WHAT IF WE WERE TO ENCOUNTER THE LIVING GOD?

Sermon Notes, March 16, 2014

Pastor Jan Sinozich

Pastor Jan’s sermon was titled “What If We Were to Encounter the Living God?”  It was based on Acts 4:23-31, a story of the early church praying, being shaken, and speaking the word of God boldly.

Sometimes when we hear of how the Lord is working in other places, instead of being encouraged and challenged to develop our own gifts, we become overwhelmed and convince ourselves that we are failures.   Malachi 3:6 says “I am the Lord, I change not. . .” The same God who is working mightily in and through others desires to work the same way in us.

Expect God  Matthew 18:20 says that “when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I’ll be there.”  We can experience His presence in many and various forms.  We can encounter the living God as we go about our daily business.  The early church had faith that Jesus would do what He said.  And Jesus honored their faith: God showed up among His people.

Pray  Acts 4:31 says that after they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.  God made His presence known in a real way.  And the people proclaimed His word boldly.  The church prayed together regularly.  What if we prayed together when we get together?  On the phone, when we see one another around town, over coffee—we are the church in action!

We need to embrace two simple lessons: we need to have a divine expectancy—EXPECT God.  Our level of faith needs to grow.  And we need to develop the HABIT OF PRAYER, to be consistent in coming to God together.  Be the church!