Sunday 15 June 2014
Speaker: Pastor Austen Ukachi
Key Passages: 1 Kings 3:1-15 and Luke. 5:1-11.
Last week we shared the part 1 of our message in which we defined Divine opportunity;
We said, that Divine Opportunity “is a good change of advancement or progress “
Another definition describes Divine Opportunity as: “A favourable juncture of circumstances when something could happen.”
We all encounter divine opportunities but use them differently. Some utilise their opportunities and are elevated, but others misuse their opportunities.
EXAMPLES
Today. we shall consider two examples of Divine Opportunities in the Bible.
- King Solomon was a man who had tremendous opportunities, but misused them.
- He was chosen above his other brothers to be the king who succeeded his father, David.
- He had the privilege to build a temple for God.
- He inherited a peaceful kingdom he never fought for, that is, God gave him peace.
- God appeared to him twice, the first time was at Gibeon and the second time, after the dedication of the temple. On one occasion, God gave him a blank cheque, “What do you want me to do for you.”
- God blessed him with wisdom and exceptional wealth. At the climax of his reign, people came from all over the world to behold his glory and wealth.
But in 1 Kings 11 we read that the many wives he had turned his heart away from God. God later expressed his complete disappointment in Solomon. Read his tragic end in 1 Kings 11:9-13.
Because of Solomon, the kingdom of Israel was torn into two. Other than building a temple for God which his father David provided for, he failed to write his name in history as one of the successful kings of Israel. Solomon, even though he was blessed by God he misused the opportunities God gave to him. May you not misuse your opportunities.
The second example of Divine Opportunity we find is the story of Peter’s encounter with Christ in Luke 5, by the lake of Gennesaret. The same lake is called the Sea of Galilee or Sea of Tiberias.
ISSUES TO NOTE
Let us take a careful note of the following points about this incident.
There were two boats by the lake, but Jesus deliberately chose to enter the one belonging to Peter. Then Jesus taught from Peter’s boat.
After his Sermon, he encouraged Peter to launched out into the deep and to let down his nets for a catch. Peter, as we all know reluctantly agreed to do so.
Eventually, when he let down his net, he caught a large amount of fish. Note that God asked him to let down his nets but he let down just one, just a net. A net is a symbolic representation of the way we should network with one another and the synergy that should exist in the Church.
Peter’s obedience to Christ’s command yielded a lot of fruit. He caught a large amount of fish such that his net almost broke. He then signalled to his partners for help. Their catch filled two boats to the point that they began to sink. Peter and his partners were astonished at the amount of fish they caught.
The incident launched Peter into ministry, into a new phase in his life. Divine Opportunities, if well utilised, will lead to our advancement and promotion in life.
LESSONS
Peter’s experience with Christ teaches us a lot of lessons, namely:
- The place of obedience in the work of God
- The importance of trusting God even when we have reached our wit’s end
- We should all invite Christ or give him our boats, a symbol of our professions and skills to use
- When God calls us, we should follow him-it is an opportunity to greatness
- God’s work requires synergy, unity and networking for us to make progress
- We can only succeed in ministry as we work along side with Jesus
CONCLUSION
Each Sunday when we come to the house of God, it is a divine opportunity to meet with God. It is an opportunity to be blessed by God. It is an opportunity for a miracle. Like Hebrews 3:7 says, ” TODAY, IF YOU WILL HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS…”
As we get ready to embark on a 30 day fast, it is an opportunity to grow in our knowledge of God. It is an opportunity for more blessings for our families. It is an opportunity to pray for our mission thrust in the Church and to pray for peace in the nations of the world. Both the one year Prayer Surge and the 30 day fast are our divine opportunities to grow in spirituality and godliness.
