| “This
Will Be Your Opportunity” A. Our English word opportunity comes from the
Latin, ob portu–ob (against) and portu (portorharbor). 1.
In ancient times,ob portu was a nautical term for a ship’s maneuvers
when approaching a port. The ship
would wait outside the harbor in deeper waters, waiting “against the port”
for the high tide to change and
deepen the port’s basin so the ship wouldn’t run aground. 2.
Miss the high tide and you spent a dangerous night just off land, in
the darkness, fearing the shallows or
reefs until the next high tide came. The worst place to be if a storm arose
was just outside the port with winds and waves that could drive a ship
aground and pound it to splinters.
B.God, throughout his written revelation to mankind, encourages us to
see and seize opportunities: 1. Joshua: “Choose this day whom you will
serve” (Josh 24:15) 2. The Lord GOD: “Turn back, turn back from
your evil ways, for why will you die?” (Ezek 33:11) 2.
Paul:“Behold, now is the favorable time, now is the day of salvation”
(1 Cor 6:1-2) 3. Jesus: “This will be your
opportunity…”(Luke 21:13) This Will Be Your Opportunity: · To
bear______________(Luke 21:10-16; 24:46-48; Acts 1:8; 1 Thes 1:6-10; 1 Pet
3:13-17) · To shine as a_____________in the darkness (Gen 39:6-10; 1 Cor
10:11-13) · To______________in a way that honors God (Luke 21:17-19; 2 Tim
1:12; 2 Cor 12:9-10) · To build______________________(Rom 5:2-5) · To
do___________(Gal 6:9-10; Phil 4:14-16) · To love my_______________(Matt
5:43-45) · To fulfill the royal_______(James 2:8; Gal 5:13) · To advance
the________________(Phil 1:12-14, 18-21) Conclusion: A. “Opportunities are usually disguised as
hard work, so most people don’t recognize them.” (Landers) B.
One of the deadliest lies we tell ourselves: “When I get an
opportunity…”(Acts 24:24-25; Jer 8:20) C. “At the right time” Christ died
for you so that you could live for him (Rom 5:6-8; Acts 16:30-34) |
