‘Go! And Make the Most of Every Opportunity’
Introduction:
Imagine this with me: you’re standing on a railway platform. The train is coming, it slows, the doors open. You have seconds to step on… but you hesitate. And then—just like that—the doors close, the train pulls away, and the opportunity is gone.
Life, my friends, is much like that. Time keeps moving forward. Opportunities arrive… and disappear. What if I told you that God is calling you to not just watch the train of life go by, but to get on board with His will, His purpose, and His timing?
Today’s message in our ‘Go! And…’ series is titled:
“Go! And Make the Most of Every Opportunity”
Let’s turn to our key passage:
Ephesians 5:15–16 (NLT): “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.
Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.”
1. Walking in Wisdom
The Apostle Paul wrote these words while imprisoned in Rome. Ephesians is a letter to believers, urging them to understand their identity in Christ and to live worthy of their calling.
In Ephesians 5, Paul contrasts darkness and light, foolishness and wisdom, sin and holiness. And in verses 15–16, he calls us to a higher way of life—a life of intentional wisdom.
The Greek word translated “be careful” is ????ß?? (akrivos)—meaning diligently, precisely, or accurately. Paul is saying: Be exacting in how you live. Don’t drift. Don’t waste your time. Live deliberately!
And the phrase “make the most of every opportunity” is translated from the Greek ??a?????? (exagorazo), meaning to redeem, to buy back from loss. In other words, seize the moment, because time is a limited resource.
As Charles Stanley once said: “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.”
Brothers and sisters, making the most of every opportunity is not just about being busy—it’s about being obedient. Seizing every moment for Jesus is the fruit of a life fully surrendered.
2. These Are Evil Days – Understand the Times
Paul tells us to do this “in these evil days.” That’s not just first-century Rome—that’s today.
In 2 Timothy 3:1–5 (NLT), Paul writes: “You should know this… that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money… They will be unloving and unforgiving… They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.”
Sound familiar?
The time is short, the world is dark, and yet—you are called to shine!
Jesus said in Matthew 5:14 (NLT): “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.”
We are not called to curse the darkness, but to light the way to Christ.
As John Piper wrote: “Don’t waste your life. Risk it for the cause of Christ.”
Church, if you are waiting for ideal conditions to serve Jesus, you’ll never do it. The world will never be perfect—but the Gospel always is.
3. What Are You Doing With Your Time?
In Psalm 90:12 (NLT), Moses prayed, “Teach us to realise the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.”
Let me ask you: How are you spending your life?
Are you redeeming the time, or just filling the calendar?
Are you using your days to glorify God, or are you squandering them in distractions?
R.T. Kendall once said: “God will not force you to seek Him. But if you do, you will never regret it.”
There’s a story of a man who kept saying, “I’ll give my life to Jesus next Sunday.”
But next Sunday came… and he said the same thing again.
One Sunday, he didn’t show up.
The next time anyone saw him was at his funeral.
Church, today is the day of salvation.
Now is the time to repent and believe the Gospel.
4. A Gospel Opportunity: Jesus Redeemed Time—And You
Jesus lived a perfect life—He made the most of every moment.
He loved perfectly. He taught truth. He walked in complete obedience.
Then He willingly gave His life on the cross.
He took your sin and mine, bearing our shame and punishment.
He died… was buried… but on the third day, He rose again!
Romans 5:6 (NLT) says: “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.”
At just the right time.
Jesus didn't waste time.
He redeemed time. And through Him, you can be redeemed too.
As Max Lucado put it: “God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus.”
The greatest opportunity of your life is this one right now:
To believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved.
5. Application: Live Like Jesus. Seize Every Moment.
So how do we live this out?
A. Be Present and Prayerful
Stop rushing. Start listening. Ask God every morning:
“Lord, what do You want me to do with this day?”
Colossians 4:5 (NLT): “Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.”
You may be the only Gospel message someone hears today.
B. Be Alert to Divine Appointments
God opens doors if you are watching. That chat with a colleague. That moment with your child. That prompting to help someone in need.
There was a man who boarded a flight and felt the Spirit prompt him to speak to the stranger next to him. He almost ignored it—but obeyed. By the end of the flight, that stranger had prayed to receive Christ.
The man almost missed it. But God didn’t.
As Tim Keller once said: “You are more sinful than you ever dared believe, but you are more loved than you ever dared hope.”
Let the love of Christ compel you to seize every moment.
C. Be Committed to Gospel Living
Don’t just attend church—be the Church.
Share the Gospel. Serve with joy. Give generously. Forgive quickly.
Live like Jesus.
Galatians 6:10 (NLT): “Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.”
Call to Action: Repent, Believe, Live Redeemed
Friend, if you have never surrendered to Jesus, today is your opportunity.
You are not promised tomorrow.
But you are offered eternal life today through faith in Christ.
Romans 10:9 (NLT): “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Will you believe today?
For those who are saved—don’t waste the life Christ died to give you.
Go! And make the most of every opportunity!
Invitation to Salvation:
If you want to surrender your life to Jesus, pray with me now:
“Lord Jesus, I admit I am a sinner. I believe You died for me and rose again. I turn from my sin and trust You as my Saviour and Lord. Take my life and make it Yours. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
If you prayed that sincerely, you are now a new creation in Christ. Welcome to the family of God!
Closing Benediction:
So, Church—go out into the world today
not as time-wasters, but as time-redeemers.
Live wisely, love deeply, serve boldly.
Make the most of every opportunity to glorify Jesus.
And may the Lord bless you and keep you,
May He guide your steps and open divine doors,
And may His Spirit empower you to live every moment for His glory.
Amen.
