To each church Christ identifies characteristics of himself in relation to the church. Three characteristics:
HE IS HOLY.
Qualified to call us to holy living.
1 Peter 1:15, "Just as He who called you is holy, be holy in all you do."
HE IS TRUE.
(G Campbell Morgan) As the "holy" One, Christ is right in character; as the "true" One, He is right in conduct. When character is right, conduct will be right.
HE HAS THE KEY OF DAVID.
Isaiah 22:20-22
CHRIST HAS THE KEY TO OPPORTUNITY.
He opens the doors in which His people do ministry.
"I have set before you an open door."
I. DOORS ARE OPENED BY GOD.
Opportunity bids us to respond with action. Jesus calls us to make faithful use of the gifts . An open door moves us from selfishness into service.
II. PREPARATION IS CRUCIAL FOR RECOGNIZING OPPORTUNITY
Bobby Unser, Race Car Driver...
"Success is where preparation and opportunity meet."
How do we prepare for Opportunity?
First we prepare for opportunity by Seeking More of God in our lives
He is the one who opens the door.
Second: we must align our lives with God's word.
Third: Work within your strengths!
YOU WILL HAVE A PROBLEM INTRODUCING SOMEONE TO JESUS IF YOU DO NOT KNOW HIM YOURSELF.
People look for alignment
PREPARE YOURSELF:
Know Jesus
Grow in Relationship with Jesus
Get deep into the Word of God
Character must become more Biblical – godly.
III. TO FIND OPPORTUNITY WE MUST BECOME AWARE OF THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE AND PEOPLE GROUPS AROUND US.
Having a different perspective brings change in our awareness and behavior…
Zig Ziglar, God requires three things of us in order to use us as soul winners:
1.) We need to have a love for God.
2.) We need to have a love for the lost.
3.) We need to be available.
To walk through an open door we must pay attention to the real need: People are lost without Jesus and need a guide...
Think of our Weekend Wednesday as an open door. Invite people you know cannot come on Sunday Mornings...
IV. RESPONDING TO OPPORTUNITY WE WILL FACE CHALLENGES.
We are tempted to "close the
door" for fear we might face something on the other side that we can't handle.
Think about what what is on the other side: broken lives that need mending, marriages that need to be restored. People with problems and problem people.
People like we used to be before Christ...
V. WILLINGNESS TO RESPOND BRINGS AWARENESS OF GOD’S HELP
"I know your works...
It is not just doing something great and brilliant that wins the victory, in the Christian life - It is being tenacious, faithfully moving forward day after day, using the abilities you have.
When God opens the door and we respond He empowers us to walk into opportunity and work it through...
I know you have little strength."
As we invite people to come Jesus is helping us