Opportunity
Galatians 6:10 “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
Opportunity:
A combination of circumstances favorable for the purpose
An opening
A chance
I.) The opportunity to be saved
John 4:1-14 The woman at the well
John 4:10 (Here was her opportunity to be saved)
“Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.”
Romans 1:18-20 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”
I believe that God reveals himself to everyone. Everyone has their moment in time where God reveals himself to them. This is their chance to seek and find him.
2 Corinthians 6:2 “…behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
Proverbs 27:1 “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”
Hebrews 9:27 “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”
Hebrews 2:3 “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;”
II.) The opportunity to serve
Galatians 6:9-10 “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we therefore have opportunity…”
Hebrews 3:7-8 (go forward) “Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:”
Malachi 3:13-18
“Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?
Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?
And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.
Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.”
Joshua 24:14-15
“Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
Psalms 90:12 “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”
Luke 19:13 “…and said unto them, Occupy till I come.”
III.) The opportunity to do good
Galatians 6:10 “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
Titus 3:8 “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.”
Luke 10: 25-37 (Who is my neighbor?)
Proverbs 3:27-28 “Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.”
1 John 3:17 “But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”
James 2:14-18 “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.”
Philippians 2:4 “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”
Acts 9:36-39 “Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.” “Some people fail to recognize opportunity because it so often comes to them in overalls and looks like work.”
III.) Opportunities to witness
Jude 1:22-23 “And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”
II Kings 7:3-11 (Go Tell Them) “Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell…”
Luke 8:26-39 “Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.”
Psalms 40:10 “I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation…”
Acts 24:25 (Felix) “And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.”
Acts 26:28 “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.”
V.) Make opportunities
Philippians 3:13-14 “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
VI.) Look for opportunities
John 4:35 “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.”
VII.) Encourage others to do the same
Hebrews 10:24 “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:” Now If you have hard work to do, Do it now. Today the skies are clear and blue, Tomorrow clouds may come in view, Yesterday is not for you; Do it now. If you have a song to sing, Sing it now. Let the notes of gladness ring Clear as song of bird in Spring, Let every day some music bring; Sing it now. If you have kind words to say, Say them now. Tomorrow may not come your way, Do a kindness while you may, Loved ones will not always stay; Say them now. If you have a smile to show, Show it now. Make hearts happy, roses grow, Let the friends around you know The love you have before they go; Show it now.