WED: “RECOGNIZING DIVINE APPOINTMENTS”

TEXT:  JOHN 4:1-45

I. We need to be looking for divine appointments God gives (vv. 1-9)

  1. Jesus was always seeking divine appointments (vv. 1-3)
  2. Jesus often put Himself in a place for a divine appointment (vv. 4-6)
  3. Jesus seized the divine appointments offered to Him (vv. 7-9)

II. Divine appointments must be acted upon spiritually (vv. 10-15)

  1. Jesus quickly moved to spiritual truth from natural things (v. 10)
  2. Jesus continued to explain spiritual truth addressing her questions (vv. 11-14)
  3. Jesus motivated an interest in this woman by his conversation (v. 15)

III. Divine appointments must be handled truthfully (vv. 16-24)

  1. Jesus helps her to identify her spiritual need due to sin (vv. 16-18)
  2. Jesus helps her realize that He is more than just a man (vv. 19-21)
  3. Jesus addresses the truth of personal relationship in worship (vv. 22-24)

IV. Divine appointments must confront people with Messiah (vv. 25-30)

  1. She brought up Messiah because of Jesus’ conversation about worship
  2. Jesus clearly introduced Himself as the Messiah sent from God
  3. Other people will not always recognize the divine appointment you are seizing
  4. Jesus caused this woman to leave what she was doing to go tell others about Him

V. Divine appointments need to be more vital than physical needs (vv. 31-38)

  1. The disciples were concerned about Jesus’ physical need for food (vv. 31-32)
  2. The disciples were confused about the spiritual food Jesus mentions (vv. 33-34)
  3. Jesus clearly declared that spiritual needs are greater than physical needs (vv. 35-38)

VI. Divine appointments that are seized can lead to more divine appointments (vv. 39-45)

  1. This woman brought others to Jesus because of His conversation with her (vv. 39-40)
  2. More people believed on Jesus as Messiah because He spoke to her (vv. 41-42)
  3. Other people will believe on Jesus if they just come to hear about Him (vv. 42-45)