THE APPOINTMENT IS MADE: WE HAVE A DIVINE APPOINTMENT!
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
This is part one of a two part series.
There was a man, Jack Wugman walking down the beach one day. He saw an unusual glass bottle. He bent over and picked up the bottle. His life would be forever changed. There was a note inside from a man named Singer. You know of him. He invented and perfected the sewing machine.
Singer penned a note,
WHOEVER FINDS THIS BOTTLE SHALL INHERIT MY WHOLE ESTATE.
The judge validated the note, and Jack inherited millions of dollars from a man he never met.
What if Jack never picked up the bottle?
My God has a plan for you!
I. DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF AN APPOINTMENT.
THERE ARE DIVINE APPOINTMENTS SET. WILL WE COME TO THE APPOINTMENT?
A. I had a friend in Nashville that wrote music. He had many friends in high places.
One day I spoke of my love for Chet Atkins.
He said Chet was a dear friend of his, they often had lunch together.
I told him I had two Gibson Chet Atkins guitars.
He said, If you like I will set up a time for you to meet with Chet. He called Chet Atkins at home and set a date and time to meet with the famous
guitar picker. Wow, this was a dream come true.
As that date neared a dear friend in St. Louis was dying of cancer. I went up to visit with her. We had a precious visit together.
She died, I felt compelled to drive to St. Louis, and I missed my time to personally be with Chet.
Chet got very sick and later died, I missed my appointment with this great guitar man.
B. Just as we can make an appointment with doctors, photographers, garages, or a friend for lunch, our God has set some appointments with you.
C. Sometimes if you miss an appointment you can reschedule, but some appointments once missed can never come again.
D. APPOINTMENT:
To choose, select, to provide with things needed
To fix or set, to provide with complete furnishings to accomplish the task.
Arrangement for a meeting,
elevation to a new post of duty, advancement,
E. It is not how you handle demotion in life, but how you handle promotion
that says much about you!
II. CAN WE REALLY GET SERIOUS ABOUT DIVINE APPOINTMENTS OR WILL WE TAKE LIGHTLY THE OPPORTUNITY BEFORE US?
A. LAST NIGHT LINDA WAS WATCHING TELEVISION.
She was watching the show Family Feud on the Game Channel.
The question was simple:
IF YOU KNEW TOMORROW WAS THE LAST DAY,
WHAT WOULD YOU DO TODAY.
The game show had 3 answers:
1. Pray/ Go to church
2. Spend time with the family
3. Get drunk/party
B. Now, this old preacher does not believe one word of that survey. Those are game show answers. If a person really thought tomorrow was the last day,
the real answer would be much different.
C. Life looks much different laying in a fox hole when bombs and bullets are exploding all around.
KJV
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
NASB
Hebrews 9:27 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,
Message
Hebrews 9:27 Everyone has to die once, then face the consequences of their choices.
D. I BELIEVE ONE OF THESE DAYS WILL BE OUR LAST DAY.
Sure you can do things to hasten your day? Smoking, drinking, driving fast?
Sure, you can honor your Mother and Father and make good choices and delay your appointment, but DEATH IS SURE.
E. Do you think Princess Diana thought as she stepped out of that bar in Paris, France and rushed toward the Fyad car, THIS WILL BE MY LAST CAR RIDE?
F. Do you think as Elvis Presley stepped into his upstairs bathroom, this will be my last few minutes? Would a King die in a bathroom?
G. I love the line:
BORN ONCE, DIE TWICE.
BORN TWICE, DIE ONCE.
H. We speak with double tongues:
My decision is maybe --- and THAT’S FINAL.
I. Have you ever heard the story: A lady’s husband died. A crowd came by the funeral home.
At the funeral the Preacher was preaching about how wonderful the man was.
He said he was a good provider, a good husband and a good father.
The wife was sitting on the first pew, she leaned over and talked to the kids. Then she got up and went to the casket and looked in and then turned and returned
to her pew.
Later the Preacher asked her, what were you doing when you went up and looked into the casket?
The lady said, The kids and I thought we were at the wrong funeral?
J. ONCE I PREACHED A FUNERAL, AND THE FAMILY ASKED TO SEE ME IN A ROOM BY THE CHAPEL. We went in a room, and the oldest daughter said, Preacher we have talked and we don’t want you to say anything good about Dad.
I looked around and all the children agreed.
One said, He was drunk all the time.
Another said, He was never there for us, he would stay gone for months at a time.
Well, I did a lesson about life in general and how we needed to do better than we have done.
But I have often pondered: DON’T SAY ANYTHING GOOD ABOUT DAD?
K. Then I think, WHAT WILL OTHERS SAY ABOUT ME?
L. I often say: Live so the Preacher can tell the truth at your funeral.
III. ONE OF THESE DAYS YOU WILL PUT YOUR SHOES ON, AND TIE THE LACES, A FUNERAL DIRECTOR WILL UNTIE THEM. You have a Divine appointment with death.
A. Then after death visits you, YOU WILL FACE ANOTHER DIVINE APPOINTMENT, YOU WILL STAND BEFORE A HOLY GOD AND BE JUDGED.
Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
B. Your judgment before God will include what you have done, the words you have spoken, and what about the things you knew were right and then you didn’t do
them?
C. There are more than the sins of COMMISSION, what you do ---
There are the sins of OMMISSION --- things you didn’t do, but should have.
Sure, you can be stubborn and resist.
James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
D. We need God’s TENDER MERCIES AND AMAZING GRACE when we approach the great BEAMMA SEAT OF GOD.
IV. THERE ARE MANY OTHER DIVINE APPOINTMENTS BESIDES DEATH AND JUDGMENT. WILL WE RECOGNIZE OUR DIVINE APPOINTMENT?
A. Moses spent 40 years in Pharaoh’s palace. Moses ate the best food of his day. If it were hot, Moses had someone to fan him.
Moses had the best chariot of his day. Young men looked with envy when Moses passed by in his Cobra Mustang?
40 years Moses was something special.
B. There was a DIVINE APPOINTMENT WITH THE BACK SIDE OF THE DESERT. Some people act like Moses made a slick choice to move to the desert.
There was an APB, All Points Bulletin, OUT ON MOSES’ HEAD.
Moses fled in fear not seeing a visible solution to this problem of trying to DO GOD’S WORK IN THE FLESH.
God had not planned on Moses killing the Egyptian to bring deliverance.
SOMETIMES WE MAKE OUR OWN APPOINTMENT AND MAKE A BIG MESS.
God takes messes and makes messages!
C. IN ONE DAY, ONE DAY, GOD CHANGES A MESS IN THE DESERT.
Moses gets up, eats breakfast, ties on his sandals, kisses his wife, and walks out the tent door a basket case mess.
THIS DAY WOULD FOREVER CHANGE THE HISTORY OF A MAN AND A NATION!
Mark 12:26 And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God
of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?
D. IT WAS MUCH MORE THAN A BURNING BUSH NOT BEING CONSUMED, MOSES HAD A DIVINE APPOINTMENT NOT WITH A BUSH BUT WITH A HOLY GOD THAT HAD A DIVINE PLAN FOR A MESS OF A MAN.
E. GOD IS NOT LOOKING FOR PERFECT PEOPLE THAT DO EVERYTHING RIGHT, GOD IS SEARCHING FOR A MAN, WOMAN, BOY, OR GIRL THAT WILL ACCEPT THEIR DIVINE APPOINTMENT AND MOVE.
F. MOSES LEARNED THERE WAS A GREAT "I AM!"
Will we learn this message?
V. DIVINE APPOINTMENTS DO NOT ALWAYS TAKE THE EASY, HIGH ROAD --- THERE ARE TIMES THAT SUFFERING AND NOT UNDERSTANDING THIS JOURNEY ARE PART OF THE DIVINE APPOINTMENT. WE NEED DREAMERS TO ARISE AND
BUILD THE HEDGE AND STAND IN THE GAP. HEAR THE DIVINE INVITATION THIS APPOINTMENT IS FOR YOU!
A. There was an 11th son in a very dysfunctional home.
This dysfunctional home had A DIVINE APPOINTMENT, God loved them all!
B. There was a terrible drought come, many will die and lose everything they labored so hard to gain. GOD HAD A PLAN.
Genesis 37:19 And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh.
C. 10 BROTHERS SAW THE COAT OF MANY COLORS COMING OVER THE HILL, AND THEY PLOTTED TO DESTROY THEIR LITTLE BROTHER.
D. THE ENEMY CANNOT DESTROY A DIVINE APPOINTMENT.
Many enemies cannot destroy the Divine Appointment of this lad.
E. IN GREAT FEAR JOSEPH FELL DOWN IN A COLD, DAMP WELL?
Can this well be God?
F. JOSEPH WAS STRIPED OF HIS COAT OF MANY COLORS BEFORE THE WELL?
God was still with the boy even without his coat!
G. I HONESTLY BELIEVE JOSEPH’S FIRST DEEP FACE TO FACE ENCOUNTER WITH GOD WAS WHILE HE WAS TUMBLING DOWN IN THE WELL.
NOW THIS YOUNG TEENAGE BOY WILL HAVE TO DEPEND ON GOD.
H. Down the well wall came a rope, JOSEPH THOGHT THIS ROPE WAS A DIVINE APPOINTMENT, his brothers must have felt remorse and they threw him a life line.
I. This rope was a Divine Appointment as God needed to move His man to a place where the Divine Plan could develop.
J. Jacob sees the bloody coat and feels like the divine appointment is over?
The plan is just starting.
13 LONG YEARS, IS THIS GOD?
K. SOLD AS A SLAVE? Favor in Potiphar’s house? Could this be God?
L. FALSELY ACCUSED OF RAPE BY POTIPHAR’S WIFE, can this be God?
The trial will prove Joseph innocent? SURE?
M. JOSEPH LAY IN HIS JAIL CELL AND LOOKED TOWARD THE MOON, AND HIS DREAM WAS NEARLY FADED.
N. IN COMES THE CHIEF BAKER AND THE CHIEF BUTLER OF PHAROAH?
Now is this the Divine plan? They forgot him.
O. ONE DAY THE CALL COMES TO THE JAILER, GET JOSEPH, HAVE HIM WASH AND CLEAN UP, HE IS GOING TO STEP INTO THE DIVINE REALM TODAY.
P. As Joseph meets Pharaoh, GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE, AND THE PIECES OF THE PUZZLE BECOME CLEARER.
Q. Pharaoh places a gold chain on the LITTLE BROTHER’S NECK. 7 years later, 7 years of plenty, then COMES THE 7 YEARS OF DROUGHT.
INTO JOSEPH’S OFFICE WALK 10 BROTHERS.
The brothers have changed, Joseph has changed, and a DIVINE APPOINTMENT IS REALIZED.
R. None of these strange, twisted, mean, lonely times could stop God’s plan.
In a short time, 70 people will load up into wagons and find safety, food, and love --- ALL BECAUSE THERE WAS A DIVINE PLAN.
S. My friend, will you hear what the Spirit is saying to you today?
Just as God had a Divine plan for 70 people accomplished through one man, God has lead you through your twisted, seemingly aimless journey to a PRIZE.
T. THE PRIZE WAS NOT A GOLD CHAIN AND A FANCY CHARIOT, THE PRIZE WAS KNOWING GOD IN A PERSONAL WAY AND BUILDING A HEDGE AND STANDING IN THE GAP FOR OTHERS.
U. Hear the invitation? Trust God? Hang on a little longer?
Life has not been an aimless accident. The Father is leading you near His heart.
Come!
VI. YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND, ALL I HAVE IS SMALL? LITTLE?
WORTHLESS.
A. One day started like all the rest of the days in a little boy’s life.
His Momma woke him up and he got dressed just like any other day.
The boys Momma packed his lunch for the day before he left the house.
B. The Momma looked at what the she had, and all there was to pack were two small fishes and five small barely biscuits.
C. As the boy was skipping down the road with his lunch, he watched as there were crowds of people going that way.
He placed the lunch bag over his shoulder and followed the neighbors.
He listened to them as they talked, they were going to see JESUS.
As the lad listened, he thought I would like to meet this JESUS.
D. As the crowd topped the hill, there he was --- Jesus.
There were miracles happening on all around.
The little boy was very still, and he got as close to Jesus as he could.
E. The boy got to be close to PHILIP, ANDREW, PETER.
The boy over heard the conversation, they were all hungry...
WITH GREAT EXCITEMENT THE BOY REMEMBERED THE LUNCH THAT HIS MOMMA
PACKED FOR HIM JUST BEFORE LEAVING THE HOUSE.
The boy knew his Momma was a good cook, so he yelled to ANDREW...
HERE ANDREW, YOU CAN GIVE MY LUNCH TO JESUS ---
F. ANDREW SPOKE TO JESUS, HERE ARE 2 SMALL FISHES, AND 5 BISCUITS?
Then the man wavered in his SOLUTION?
BUT WHAT ARE THEY AMONG SO MANY?
John 6:9 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
G. I BELIEVE THE LITTLE BOY DIDN’T UNDERSTAND THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE MOMENT, BUT HE KNEW HE HAD LUNCH AND HE WOULD GIVE IT ALL TO JESUS.
H. Jesus had the crowds break up into small groups of 50, and THEN JESUS PRAYED.
I. THERE WAS A DIVINE APPOINTMENT WITH A LITTLE BOY AND HIS SMALL FISHES, HE KNEW THE SON OF GOD.
J. Can you imagine that night, as the boy went running home to his MOMMA.
Momma, you won’t believe, I GAVE MY LUNCH TO JESUS, AND JESUS REALLY
IS GOD’S SON. JESUS FED ME AND THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE, AND JESUS TOOK UP 12 BASKETS OF LEFT-OVERS.
K. MOMMA, I HAD A DIVINE APPOINTMENT TODAY.
Momma --- WHAT IF YOU HAD NOT PACKED MY LUNCH?
What if I hadn’t of met Jesus that day? People might have fainted?
L. My opinion is that boy never forgot his Divine appointment with God’s Son.
I think the lad was forever changed.
M. MY FRIEND, WHAT CAN TWO SMALL FISHES DO?
Not much, unless you have a Divine Appointment.
Will you willingly give your small gift to release God’s Plan for you?
God needs your hands and your gift to accomplish His Plan.
VII. WHAT IS GOD LOOKING FOR?
THERE IS MORE OPPORTUNIITY THAN THERE IS ABILITY!
HAVE YOU EVER BURIED OPPORTUNITY IN THE GRAVE OF PROCRASTINATION?
A. There is a great danger in the church today and that great danger is not easily identified, it is LOOSING OUR SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT AND THE VALUE OF THE
INDIVIDUAL.
B. We can understand the weakest leak in a chain but not in our family?
We can loose spiritual power and fail to see there is more than just practicing RELIGION, THERE IS KNOWING GOD AND SEARCHING FOR HIS DIVINE APPOINTMENTS!
C. GOD IS LOOKING FOR A MAN, A WOMAN, A BOY OR A GIRL THAT WILL INVEST THEIR SMALL FISHES.
D. When opportunity knocks don’t offer excuses!
Don’t fall into the habitual behavior of complaining, murmuring, and arguing.
Seize the moment.
John 12:21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
E. You cannot show others Jesus if you yourself have not seen HIM!
F. HAVE YOU EVER BURIED OPPORTUNITY IN THE GRAVE OF PROCRASTINATION?
One of our greatest modern day sins is the MIND SET I WILL HAVE ANOTHER
DAY, A MORE CONVENIENT SEASON THAN TODAY.
G. Can you hear OPPORTUNITY KNOCKING OVER THE NOISE OF YOUR TELEVISION? Can television kill vision?
H. Some missed opportunities will never open to you again. I am not looking for FOUR-LEAF CLOVERS, I MUST SEE JESUS.
SIR, I MUST SEE SEE JESUS.
I. WILL WE ACCEPT THE POISON OF SMALLNESS?
During World War II, a lady approached Winston Churchill.
The lady said: Sir if you were my husband, I would feed you poison.
Churchill looked her in the eye and replied:
Honey if you were my wife, I would eat that poison.
J. IF THE SEED IS NOT ENOUGH TO SUSTAIN, THE SEED IS TO BE PLANTED AND RE-INVESTED.
It is not about your NOTHINGNESS, it is about trusting and waiting for the appointment to come.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
I HAVE TRIED TO INVEST IN OTHERS BY WRITING. You could help me, and pass my work on to another.
This is part one of a two part series.
