"OPPORTUNITY."
I Corinthians 16:81.
By Glen Murphy

Introduction:
1.As much as Paul wanted to see these Prethren and and as much as He needed to see 
them, He would Larry yet at. Ephesus, for He had an opportunity Lie did not want to 
turn down; 1 corinthians 16:9.

2.The idea of an Open Door is a figure of speech showinci that Tie had a great Opportunity to do something.

3.The Open Door is used in other places of the scripLlire indicating Opportunity; Acts 4:26-28; Coiossians 4:2-3; 2 Trss.~:l-I

/1.Open Doors can still be found.

5.To recognize an Opportunity, we must know what t.liis is.

6.The word "Opportunity" means:
a.Haviflg a good chance.
b.Having a set of favorable circumstances.

7.The Apostle Paul recognized that He had an Opportun4l9 That He had a set of 
favorable circumstances to preach the Gospel

8.As much as He was needed in Corinth, He was going to delay His coming until He 
took advantage of this Opportunity.

(I) TIIE IMPORTANCE OF OPPORTUNITY CAN BE SEEN IN EVERY WALK OF LIFE:

A.Business men have long told us the importance of acting when opportunity is there

b.Goverment and Political matters are examples of this.

C.Christians are taught to take advantage of Opportunities; GalatianS 6:10.

D.This is so important that responsibility depends, to a degree on Opportunity.
Galatians 6:10; 1 Peter 3:15.

(II) SOME PEOPLE SLIGHT OPPORTUNITY:

A.The Jews of Antioch Of Pisidia;
Acts 13:38-46.

B.Their Opportunity Passed Them As The OppOrtUnity Paseed On To The Gentilee.
Acts 13:44-46.

C.Felix The Governor Slighted His Opportunity
Acts 24:24-27.

D.King Agrippa Also Slighted His Opportunity:
Acts 26:23-29.

E.So Many Of Uu Who Have Heard The Gospel, Have Slighted The Invitation.

F.So Many Of Us Who Have Had Opportunities To Teach Or Serve, Have The Opportunity 
Slip Away.

G.Opportunity Has A Way Of Leaving Those Who Are Not Interested; (the song) "If You 
Spurn The Invitation Till The SPIRIT Shall Depart, Then You'll See Your Sad 
Condition, Unprepared To Meet Thy God. Genesis 6:3.

(III).SOME ABUSE OPPORTUNITY:

A.Saul Went In Search Of His Fathers Asses And Found A Kingdom; 1 Slmuel Chapters 8-10.
a.But He Abused His Opportunity.

B.Ho Used It To His Pride;
1 Samual 13:1-14.

C.Judas Iscariot Also Abused His Opportunity;
Mark 3:14-19; Called To Apoetileship By Christ.
a.Judas could Have Been Another Peter Or Paul, But He Used His Opportunity To 
FulFill His Desire And Then Killed Himself As A Result.
Psalms 41:9; hots 1:17-18.

D.lf We Abuse Our Opportunities, We Will Eventually Want To Kill Ourselves, Too. 
Revelation 6:12-17.

(IV) THERE ARE OTHERS WHO LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES, THERE IS A DIFFERENCE:

A.Cornelius Was Seeking Opportunity;
Acts Chapters 10 & 11.

B.The Greeks At The Passover Feast At Jerusalem Were Seeking Opportunity; 
John 12:20-22.

C.We Are Promised Certain Results If We Are Searching;
John 7:17; 8:32; 17:17; Matthew 5:6.
			
     CONCLUSION:
	WHAT	IS	OPPORTUNITY	TO	YOU ?????