Come and See: The Encounter That Changes Everything

Introduction:

Today’s sermon, "Come and See: The Encounter That Changes Everything", was shared by Pastor Elisha. It challenges us to embrace the life-changing encounter with God that happens when we stop and truly listen. Just like Moses at the burning bush, Joshua facing the commander of the Lord’s army, and Peter in his boat, each of these individuals experienced a moment where God disrupted their ordinary lives and called them into something extraordinary. This morning, we too are invited to pause, turn aside from our distractions, and encounter the living God. What happens when we choose to encounter Him? Everything changes.

Key Points:

• The Power of Ordinary Moments

  • In the stories of Moses, Joshua, and Peter, we see that spiritual encounters often occur in ordinary, everyday situations. Moses was tending sheep, Joshua was preparing for battle, and Peter was fishing. They were not seeking a divine encounter but found one when they stopped and paid attention to God’s presence.

• Turning Aside to Encounter God

  • Moses encountered God in the burning bush because he chose to turn aside and pay attention to the unusual sight. This moment of divine interruption marked the beginning of his mission to deliver Israel from Egypt.

  • The same invitation is extended to us today: will we stop, turn aside, and listen for God’s voice in the midst of our busy lives?

• Peter’s Ordinary Day Turns Extraordinary

  • Peter’s encounter with Jesus was not planned. He was exhausted after fishing all night with no results. When Jesus told him to cast the nets again, Peter obeyed despite his doubts. The result was a miraculous catch of fish, but more importantly, Peter encountered the power of God in that moment. He responded by falling to his knees, acknowledging his sinfulness and the holiness of Jesus (Luke 5:8).

  • This encounter changed Peter’s life. Jesus invited him to follow Him, saying he would no longer fish for fish, but for people (Luke 5:10). The miraculous moment led to a life-altering decision.

• God’s Interruptions Can Lead to Transformation

  • Each of these encounters involved an interruption to the ordinary—whether it was Moses seeing the burning bush, Joshua meeting the commander of God’s army, or Peter’s unexpected catch of fish. These moments revealed the divine presence and sparked transformation in their lives.

  • Spiritual encounters with God are not just for dramatic moments but happen when we are open and willing to listen. Transformation happens when we respond to God’s call.

• The Challenge of Distraction and Self-Sufficiency

  • Our world is filled with distractions, from constant scrolling on social media to the pressures of work and success. Many of us are so focused on our own agendas that we miss the moments where God is speaking.

  • The challenge is to quiet our hearts and minds, to stop and allow God to speak into our lives. This is not about religious routine but about a personal encounter that shifts the direction of our lives.

• Encountering God Requires Turning Aside

  • In our busy, performance-driven world, we often miss out on the spiritual encounters that God wants to have with us. Moses turned aside from his routine, Joshua humbled himself before God, and Peter responded in humility to Jesus’ call.

  • God is still calling us today, but it requires us to turn aside from the distractions and truly encounter Him. Only then will we experience the transformation that comes from His presence.

Conclusion:

The encounters we read about in the Bible were not just for the people of those times—they are for us today. God still wants to interrupt our lives and invite us into something extraordinary. The question is: will we turn aside to listen? Will we stop in our busy lives to encounter God in the ordinary moments? Just like Peter, Moses, and Joshua, our lives can be transformed when we stop and listen to God’s voice. The call to encounter God is not about a perfect life or a grand gesture; it’s about a willing heart that says, "God, I want to encounter You today." Let this be a turning point for each of us as we open our hearts to God and let Him lead us into transformation.

As we move forward, let us not rush past the holy moments in our lives. Let us pause, turn aside, and embrace the encounter that changes everything.