Making The Most Of The Opportunity
05/28/06 AM
Text: Colossians 4:5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.
Reading: Acts 17:16-34
Introduction
On May 19th, theaters opened the doors to people eager to see the Da Vinci Code. Directed by Ron Howard and starring Tom Hanks, it is sure to be a blockbuster for the summer. It is already a best seller, with sales of the book at over 20 million. Debates are raging in the print media as well as prime time news. Thrust to the forefront is the debate about the truth of the gospel, life of Jesus Christ and the truth that Christianity has centered on for almost 2000 years.
Unfortunately, we live in a society that is looking to believe something, even if that something is based on lies. Someone has said we live in a mushroom society: we love to live in the dark and we grow best when living in large amounts of manure. The Da Vinci Code provides both. It is a well written fiction that many are claiming to be the "real" truth concerning Jesus. As our brother Tim Hale from Escondido told us last Saturday, this is nothing new. These are old lies repackaged and remarketed but the same for the last 2000 years.
Ill: Refute the “…all descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate.”
I. Make the Most of Your Time
A. First of all, we must be very careful how we live because our time on this earth is limited.
1) Psalm 39:4 “LORD, make me to know my end; And what is the extent of my days; Let me know how transient I am. Behold, You have made my days as handbreadths, And my lifetime as nothing in Your sight; Surely every man at his best is a mere breath.”
II. M.O.M
So what are we to do with this latest assault on the gospel? I can think of three possible responses. One is the Monk, the other the Ostrich, and the other: Make the most of the opportunity.
A. Monk
1) During the "dark ages" monks would build huge monastery compounds to house those that believe the same. Today, we have church buildings that can perform the same function.
2) If we are unwilling to engage others, except at church, if we are unwilling to mix with anyone who has a different opinion, if we refuse to get involved, then again we are allowing those we work and live with to die in ignorance.
3) It’s easy for Christians to fall into the "monk" mentality instead of remembering the words of Jesus:
Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
B. Ostrich
1) We can try to ignore the controversy. We can accept that we know the truth about the gospel (and we do), and like the proverbial ostrich, we can bury our head in the sand. It’s simple, effective, and requires little effort. Unfortunately, it isn’t even remotely scriptural.
C. Make The Most Of The Opportunity
1) We can take this controversy and debate about the Da Vinci Code and we can engage others with the truth of the gospel. Like Paul, in Acts 17:16-34,
2) So in walks Paul. Was he repulsed by what he saw? Absolutely! Verse 16 says “his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols.” Yet he knew he was facing a choice: He could either lash out or he could reach out. He could either attack the Athenians or he could attract them – but he couldn’t do both at the same time.
3) So he decided to engage with them. Verse 17 says: “So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be present.”
4) Whoever he encountered, wherever he encountered them – Paul initiated spiritual conversations. In fact, he was taken to the Areopagus to face the intellectual elites of Athens – and in verse 22 he actually congratulates them for being spiritual. He says, “Men of Athens! I observe that you are very religious in all respects.” In effect, he was building a bridge by saying; Hey we have something in common. You’re religious and so am I. Let’s build on that.
5) With that as a starting point, he delivered a brilliant discourse, giving them persuasive reasons for believing in Jesus Christ, who proved He’s the Son of God by returning from the dead. In fact, Paul clearly knew their stuff – he had read their book and seen their movie, so to speak – and he quoted from confidence from their own sources.
6) And how did people react? Verse 32 says, “When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, ‘We shall hear you again concerning this.’” And verse 34 adds, “But some men joined him and believed.”
7) Jesus tells us to "go and make disciples" and to "be His witnesses" and we have ample examples of his followers engaging society, the same "mushroom" society, with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Like Paul in the city of Athens, it is our responsibility to tell others.
8) The Athenians called him a "blabber" and an "advocate of foreign gods" but he continued to preach and teach.
9) Let’s build bridges like Paul did by celebrating that many people are becoming spiritually curious because of the book and movie – and make the most of this opportunity to engage them in conversations that could change their lives and eternities.
10) Like Paul in Athens, we can blabber.
So how can we engage with this evangelistic adventure? There are several things we can all do: We can pray, we can prepare, and we can participate. Let’s work our way through that list.
III. We Can Pray.
A. After all, that’s what Jesus did often and always when He faced a major challenge.–
1) In that case, how can we justify not praying specifically, fervently, and consistently for our spiritually lost friends?
a. We need to pray that they wouldn’t be confused by the foolishness of the Da Vinci Code,
b. that God would open their eyes to their need for a Savior,
c. that He would open their eyes to the truth of Scripture,
d. that he would prepare their hearts for the Gospel and draw them toward His kingdom.
2) And we should pray for ourselves – that God would open the door to spiritual conversations with our friends, that he would guide our words and attitude, that he would give us the love and courage we need to point people toward the true Jesus.
3) I admit I don’t understand everything about prayer. I know people have free will and can come to their own decisions about Christ. But I’m also naive enough to believe James 5:16 that says, “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”
God is the Great Evangelist – we’re merely tools in His hands. There’s no way we can bring about the conversion of anyone; but on the other hand, God can use us in the process of bringing people to faith in Him.
So first, we can pray. Then, second,
IV. We Can Prepare.
A. The Bible tells us that we need to be prepared.
I Peter 3:15 says, “always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.”
1) If you’re going to be effective in reaching out to people who may be spiritually confused by The Da Vinci Code, then you need to be familiar, first, with the story itself and, second, with the reasons why its claims don’t withstand scrutiny.
2) So does that mean you should read the book or see the movie? Well, here’s my opinion. If you’re thinking of going to the movie simply for personal entertainment, I’d say, “Don’t do it.”
3) But if you’re going to take advantage of the Da Vinci Code to reach out to friends and neighbors, then you at least need to be familiar with the story. You might be able to do that by reading a good summary of the book there are many available.
4) Or, if you’re going to read The Da Vinci Code itself, I’d suggest buying a used copy at Amazon.com, so Dan Brown doesn’t get a royalty. He already made $40 million from the book last year, so he doesn’t need your money.
5) In terms of the film, I think things are different if you have a seeking friend who’s intent on seeing it. If that’s the case, then I’d pray about whether you should attend with him for the purpose of building common ground.
6) I will say this: the minute you try to engage someone about the Da Vinci Code, the first question they’re going to ask is: have you read the book or seen the movie? If you say “no,” your credibility is shot. So I’d certainly consider going – again, only if your purpose is outreach.
7) But even if you know your Bible well, you’re not going to be prepared to respond to the issues raised by the movie. There are too many issues concerning church history and ancient history. So I’d recommend you read at least one book that critiques The Da Vinci Code
V. We Can Participate.
A. In other words, jump into the adventure and engage people as Paul did in Acts 17 and as Jesus did with the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4. There are different levels of participation for you to consider but there is one in which all of us may participate.
1) Intentionally seek out opportunities to engage in conversations about The Da Vinci Code with people you encounter in your everyday life. This is a level everyone can participate on!
2) What you’ll find it that it has never been easier to get into a spiritual conversation. I do it all the time. Just ask, “Say, have you see the Da Vinci Code?” If they say yes – and there are some estimates that nearly one out of every three Americans has read it – then I ask, “Did you like it?” Then my follow up question is: “What percentage of it do you think is true?”
3) Friends, I hope you’ll pray about the level of participating that God wants you to pursue – and then seize this spiritual opportunity! Colossians 4:5 says, “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.”
It’s not everyday that a major book and motion picture catapult Jesus into the center of daily conversations and media interest. This is your chance to leverage this movie to reach your friends who would otherwise not be interested in having a general spiritual conversation.
CONCLUSION
While it’s a bit disingenuous coming from him, even Tom Hanks, who stars in the movie, got it right when he said, “I think the movie may end up helping churches do their job. If they put up a sign saying, ‘This Wednesday we’re discussing the gospel,’ 12 people show up. But if the sign says, ‘This Wednesday we’re discussing The Da Vinci Code, 800 people show up.’”
You remember the story of Joseph, who was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, and yet eventually rose to the highest governmental levels of Egypt, where he was able to save many from starvation.
In the end, his brothers thought Joseph would punish them for their betrayal – but instead, Joseph forgave them. As he said in Genesis 50:20: “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good….”
I don’t know why Dan Brown wrote The Da Vinci Code. For the life of me, even though it’s a good read, I don’t know why it has become one of the biggest-selling novels in history. But I do know this: the final chapter of The Da Vinci Code has yet to be written.
Because God can turn what has wrought so much ill and use it to accomplish so much good – and the best news is that we can participate in that process.
Invitation
