Finding God in Everyday Life, Not Just Mountaintops
Summary
Mountaintop experiences are moments in life when God’s presence and glory seem especially near—times of joy, celebration, or spiritual clarity. These moments, whether they come through family milestones, spiritual gatherings, or personal achievements, remind us of the biblical pattern where God often met His people on mountains. Yet, as powerful as these experiences are, they are fleeting. The true gift is not the experience itself, but the God who meets us there and, more importantly, who comes down to meet us in the ordinary places of our lives.
The story of Jesus’ transfiguration is a vivid example. On the mountain, Peter, James, and John saw a glimpse of Christ’s divine glory, joined by Moses and Elijah. But the heart of that moment was not the dazzling display, but the conversation about Jesus’ coming departure—His journey to Jerusalem, to the cross, to another mountain called Golgotha. The glory of God is not just in the mountaintop moments, but in the humility and sacrifice of Christ, who comes down to us, who enters our world, our suffering, and our need.
God does not wait for us to climb up to Him. He comes to us in the most tangible ways: in His Word, in baptism, and in the Lord’s Supper. These are not abstract spiritual ideas, but concrete promises where God assures us of His presence, forgiveness, and love. We do not have to search for Him in mystical experiences or extraordinary achievements. He is present where He has promised to be.
The invitation is to come and receive, to taste and see that the Lord is good, to be assured of His love and forgiveness. And then, having received His grace, we are called to listen to Jesus, to follow Him in daily life, growing in gentleness, patience, love, and faithfulness. Our response is not to try to recreate mountaintop experiences, but to walk with Christ, one step at a time, trusting that there is no higher place than where He meets us in His means of grace.
Key Takeaways
- God’s Presence Is Not Limited to Mountaintop Experiences
While mountaintop moments are memorable and spiritually uplifting, God’s presence is not confined to these rare events. He meets us in the everyday, in the ordinary, and especially in the places He has promised—His Word and sacraments. Our faith is anchored not in fleeting experiences, but in the enduring presence of Christ with us. [01:20]
- Jesus Comes Down to Us, Not the Other Way Around
The heart of the gospel is not our ability to ascend to God, but His willingness to descend to us. In Christ’s humility—His suffering, death, and resurrection—God bridges the gap we could never cross. Our hope rests in the God who comes to us, who meets us in our need, and who does for us what we cannot do for ourselves. [07:12]
- The Means of Grace Are Where God Promises to Be
God’s presence is not left to our imagination or effort. He has given us concrete means—baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and His Word—where He promises to meet us, forgive us, and make us His own. These are not mere symbols, but living encounters with the God who is Jesus, offering us assurance and peace. [08:41]
- The Glory of Christ Points to the Cross
The transfiguration was not an end in itself, but a preparation for the greater work Jesus would accomplish at the cross. The true glory of Christ is revealed not just in dazzling light, but in His sacrificial love and obedience unto death. Our salvation is found in His “departure” at Jerusalem, where He gave Himself for us. [11:47]
- Our Response Is a Life of Listening and Following
Having received God’s grace, we are called to listen to Jesus and follow Him in daily life. This means growing in virtues like gentleness, patience, love, and faithfulness—not as a way to earn God’s favor, but as a grateful response to His love. Our journey is not about seeking new mountaintops, but faithfully walking with Christ where He leads. [15:25]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:20] - Sharing Mountaintop Experiences
[03:54] - The Highest Place: Where God Comes to Us
[05:51] - Who Is Jesus? The Almighty God
[07:12] - Christ’s Descent: God Comes Down
[08:41] - God’s Presence in Word and Sacraments
[10:27] - Grace Given, Not Earned
[11:47] - The Transfiguration Points to the Cross
[12:48] - Invitation to Receive Christ’s Gifts
[13:59] - Listening to the Son
[15:25] - Living Out the Gospel
[16:23] - Closing Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Mountaintop Experiences and the God Who Comes Down"
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### Bible Reading
Luke 9:28-36 (ESV) – The Transfiguration
> Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.
Philippians 2:5-8 (ESV) – Christ’s Humility
> Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
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### Observation Questions
1. In the story of the Transfiguration, what did Peter, James, and John see and hear while they were on the mountain with Jesus? (Luke 9:28-36)
2. According to the sermon, what were Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus about during the Transfiguration? [11:47]
3. What does Philippians 2:5-8 say about Jesus’ attitude and actions as he came down to us?
4. The sermon mentions that God meets us in specific places. What are the “means of grace” where God promises to be present? [08:41]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Peter wanted to stay on the mountain and build tents for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah? What does this reveal about our desire for spiritual “highs”? (Luke 9:33)
2. The sermon says the real focus of the Transfiguration was not the dazzling display, but the conversation about Jesus’ “departure” (his journey to the cross). Why is this significant for understanding Jesus’ mission? [11:47]
3. How does the idea that “God comes down to us” challenge the way people often think about finding or experiencing God? [07:12]
4. The Father’s voice says, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” What does it mean for us today to “listen to Jesus”? [13:59]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon began with people sharing their own “mountaintop experiences.” What is one memorable spiritual “high” or joyful moment you’ve had? How did it affect your faith? [01:20]
2. The pastor said, “God does not wait for us to climb up to Him. He comes to us in the most tangible ways: in His Word, in baptism, and in the Lord’s Supper.” How do you personally experience God’s presence in these ordinary means? Is there one you want to engage with more intentionally? [08:41]
3. Sometimes we chase after big spiritual experiences, hoping to feel close to God. Are there ways you’ve tried to “recreate” mountaintop moments? What might it look like to trust God’s presence in the ordinary instead? [03:54]
4. The sermon pointed out that the true glory of Christ is seen in his humility and sacrifice, especially at the cross. How does remembering Jesus’ humility shape the way you approach your own struggles or suffering? [11:47]
5. The Father’s command is to “listen to Jesus.” What is one area of your life where you sense Jesus calling you to listen and follow him more closely? [13:59]
6. The pastor shared a prayer asking for gentleness, patience, love, self-control, and faithfulness. Which of these do you most want to grow in right now? What is one practical step you can take this week to practice it? [15:25]
7. The sermon said, “Our response is not to try to recreate mountaintop experiences, but to walk with Christ, one step at a time.” What is one small, faithful step you can take this week to walk with Jesus in your daily life? [15:25]
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Devotional
Day 1: There is no higher place than where God comes to us
God’s presence is not found in our striving or in reaching some spiritual summit, but in the places where He promises to meet us—His Word and the sacraments. No matter how grand or fleeting our mountaintop experiences may be, the true “high place” is wherever God chooses to come to us, offering His grace and assurance. In the ordinary and the sacred, in worship and in the gifts of baptism and communion, He draws near, inviting us to rest in His promise and rejoice in His presence. [03:54]
Psalm 84:1-2 (ESV)
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.
Reflection: Where in your daily or weekly routine do you most tangibly experience God’s presence, and how can you intentionally seek Him in those places this week?
Day 2: Jesus, the Almighty God, comes down to us
The God who is far above, holy and eternal, does not wait for us to climb up to Him; instead, He comes down to us in humility and love. Jesus, true God, emptied Himself and entered into our world, enduring suffering and death to rescue and redeem us. His coming is not about our ability to reach Him, but about His willingness to meet us in our need, bringing salvation and grace right where we are. [07:12]
Philippians 2:5-8 (ESV)
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel you need to “climb” to reach God, and how can you instead receive the grace of Christ who comes down to you?
Day 3: God’s grace is given through His Word and sacraments
God’s grace is not a distant or abstract concept, but something He gives to us concretely through His Word and the sacraments. In baptism, He washes us into His family; in communion, He feeds us with Christ’s body and blood for forgiveness and assurance. These are not human inventions, but God’s chosen means to deliver His promises and presence to us, inviting us to see, taste, and receive His love. [10:27]
Titus 3:5-7 (ESV)
He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Reflection: How does remembering your baptism or participating in communion shape your understanding of God’s grace for you today?
Day 4: Christ’s glory points to His sacrificial love on the cross
The glimpse of Christ’s glory on the mountaintop was not an end in itself, but pointed forward to His “departure” at Jerusalem—His suffering and death on the cross. The true heart of His mission was not to remain in glory, but to go to Golgotha, to give Himself for us. In this, we see the depth of His love and the assurance that His presence and blessing are with us, even in the valleys and storms of life. [11:47]
Luke 9:30-31 (ESV)
And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.
Reflection: When you reflect on Jesus’ journey from the mountaintop to the cross, how does it change the way you view your own “highs” and “lows” in life?
Day 5: Listen to Jesus and follow Him in daily life
The Father’s call is clear: “Listen to Him.” As followers of Jesus, we are invited to respond to His grace by listening to His voice and following Him, step by step, in our daily lives. This means growing in courtesy, gentleness, patience, love, self-control, and faithfulness—living out the character of Christ in our relationships and work. Our response is not to earn His favor, but to walk in the grace and mercy He continually gives. [13:59]
James 1:22 (ESV)
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Reflection: What is one specific way you can listen to Jesus’ voice and put His words into practice in your relationships or work today?
Quotes
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