The Power of a Personal Encounter

Do you like receiving prophetic words (God talking to you)?

Here is a prophetic word that Paul recieved in every city he went to during a certain period of time.

Acts 20:22–24 NKJV

And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Paul received a prophetic word that when he would go to Jerusalem that he would be bound and persecuted - HE WENT ANYWAY. 

Would you do what God told you to do if you knew it would suck every time you did what He told you to do???

Honestly, some people quit going to church just because the pastor or another church member says or does something that offends them.

Why would Paul do this - Go where chains and tribulation awaited him?

Paul had a personal encounter with Jesus Christ!

- even after Jesus was not on the earth.

Acts 9:1–9 NKJV

Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Saul’s Personal encounter with Jesus, while he was on his way to sin & murder radically changed him from a persecutor of Jesus and His followers to being a bold preacher of the good news.

Jesus hit him so hard that it took the S off his name and put a P in its place.

History and Church tradition gives these methods of martyrdom for each of the 11 apostles:

Peter: Crucified upside down in Rome under Emperor Nero. He reportedly requested this method of execution, deeming himself unworthy to die in the same way as Jesus.

Paul: Beheaded in Rome under Emperor Nero.

Andrew: Crucified on an X-shaped cross in Greece.

James the son of Zebedee: Beheaded by King Herod Agrippa.

John: Lived to a natural old age, dying in Ephesus after facing persecution.

Philip: Tradition says he was either crucified or stoned.

Bartholomew: Tradition says he was flayed alive.

Thomas: Traditionally killed with a spear in India.

James the son of Alphaeus: Some traditions say he was crucified, others say he was beaten and stoned.

Thaddeus: Tradition says he was shot with arrows.

Simon: Tradition says he was crucified or cut in half with a saw.

Why did the apostles all allow themselves to die horrific deaths rather than simply deny that the gospel or the resurrection were real?

Their Own Personal Encounter with Christ!

Christianity was NEVER meant to be a good argument or a good philosophy.

Following Christ has always been meant to be lived from a place of deep, personal, encounter with Him.

Psalm 34:8 NKJV

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

1 Corinthians 2:4 NKJV

And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,

1 Corinthians 2:4 WUESTNT

And my message and my preaching were not couched in specious words of philosophy but were dependent for their efficacy upon a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, in order that your faith should not be resting in human philosophy but in God’s power.

We Can Choose Encounter

John 5:1–9 NKJV

After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath.

An encounter with God is not our pastor’s responsibility.

An encounter with God is not our parent’s or spouse’s responsibility.

It is our personal choice & responsibility to get desperately hungry for a life-changing personal encounter with the Living God!

Just One Thing:

We don’t just live FOR a personal encounter with God, we live a radically changed life FROM a personal encounter with God.

Discussion Questions:

What’s the hardest you’ve ever worked?

What was the most personally impactful thing that you received from this sermon? Share what that impact was and why it was impactful to you.

Please Read the account of the “Woman at the Well” in John 4:6-42 and share what stands out to you about this woman’s encounter and how it speaks to you personally.

Have you had a life-changing encounter with God? Share your story of encounter.