“Opportunity Knocks”

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10; Ephesians 5:15-16

“Be careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity” (NIV)

Introduction: Life is filled with countless opportunities. How many times have you had the chance to do something new but backed off because of fear of the unknown? And how many times have you looked back and regretted the fact that you let the opportunity of a lifetime slip by? The Message translation says: “So watch you step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get.” These are desperate times!” God is moving our church into a season of opportunities of growth and involvement that if we’re not careful we could miss out and regret later. Tonight, I want to talk about a man who seized his opportunity of encountering God and came away blessed. This man’s name was Zacchaeus, who would not let anything stop him from seeing what Jesus could do.

(V3) “HE WANTED TO SEE WHO JESUS WAS, BUT BEING A SHORT MAN HE COULD NOT”

Zacchaeus had many limitations

  1. He was hindered by the crowd; He was limited by his short stature.
    1. What are your limitations?
    2. IS IT FEAR, BITTERNESS, UNFORGIVENESS, HURTS, HABITS INSECURITIES, FEARS, PRIDE?
  2. Will you let this cause you to miss your opportunity to see and experience the true and living God Zacchaeus could have gotten discouraged and just walked away… but he didn’t.

He also had great determination

  1. Persistence — firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition Perseverance – continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty
    1. James 1:2 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
    2. Romans 5:3 “but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. “
    3. Romans 8:25 “But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.” HIS DETERMINATION WAS STRONGER THAN HIS LIMITATIONS (V4) “SO HE RAN AHEAD AND CLIMBED A SYCAMORE TREE TO SEE HIM…”

Nothing was going to keep Zacchaeus from missing his opportunity of encountering the Lord

  1. He was determined to see the man that everyone was talking about.
    1. He pushed past his limitation and found a way around it so that he could take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity. The devil show you every reason why you can’t, but you have to press through and find a way.
    2. Pressing through means doing whatever it takes to see Jesus:
  2. Lay down your excuses and seize the opportunity… Press through the… The crowds: Reasons: It’s not convenient, I’m too busy, It’s to difficult…The limitations: Self worth: Who am I? I’m not smart enough; I’m not outgoing; I don’t have any talent; my too shy; too short; I’m no body….
    1. (V5) “WHEN JESUS REACHED THE SPOT, HE LOOKED UP AND SAID TO HIM, ‘ZACCHAEUS, COME DOWN IMMEDIATELY. I MUST STAY AT YOUR HOUSE.’

The place of Zacchaeus’s expectation was…

  1. The place of Jesus’ invitation (“Jesus reached the spot…”)
    1. The place of expectation — the spot is where Expectation meets Invitation. This is where Encounter begins… it’s when you hear Jesus saying “come down off of your tree… because I want you to meet with Me.” Jesus invites Himself into your house — your heart! Where there’s no pretense, secrets, sham, deception, make-believe. Jesus is not interested in knowing us on Sundays, but every day.
    2. When you move toward Jesus, He will run to meet you. He wants to be with and set you free from all that is oppressing you.
    3. (V8)“LOOK, LORD! HERE AND NOW I GIVE HALF OF MY POSSESSIONS TO THE POOR”
  2.  Zachaeus had an encounter with Jesus and was transformed.
    1. His old, dishonest nature was replaced with a new nature that wanted to do right and rectify the mistakes of the past.
      1. Like Zacchaeus, Once You Encounter The Jesus You Too Will Be Radically Changed:
      2. You will never be the same, as old habits and attitudes are transformed through the gentle, healing presence of the Lord.
  3. Many people can have a religious experience; but it takes a real encounter with Jesus to do what Zacchaeus did.
    1. God offers us opportunities to encounter Him in a way we never knew Him before (V9) ‘TODAY SALVATION HAS COME TO THIS HOUSE….”

 Conclusion — Salvation is waiting to come to your house:

  1. Zacchaeus encounter brought salvation to his household: The promise is to you and your household Acts 2:39 “For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” He was persistent in his pursuit of Jesus and reaped a glorious reward.
    1. WHY ARE YOU HERE THIS WEEKEND? Do you need the changes in your life?
    2. Do you need to be freed from bondages that have enslaved you and kept you from serving God in the way that you want?Is there sin in your life that you must deal with?Whatever the circumstances, opportunity is knocking at the door of your heart.
    3. Will you seize the moment, and let the One who knows you and loves you enter and do the work He desires to do this weekend?

ALTAR CALL: Call of Salvation for the Men

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