We began a new series of talks last Sunday on Bridge Church's mission, which we call the E's: our mission is to encounter, engage, and encourage people to experience Jesus, equipping them to change their world.

Each Sunday I am unpacking the E's.  Each week we are using the story of Philip and the Ethiopian official (notice I didn't say eunuch, everybody seems to get caught up on calling this dude "the Ethiopian eunuch")  from Acts 8.

This past Sunday I talked about The Power of The Encounter. Everyday we have encounters that sometimes number into the dozens. We have encounters with people. If you are a believer you have encounters with Jesus and we also have encounters with out enemy. As a matter of fact some good instruction from scripture is found in Colossians 4:5-6, Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone

My main thought:

What Does It Mean To Have An Encounter?

1.    It means I look beyond myself
It means I stop worrying about how my Christian friends might be uncomfortable with my non-believing friends.
Verse 26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza."

Remember, your life is not about you. It is about God and people.

2.    It means I intentionally share my life story
All this means is that I verbally search for opportunities to share what Jesus has done in my life with old and new friends.

 Verses 27-28 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet.

Get out of the holy huddle of hanging around Christians all the time.

3.    It means I take risks even when I am not a risk taker.

Verse 29 The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it."
        I take risks in telling my story
        I take a risk to grow in my faith
        I take a risk to love those not like me.

Let me ask you, have you ever had an encounter with Jesus? I am not talking about a universal God spirit here, buy an encounter with the Son of God who died on the cross for you sin.

You can listen to this talk at www.thebridge4u.net