Exodus 24:12-18 - Moses goes up the mountain (Sinai) for 40 days and 40 nights. The glory of the Lord appears as a devouring fire on the mountain.

Psalm 2 - I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill. I will tell of the decree of the Lord: God said to me, "You are my son; today I have begotten you.
OR
Psalm 99 - Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel also was among those who called on his name. They cried to the Lord, and he answered them. He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud; they kept his decrees, and the statutes that he gave them... Extol the Lord our God, and worship at the holy mountain; for the Lord our God is holy.

2 Peter 1:16-21 - For he received honor and glory from God when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased." We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.

Matthew 17:1-9 - Peter, James, and John go up the mountain where they see Jesus transfigured, with Moses and Elijah.

Holy Experiences

In the story of the Transfiguration, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John, the inner circle of disciples, up the mountain for a mountaintop experience. This is a challenging text to understand, much less preach.

If, however, we approach it as a transcendent experience, it begs an important conversation about experiences of God. The preacher might want to begin by considering the question personally. When have you felt most profoundly the presence of God? Experiences of God are intimate. They sometimes feel personal and private. Are you willing to open up and talk about your own experiences? This may be the only way to realistically get people thinking about their own experiences.