Exodus 19:1-3– “Exactly two months after the Israelites left Egypt, they arrived in the wilderness of Sinai. After breaking camp at Rephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinai and set up camp there at the base of Mount Sinai.
Then Moses climbed the mountain to appear before God. The Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “Give these instructions to the family of Jacob; announce it to the descendants of Israel:”
When was the last time you’ve been to the mountain to listen and hear what God has to say?
When was the last time you climbed the mountain to meet with God? Not for Him to hear what you have to say but for you to hear what He has to say!
You’re not there to tell God what you want but you’re there to listen and hear what God wants!
Have you climbed the mountain lately?
You see many of us are at the base of the mountain. When you’re at the base of the mountain you build a golden calf and begin to worship what you created with your hands. (Exodus 32)
The calf clearly represents their impatience and intent to worship God on their own terms rather than on His!
HAVE YOU CLIMBED THE MOUNTAIN LATELY?
Luke 6:12– “One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night.”
Matthew 14:23– “And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.”
HAVE YOU BEEN TO THE MOUNTAIN LATELY?
THE MOUNTAIN SPEAKS OF:
- Desire
God I desire you! Father I desire to spend time with you.
Desire speaks of value!
Mark 6:46– “And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray.”
(Another Translation) “And when He said good-bye!”
Jesus had a desire to climb the mountain!
Sometimes I wonder if the “desire for other things” keeps us from climbing the mountain? (Mark 4:19- The desire for other things chokes out the word.)
The mountain speaks of desire.
- Intentionality
Mark 6:46– “And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray.”
“He departed” IT WAS INTENTIONAL!
Matthew 6:6– “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”
The mountain speaks of intentionality.
- Need
Climbing the mountain is saying “God I can’t do this without You! God I need You!”
Luke 5:16– “But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.”
Jesus habitually withdrew in prayer! Why? He needed to spend time with His Father!
Climbing the mountain says “God I need you!”
Revelation 3:17– “You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.”
Revelation 3:20– “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.”
The mountain speaks of need.
- Surrender
Matthew 26:36-39– “Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
The mountain is a place of surrender!
WHERE IS THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE LOCATED?
ON THE WESTERN SLOPES OF THE MOUNT OF OLIVES!
CONCLUSION: I want us to be Mountain People!
THE MOUNTAIN SPEAKS OF:
- Desire
- Intentionality
- Need
- Surrender
When was the last time you’ve been to the mountain to listen and hear what God has to say?
God speaks from the Mountain!
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you today!