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LIFE IS FILLED WITH MISSED OPPORTUNTIES

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.     Matthew 23:37

 

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gather thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

 

1.       One of the thoughts that comes to mind as I read this verse is:  “Missed opportunity.”

a.       Prophets and others were sent to Jerusalem only to be killed.

b.      Jesus came to them and would have gathered them unto Himself, but they would not.

2.       Question:  Do you feel sad for the residents of Jerusalem because they missed this opportunity?  If so, why?

a.       Because they could have come to know Jesus

b.      Because they could have been saved

c.       Because they put their souls in jeopardy by rejecting the Christ

 

B.      In this lesson, we want to talk about opportunities.  The title of our lesson is:  “Life Is Filled with Missed Opportunities.”

 

I.                    DEFINITION OF OPPORTUNITY

 

A.     Dictionary.com:  “an advantageous combination of circumstances”

 

B.      Wiktionary.com:  “a chance for advancement, progress, or profit”

 

C.     Opportunity involves being at the right place at the right time and taking advantage of this right combination (Ex., the Jews of Matt. 23:37).

1.       The Jews lived in the right place, Jerusalem, at the right time, A.D. 30-33.

2.       The Jews were in the right place, the temple area, at the right time, to hear Jesus teach.

 

II.                 LIFE’S OPPORTUNITIES

 

A.     Life is filled with opportunities, that is, times, meetings, conversations, events, classes, people, and a host of other things that can be advantageous to us.

 

B.      Sometimes we are born with opportunities.

1.       Christian parents (Ex., Timothy had a Christian mother and grandmother, 2 Tim. 1:5)

 

When I call to remembrance the unfeign faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and they mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

 

2.       The United States of America

3.       Good health

4.       Schools for a good education

a.       Ex., Moses was trained in the courts of Pharaoh (Acts 7:22).

 

And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians…

b.      Ex., Saul educated at the feet of Gamaliel (Acts 22:3)

 

…yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers.

 

5.       A time of peace and prosperity

 

C.     Many opportunities come our way throughout life.

1.       We search and find the opportunity

a.       The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price (Matt. 13:45).

 

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchantman, seeking goodly pearls…

 

b.      Zaccheus who climbed the sycamore tree (Luke 19:2-3a).

 

And, behold, there was a man named Zaccheus, which was chief among the publicans, and he was rich.  And he sought to see Jesus…

 

c.       We educate ourselves and look for the job.

2.       The stumble upon the opportunity

a.       The Parable of the Hidden Treasure (Matt. 13:44).

 

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

 

b.      My position with the Gospel Broadcasting Network

3.       The opportunity seeks us out

a.       God seeking Paul for the apostleship (Acts 9:15-16).

 

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way:  for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:  for I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

 

b.      A friend informs us of something, or, a someone hears of our talents and comes to us (Ex., the draft for college ball teams).

4.       Sometimes providence provides the opportunity

a.       Joseph in Egypt (Gen. 50:20)

 

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

 

b.      A job, a person, a loss, a hardship

 

III.              SEIZED AND MISSED OPPORTUNTIES

 

A.     Esther seized the opportunity to go unto the king (Esth. 4:16b).

 

…and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law:  and if I perish, I perish.

 

B.      Agrippa (Acts 26:28)

 

Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

IV.              CONCERN, OR LACK THEREOF WHEN OPPORUNITY IS MISSED

 

A.     Some people are deeply concerned when they miss an opportunity.

1.       These individuals are deeply grieved.

2.       Some of these individuals will express deep sorrow.

3.       Some will beg and plead for the opportunity to be given again.

4.       Ex., the five foolish virgins (Matt. 25:11).

 

Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

 

B.      Others, however, have little concern.

1.       So what?  Or, who cares?

2.       It’s a little thing.

3.       It’s nothing important.

4.       I already know the information.

5.       Other things are more important.

6.       I don’t need it.

7.       I will have another opportunity.

 

V.                 CONSEQUENCES

 

A.     Good fortune for those who take advantage of opportunity: 

1.       Bitcoin

a.       February, 2011:  $1.00

b.      February, 2022:  $43,193

c.       A $100.00 investment would be worth $4,319,300.00 today.

2.       Bible:  Saul of Tarsus, the apostle Paul, ½ the New Testament, souls and churches, 2 Timothy 4:8

 

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness…

 

3.       Personal:  born into a family wherein my father grew up in the church and learned the truth

 

B.      Bad fortune: 

1.       Poor health:  die at an early age and do not get to enjoy blessings such as children and grandchildren

2.       Bible:  Judas (Acts 1:25b)

 

…from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.     The why of this lesson?  Members of the local church miss opportunities all the time.

1.       Bible classes

2.       Worship services

3.       Gospel meetings

4.       Works

5.       Fellowships

6.       Relationships with other Christians

7.       The privilege of meeting visitors

 

B.      So often, there is a lack of concern for an opportunity missed.

1.       So what?  Or, who cares?

2.       It’s a little thing.

3.       It’s nothing important.

4.       I already know the information.

5.       Other things are more important.

6.       I don’t need it.

7.       I will have another opportunity.

 

C.     Two questions:

1.       Why such a lack of concern?

2.       How do you know that the opportunities you have missed are not extremely valuable to you, to your soul, or to the souls of others?

 

D.     How many people will stand in judgment and learn that opportunities they missed cost them their soul?

 

E.      Remember, the passage that opened our lesson?  Jesus expressed His concern over His rejection by the city of Jerusalem.  On another occasion, the Bible tells us:  “And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it” (Luke 19:41).  It saddens the Lord when those He loves miss valuable opportunities that are presented to them.

 

F.      Will you miss the opportunity to obey the precious gospel of Jesus Christ today?  Remember:  Opportunities do not always come again!