LESSONS FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOP

(Luk 9:28) And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
(Luk 9:29) And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.
(Luk 9:30) And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:
(Luk 9:31) Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
(Luk 9:32) But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
(Luk 9:33) And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.
(Luk 9:34) While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
(Luk 9:35) And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
(Luk 9:36) And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.
(Luk 9:37) And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him.

Lesson #1. God gives mountain-top experiences: Those precious times when His presence is so sweet, His glory is to some degree unveiled , and we get a fresh understanding of His work and ministry.

Lesson #2. Mountain-top experiences are relatively rare. Jesus taught His disciples and revealed His glory in many ways, but as far as the gospel record is concerned, there was never another experience like the one described in these verses.

Lesson #3. Christians can easily be distracted by an emotionally charged experience and begin to focus on prolonging or repeating it.
Peter said,"Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us build three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah:" These words indicate that his focus was already beginning to shift from the manifestation of Jesus' glory to a desire to prolong the experience.

Lesson#4. It's all about Him! Peter was willing to put Jesus first in his tabernacle building proposition. But the cloud came, and the fear, and then the Voice. "This is my beloved son: hear him". He is not to be #1 on our list of important things to be considered in our christian service or worship. He is everything! It's not about the emotional experience, although passion in worship is good. It's not about the other participants or those who help us in worship. It's about Him!
*He is to be the focus of all our preaching.
*Praying is about what He wants more than about what I want.
* He alone is to be the focus of our worship.
*Our witnessing should be about Him, His glory, His holiness, His demands, and the remedy He has provided for man's sin.

Lesson #5. Ministry takes place at the foot of the mountain (v.37). Those to whom we are called upon to minister, will not be on the mountain with us. They are in the lowlands. However, the One who is with us on the mountain, leads us as we minister in the valley.