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POST-ENCOUNTERLESSON 1

SAULJewRomanBest student of Gamaliel

Persecutor of Christians (Acts 9:1)

Involved in the martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 8:1)

PAUL“Asked of God”The Damascus Road experience (Acts 9:3)

One of the most important figures of Christianity

Saul was confronted by his past “Why do you persecute me?”

For the first time, he felt unable to hold on to that which had been his hope in the past

He received a revelation of his own natureActs 9:6 (NIV)“Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

He had his first encounter

A prophet prayed for him He received his vision and the infilling of the Holy Spirit in this encounter

He spent time being discipled Acts 9:19b (NIV)Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.

He preached diligently about JESUS CHRIST Acts 9:20 (NIV)At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.

Saul made a real effort Now that you have attended the encounter, it is important that you make it evident to others

He believed JESUS was the Christ

Although Saul knew the biblical prophecies

regarding the Messiah, this were not revealed to him until he had his encounter with JESUS.

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DECISION: “The act of deciding or making up

one’s mind; the result or conclusion arrived at by

deciding; quality of being positive and firm; determination”

FIRMFIRMFIRMFIRMnot yielding readily to not yielding readily to

touch or pressure;touch or pressure;

solidly composed;solidly composed;

enduring; steadfast; enduring; steadfast;

constant; constant;

having or showing having or showing

strength;strength;

not fluctuating;not fluctuating;

immovable;immovable;

solid.solid.

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Why is it important to be

firm in the decisions

you make?

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AFTER THE ENCOUNTER…

The devil plans a heavy and immediate attack on you after you have had a deep and intimate experience with God

He wants to rob you of everything you’ve received from God

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HE WILL USE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE DESIRED IN THE PAST BUT WERE NOT

ABLE TO ATTAIN.

Rewarding but dishonest business deals.

A sudden meeting with a man or woman who was previously uninterested in you

A raise in salary at work which demands more of the time that you were dedicating to serving God.

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WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU SEE THE ENEMY TRYING TO DESTROY YOU?

Go forward!

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Exodus 14:13-15 (NKJV) 13 And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace." 15 And the Lord said to Moses, "Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.

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HOW DO I GO FORWARD?

Do not get involved with the past again.

Understand that within you exists a nature that tries to rebel against God in order to make you a slave to our own desires and passion.

We must have firm determination when we make our decisions

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8 PRACTICAL THINGS YOU CAN DO TO LIVE IN

TOTAL VICTORY

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Ephesians 4:22-32 (NIV) 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.

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28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

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Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV) 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

1. PUT OFF YOUR OLD SELF AND PUT ON THE NEW SELF

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Ephesians 4:25 (NIV) Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor...

2. SPEAK TRUTHFULLY

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Ephesians 4:26 (NIV) "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry...”

3. MANAGE YOUR ANGER

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Ephesians 4:27 (NIV) and do not give the devil a foothold.

4. DO NOT GIVE THE DEVIL A FOOTHOLD

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Ephesians 4:28 (NIV) He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

5. THOU SHALL NOT STEAL

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Ephesians 4:29 (NIV) Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

6. GUARD YOUR TONGUE

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Ephesians 4:30 (NIV) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

7. BE SENSITIVE TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

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Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV) 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

8. BE KIND AND COMPASSIONATE TO OTHERS

BE FIRM IN YOUR DECISIONS

What is the best decision you’ve ever made? Why?What is something that you have finished in your life? (School, Jobs, Marines, Sports, etc.)

Why is it important to finish what you start?

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