Let’s understand, the masterfulness of Sin and its inherent sickness in us, so we can know why we need to be redeemed by God the perfect Judge. Are we guilty of Justified?

– Not about being good or religious – can forget what the gospel truly is!

– A most succinct summary of the gospel – 1 Cor 15v1-4. We must be continually reminded…

– Opposite of the gospel is idolatry from which flows all other sins

Differences between Religion & the Gospel….

1. Religion – God will not love me until I obey its rules

Gospel – I am loved so that we might obey him

2. Religion – Checklists to judge people

Gospel – All have sinned & fallen short of the glory of God

3. Religion is about what you DO

Gospel – All about what Jesus has DONE for you (grace)

4. Religion is about getting from God

Gospel – We get God our greatest treasure

5. Religion focuses on the external

Gospel – concerned with your internal self (col 3v5)

6. Religion – we lack assurance

Gospel – Blessed assurance in Christ (1 John 5v11-14)

7. Religion does not work – despair or pride

Gospel – humbly confident & joyful life. Salvation is a gift from Jesus

Gift of righteousness through faith – not rule-keeping! (Eph 2v8-9)

Luther the ‘Great Exchange’

Salvation is through the grace of God alone – a gift of righteousness

(1 Peter 1v18-19)​ /

Jesus is our New Covenant Sacrifice​

(Revelation 14v19-20)​ / (Hebrews 10v12-14)​

Revelation 1v9-20

As Christians, our divine encounters should be all about Jesus – will often reveal more about Jesus than about us​.

We aren’t Moses / Gideon / Isaiah. We aren’t the “main character”, Jesus is​.

A divine encounter should point us to Jesus

Isaiah 6:1-9

Even in the darkest or ordinary times. The most unlikely of us from a place of grief, pain & suffering can encounter God.

Ezekiel 47:1-12

Psalm 126

From this Church flows the transforming life-giving river of God to the world. We must learn how to be the flow God wants to channel through daily. Let us exercise the river of God’s grace.

Judges 6:11-27

Even in the darkest or ordinary times. The most unlikely of us can be given what we lack through an Encounter with God.

(Exodus 3:1-10)

Divine encounters come when we are faithful, in times of solitude and to equip us for action. Will we grow curious today and use our wilderness season to encounter God?

1. A wilderness time often precedes a Divine Encounter

2. Divine Encounters come when we are faithful in the small things​

3. Divine Encounters come in times of solitude​

4. Divine Encounters are often mysterious and difficult to explain​

​5. Curiosity is key to Divine Encounters ​

6. Divine Encounters bring fresh revelation of God​

7. Divine Encounters are to equip us for action​