Close Encounters with Jesus

Can you remember what you were doing the evening of November 16, 1977–if you were even born then? If you were, maybe you were like many people across Canada and the United States who were lined up outside the movie theater to see Steven Spielberg’s groundbreaking movie “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” Since the 1950’s, the belief that there’s life in outer space has been a popular subject for speculation and investigation. The release of Spielberg’s movie only heightened people’s interest in science fiction and space fantasy, already peaked by George Lucas’ Star Wars, released 6 months before. Close Encounters tells the story of 3 people whose lives are dramatically changed by a close encounter with a UFO.

As I thought about this, I realized that although this movie may tell the story of man’s first encounter with an extra-terrestrial, it wasn’t our first encounter with the supernatural. The gospel is full of stories describing close encounters with the supernatural–with Jesus, the Carpenter from Nazareth and Son of God. From the Gadarene demoniac to Blind Bartimaeus, from the Syro-Phoenician woman to the rich young ruler–one thing is certain, when people have a close encounter with Jesus, their lives are dramatically transformed–they’re never the same again.

Christianity is all about relationship–a relationship that has the power to change, transform, and make new. Having said that, I suspect that we could all benefit from a fresh encounter with Jesus–whether we’ve known Him our entire life, are new to faith, or hold Him at a distance. This series will look at 5 individuals who had a close encounter with Jesus, and how His transforming power and grace changed their lives forever.

SERMONS

Title: “Our Missing Piece”

Preacher: The Rev. Canon Christopher Doering

Date: Sunday, August 4, 2024 ~ The 11th Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture: John 4:5-30

Handout: Part 1. HO