Pentecostal Tabernacle » Divine Appointments

Listen to the sermon: Divine Appointments

by Bishop Brian C. Greene

Philemon 10-11

When I was in school, appointment books were very important this time of year. Their purpose was to indicate to me at which point I was to be at a particular time. Most people no longer use appointment or calendar books. People now use Palm Pilots or even cell phones to keep track of their appointments.

Philemon is a letter (epistle) written by the Apostle Paul. It was written to the person who owned the home where the Church met in the City of Colosse. It was written around the same time Paul wrote his letter to the Colossians. Paul wrote this letter while he was imprisoned in the City of Rome, Italy (See Acts 28).

If you look at a map located at the front and backs of most Bibles, you will find that Colosse was located in Asia approximately 1,100 miles east of Rome. That’s the distance between Boston and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Through the intervention of God, Paul meets Philemon’s slave Onesimus in Rome.

The chances of their meeting is nothing but a “divine appointment” for it was estimated that half the population of the Roman Empire (60 million) were slaves. The word “divine” is derived from a Latin word which means: Heavenly; God-Inspired; Excellent.

The appointment God has for us is “a heavenly appointment.” It is an appointment that has been inspired (breathed into) by God Himself. It is an “excellent” appointment, that is, it is an appointment which will cause you to excel.

The sad thing is not only is Onesimus a runaway slave, he’s a thief who stole from his master (boss). This young man is technically a useless (he stole), broken slave. Yet Paul ministers to him to the point that Onesimus gives his life to Christ. (Verses 10 and 11)

Because of Christ in his life and Paul’s friendship, Onesimus fulfills his purpose going from useless to useful. In fact the name Onesimus literally means “useful.” Please keep in mind that the word “useful” can also mean “used to your fullest” or “used to fulfillment.”

Points to be aware of regarding divine appointments:

1. Our steps are ordered by God. (Psalm 37:23)
2. We will never fully understand God’s purposes for our lives (Proverbs 20:24)
3. We need to be aware of our divine appointments so we can cooperate with God and not frustrate Him. (Galatians 2:21; Proverbs 3:5, 6; Isaiah 55:8)
4. At this moment, God has pre-arranged this divine appointment (the situation or circumstance) with which we are dealing. Please know that it’s not by chance! (Jeremiah 29:11)