The power of opportunity

I
Opening text: Judges 9:30-34
V.33. Do to them as you find opportunity
We wont go into great detail about the context of this story but here we see
king Abimelech looking for an opportunity to overcome the uprising of Gaal,
the son of Ebed. As the people in that city were sleeping in their beds, they
had no idea about the movements of their enemies and what was being
arrayed against them in the dark and shadows of that night. Abimalech was
positioning his army to seize the city. He was using the opportunity he had, in
the cover of that night to attack.
As I was reading this story, I was reminded of 3 enemies that the Bible says we
have. These enemies also look for opportunity against us:
1. The devil
Ephesians 4:27 AMP- Leave no such room or foothold for the devil [give
no opportunity to him].
Give him no opportunity!
a) The devil is an opportunist Luke 4:13 Now when the devil had
ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune
time.
b) 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil
walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Amplified Bible: Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be
vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil,
roams around like a lion roaring [[a]in fierce hunger], seeking
someone to seize upon and devour.
c) The enemy looks for opportunity. We can see that side of the nature of
satan in Judas:
Mat. 26:1-5, 14-16
So from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
2 Cor. 2:11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not
ignorant of his devices.
Give the devil no advantage, no place and no opportunity!
2. The flesh

The second enemy of the believer is the flesh.

Galatians 5:13 For you brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not
use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one
another
Thank God for the liberty we have in Christ. However, we need to be watchful
because the flesh will always look for an opportunity. Our old nature is always
looking for ways to cause us to sin. We need to be vigilant regarding the flesh
and its inclinations.
V.16 walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh
Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has
made free, and not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage
We need to be vigilant not to give the flesh any opportunity. We dont want to
be in bondage but enjoying the liberty of Christ.
3. Sin
Romans 7:8a - But sin, taking opportunity
Sin taking opportunity The devil, the flesh and sin all look for opportunity
against the believer.
Just because we have been forgiven, that doesnt mean that we can ever be
casual about the destructive power of sin. We should never flirt with or give
sin an inch of opportunity.
Someone said: Sin will always take you farther than you want to go, keep
you longer than you want to stay and cost you more than you want to pay.
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a
cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so
easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set
before us,
Sin never found opportunity in Jesus, neither the flesh, nor satan. Jesus said,
He has nothing in Me - John 14:30
Our enemies (the devil, the flesh and sin) are opportunists. They seek
advantage over us.
II
The believer stands on the other side of this battle and we, like our enemies,
should also be looking for opportunities - opportunities to do good, to serve
God, to grow in Him, opportunities to expand the Kingdom of God etc.
Ephesians 5:15-17 Amplified Bible:

Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and
accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent
people), 16 Making the very most of the time [buying up each
opportunity], because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be vague and
thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the
will of the Lord is.
1. We need to understand the power of opportunity.
The Webster dictionary defines opportunity as a good chance for
advancement or progress. We need to understand the power of
opportunity.
Yes the days are evil but still full of opportunities. Someone said: The
Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word 'crisis.' One brush stroke
stands for danger; the other for opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of the
danger--but recognize the opportunity.
2. We need to seize every opportunity to do good
Galatians 6:9-10 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due
season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have
opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the
household of faith.
Doing good What does that look like? It looks like Jesus Acts
10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit
and power who went about doing good and healing all who were
oppressed by the devil because God was with Him.
Conclusion:
Let us seize the year with a sense of opportunity.
You would have received in the mail two booklets that explain
opportunities to serve and opportunities to be equipped at our
church.