On Thursday 21 March, we hosted our first Encounter Evening, in partnership with the School of the Spirit.
With worship led by John Gridley, and ministry from a team from Bethel's School of Supernatural Ministry, it was a powerful evening. People came from far and wide, from our family of churches and many other churches in the city, to encounter Jesus and be refreshed in His presence.
As I reflected on the many testimonies of people encountering Jesus, I was reminded of a simple word in the Gospels. The same word crops up again and again, over 100 times, describing what Jesus did when he saved, healed, and delivered people.
The Greek word is sózó, which means 'to save a suffering one', and can include saving from dying, from disease, or from spiritual bondage.
sózó - to save (a suffering one), to heal, preserve, rescue
When Jesus heals a woman from bleeding in Matthew 9, he 'sozo' her.
When Jesus delivers the man in Luke 8, he 'sozo' him.
When Jesus speaks of his mission to save the lost in Luke 19, he again uses this word, 'sozo'.
When we gather to worship God, Jesus is present by His Spirit. It should be no surprise, then, that Jesus does what Jesus does. He heals, he delivers, and he saves.
Three little stories
Three little stories from Thursday evening show this really clearly.
One lady came to the meeting with a left hand and wrist that could barely move. She was touched by Jesus, and could freely lift and move her whole left arm. Jesus healed her.
One lady who decided to follow Jesus just two weeks ago, came forward to receive prayer. She was delivered from a spirit of suicide that had been afflicting her. When asked about some crystals she was wearing, she willingly took them off and left them to be destroyed. Jesus delivered her.
Towards the end of the evening, we gave a gospel call. One gentleman came forward and said "I've been following Jesus but there is a part of my heart I hadn't surrendered. I said to God, if there is a gospel call this evening, I will respond." Jesus saved him.
Jesus did what Jesus does
Jesus did what Jesus does - he saves, heals, and delivers!
Let's praise Jesus for his goodness, and gather with expectancy that when Jesus is in the room, he will do what he does.
Join us for our next Encounter Evening on Wednesday 10 April, with Chuck Parry, Director of Healing Rooms at Bethel Church in Redding, California.
