1. “Close Encounters of the Best Kind!”
1 Peter 1:3-5

2. 1977 movie with a plot revolving around a Roy Neary, everyday blue collar worker, whose life changes after an encounter with an unidentified flying object and lives from outer space…

3. …This being was unlike any other in that He was all God and all man in One. In short, this being was God in the flesh...

4. Purpose:
to better understand why encounters with God are close encounters of the best kind

5. I Encounter with God THE FATHER

6. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14
“But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. And it was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

7. I Encounter with God THE FATHER
A. God Has Chosen the Brethren
B. God Has Chosen on a Certain Basis

8. “…through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.”
2 Thessalonians 2:14
“…through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.”

9. I Encounter with God THE FATHER
A. God Has Chosen the Brethren
B. God Has Chosen on a Certain Basis
C. God Has Chosen on Basis of His Plan

10. Gideon chooses those who scooped water to the mouth…

11. II Encounter with God THE Holy Spirit
A. Holy Spirit Moves People

12. Make no mistake, Holy Spirit moves people to the realization of sin – what it is, does and who is guilty of it…

13. II Encounter with God THE Holy Spirit
A. Holy Spirit Moves People
B. Holy Spirit Moves Through the Word

14. Through the Word, repentance and faith are developed… man is shown his lostness and need for a Savior…

15. III Encounter with God THE SON

16. An encounter with God the Son means claiming Him as Lord AND Savior…

17. III Encounter with God THE SON
A. Christ Died

18. His blood enabled the grace of God to be extended to us…

19. III Encounter with God THE SON
A. Christ Died
B. Christ is Resurrected

20. The tomb of Jesus is empty
The tomb of Jesus is empty. After three days, the body of Christ arose – He is risen… the evidence is indisputable…!

21. III Encounter with God THE SON
A. Christ Died
B. Christ is Resurrected
C. Christ Shall Return

22. …And we shall reign with Him forever and ever. Amen!

23. How many of you have ever had a passport
How many of you have ever had a passport? You realize that when you visit a foreign land, you MUST have a passport…

24. Conclusion and Summary
…That picture tells the world who we are and whose kingdom to which we belong. And everyone knows what that picture is supposed to look like – we are to emulate or look like our Master – Jesus the Christ! If we’re going to look like Jesus we’re going to have to have encounters with God the Father, God the Holy Spirit and God the Son. This my friend and brethren are close encounters of the best kind!