RESPONDING TO OPPORTUNITIES

Keith O’Connor

Woodland Church

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

(Colossians 4:2-6, NLT) “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should. Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.”

(Galatians 6:10, NLT) “Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.”

1.  Pray for Opportunities

(Colossians 4:2-3, NLT) “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ.”

(1 John 5:14-15) “And this is the confidence we have” What confidence do we have, John continues, “if we ask anything, according to His will, He hears us.”

(Luke 11:1) “Lord teach us to pray”

2.  Opportunity to be Thankful

(Colossians 4:2, NLT) “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful hear.”

(Acts 16:25-26, NLT) “Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off.”

(Psalm 34:1, NLT) “I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.”

(Ephesians 5:18-20, NLT) “Be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NLT) “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

(Hebrews 4:14-16, NLT) “So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”

3. Opportunity for the Gospel

(Colossians 4:4, NLT) “Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should”

(Mark 16:15, NLT) “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.”

(Colossians 4:6, NLT) “Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.”

(Colossians 4:5, NLT) “Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.”

4. Missed Opportunities

(Luke 15:11-32)

The Story of the Prodigal Son. A Father’s Love.

(Luke 15:20, NLT) “…saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.”

(Matthew 20:29-34, NLT) “As Jesus and the disciples left the town of Jericho, a large crowd followed behind. Two blind men were sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was coming that way, they began shouting, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” “Be quiet!” the crowd yelled at them. But they only shouted louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” When Jesus heard them, he stopped and called, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord,” they said, “we want to see!”  Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they could see! Then they followed him.”