"Missed Opportunities"

“Missed Opportunities”

Text: Luke 2: 1-7

Some years ago at a Resort Area along the East Coast, a small community was having an open town meeting about some financial problems that they were facing.

Among the two dozen or so people was one man no one seemed to know who was apparently visiting in that area & had just dropped in on the meeting.

He started to make a comment once as various projects were considered, but he was interrupted; so for the rest of the time, he kept still, & he left early.

Just as he went out someone arriving late came in, & said breathlessly, “What was he doing here? Is he going to help us?”

The rest of them said, “Who are you talking about? Who was that man?” The person who had just arrived said, “You mean you don’t know? That was John D. Rockefeller.

His yacht is in our harbour. Didn’t you get his help? In despair someone said, “No, we didn’t get his help; we didn’t know who he was!”

p. 2

Have you ever kicked yourself in the Seat of the Pants, because you missed a golden opportunity? I think all of us can relate here!

1. We missed an opportunity to make a Positive Difference in Someone’s Life.

2. We missed an opportunity to be a Blessing to Someone who was Hurting.

3. We missed an opportunity to Witness to a Lost Friend.

4. We missed an opportunity to get a certain job because we weren’t prepared.

p. 3

5. We missed an opportunity to Minister to our Spouse or Children because we were too preoccupied.

6. We missed an opportunity to make an Eternal Difference in a person’s life because we didn’t seize the opportunity.

Has an opportunity ever knocked on your door & you were so caught up in other things, that it slipped through your fingers?

I’m convinced that it has happened to all of us! But I pray that we would wake us to the opportunities around us!

p. 4

Andy Stanley made the statement in his book “Visioneering”, “We don’t need to pray for more Miracles, we just need to be more Sensitive to the opportunities that God brings our way.”

Why is it that some people seem to take advantage of the opportunities that come their way, while others allow opportunities to pass them by?

It’s easy to say, “Well, they were just Lucky.” I don’t think Luck has anything to do with it, they were just more sensitive to the opportunity!

p. 5

I’ll never forget the story about the Shoe salesman that went to Africa. He was there two weeks & he wrote his company back a letter saying, “Please bring me Home, nobody wears shoes over here.”

They sent another salesman in his place & in a couple of weeks, he sent a letter back to the company saying, “Please send all the shoes you can, because nobody where shoes here......”

Some of you might not realize it, but you have the Power to be a Blessing in Someone’s Life even Today! There is opportunity all around you!

p. 6

-But everyone is looking for the “Big Ministry”.

-I’m just waiting for God to Show Me!

-While we are surrounded by Needs!

-Don’t wait for someone else to be a Blessing!

-You be a Blessing!

-Just be faithful in Little Things.

-This Church was Build One Block At A Time.

-People are Touched “One At A Time”.

-Who can you Touch Today?

Matthew 10: 42

“And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a Disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means Lose his reward.”

p. 7

I. The Bible Is Full of Examples of People

Who Missed Golden Opportunities.

1. The People of Noah’s Day Had a Chance To Come To the Ark.

-But they were too busy with Life.

-They had other things to do.

-They didn’t have time to Listen to the preacher.

-They saw the Ark being built.

-They laughed at Noah.

-But one day, it started to rain.

-They were laughing anymore.

-And God Shut the Door!

-All of a Sudden, they had Time!

p. 8

2. The People of Sodom & Gomorrah Had a Chance To Repent.

This is a powerful story in the Bible. God was going to destroy this city, but before He did, He revealed his plan to Abraham.

Abraham began to pray & intercede for the city. When Lot told his son-in-laws to Leave Sodom because God was going to Destroy it, they didn’t take him seriously.

You see, when you camp in Sodom people aren’t going to take you seriously.

3. The Two Thieves on the Cross both Had an Opportunity.