Connection Central

God Encounters

Pastor Kent shared the number five catalyst that helps bring momentum to our spiritual growth and that is “Experiencing God Encounters”. Unless God touches our lives we won’t be able to move towards Him, Kent shared.

There are 3 basic but significant ‘God Encounters’:

1. Water Baptism. Unfortunately it has been relegated to a traditional ceremony but it was never supposed to be that way. It was designed and planned by God as a powerful and radical experience. In Matthew 3 we see Jesus going through the waters of baptism. What happened? The heavens were opened, the Holy Spirit descended to rest on Him and the Father affirmed His identity and the fact that He was pleased with Him, even before He had time to do anything. According to Romans 6, the water baptism has been designed so that when you experience it, everything you were struggling with will no longer have dominion over you. God gives you newness of life and your enemies are drown behind!("devils can’t swim")

2. Baptism of the Holy Spirit. When you are saved you have the Holy Spirit but when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, He has you! Acts 2 says that they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues. Jesus planned this powerful encounter. He told His disciples –I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high. The greatest proof of the resurrection of Christ is the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues (John 16:7). It is a divine gift that empowers us and gives us boldness to live a victorious Christian life. Just like Blake said in his testimony: we need it!

3. The Gifts of the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12. The manifestation of the spiritual gifts is for all to enjoy. Without the gifts of the Spirit we stall spiritually. The gifts are for today. The gifts of the Spirit puts us back in the right track.

How do I get a God Encounter?

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be open to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened." (Matthew 7)

One incident can change us forever. In the last century a rich boy and a poor boy lived in the same neighborhood. The rich boy wore nice clothes, lived in a nice house and had plenty of good, nutritious food to eat. The poor boy lived in a cheap house, wore ragged clothes and did not have much of anything to eat. One day the boys got into a scuffle. In the struggle the rich boy won. The poor boy got up, dusted himself off and told the rich kid that if he had the proper food to eat like the rich boy did, he would have won. Then the poor boy turned and walked away. The rich kid just stood there. He was numbed by what the poor boy had said. His heart was broken because he knew that it was true.

The rich boy never forgot that experience. From that day on he revolted against any favored treatment because he was rich. He made it a point to wear cheap clothing; he intentionally endured the hardships faced by the poor. His family was often embarrassed by the way he dressed, but despite family pressure, that young boy never again took advantage of his wealth.

History omits the name of the poor boy, but the rich boy who developed such a compassion for the poor made them his life’s work. His name is recorded in history. He dedicated his life to service and became a world-class physician, serving in Africa. His name was Albert Schweitzer. Very few people have had as much impact on the world as Albert Schweitzer. Even fewer people have gotten as much satisfaction out of life as he did.



Biography

Albert Schweitzer (14 January 1875 – 4 September 1965) was a German theologian, musician, philosopher, and physician. He was born in Kaysersberg in the province of Elsass-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine) of the German Empire. Schweitzer challenged both the secular view of Jesus as depicted by historical-critical methodology current at his time in certain academic circles, as well the traditional Christian view, depicting a Jesus Christ who expected and predicted the imminent end of the world. He received the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize in 1953 for his philosophy of "Reverence for Life",[1] expressed in many ways, but most famously in founding and sustaining the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Lambaréné, now in Gabon, west central Africa (then French Equatorial Africa). As a music scholar and organist, he studied the music of German composer Johann Sebastian Bach and influenced the Organ reform movement (Orgelbewegung).



Quotes by Albert Schweitzer

Schweitzer's passionate quest was to discover a universal ethical philosophy, anchored in a universal reality, and make it directly available to all of humanity.[2] This is reflected in some of his sayings, such as:

"Until he extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man will not himself find peace."

"I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.”

“Do something for somebody everyday for which you do not get paid.”

“An optimist is a person who sees a green light everywhere, while a pessimist sees only the red stoplight... the truly wise person is colorblind.”

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”

"Do something wonderful, people may imitate it."

"Therefore search and see if there is not some place where you may invest your humanity."

NEW EQUIPPING THE BELIEVER CLASSES!
Wednesday Night Bible Studies start fresh this week! Four out of five dentists agree: Engaging the Bible is the #1 catalyst for spiritual growth. Check out these exciting options.

LIFE ESSENTIALS I
If you are ready to meet the challenge to keep growing in Christ, you may be ready for LIFE Essentials I. This is the first of two classes designed to give you a firm foundation in basic knowledge of the Christian life and help you get a handle on what the bible has to say about living the abundant life Jesus promised. Sam and Theresa Cash will tag team teach this terrific topic (complete with appropriate alliteration).

THE END OF RELIGION
Sick of religion? So was Jesus. Bill Byrd will be teaching from the book ‘The End of Religion’, Encountering the Subversive Spirituality of Jesus by Bruxey Cavey. Jesus never intended to found a new religion: instead he hoped to break down the very idea of religion as a way to God.

THE FAITH HALL OF FAME
Do you want to grow in faith? How about being remembered as someone who really knew and trusted Him? Join us in a study of the book of Hebrews chapter 11 that will make the overcoming faith of our predecessors come alive in you. We will be looking into the lives of Joseph, Moses, Rahab and Joshua.

The Importance of a Testimony

No one else has had the unique set of experiences that God has given to you. However, many people have had similar experiences and will identify with your problems, because “there hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man …” (I Corinthians 10:13). An effective testimony shares with others how we have experienced the power of God in our lives through obedience to Christ’s commands. Therefore, the goal in sharing our personal struggles with others is to help them find God’s solutions for similar problems they may be facing. One way to share with others how God has worked in our lives is to use a four-part testimony.

The Basic Outline

1. Define the problem. People relate to problems. In fact, sharing problems can promote healing. We are told, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed” (James 5:16). Problems should be stated in general terms rather than using specific details that may have happened only to you. For instance, if you had a disagreement with your parents, do not focus on the details of the disagreement; rather, state the problem in a more general way, such as: “For many years I had reoccurring conflicts with my parents.” Most people will be able to readily identify with this problem.

2. Describe your “solution.” Explain how you tried to solve the problem in your own way only to make it worse. For example, you could say, “I tried to reason with my parents, but it always ended up in heated arguments that caused further separation.”

3. Explain God’s answer. What command of Christ or Biblical principles did you apply in order to resolve the problem? “I finally realized that I was not honoring my father and mother, and they were reacting to my spirit of pride and disrespect. I asked them to forgive me for this.”

4. Report the results. Describe how God’s solution has brought new resolution to the problem. “When I humbled myself, my parents also asked me to forgive them for their actions, and we now are able to enjoy open communication.”

The more precise and practical these are, the more others will want to hear them. This will result in a growing sense of a fulfillment in your life as you realize that God is making you a “living epistle” that He wants those around you to know and read. (See II Corinthians 3:2-3.)

The Power of a Four-Part Testimony

This is how the Basic Seminar was started. It was simply my attempt to explain to others the things God had taught me. Our human tendency is to not recognize God’s “classrooms” as opportunities to learn and apply His commands. Therefore, the next time a conflict arises, let us ask ourselves what commands relate to the situation and then obey them so that we can enjoy God’s lasting solutions. Then take the time to write out your testimony in a four-part format. These documented experiences will give you a powerful platform for discipling others.

Frozen T-Shirts

Equipment: T-shirts -one for each team.

In preparation for the game, soak the t-shirts in water, fold them in a ball, and put them in a freezer for longer than 3 hours. When you want to play the game, take the t-shirts out. The first team with a t-shirt on a person wins. Because the shirt is frozen, this game could take 15-20 minutes!