Mountain Climbing
Ephesians 4:9-13

The Blue Ridge, Appalachian, Rocky and other mountain ranges are breathtaking, appearing to be endless, ever so close but yet so far away.  Climbing them requires not only preparation and training, but also a strong mind and attitude.  The mountain climb in life for 2019 also requires spiritual preparation, a strong mind and attitude.

1. The Lord Wants To Teach Us How To Climb Down. God wanted us to be one with Him, so His Son went down to be one with us so we could be one with God. When Christ left heaven to be human, He demonstrated the greatest example of voluntary relinquishing of power, position, prestige, wealth and privilege.  By going down and coming back with a human nature and body, Christ redeemed humanity to a greater authority than the Angels.  He wanted to show us that some things in God’s service can only happen when we climb down.

2. Where There Are Hierarchies Beware Of Jealousy. Because man was made in the image of God, Satan and his army of fallen demons are envious of man.  They hate man and Christ who came in the form of a man.  Don’t similarly allow hatred, envy and jealousy stop you from emulating Him in humility and love.  God established hierarchies for order; the opposite is anarchy.

3. Victory Takes Place When We Climb Down, Celebration Happens When We Then Climb Up. Unity is attained through humility. Christ humbled himself to come to earth to unite us to God.  Christ’s victory came when He died upon the Cross and was resurrected for our sins; the celebration continues today after He ascended to heaven, leading those captives to death into heaven.