose Peter, James, and John to witness His Transfiguration? ([43:21])
2. What is the significance of Moses and Elijah appearing with Jesus during the Transfiguration? ([48:52])
3. How does the Transfiguration event emphasize the importance of daily faithfulness over seeking spiritual highs? ([39:43])
4. What does the voice from the cloud affirm about Jesus, and why is this affirmation crucial for the disciples and us? ([55:49])

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a "mountaintop experience" you have had in your spiritual journey. How did it impact your faith at the time, and how has it influenced your daily walk with Jesus since then? ([34:56])
2. The sermon mentioned the danger of treating mountaintop experiences like a gas station. Have you ever found yourself relying on spiritual highs to sustain your faith? How can you cultivate a more consistent daily faithfulness? ([36:25])
3. Who are some of your spiritual heroes, and how have they inspired you in your faith journey? How can you ensure that your admiration for them points you back to Jesus? ([50:38])
4. The sermon warned against the desire to stay on the mountaintop and avoid the challenges of the valley. How can you prepare yourself to face spiritual challenges with resilience and faith? ([59:29])
5. Discuss a time when you faced a significant spiritual challenge in the "trenches" of everyday life. How did you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus during that time, and what did you learn from the experience? ([01:07:21])
6. The ultimate mountaintop experience is promised in eternity. How does this future hope influence your current perspective on daily struggles and spiritual growth? ([01:14:23])
7. How can you practically support and encourage others in your small group to remain faithful in the daily grind of life, especially when they are not experiencing spiritual highs? ([38:45])

Devotional

Day 1: Mountaintop Experiences as Divine Gifts
Mountaintop experiences are profound spiritual encounters that remind us of God's glory and power. These moments are gifts from God, designed to inspire and draw us closer to Him. They often involve significant spiritual events or encounters with spiritual heroes who exemplify faith and integrity. However, these experiences are not the entirety of our faith journey. They are meant to be cherished and remembered, but we must not rely solely on them for our spiritual sustenance. Instead, we should see them as part of a larger journey that includes both highs and lows. [34:56]

2 Peter 1:16-18 (ESV): "For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,' we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain."

Reflection: Think of a mountaintop experience in your spiritual journey. How can you use the memory of that experience to inspire your daily walk with Jesus today?

Day 2: Daily Faithfulness Over Spiritual Highs
True spiritual growth happens in the daily grind of life. While mountaintop experiences are significant, the consistent, faithful decisions we make every day to follow Jesus are what truly transform us. This daily dedication to God's Word and prayer is more impactful over time than any single spiritual high. It is in the mundane and routine aspects of life that our faith is tested and strengthened. By committing to daily practices of faith, we build a solid foundation that can withstand the challenges and trials of life. [39:43]

Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV): "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."

Reflection: What daily habit can you start today to ensure you are consistently growing in your faith, even when you are not experiencing a spiritual high?

Day 3: Admiring Spiritual Heroes
God places spiritual heroes in our lives to inspire and guide us. These individuals, like Moses and Elijah for Peter, James, and John, serve as examples of faithfulness and integrity. We should admire and learn from them, but our ultimate focus should always be on Jesus. Spiritual heroes can provide us with tangible examples of how to live out our faith, but they are not the source of our faith. By keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, we can appreciate the lessons from our spiritual heroes while maintaining our primary devotion to Christ. [50:38]

Hebrews 13:7-8 (ESV): "Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

Reflection: Who is a spiritual hero in your life, and what specific quality of theirs can you emulate today to grow closer to Jesus?

Day 4: The Dangers of Staying on the Mountaintop
There are significant dangers in wanting to stay on the mountaintop, such as seeking glory without the willingness to endure hardship and thinking too highly of ourselves because of these experiences. True spiritual maturity requires us to come down from the mountain and live out our faith in the valleys of everyday life. It is in these valleys that we face challenges and grow in resilience and character. By embracing the difficulties and trusting in God's plan, we develop a deeper and more authentic faith. [01:00:03]

James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you are seeking spiritual highs instead of embracing the daily challenges? How can you shift your focus to grow in those areas?

Day 5: Transformation in the Trenches
Real transformation happens in the trenches of life, not on the mountaintop. As we face challenges and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we are gradually transformed into His likeness. This process requires patience and trust in God's plan, knowing that He is with us every step of the way. The valleys of life are where our faith is tested and refined, leading to genuine spiritual growth. By persevering through difficulties and maintaining our focus on Jesus, we experience true transformation that prepares us for the ultimate mountaintop experience in eternity. [01:07:21]

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (ESV): "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: What current challenge are you facing that you can view as an opportunity for spiritual growth? How can you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus through this challenge?

Quotes

1. "I have learned to appreciate those things, but I've also learned not to navigate life with the fuel-is-low orange light blinking on my spiritual dashboard. I have learned not to live on top of the mountain, but to cut my teeth in the trenches of everyday life. And I would argue that that is what we ought to learn to do. That we ought to treasure those mountaintop experiences, but realize that Christian life primarily is made up of faithful and filled with integrity daily, momently decisions that you make to follow Jesus." [38:45] (62 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The most profound thing that has happened to me in my spiritual life was the dedication to read God's word on a regular basis. I was more impacted by the daily decision to open up God's word and let it speak to my life than I was that mountaintop experience in Kenya. And I gotta tell you, there's days where when I open my Bible, I'm not having goosebumps and I'm not having these moments." [39:18] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "When we are on the mountaintop, we are on the mountaintop so we can be wowed by Jesus. We are on the mountaintop so we can be wowed by Jesus. And that's what should be taking place in our very lives. Why? Why would he give us these experiences? Well listen, like, it's interesting. He gives us those experiences. Listen, let's put it this way. Jesus wants, he wants to be wowed. He wants, excuse me, he wants us to be wowed. He wants us to be wowed by him." [46:45] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We become like what we contemplate. We start looking more and more like what we gaze at. Who are you gazing at? Contemplating? What are you contemplating? See like, I would encourage all of us pinpoint, locate, figure out people in our life, both people that we can actually be in a relationship with and those who have platforms that are probably too large for us to actually engage them on a personal level yet God has given them a platform to be an example to us as people." [52:22] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The reason they exist is so that we will affirm Jesus as our Lord. Right? Like it's important to be wowed by Jesus? Everybody, yeah. I think even people who don't believe in Jesus are often wowed by Jesus. Just my opinion. They're blown away by his teachings, by his goodness, by his character, by his integrity. I think most people know what it's like to admire heroes. Maybe not spiritual because maybe they're not spiritual but certainly those of us who are spiritual, we know what it's like to admire a spiritual hero." [56:01] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "We are not made for mountains. We are not made for sunrises and for other beautiful attractions in life. Those are simply intended to be moments of inspiration. We are made for the valley and the ordinary things of life. And it is there that we have to prove our stamina and our strength. Again, friends, the Christian life is not about the glory entirely. It's about the guts." [01:04:08] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "We are transformed in the trenches, not on the mountaintop. The mountaintop is about experiencing God and marveling at Him. But the trenches are about exercising our faith and mimicking Him. Right? And the only way that we can mimic Jesus when we're in the trenches is to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus." [01:10:10] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Every single step that we take in the trenches of life, as we're gazing at Jesus, every single step we take is making us more and more and more loved. He's forming you. He's shaping you. He's transforming you. He's making you a new creation in Christ Jesus. As you take steps, and as you face adversity, and as you face challenges, but you keep your eyes fixated on the author and perfecter of faith, He is transforming you." [01:10:33] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "One day Jesus is going to bring us on the ultimate mountaintop, where not only will he bring us but he will be transformed before us, so to speak. As John says, we will see him for who he truly is. So we will see him as the disciples did on that mountain. But Matthew 13, 43, it says this, the righteous will shine like the sun in their father's kingdom. Let anyone who hears us listen." [01:14:23] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "In our final mountaintop, our eternal mountaintop experience that we often call heaven, some might call the afterlife, some might call the new heavens, the new earth. In that mountaintop experience, Jesus will be shining before us brighter than ever. And we will be like the moon. We will shine too. Because of the glamour and glistening. In fact, it's interesting, the word transfigured linked in our passages talks about him shining. That word shining is only ever used about Jesus." [01:15:31] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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