The Mountain Top Exodus 19:18-20

What must be left behind before the climb?

Sinful pleasures 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

Selfishness O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps. Jeremiah 10:23

What you must have to begin the climb

Obedience & Loyalty Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, Ephesians 1:3

Faith & Trust But the Lord is with me as a mighty, awesome One. Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and will not prevail. They will be greatly ashamed, for they will not prosper. Their everlasting confusion will never be forgotten. Jeremiah 20:11

Faith & Trust 14 Deliver me out of the mire, And let me not sink; Let me be delivered from those who hate me, And out of the deep waters. 15 Let not the floodwater overflow me, Nor let the deep swallow me up; And let not the pit shut its mouth on me. Psalm 69:14-15

Determination So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. Nehemiah 4:6

Lessons for us today

Things left behind for God. 14 Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:14-16

Failing to reach the mountain is man’s own fault. 5 The righteousness of the blameless will direct[a] his way aright, But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness. 6 The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, But the unfaithful will be caught by their lust. Proverbs 11:5-6

Failing to reach the mountain is man’s own fault. 19 “Yet you say, ‘Why should the son not bear the guilt of the father?’ Because the son has done what is lawful and right, and has kept all My statutes and observed them, he shall surely live. 20 The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. Ezekiel 18:19-20

Conclusion Are you willing to leave behind all to reach God’s mountain top? Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. Matthew 16:24 2. Man would be wise to remember the consequences of failure.