|
Sermons
When
Opportunity Knocks
Ephesians 5:15-16 |
Pastor Howard Chang
September 23, 2001 |
Do we understand the times we live in? Paul says the "days are evil." If
this is the case, then we must consider how we live in the short time we
have. And as part of Spirit-living, believers should live wisely by
developing a mindset to urgently exploit every opportunity to further
God's purposes.
How can wisely use our time given the age we find ourselves in?
A Nation Tries to Heal
Last week was a week of mourning, grieving, and deep sorrow. This week our
nation is broken hearted, our sadness continues. By the end of the week,
the death and missing toll from Manhattan had reached over 6,000. The
rescue scene in New York has turned into a crime and recovery scene. The
cries to return to normalcy have continued…but we all know that our
post-September 11th world will never be the same.
As the nation tries to heal, we have entered into a time of great
uncertainty…and Anxiety.
Prospects of a long war ahead-My generation has not truly
experienced war. But now we are being told that troops could be lost. The
terrorists could escalate any war we wage. There seems to be no doubt in
anyone's mind that they will strike again.
Uncertainty in the Economy: Thousands and thousands of job layoffs
were announced before September 11th, and thousands more after. The
Markets had their biggest one-week drop since the depression. Ted Koppel
on Thursday night kept asking Secretary of Treasury Paul O'Neill, what is
going to be done about the fear that is affecting the economy?
There is no doubt what the terrorists have done are acts of sin that have
affected the whole world in ways nobody could predict. So much is out of
our control, so much is uncertain.
During times like these we must view our world with the eyes of faith. No
longer is there anything in this world to hold on to. We can take heart
that our God will walk the dark valleys of fear and anxiety. We can be
confident that our God will lead us, strengthen us, and give us His peace.
Let's cry out together for God to meet our nation and to meet us at this
time. Let's read Psalm 27 together, verse 1-3, and then 13-14.
The LORD is my light and my salvation--
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life--
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh,
when my enemies and my foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then will I be confident.
13 I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.
What Can I Do?
One difficult question is how we should as a nation respond. Romans
12:21 says, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." On
one hand, the nation should respond with goodness and love. On the other
hand, God can and has used nations to bring justice to other nations as
well. With great wisdom, these two perspectives need to be balanced. In
the Bible we learn how God sent Israel to punish the peoples of Canaan and
take over the Promised Land. Then later in Israel's history Babylon
punished and exiled Israel. The question about what the nation should do
next is a question we should all consider. We should continue to pray our
leaders would make wise decisions that follow God's will.
There is a response that we have more control over…our personal response.
All of us want to do something when we see the buildings in ruin and when
we see hurting people who have lost loved ones. We want to do something
tangible to help the situation. But being on the West Coast, we are
limited. I hope we have given blood if we are able. I am confident that we
have given financially. We certainly have all prayed together for the
needs of all those affected by these great tragedies.
What else can we do?
We can begin to overcome the evil with goodness in our immediate world-our
sphere of influence. Where has God placed us throughout each day and week?
There is a battle that is being fought in our very midst-a spiritual
battle. What has happened in New York and Washington DC has most everyone
more open to spiritual matters. 91% of Americans say they prayed after the
9/11 attacks. Last Sunday religious services were packed with people
looking for answers, comfort, and hope. Today is probably no different
We are in a time of great and perhaps unprecedented uncertainty and
danger. It is in these times we have opportunities to draw near to God. It
is in these times we can open our eyes to ways we can draw others close to
Him. It is in these times we must seek and act on God's behalf.
Let's turn to Ephesians 5:15-16 and read together: 15 Be very careful,
then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every
opportunity, because the days are evil.
From this passage, I would like to highlight two ways we can respond
wisely as believers to the spiritual openness of our broken nation. How we
respond can bring salvation, hope, and promise to ourselves and to a
hurting and angry nation.
I. Reflect Carefully
Pay Attention
Last week I could not help but think more deeply about my life. At night I
looked at my kids and wife sleeping and asked God to give me the strength
to be their dad and husband. I looked at them and just cherished the fact
they were alive. I thanked God and wanted to live every moment for Him. I
took inventory of my life and asked God to show me what changes I can
make. For starters He gave me a picture of a small bucket and a swimming
pool. He desires of me to take in His love not with the bucket as I have
been doing, but to use the swimming pool. And then use that great portion
of love to open my heart up to more and more people.
I began to do what Verse 15 says "Be very careful, then, how you live…"
The literal translation is, "Consider carefully, then, how you walk…" What
does it mean to Consider Carefully? Simply to spend some time to reflect
on your life. In the preceding passage we are told but now you are light
in the Lord. Live as children of light…and find out what pleases the Lord.
Do we reflect on our life-if we are spending our time wisely as children
of the light? Or do we walk straight forward without consideration whether
what we are doing is pleasing to God or not?
America Soul Searching
Others around the country are doing soul-searching. David Foster's
Associated Press article introduces us to a few people who have made
changes since September 11th.
Last week's terrorist attacks began a coast-to-coast wave of
soul-searching, and now many Americans are making big changes in their
personal lives, prodded by two lessons from the tragedy: Life is precious,
and time is short.
In Seattle, high-tech professionals assessed their contribution to society
and found it lacking. ``Many of my clients are questioning if the work
they do really matters,'' said career counselor Janet Scarborough.
``They're asking, do I really care if Version 3.X ships on time?''
Stephanie Balzer, 30, of Phoenix, hit the Internet last weekend to
research global politics. She's a financial reporter with the weekly
Business Journal in Phoenix, but now what she really wants to be is a
foreign correspondent. ``I did a lot of soul-searching,'' Balzer said.
``Although I love my job and I can't see myself doing anything other than
writing, it makes me think Maybe there's more out there.''
Kristin Wahrheit, a 26 year old from Manhatten said, ``I'm understanding
how precious life is, and how I need to make goals happen. You never know
when you won't get the opportunity anymore.''
The reflections and decisions made by these people are not spiritual ones.
But I commend them in their ability to look at their own lives soberly and
make adjustments. They have taken tangible steps toward the new goals they
have set for themselves.
It is a time for us to take inventory of our beliefs and what difference
they make in our lives. It is time for us to take seriously the reality of
what is true, and good and right.
Maybe there's more out there
The tragedies have made us all think that life has to be more than
pursuing grades, wealth, promotions, comfort, and safety. And the
something out there may not just be another job or hobby-we've all
experienced how empty that is.
If we do not have a personal relationship with God, it's a time to think
more about who God might be. The Bible says that this God is a God of love
and deliverance:
John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only
Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but
to save the world through him.
If we believe in what God did in sending His Son to give you and I eternal
life, then we have entered into a long-lasting relationship with Him. And
the God who is "out there" will show Himself near to each one of us who
has believed.
Life is Precious…You never know when you won't get the opportunity
anymore.''
It takes humility to say that I have been going one direction, and I need
to turn around. But that is exactly what these people have said about
their lives.
Perhaps we will think about how now is the time to make the changes God
has been prompted us to make.
I would like to ask some questions that may help us reflect. I would ask
that each one of us spend some time this afternoon to meditate, pray, and
ask the hard questions of our selves. This is the Lord's Day, so carve out
an hour to Consider Carefully these
questions:
-
Do I know God's Word?
-
Eph 5:17: Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's
will is.
-
Do I know God's Will as revealed in His Word and in my life?
-
If I knew His will, am I willing to follow Him?
-
What is truly important to me?
-
What takes place in my life over honoring God?
-
Are my concerns primarily about myself, or are they focused on others?
-
Are there any necessary adjustments I need to make?
-
Am I willing to take tangible steps to make them?
To walk wisely takes this kind of soul searching so that we do not only
have knowledge in our heads, but learn to develop skill in how to apply
that knowledge to our daily lives. Let us take this opportunity to keep a
close watch on the principles by which we live.
America's soul searching has brought out two points: "Life is precious"
and "Time is short". As God leads us out into our world, we can respond
decisively to opportunities He brings us to further His Kingdom.
II. Snatch Up Opportunity
We mentioned the Stock Markets earlier. All through the week there was
discussion as to whether to buy or sell. The mindset toward stocks seemed
to center around how to capitalize on the sharp drops in the market. What
opportunities would be out there to snatch up some stocks that might be
too low?
Are we opportunists?
As I was driving home one day, I could turn left or go straightforward at
a stoplight. Just as I was about to turn, the left turn light turned
yellow. I immediately I swerved right to get into the lane going forward.
My passenger called me an opportunist. As I drove I knew the options and
took the one most beneficial to me.
I know that we are opportunists in other ways, too.
We seek the best deals in our shopping-when
there are coupons, sales, or internet deals we email each other and tell
each other of our finds, our opportunities. These are opportunities to buy
the best at the cheapest price possible.
We position ourselves in school to get in the
best colleges-students, don't you think about the
extra-curricular activities, the college aptitude test classes, and the
grades that you think will set you up for success in college and life?
We consider changing jobs to be in the best
market or career path. It has been dizzying to me to see how
many times our congregation members have changed jobs. I honestly cannot
keep up with it. Many times our decisions are voluntary ones based on the
objectives we have-the opportunities that are afforded us.
When it comes to these opportunities, we act with decisiveness, purpose,
and zeal.
Verse 16 tells us there is nothing wrong with being an opportunist-but we
must be looking for the right kind of opportunities. We are to live wisely
by "making the most of every opportunity." What the original language says
literally is to "buy back the time." What does buy back the time mean?
Paul chose a market term-in the marketplace there is an intensive buying
that exhausts all the possibilities that exist. Time here is used in the
sense of the opportunities it offers-as the seconds and minutes of our
life tick on by, God will bring us opportunities to grow in Him and reach
out with His love.
We need to act with purpose if we are counter the evil with good. Jesus
gives as great picture of what our purpose is when He speaks to His
disciples in His sermon on the mount: Matthew 5:14-16:
14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put
it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the
same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good
deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
There will be opportunities for us to do good in the name of God. God has
strategically placed each one of us in our communities, in our schools, in
our workplaces, and in our homes.
Neighborhood Kids: I shared in the past about the neighborhood
children who live in the apartments. Two of the girls who come over a few
times every week told us they will probably be moving. When they have, we
spent time playing with them, talking about life, teaching them English
and Math. Now they are moving, I realize the opportunity we have to show
them God's love and be a part of their life will soon end. There were
times we felt very selfish with our time-we just did not want them to come
over. Now I see how the swimming pool in my heart could have been
effective in opening up my heart more to them.
My brothers and sisters, the Time is Short and Life is Precious. Do we
have the mindset that every moment is precious and that each moment can be
the last?
People for now are flooding religious services on Sunday and attend prayer
meetings all over the country. There is an openness to talk about prayer,
God, and church that I have never seen in my lifetime. And I do not know
how long the door will be open. Great opportunities exist all around us to
share our blessings from God to others: our hope, security, comfort,
promise, forgiveness, and love.
Will we be there to take the opportunities to grow in our faith, meet
others at their point of need, and bear witness to our God?
Conclusion
Think With Urgency
Paul tells us that the days are evil. There are great temptations to
misuse our time and to misdirect our priorities to selfish, worldly ends.
But let us understand the times we live in. It is in this time of history
where God has not yet judged the world. There is still time for us to look
beyond ourselves to make a difference for God's good.
2 Corinthians 6:1-2
6:1 As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in
vain. 2 For he says,
"In the time of my favor I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you."
I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.
Now is the day of salvation, now is the time to Reflect Carefully on our
lives and Snatch Up Every Opportunity to overcome evil with good.
A legend on an old sundial reads:
Look on the day-star moving
Life and time are worth improving;
Seize the moments while they stray,
Seize and use them
Lest ye lose them
And lament the wasted day.
|