“Divine Appointments”

Acts 9:10–19

  1. Introduction
  2. Divine Appointment Principles
    1. God Prepares One To Go And One To Receive.
      vs. 10–11

      10In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
      “Yes, Lord,” he answered.

      11The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

    2. Divine Appointments Are Life-Changing.
      v. 15

      But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.

    3. They Are Holy Spirit Directed.
      Acts 8:27–38

      27So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian[a] eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. 29The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”

      30Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.

      31“How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

      32The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture:
      “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
      and as a lamb before the shearer is silent,
      so he did not open his mouth.

      33In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
      Who can speak of his descendants?
      For his life was taken from the earth."[b]

      34The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

      36As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?”[c] 38And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.

      Footnotes:
      [a]Acts 8:27 That is, from the upper Nile region
      [b]Acts 8:33 Isaiah 53:7,8
      [c]Acts 8:36 Some late manuscripts baptized?” 37 Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” The eunuch answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

    4. They Are Windows of Opportunity.
    5. They Require That We See People Through God’s Eyes.
      Acts 9:13–15

      13“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

      15But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.

      1. He saw Paul as he would be.
      2. God uses a seeking heart.
    6. Divine Appointments Require Our Obedience.
      vs. 17–19a

      17Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

    7. They Challenge Us To Expose Not Impose Our Faith.
      1. Our job is to share God’s joy.
      2. Nothing is more compelling than acts of Christian love.
    8. They Demand That We Be Real.
      1. People aren’t looking for perfect but authentic.
  3. Conclusion
    1. God Is Setting Up A Flood Of Appointments.
    2. Are We Available?
    3. If So, God Will Work Miracles Through You!