Divine Appointments
Pentecost 2024 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 11 viewsThe encounter between John, Peter, and the lame man in Acts 3:1-10 is a clear example of a divine appointment, showcasing God's power and glory. Peter heals the man in Jesus' name, demonstrating that the work of Jesus continues through His disciples. This miracle brings praise to God and opens the door for sharing the gospel. As believers today, we are called to continue this work. We are His people, empowered to serve, heal, and share His love with the world. By being attentive and responsive to God's guidance, we can participate in His divine appointments, bringing glory to Him and advancing His kingdom.
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1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” 5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God. 10 Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
A divine appointment is an unplanned interaction between people where The Lord God interrupts the natural course of events for His purposes.
1. Being faithful to what you know about the things of God is a major key to being used by Him.
1. Being faithful to what you know about the things of God is a major key to being used by Him.
1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
People like the endless debate about the things they don’t understand about the faith. the truth is that we are called to do what you know the Lord will use what you to meet someone else need as you do what we know to do.
After Jesus met them at the sea for breakfast, The Lord pointed them back to their divine call.
19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
So, they where on there way to the temple for evening prayer. As they make there way to the temple the find themselves in a divine appointment.
2.The man who was laid at the gate beautiful was faithful as well. (He did what he could to help support himself.)
2.The man who was laid at the gate beautiful was faithful as well. (He did what he could to help support himself.)
2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms.
faithfulness builds character. Character is part of what the Lord is building in us. we are called to go beyond mere morality. We are called to be christ like.
verse two opens with this statement, “ a certain man, lame from his mothers womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple they called beautiful. “
the closest thing that I can relate to this is the time when I was in seminary that I was a telemarketer. this is nowhere near the same as being a beggar at the gate but it is as much as unwanted as a beggar outside the gate.
let’s stop for a moment and recap.
let’s stop for a moment and recap.
this is peters first miracle.
this was a divine appointment for all three men:
for Peter and John this was the moment that they understood that they where going to walk in the same ministry as Jesus.
12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.
everyone in the body of Christ has gifts.
so, everyone has a ministry.
This does not mean that everyone is called to preach or sing or something or preach or something however everyone has spiritual gifts.
everyone has gifts:
everyone has gifts:
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;
One of the spiritual gifts that doesn’t get a lot of attention is the power of presence.
One of the spiritual gifts that doesn’t get a lot of attention is the power of presence.
11 Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this adversity that had come upon him, each one came from his own place—Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. For they had made an appointment together to come and mourn with him, and to comfort him.
27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
for a lot of years when I read James 1:27 I wanted to meet physical or material needs, however the scripture does not use the word give it says visit.
I used to think that hanging out was easy, I have.
Another gift that doesn’t get a lot of attention is the gifts of helps.
Another gift that doesn’t get a lot of attention is the gifts of helps.
28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
The gifts of doing what it takes… doing what others do not see… doing what others wont do to get it done.
The gifts of doing what it takes… doing what others do not see… doing what others wont do to get it done.
The gift of encouragement.
The gift of encouragement.
8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
The gift of intercession.
The gift of intercession.
The gift of faith.
The gift of faith.
9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,
The gift of giving.
The gift of giving.
35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
The gift of Hospitality.
The gift of Hospitality.
2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.
We are all called to intercede, give, help, have faith, or encourage. some seem to have a special grace for serving the Lord in these ways but it obvious that some are better gifted then others.
3. Since God has given gifts, He has prepared opportunities to use them. This was a divine appointment for Peter,John and the lame man.
3. Since God has given gifts, He has prepared opportunities to use them. This was a divine appointment for Peter,John and the lame man.
Peter and John where being faithful to Jesus.
the lame man was being faithful to his family.
Peter had not performed a miracle yet but he knew the man needed something, Peter did not have what the lame man expected but he had Jesus and gave him what he had.
4. The lame man had no idea what was about to happen, but he had faith,(expectation.)
4. The lame man had no idea what was about to happen, but he had faith,(expectation.)
3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” 5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.
The apostle Peter moved in the gift of healing.
but there was much more than a physical healing but also emotional and spiritual healing as well.
the Apostle peter asked Him to look at him, the power of presence.
then God shows up and gives him more than money, he gives him life!
What about you?
What about you?
What about your gifts?
What about your gifts?
What about your divine appointments?
What about your divine appointments?
What about the people that will be impacted by the things you find easy or simple.
What about the people that will be impacted by the things you find easy or simple.
