Having an Encounter with God - Part Five
From The HeartPublish date: 01/31/2016
The Reason We Need an Encounter
Foundation Scriptures:
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 KJV
But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11KJV
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. 16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17 KJV
1. We can't read about what took place in the life of Moses, Paul, and others who were touched by God, and not realize that God expects something from us.
a. There is a reason God touches you.
b. There is a reason you need to have an encounter with God.
c. People need to experience the Gospel in power.
d. They need men and women, who know God intimately, to come to them, to tell them the Good News, and to demonstrate the power of the Kingdom.
2. God cannot do through you what you won't let Him do in you.
a. To you - salvation
b. In you - baptism (and touch) of the Holy Spirit
c. Through you - the overflow
3. The signs of the times show us we cannot sit on a pew and do nothing.
a. It's time for everyone to get involved in the cause of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
b. From the littlest child to the oldest saint.
c. The lateness of the hour.
d. It's the midnight hour (Matthew 25:6) - Jesus is coming soon.
4. What must we do to be ready for His coming?
a. Salvation - new birth - born again.
b. Baptized in the Holy Spirit.
c. Mobilized for the Gospel.
d. Obeying the Great Commission - Mark 16.
e. Making money to fund the Gospel.
5. God did not put you here to be a spectator, but to be a participator.
a. Participators are people who don't just watch - they get involved - they take responsibility.
b. Who will be a part of what God is doing in this final hour?
c. Let's take the city of Tampa and see it shaken.