Divine Appointments

Romans 12:1–2 CEB

1 So, brothers and sisters, because of God’s mercies, I encourage you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to God. This is your appropriate priestly service. 2 Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you can figure out what God’s will is—what is good and pleasing and mature.

Divine Appointments

I have been surprised and humbled each time that the Holy Spirit has opened the door for me to share Jesus with one of my patients. I haven’t purposefully sought out one particular person. I generally pray on my drive to my office for an opportunity to share Jesus.

Some of the individuals that I’ve shared Jesus with have been some of the most unlikely individuals, but they have been one of those in the most need to hear about God’s love.

Henry Blackaby wrote in his book Experiencing God “Watch to see where God is working and join Him.”

I feel like we miss out on so much of what God is doing because we approach Church and our faith with our own wants and desire’s. God is at work in the world today. We’ve witnessed that revival that began in a small college in Kentucky and has spread through many other college campuses as young people are seeking to know and serve God.

Jesus said in John 5:17 “17 Jesus replied, “My Father is still working and I am working, too.”” God is at work and He is wanting to use us.

Paul wrote in our Scripture text that we are to present our bodies as living sacrifices. Sacrifices were nothing new to the Jewish people. That had been offering sacrifices for hundreds of years. Even the pagans around them were accustomed to sacrifices.

Paul uses the curious phrase of a living sacrifice rather than just stating a sacrifice.

Like I said the Jews were use to sacrifices. Their sacrifices would be what we might call dead sacrifices. The term "dead sacrifice" refers to an animal that has been put to death before being presented as an offering on the altar. The sacrificial offering of an animal was a one-time event that only provided provisional atonement for sin. However, the death of Jesus Christ on the cross offered not only a temporary but also a complete atonement for sin, thereby rendering the practice of offering up animals as sacrifices unnecessary.

The major distinction between a sacrifice of an animal and the "living sacrifice" that Paul discusses in Romans 12 is that the "living sacrifice" entails a continuous, daily commitment to giving our life to the will of God and enabling Him to transform us from the inside out. An animal sacrifice, on the other hand, is a one-time event.

Offering ourselves up as living sacrifices means that we make a commitment to living a life that is devoted to the service of God, aiming to honor and follow Him in all parts of our lives. We do this by living in a manner that is pleasing to God. This requires us to give Him our whole selves—our bodies, our thoughts, and our hearts—with the understanding that He has a purpose and a plan for our lives that is bigger than anything we could ever dream up on our own.

Choosing to live one's life as a living sacrifice requires one to also be willing to go through the process of transformation. When we humble ourselves before God and submit ourselves to His will, He begins to transform us into the image of His Son Jesus Christ by renewing our minds and transforming our hearts. This change requires us to give up our will on a daily basis and to make a commitment to following Christ as our Lord and Savior.

As we consider the truth that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things, we are reminded that God's power is not limited by our human abilities or qualifications. Let us take a closer look at this first point and explore how we too can be used by God in extraordinary ways, even in our own ordinary lives.

God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

Throughout all of of the Bible, we are presented with an abundance of examples of God working through ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. Peter and John were fishermen before they became followers of Jesus and leaders in the early church. Moses was a shepherd before he led the Israelites out of Egypt; and David was a humble shepherd kid before he became king. Esther was a young Jewish woman who became queen of Persia. She risked her life to intercede on behalf of her people when they were threatened with annihilation, and her bravery and faithfulness resulted in their deliverance

In a similar manner, God may use ordinary individuals like us to do remarkable things for His kingdom. Even though we may not feel qualified or capable, God recognizes the potential that lies inside us and has the power to utilize us to make a difference in the world.

One example that illustrates this principle is that of William Wilberforce, a British politician who, throughout the late 18th and early 19th centuries, was in the forefront of efforts to end the institution of slavery throughout the British Empire. Wilberforce was neither a minister or a missionary; rather, he was a politician with a profound faith in God. He had the sense that God was calling him to utilize his position of authority to fight against the injustice of slavery, and he committed his entire life to working toward this goal. Wilberforce persisted in the face of enormous opposition and failures, and in 1807, he was successful in seeing the enactment of the Slave transport Act, which prohibited the transport of slaves across the Atlantic Ocean.

Another illustration of this may be seen in the life of Corrie ten Boom, a Christian woman from the Netherlands who, along with her family, assisted in the concealment and rescue of Jewish people during the German occupation of the Netherlands in World War II. Corrie ten Boom, like William Wilberforce, was just an average person who believed that God had called her to fight against the injustice that she witnessed in the world. She and her family put themselves in harm's way in order to assist people who were in need, despite the risks and dangers involved. Even though she was going through terrible agony, Corrie continued to put her faith in God and share the love of Christ with others around her, despite the fact that she was finally imprisoned and transported to a concentration camp.

Anyone who is prepared to submit themselves to God's will and purposes can be used by God, as demonstrated by these tales as well as the numerous more that are similar to them. Even though we feel unqualified or unremarkable, God may still use us to achieve incredible things for His kingdom if we are prepared to believe and obey Him. This is true even if we have a low opinion of ourselves.

Imagine a man who was always terrible at math. He struggled with basic arithmetic and couldn't even grasp algebra. One day, he decided to pray and ask God to help him with his math skills. Suddenly, he had a burst of inspiration and went to take a math test he had been dreading. As he sat down, he prayed once more, asking God to help him.

When the test was over, he was surprised to see that he had aced it! When he asked God how this could be, he heard a voice say, "Don't be silly, I didn't do the math for you, I just helped you remember to bring a calculator."

The point is that God doesn't necessarily take over our weaknesses and do everything for us, but He can empower us in unexpected ways to use the strengths we already have to accomplish extraordinary things.

As followers of Christ, we have a responsibility to seek out the will of God for our life and to put our faith in His plan, even if doing so requires us to go outside of our comfort zone. It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that we are not capable of achieving anything, but God has a way of using our flaws and limitations for the glory of himself, so we should not discount this possibility. When we take a step of faith, even if it seems to be beyond our own capabilities, God is able to act in and through us in ways that we never would have believed were possible.

One day, a man decided to step out of his comfort zone and try a new sport: skydiving. He was nervous but excited as he boarded the plane and prepared for his first jump. As he jumped out of the plane, he realized he had forgotten to wear his glasses. Without them, everything was a blur, and he couldn't see where he was going.

Panicking, he pulled the cord on his parachute and landed safely, but he was still shaken. As he took off his helmet and goggles, he realized that he had accidentally grabbed his wife's pink helmet instead of his own.

As he walked back to his car, still wearing the pink helmet, he couldn't help but laugh at himself. He had stepped out of his comfort zone, and even though things didn't go as planned, he had learned to laugh at himself and not take things too seriously.

Spending time in prayer and in God's Word is one of the most important things we can do to find out what God's plan is for our life. It is necessary for us to make a conscious effort to listen for His voice and to ask for His direction. We also have the opportunity of seeking the advice of people who are farther along in their spiritual path and who are in a better position to give direction and assistance. If we are prepared to give God control of our goals and desires, then He will lead us on the path that is best for us according to what He has planned.

It is essential to keep in mind that if we choose to live according to the plan that God has for our life, this does not always mean that things will be simple or convenient. In point of fact, it frequently demands us to act on our faith and to take chances. But if we put our faith and reliance in the might and might of God, we can be sure that He will supply us with all we need to complete the tasks that He assigns to us. In the knowledge that God is with us at all times, we need to be prepared to accept the obstacles and hardships that come along with following God's plan.

As we see examples of God using ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things, we can be encouraged and inspired to step out in faith and seek His will for our own lives. However, we may still feel inadequate and unsure of how to proceed. This is where the second truth comes in - that God will empower our witness. When we step out in faith and obedience, God is faithful to provide us with the necessary strength and resources to carry out His will.

God will empower our witness.

Paul wrote in Ephesians 3:20-21 says, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." This verse highlights the limitless power of God at work within us, enabling us to do more than we could ever ask or imagine.

Believers are given the ability to spread the good news and be witnesses for Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit, which is a crucial duty. In Acts 1:8, Jesus made a promise to His followers that He would send the Holy Spirit to dwell with them and to give them the power to carry out the work of the ministry. On the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Christians, they were immediately empowered with boldness and started to proclaim the gospel with power (Acts 2:4).

According to Luke 12:12, the Holy Spirit provides believers with the words they need to say and guides them as they bear testimony for Christ. Fear and anxiety, which can be a hindrance to Christians' ability to witness (2 Timothy 1:7), are both conquered with the power of the Holy Spirit. Believers are given the ability to openly preach the gospel and share their faith with others as a result of the power of the Holy Spirit.

Imagine a fruit tree that produces juicy, delicious fruits. The tree does not have to strive or work hard to produce these fruits, it simply follows its natural inclination and produces the fruit effortlessly. Similarly, when a believer lives in agreement with the teachings of the gospel, they produce fruits of the Holy Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

When we align our lives with the teachings of the gospel, we naturally produce these fruits, and people around us will see the evidence of God's work in our lives. Just as a fruit tree is recognized by its fruits, we too are recognized by the fruit of the Holy Spirit that we bear.

For example, imagine a co-worker who is constantly kind, patient, and compassionate, even in the face of difficult circumstances. They may not even realize it, but their actions are a witness to the love and compassion of Christ. Others will take note of their behavior and may be drawn to inquire about what motivates them to live in this way. In this way, living a life in agreement with the teachings of the gospel can become a powerful tool for sharing the good news of Christ with those around us.

People are ultimately convinced of their sin, their lack of holiness, and their impending judgment by the Holy Spirit (John 16:8). As followers of Christ spread the good news, they can have faith that the Holy Spirit is at work in the hearts of people who hear the message, causing them to be drawn to faith in Christ and repentance from their sins.

As Christians, it is our responsibility to be obedient to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and to actively seek chances to share the gospel and be a testimony for Christ. We are also responsible for actively seeking opportunities to share the gospel and be a witness for Christ. According to 2 Corinthians 5:20, we have been given the responsibility of serving as ambassadors for Christ and doing a good job of representing Him in the world.

It is essential to keep in mind that the Holy Spirit doesn't force us to do any actions; rather, He gives us the ability to carry out the tasks that we have been assigned. When we are prompted by the Holy Spirit to witness for Christ or communicate the gospel, we need to be willing to act on such promptings by stepping out in faith and taking action.

Our responsibility as followers of Christ is to be submissive to the direction of the Holy Spirit and to actively seek out chances to witness for Christ and share the gospel message with others. In addition to leading lives that are a reflection of Christ's love and grace, we need to be willing to take leaps of faith and take action in our daily lives.

As we trust in the Holy Spirit to empower our witness, we begin to see that God is actively at work around us, and He desires to use us in powerful ways. This leads us to the third point of how, as we make ourselves available to God, we will begin to recognize and seize divine appointments.

As we make ourselves available to God to be used, we will see that divine appointments are happening often. We will recognize them and take action.

When we make the decision to offer ourselves up as living sacrifices, we no longer adhere to the norms of this world; rather, we are transformed by the renewing of our minds, which enables us to recognize the will of God. As a consequence of this, we are better able to detect and respond to divine appointments, which are the times when God intervenes in our lives and asks us to take part in His plan.

When we make ourselves accessible to God, we are essentially saying "yes" to his leadership and enabling him to use us for his purposes. This is what it means to "make ourselves available." It has nothing to do with our skills or credentials; rather, it has everything to do with our desire to be obedient and take a leap of faith. By doing so, we put ourselves in a position to be instruments in the hands of God and make ourselves available to be used for the glory of God.

As we continue to remain sensitive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and as we continue to make ourselves open to God, we will start to become more aware of the divine appointments that are taking place all around us. We shall have the opportunity to show people the love that Christ has given us, to fulfill the needs of others, and to contribute to the betterment of the world. We will be equipped to take action and respond to these opportunities with faith and bravery if we are empowered by the Holy Spirit, who will give us the ability to do so.

One example of how God has used someone in unexpected ways is the story of Nick Vujicic. Nick was born without arms and legs, which would seem to be a major obstacle to living a fulfilling life. However, instead of letting his disability hold him back, Nick chose to trust in God and use his life to inspire others.

Through his faith, Nick has become a motivational speaker, author, and evangelist, sharing his story and message of hope with people around the world. He has spoken to millions of people in over 60 countries, sharing how God has used his disability for good and how God can work in unexpected ways in all of our lives.

Despite facing incredible challenges, Nick's faith and willingness to make himself available to God has led him on a remarkable journey of impact and influence. His life is a powerful example of how God can use ordinary people in extraordinary ways, as long as we are willing to trust in Him and make ourselves available to be used by Him.

I want to use this opportunity to remind you that God is able to work through ordinary people just like you and me to accomplish incredible things. To be utilized by Him, all that is required of us is the willingness to move outside of our comfort zones and to make ourselves available. To offer ourselves as living sacrifices. When we make ourselves available to God, He will empower us to be witnesses and utilize us in ways that will make a difference in the lives of others who are in our immediate vicinity.

It is important to keep in mind that the power of God working in and through us is what really matters, not our own strength or ability. As we seek God's plan for our life, we may have faith that He will direct us and provide us with the resources we need to do the work that He assigns to us.

Therefore, I urge you to take an act of faith today and pray to God, asking him to reveal to you the unexpected ways in which he wishes to use you. Do not let fear or uncertainty prevent you from moving forward. Be brave and courageous instead, knowing that God is with you every step of the journey, and He will see you through.

Let us pray together and ask God to fill each of us with His Spirit, to give us the confidence and strength to step out in faith, and to allow Him to use us for the glory of His name.

Father,

We are grateful to you for exposing us to the truth on this day. We are reminded that you empower us to be your witnesses and that you utilize ordinary people to accomplish incredible things. Also, we are reminded that you use ordinary people to perform extraordinary things. Help us to discern the divine appointments you have planned for us and to make ourselves available to you so that we might fulfill them.

As we move out of our comfort zones, we seek your direction and ask that you give us strength. Help us to have faith that you will equip us for every duty that you call us to do, and help us to believe in the plan that you have for our life. We pray that our testimony for you will be bold, and that your love will flow through us in everything that we do.

We pray for each individual in this church, that they may be inspired to follow you more closely and be filled with your Holy Spirit. To everyone of us, may the renewing of our thoughts bring about transformation, and may we offer up our lives as a living sacrifice to you.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray.

Amen.