“The Necessary Encounter”
The biblical name for a follower of Jesus:
Called “Christians” 3 times
Called “Disciples” 259 times
Job description of a disciple:
Learn from Jesus
Obey the commandments of Jesus
Model living after Jesus
Make disciples like Jesus
Jesus commandment: Go make disciples by…
Baptizing them
Teaching them
Partnering with Jesus
Jesus surprise instructions:
Do not leave Jerusalem
Wait for the gift
You will be baptized with the Holy Spirit
The Encounter that changes everything:
There was wind:
They were empowered
There was fire:
They were purified
There were tongues:
They became witnesses
How did the Encounter happen?
It was their priority
It required patient waiting
It happened in community
Questions:
How important is an encounter with God to you?
How much will you sacrifice to have such an encounter?
Matthew 28:16-29
16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.18Then Jesus came to them and said,“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Acts 1:4-9
4On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command:“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.5For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
6Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7He said to them:“It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
Acts 2:1-21
1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
August 3 - 9, 2014
Reading Assignment: Chapter #28
“New Beginnings”
Sunday morning Sermon:
“The Necessary Encounter”
Pastor Philip C. Rogers
Middletown Church of the Nazarene
Middletown, Indiana
Master copy of notes and audio version of the sermon at