Divine Settlement: Embracing God's Glory and Intervention
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound truth that all glory belongs to God. Every achievement, every breath, and every moment of our lives is a testament to His grace and sovereignty. We are reminded that God is worthy of all our praise, and it is our duty to ensure that stones do not take our place in worship. As we continue with our theme of divine settlement, we delve into the story of the man at the pool of Bethesda from John chapter 5. This narrative illustrates the power of divine intervention and the importance of being in the right place at the right time.
The man at the pool had been in his condition for 38 years, a symbol of stagnation and hopelessness. Yet, Jesus chose him out of the multitude, demonstrating that divine visitation can bring about miraculous change. This year, we pray for such divine encounters, where God singles us out for His favor and healing. The story of Jabez further emphasizes the power of prayer and the need to call upon God for transformation. Despite his name being associated with pain, Jabez's earnest prayer led to a divine turnaround in his life.
We also reflected on the story of Zacchaeus, who, despite his wealth, recognized a void that only Jesus could fill. His effort to see Jesus resulted in a life-changing encounter, teaching us that our efforts, combined with God's favor, lead to true fulfillment. Similarly, the woman at the well experienced a transformation through a simple conversation with Jesus, highlighting the power of divine appointments.
In conclusion, divine settlement is not just about resolving physical ailments or financial struggles; it is about aligning ourselves spiritually with God. It is about recognizing that our efforts alone are insufficient without His intervention. As we seek divine settlement, let us be diligent in prayer, open to divine encounters, and ready to act in faith.
Key Takeaways:
1. All Glory Belongs to God: Every achievement and blessing in our lives is a testament to God's grace. We must continually give Him the glory and ensure that our praise is not replaced by stones. Our worship is a declaration of His worthiness. [21:42]
2. Divine Intervention at the Pool of Bethesda: The story of the man at the pool teaches us that divine intervention can break years of stagnation. Jesus' choice to heal one man out of many illustrates that God can single us out for His favor, regardless of how long we've been in our condition. [28:21]
3. The Power of Prayer in Jabez's Life: Jabez's prayer for blessing and protection shows the importance of calling on God for transformation. Despite his painful past, his earnest prayer led to a divine turnaround, reminding us that God hears and answers our prayers. [45:19]
4. Zacchaeus' Effort and Divine Encounter: Zacchaeus' determination to see Jesus, despite his wealth and stature, resulted in a life-changing encounter. This teaches us that our efforts, combined with God's favor, lead to true fulfillment and transformation. [54:17]
5. Transformation Through Divine Conversations: The woman at the well experienced a profound change through her conversation with Jesus. This highlights the power of divine appointments and the potential for transformation when we engage with God. [01:05:23]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [21:42] - Glory to God
- [22:36] - Divine Settlement Theme
- [23:14] - God's Intervention
- [24:04] - The Pool of Bethesda
- [25:18] - The Sheep Gate
- [26:36] - Jesus' Selective Healing
- [27:33] - Stirring of the Spirit
- [28:21] - Divine Visitation
- [29:27] - 38 Years of Infirmity
- [31:24] - Breaking Stagnation
- [32:37] - Divine Hand Needed
- [33:21] - Overcoming Frustration
- [35:11] - Rise and Walk
- [35:58] - Jabez's Prayer
- [41:51] - Calling on God
- [45:19] - Granted Requests
- [54:17] - Zacchaeus' Effort
- [01:05:23] - Divine Conversations
- [01:08:01] - Supernatural Intervention
- [01:09:41] - Prayer and Breakthrough
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 5:1-9
2. 1 Chronicles 4:9-10
3. Luke 19:1-10
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#### Observation Questions
1. In John 5, what was the condition of the man at the pool of Bethesda, and how long had he been in that state? [29:27]
2. What specific request did Jabez make in his prayer according to 1 Chronicles 4:9-10?
3. How did Zacchaeus' actions demonstrate his desire to see Jesus in Luke 19? [54:17]
4. What was the reaction of the people when Jesus decided to visit Zacchaeus' house? [54:17]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the story of the man at the pool of Bethesda teach about the nature of divine intervention and timing? [28:21]
2. How does Jabez's prayer reflect a deeper understanding of his need for God's intervention in his life? [45:19]
3. In what ways does Zacchaeus' encounter with Jesus illustrate the concept of divine settlement beyond physical or financial needs? [54:17]
4. How can the transformation of the woman at the well be seen as a result of a divine appointment? [01:05:23]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt stagnant or stuck in a situation. How can the story of the man at the pool of Bethesda inspire you to seek divine intervention? [29:27]
2. Jabez called on God to change his circumstances. What specific area of your life do you need to bring before God in prayer for transformation? [45:19]
3. Zacchaeus made an effort to see Jesus despite his limitations. What obstacles are currently hindering your spiritual growth, and how can you overcome them? [54:17]
4. The woman at the well experienced a life-changing conversation with Jesus. Are there conversations or relationships in your life that you feel God is calling you to engage in for transformation? [01:05:23]
5. How can you ensure that your achievements and blessings are continually attributed to God's glory in your daily life? [21:42]
6. In what ways can you be more open to divine appointments and encounters in your everyday routine?
7. How can you actively position yourself to receive God's favor and intervention, similar to the examples given in the sermon? [28:21]
Devotional
Day 1: Acknowledging God's Sovereignty in Our Achievements
Every achievement and blessing in our lives is a testament to God's grace and sovereignty. We are reminded that all glory belongs to God, and it is our duty to ensure that our praise is not replaced by stones. Our worship is a declaration of His worthiness, and it is through this acknowledgment that we align ourselves with His divine purpose. As we reflect on our lives, we must continually give Him the glory, recognizing that every breath and moment is a gift from Him. [21:42]
"Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all." (1 Chronicles 29:11, ESV)
Reflection: What specific achievement or blessing in your life can you acknowledge as a testament to God's grace today? How can you give Him the glory for it?
Day 2: Experiencing Divine Intervention in Stagnation
The story of the man at the pool of Bethesda teaches us that divine intervention can break years of stagnation. Despite being in his condition for 38 years, Jesus chose him out of the multitude, demonstrating that God can single us out for His favor, regardless of how long we've been in our condition. This narrative illustrates the power of divine visitation and the importance of being in the right place at the right time. We are encouraged to pray for such divine encounters, where God singles us out for His favor and healing. [28:21]
"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:19, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel stagnant or hopeless? How can you position yourself to be open to God's divine intervention today?
Day 3: The Transformative Power of Prayer
Jabez's prayer for blessing and protection shows the importance of calling on God for transformation. Despite his name being associated with pain, his earnest prayer led to a divine turnaround, reminding us that God hears and answers our prayers. This story emphasizes the power of prayer and the need to call upon God for transformation in our lives. We are encouraged to be diligent in prayer, trusting that God can bring about miraculous change. [45:19]
"Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." (Jeremiah 33:3, ESV)
Reflection: What specific area of your life do you need to bring before God in prayer for transformation? How can you make prayer a more integral part of your daily routine?
Day 4: Seeking Fulfillment Through Divine Encounters
Zacchaeus' determination to see Jesus, despite his wealth and stature, resulted in a life-changing encounter. This teaches us that our efforts, combined with God's favor, lead to true fulfillment and transformation. Zacchaeus recognized a void that only Jesus could fill, and his effort to see Jesus resulted in a profound change. We are reminded that our efforts to seek God, when combined with His favor, can lead to true fulfillment. [54:17]
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33, ESV)
Reflection: What effort can you make today to seek a deeper encounter with Jesus? How can you prioritize seeking God's kingdom in your daily life?
Day 5: Embracing Transformation Through Divine Conversations
The woman at the well experienced a profound change through her conversation with Jesus, highlighting the power of divine appointments. This story illustrates the potential for transformation when we engage with God. Divine settlement is not just about resolving physical ailments or financial struggles; it is about aligning ourselves spiritually with God. We are encouraged to be open to divine encounters and ready to act in faith, recognizing that our efforts alone are insufficient without His intervention. [01:05:23]
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)
Reflection: How can you create space in your life for divine conversations with God? What steps can you take to be more open to His transformative work in your life today?
Quotes
No matter what you are able to achieve, glory goes to God. You wake up this morning, glory goes to God. You are able to move to this place, glory goes to the Lord. You still have bread, glory goes to the Lord. Everything, glory goes to the Lord. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! [00:21:07] (17 seconds)
God is worthy of our praise. It means He deserves to be praised by us. Amen! We will not allow Him to raise stones to praise Him. We will not allow Him to raise stones. So we will praise Him. As long as we still have bread and we have mouth, we will praise Him. [00:22:02] (22 seconds)
And this lay a great multitude of sick people. Pay attention. It lay there a great multitude of sick people. Blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an hour an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water. [00:24:29] (31 seconds)
When there is a stirring up of the water, it was ready for healing to happen. I pray that this year, there will be a stirring up of the Spirit of God. In your hearts, in your home, in this place. Because when there is a stirring up happens, a miracle follows. [00:27:48] (19 seconds)
Because many people will be in that place. But may you be picked out. May you be favored. In the mighty name of Jesus. Because for some of the sick people, it looks impossible. Because what we read, some of them were paralyzed. How can a paralyzed person enter the water when it is stirred up? [00:28:21] (20 seconds)
Listen, not everybody going through what you are going through will come out easily. It will take a divine hand to take you out. It will take divine visitation for you to come out. Amen. So this man has been there. We know the story. 38 years. [00:32:37] (21 seconds)
And Japheth called on the God of Israel. He did what? He called on the God of Israel. For you to divinely settle this year, you must learn how to call on the God of Israel. Amen. You must revive your prayer life. You must learn to pray right. It is important. [00:42:57] (23 seconds)
Japheth knew who to call. You have sought help from almost everywhere about concerning your situation aside from God. Now it is time to turn to God. Amen. It is time to look up to God. It is time to now ask God to step in for you. [00:43:33] (22 seconds)
The woman that has become an outcast the woman that nobody cared about the woman that they saw as prostitute the woman that they saw as someone sleeping with men his life changed and that woman now ran to town and said come and see who I have encountered. [01:01:37] (22 seconds)
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