There is an adage ... that you may still hear at times even today: .... "Strike ... while the iron is hot".
The saying is basically telling us .... that when the time is right... you should act... you should seize the moment ... or you will miss out ... on your opportunity.
The adage is taken from a blacksmith ... working a piece of iron ... into shape.
That piece of iron ... must be struck with a hammer ...while the iron ... is red-hot.
If you wait too long, .... the iron will cool .... and you will be unable ... to seize the moment ... to shape the metal.
So, ... when those moments arrive in our lives ... we must strike ... while the iron is hot.
We must seize the moment ... and strike. (Pause)
I was at dinner one night with my parents ... and an elderly couple, the Carr's, .... came over to the table.
As they approached my younger brother and I immediately stood up, ... our mother had taught us well ... over the years.
Now Heidi Carr ... who never had a problem speaking her mind ... sternly grabbed my arm ... as she approached the table.
She said .... "Jeff ... I hear your dating one of the Gartman girls."
"Yes," I replied ... "Lee and I have been dating for some time."
Well ... Do you like her ... "Yes, I replied I like her a lot."
She pulled my face closer to hers ... "Now Jeff you listen to me" .... "Strike while the Iron is hot." (Repeat)
As Paul Harvey would say: ... The rest of the Story ...Lee and I have been married for 41 years ... and have been blessed with two children ... and five grandchildren.
I heeded Heidi Carr's words to ... Strike while the iron is hot. (Long Pause)
Now ... Salespeople especially understand what it means to ... "Strike while the iron is Hot"
I was reading an article written by Pat Zaby, .... a nationally known Real Estate speaker.
He stated, ... " One weekend, I told a friend that I was thinking of buying a convertible...."
So, ... the first thing Monday morning ... I logged into the Internet web site CarPoint.com.
I picked out a car I liked, .... the color, .... the interior ... and all of the accessories.
Within moments, ... CarPoint gave me the sticker price ... as well as ... the dealer invoice.
Later that same morning, ... I received a call... the voice said: .... "This is Owen Evans with Autobahn Motor Cars in Ft. Worth, ... and we have your auto,".
"WHAT?" ... I responded.
The salesman reminded me ... that I had been on the Internet earlier ... and had been looking for ... a particular car.
I said, "Yes, ... but I wasn't serious about buying."
"That's OK... we have the model and color of car that you requested ... and wondered i... f you would like to see it?"
I told him ... that his dealership was in Ft. Worth, ...and I was in Dallas .... maybe I will come over sometime later this week.
"You don't understand," he said. ... "I'll drive it right over to your office ... and you can see it ... right now".
I am sure you know what happened.
I'm the proud owner of a Carnival Red convertible.
I was sending out buying signals ... and this sales professional ... "struck while the iron was hot." (Pause)
Beloved ... We hear of this also ... in the Scriptures.
In the Gospel of John, ... we are told that at the "Pool of Bethesda" " the sick, ... blind, ... lame, and paralyzed, ... were waiting for the moving of the water.
An angel was sent down at a certain time ... into the pool ... and stirred up the water; ... then whoever stepped in first, .... after the stirring ... of the water, .... was made whole".
They had to make their move ... while the angel was there... The had to seize the moment ... They had to strike ... while the iron was hot. (John 5:1-9)
In Marks Gospel we read of another encounter: Hear Gods Word: BIBLE "And again He (Jesus) ... entered Capernaum ... after some days, ... and it was heard ... that He was in the house. ... Immediately many gathered, ... so that there was no longer room ... to receive them, ... not even near the door. ... And He preached the word ... to them" END (Mark 2:1-12)
That's when the scriptures tell us ...4 friends ... brought the paralyzed man ... and lowered him through the roof, .... into the presence of Jesus... They had to act ... while Jesus was there.
They had to strike ... when the opportunity was at hand, ... they had to strike ... while the iron was hot.
In our Gospel text in Mark, there is a story about another man who was willing to "... Strike while the iron was hot" (Pause)
Hear again God's Word: BIBLE "And as he (Jesus) was leaving Jericho ...... Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, ......., was sitting by the roadside. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 49 And Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart. Get up; he is calling you." 50 And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" And the blind man said to him, "Rabbi, let me recover my sight." 52 And Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way." END (Mark 10:46-52)
Jesus was on his way to celebrate the Passover when he passes through Jericho ... which is only 15 miles from Jerusalem.
It was the law ... that every male Jew ... must attend Passover in the Holy City if they are twelve years of age ... and lived ... within 15 miles of Jerusalem.
Yet ... This law was almost impossible to adhere too... everyone could not possibly make it ... to Jerusalem.
And Those who could not, ... especially those at the crossroads in Jericho, ... would line the streets ...where groups of travelers and Rabbis ... would pass by ... on their way ... to the Holy City.
This gave the people the opportunity ... to see some of the famous Rabbis ... and to hear some of their teachings.
So, ... the streets of Jericho would be lined with people, ... maybe more than usual .... to hopefully catch a glimpse of this provocative young Galilean .... named Jesus.
And As Jesus made His way through the throng... the crowds began to increase ... in size.
Bartimaeus was no fool ...There was a great crowd on the thoroughfare through Jericho ... maybe the people would be generous ... (Slow) to a blind man.
Can you picture the scene... the noise of the crowd intensifies... Bartimaeus begins to ask the people around him ... "Who is it?" ... "Who is coming?"
A compassionate bystander tells him, ... it is the Nazarene ".
It is the Holy Rabi ... Jesus .... the one who fed the 5,000".
Bartimaeus had surely heard the stories... He had heard about this Jesus ... from Galilee.
He had heard about the miracles.... He had heard about the healings.
He starts to shout, "Jesus, Jesus...Son of David have mercy on Me!"
The crowd around him yells back... " Be quite we are trying to listen to the Teacher...
Instead of quieting down... he yells all the louder.... Jesus ... Son of David Have mercy on me!!!
Jesus hears ... the Blind man's cry.
He tells the crowd, "Call him here" ... Call him here!
The Scriptures tell us that Bartimaeus "Sprang Up" and was led to Jesus....
Jesus asks, "What do you want me to do for you?" "Let me see again" he replies ... and Jesus immediately heals him. (Pause)
Beloved ... We as followers of the Christ.... are to be a light in this broken world... to be the Salt of the Earth.
To be a people of hope ... and reconciliation.
To be people of ... encouragement.
Jesus told the crowd "Call him here..."
(Slow) Suddenly the crowd understands.... That Jesus wants them to do something. "Bring him ...Call him here" ....
Beloved We as the Church are the ... Called.
We are Called ... to bring this blinded world to Christ.
To bring the lost and the hurting to Jesus.
We are Called to serve ... and to encourage others who cannot see ... who are blind to the truth.
We are called ... to be a witness ... and to bring others to the Messiah ... Jesus.
We need to strike .... when God gives us an opening.
We need to be ready ... to share our story of salvation ...when God gives us ... an opportunity.
To share our testimony ... our testimony of what Jesus has done for us.
We need to see others as Jesus sees them.
We need To seize the day ... To strike when the iron is Hot!
Bartimaeus did not falter ... he struck while the iron was hot.
He did not wait.... He did not pause.... And He did not give in ... when the crowd was against him.
He would not ... and did not ... let Jesus pass by.
He knew .... That this was not a coincidence.
No ... It was a God incidence ...and he was NOT going to be denied ... this day.
When Jesus said, "Call him here" Bartimaeus throws his coat aside ... and springs up... leaping up with great anticipation...
He threw off his coat, .... he wasn't going to let anything slow him down .... He was going to encounter Jesus.
When Jesus asked him what he wanted...
He didn't stop and think about it.... he didn't hesitate...
Bartimaeus was a beggar.... he could have asked for gold or silver... he did not delay...., he says, "I want to see again"
Beloved......We are Christ followers ... We are not ......Christ fans.
Fans sit on the sidelines ... followers get out on the field.
Followers are in the midst ...of the action.
Followers are prepared and ready to seize each opportunity ... to seize the day ... to strike while the Iron is hot.
Are you ... experiencing the presence of the Holy Spirit?
Are you experiencing ... His power?
We are ....to pick up this book life, (Lift the Bible) and live.
We are to live ... an abundant ... and joyous life.
For the joy of the Lord is our strength.
The Question needs to be asked:
Are you blind to the opportunities God gives you each day?
Or are you seizing the moment?
Are you seizing the day?
Are you living ... or are you just... existing?
Beloved ... There is a difference; ...... there is a tremendous difference ...there is ... an eternal difference.
Sadly ... far too many... are just existing ...they are not truly ...living life.
So many wake-up, ... and follow the same routine every day.
They go about their busy-ness, .... Yet they have no real sense of purpose ......no real sense of joy.
Their happiness ... their fulfillment of life ... depends largely ... on others ...On life's circumstances.
If they were completely honest, ... they would admit.... that inside, ...they are empty ... they are not filled to the brim ... with life.
They aren't seizing the day.
Beloved ... Make the most out of this one life ... he has given you.
We can learn ... we must learn ... to stop existing .... and to start living.
To not be blinded... but seek the joy that God places in your life each day.
To Seize the Day.
Beloved ... We are called ...to Deny self ...and to follow Jesus.
We are to make Jesus ......our life song. (Pause)
We are to Seize every opportunity ... to strike while the iron is hot ...To Seize each and every Day.
Beloved ....... Today ... this day ... is special!!!
Jesus in a way is passing by us ....
We all have needs ...needs every bit as real ... as Bartimaeus.
Before you come to the altar ... for communion, ...... take a moment ... and share that need with Jesus.
Do you want a fuller relationship with the Lord...?
Ask him for it.
Is there a sin in your life ... that is binding you ... ...seek his forgiveness?
Is there a hurt ...... a scar on your life that tares at your soul?
By his stripes ... you are healed.... let him heal you.
This is holy ground ... Jesus is in the place.
The Lord is in our midst.
(Slow) Jesus is here.
He is passing by ...... strike while the iron is hot ... seize the opportunity ... seize the day ... and let him touch you.... Let him transform you.
And if you do, ... he will take you ... from glory ... to glory.
Amen!
I received much insight and used a number of illustrations and passages from a Sermon by Larry Brincefield Titled "Strike while the iron is hot" and I commend it to you.
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