Never Miss A Genuine Opportunity

Based on a true story, the movie Coach Carter shows Samuel L. Jackson taking over as coach of the Richmond High basketball team. His players are unruly, disrespectful, failing their classes, and destined for lives of crime and disappointment. By following his tough style of coaching, the hard-nosed Richmond Oilers go undefeated, until Coach Carter locks the gym and refuses to let anyone on the team play unless everyone gets their grades up. It is at this point in the movie that his team, as well as their parents, have a golden opportunity to do something special. They have an opportunity to be more than basketball players. They have an opportunity to be educated basketball players.

But just like them, how many of us miss out on the opportunity to be more than what we seem to be at the time? You see, to “win” in this game called life requires giving heed to an unpopular topic—discipline. Everyone wants to be told how good he or she is, that grades aren’t needed, and that laws can be ignored because the heart of every human being will lead him or her into truth. But like the Rich Young Ruler learned, discipline is a necessary ingredient for spiritual and social success. It’s not just about doing what’s right when you want to or when people are watching; it’s about doing what right even when nobody else is watching. It’s about taking advantage of every opportunity life sends your way. Believe it or not, chances to do great things will show up in life, but the question is, will you be ready or will you miss out on a genuine opportunity?

Coach Carter reminds us that one person can make a difference in the world if they take advantage of the opportunities that come their way. By investing himself in the lives of his players, Carter changed their fates. At a school where only 50% of the students graduated and only 8% went to college, he sent 11 players on to higher education. Why, because they didn’t miss their genuine opportunity.

In our text today, we have a similar situation. A young man comes in contact with someone who can help him change his life. The opportunity of a lifetime is right in front of him. But, he has to make a decision. The reality is, the same thing that’s going on in your life, was going on in the Rich Young Ruler’s life. Opportunity can knock on your door all day long, but guess what? You have to decide if you’re going to open it or not open it. And if you don’t, your decision will affect you for the rest of your life.

A. MISSING AN OPPORTUNITY WILL AFFECT YOUR PURPOSE

1. A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE GO THROUGH LIFE TRYING TO GET STUFF INSTEAD OF GIVING, AND LIKE THE YOUNG RULER, THEY’RE NEVER SATISFIED

2. WITH ALL THAT HE HAD, THE RULER RUNS TO JESUS (JESUS IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN TELL YOU YOUR PURPOSE, NOT SOCIETY)

3. THE YOUNG RULER CAME TO JESUS BECAUSE HE RECOGNIZED THAT MONEY DIDN’T MEET HIS NEED (HIS SOUL WAS STILL EMPTY)

TRANS: EVER WONDER WHY FAMOUS PEOPLE STILL GET IN TROUBLE, EVEN AFTER THEY GET RICH? THAT’S THE RESULT OF A MISSED OPPORTUNITY.

B. MISSING AN OPPORTUNITY WILL AFFECT YOUR SUCCESS

1. WE SPEND SO MUCH TIME TRYING TO GET, WE NEVER GIVE OUR ALL TO GOD, AND AS A RESULT WE NEVER BECOME TRULY SUCCESSFUL

2. TO BE TRULY SUCCESSFUL, JESUS TRIES TO GET YOU TO THINK ON A HIGHER LEVEL, WAY PAST THE BASICS

3. NOTICE HOW JESUS DIDN’T KNOW THE YOUNG RULER PERSONALLY, BUT KNEW WHAT HE NEEDED TO BE SUCCESSFUL

TRANS: REMEMBER MY MAN IN COACH CARTER WHO HAD ONE FOOT IN THE GYM AND ANOTHER FOOT IN THE STREETS. WHAT GENUINE OPPORTUNITY DID HE FACE?

C. MISSING AN OPPORTUNITY WILL AFFECT YOUR LIFE (SALVATION)

1. SOME OF US ARE RELIGIOUS BUT WE DON’T HAVE A RELATIONSHIP. WE’RE NOT SPIRITUAL. WE’RE CHURCH FOLK (WE KNOW HOW TO ACT CHURCHY)

2. LIKE THE RICH YOUNG RULER, JESUS GIVES US THE FORMULA TO START A REAL SPIRITUAL LIFE: GO, SELL, GIVE, COME, AND FOLLOW

3. RECOGNIZE THE LORD GIVES GREAT GIFTS, BUT KEEPS THE RECEIPT (WE DON’T OWN ANYTHING, SO STOP GIVING AWAY YOUR TIME, SELF RESPECT, & DREAMS)

AS I CLOSE, I HAVE ONE REQUEST: DON’T MISS OUT ON JESUS

1. THE RICH YOUNG RULER’S UNWILLINGNESS TO RELEASE, CAUSED HIM NOT TO RECEIVE ALL GOD HAD FOR HIM

2. HE MISSED A GENUINE OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE HE DIDN’T REALIZE THAT, IF YOU GIVE IT UP, YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL

3. ARE YOU MISSING A GENUINE OPPORTUNITY? THE BEST WAY TO KNOW GOD’S WILL, IS TO SAY “I WILL” TO GOD