HAVING AN ENCOUNTER WITH GOD – PART THREE
From The HeartPublish date: 01/17/2016
Foundation scriptures:
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. 9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. 12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. 17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Revelation 1:8-18 KJV
1. Even though John walked with Jesus, something happened on the Isle of Patmos.
a. Verse 10: “I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day.” The Amplified Bible says, “I was in the Spirit [rapt in His power]…”
b. Verse 17: I fell at His feet as dead.
2. Every time a person comes in contact with God – something is going to happen.
a. The natural gives way to the supernatural.
b. Overwhelmed
3. Church history records that in every move of God, people fell under the power of God.
a. John Wesley – hundreds would fall; the woman who fell out and gave God the glory
b. Finney’s autobiography. He was a Presbyterian. In Utica, NY, 15 minutes into the message, 400 people fell out under the power. He learned later that they were all unsaved. They all got saved.
c. Whitfield – co-laborer with John Wesley. When he preached, the power would fall. Court House Square in Boston, Massachusetts. People climbed into trees to see him. He warned them to come down, because when the power moved, they would fall out of the trees.
d. Peter Cartwright. Methodist. Tall man (6’4”), wore cowboy boots. The Spirit led him to go to a dance. When he prayed, people fell under the power of God.
4. In the Scripture.
a. Revelations 1:17 – John on the Isle of Patmos.
b. Ezekiel 1:28 KJV – “As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.”
c. Ezekiel 2:1-2 KJV – “And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee. 2 And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me.”
d. 2 Chronicles 5:13-14 KJV - Verse 14: “So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God.”
e. 2 Chronicles 7:1-2 KJV – “Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house. 2 And the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord's house.”
f. John 18:1-6 KJV - Verse 4-5: “Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? 5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.”
g. Matthew 28:1-4 KJV - Verse 4: “And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.”
h. Matthew 17:17:1-6 KJV - Verses 5-6:“While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. 6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.”
i. Acts 9:4 KJV – “And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?”
j. Acts 26:14 KJV – “And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”
5. People need to have an encounter with God.
a. They need to experience His touch.
b. The move of God and what happened in the first and second great awakenings - we need it again.
c. Lord, please do it one more time!