Speaking on the Mountaintop

2The Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing flame of fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was on fire, yet it was not consumed. 3So Moses said, “I must turn away [from the flock] and see this great sight—why the bush is not burned up.”4 When the Lord saw that he turned away [from the flock] to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5Then God said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet [out of respect], because the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6Then He said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Then Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God. ' Exodus 3:2-6 https://www.bible.com/bible/1588/EXO.3.2-6.AMP

I. Sight and Sound

A. Moses saw the fire and turned to see where it was coming from. Just like fiery furnace that was made 7 times hotter and God was with them in the fire and they were not consumed. So was the burning bush when the Angel of the Lord showed himself.

Seeing gives us an understanding how God’s communicates one on one. It’s a supernatural language. How do you know a picture is worth a thousand words. How much more is the look worth when it’s in your face.

a. It’s a Great sight Moses said, I must turn and see..… What do you see tonight? Have you ever had an mountaintop experience with God? In 2005 I experience my mountain top experience with God at the Cape Cod conference. I heard the call of God as I watching the World evangelism video on Thursday night.

God is looking for Moses to stand in the gap between His people and the Egyptians held in bondage 400 years.

2. The burning bush experience is a personal one for Moses. Moses means drawing out in Hebrew.

a. God is calling Moses on the mountain of Horeb/Sinai. Most bible scholars believe the 2 names are the same place. The Mountain top experience serves as a reminder of commitments made from God and to God.

b. 'Moses went up to God [on the mountain], and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Say this to the house of Jacob and tell the Israelites: ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will in fact obey My voice and keep My covenant (agreement), then you shall be My own special possession and treasure from among all peoples [of the world], for all the earth is Mine; ' Exodus 19:3-5 https://www.bible.com/bible/1588/EXO.19.3-5.AMP

'Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up [the mountainside], and they saw [a manifestation of] the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, just as clear as the sky itself. [Ex 33:20-23; Deut 4:12; Ezek 28:14] Yet He did not stretch out His hand against the nobles of the Israelites; and they saw [the manifestation of the presence of] God, and ate and drank. [Ex 19:21] ' Exodus 24:9-11 https://www.bible.com/bible/1588/EXO.24.9-11.AMP

c. How many altar calls have we’ve come down and made a covenant with God. I will go, I will do whatever you ask of me. Is that true tonight?

d. Moses tried to use the excuse just like our excuse “I can’t do it!” The Mountain top experience also serves to bring re-direction.

II. The Mountaintop brings re-direction.

A. Moses at that point in his life fled to Egypt 40 years. He was comfortable tending his father-in-laws flock, but he was going in the wrong direction.

That can be true of us. The problem with us is that when we make a mistake because the bible says that he had compassion when the Egyptian was striking the his kinsman, he killed him. The next day the kinsman he stood up for told Moses do you “intend to kill us”. Moses was afraid and said everyone knows what I did. But God had the final say! Do you know no matter how bad of mistakes you made God still has the final say!

a. Isn’t it the same with Jacob, God asked him what’s your name? God calls Moses to deal with not only with his past, but to fulfill the promises of God.

b. a. 4 When the Lord saw that he turned away [from the flock] to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” God is the God of the second chances.

B. How remember God asking Elijah what are you doing here? in other words, he’s telling him you need to go back and continue to follow my plans.

1. The bible says that Elijah performed one of the great miracles when he battled the prophets of baal…..He’s doing the will of God.

a.'The Lord  said to him, “Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram (Syria); and you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and anoint Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. It shall come about that Jehu shall put to death whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, and Elisha shall put to death whoever escapes the sword of Jehu. Yet I will leave 7,000 [survivors] in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed down to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him.” ' 1 Kings 19:15-18 https://www.bible.com/bible/1588/1KI.19.15-18.AMP

This was on the same mountain Where God spoke to him.

III. The Mountain encapsulates the Glory of God.

A. God reveal to Moses Who he is

. 5Then God said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet [out of respect], because the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6Then He said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.

”The Grand canyon experience was absolutely breathe taking.

We met the Philipino and God begin to speak.

B. “Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him. Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”

” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭9‬:‭28‬-‭35‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/114/luk.9.28-35.NKJV