Missed Opportunities
Missed Opportunities With God & Regrets
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Focus Verse: 2 Corinthians 6:2 “For he says, “At an acceptable time I listened to you, in a day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.”
Missed Opportunities
We can look at the above Bible verse and, normally, we just apply it to ourselves. Yet, this would be a mistake. Today is also the day of Salvation for millions of others around us. Biblical Christianity is outward focused, love-driven action- being led by the Holy Spirit in obedience to God. Yet, we can fail to harness the opportunities God provides for us, by failing to strike while the iron is hot. Most appear to have an attitude of “Well, I’ll get another chance later.” This is also not true. We get invited by God at certain times to perform certain works, and if we don’t take advantage of the opportunity, there is no promise of another opportunity. And, in all likelihood, God might find us an unfaithful servant and move onto someone else to get the job done. Or, something worse could happen and the work might not get done at all. We will go over missed opportunities in the Bible and study what happened, and what was lost for the failure to respond on time in obedience.
Missed Opportunities
The Greatest Revival You Never Heard About, That Never Was
- Genghis Khan’s grandson Kublai Khan, and Marco Polo’s Father and Uncle.
- 2 million people, 100 missionaries’ faint hearts and time destroyed a revival!
- “When we learn about Christianity there will be more Christians in my empire than in all Europe.”
- 2 Friars and Marco Polo and His Uncle and Father.
- Established The Capital City Of Beijing. (Now China)
Missed Opportunities
Jesus & The Deserters
#1 Need For Security
Luke 9:57-58 “And it happened as they were going in the way, one (*A Scribe- See: Matt 8:19-22) said to Him, Lord, I will follow You wherever You go. (58) And Jesus said to him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
#2 Let Me Bury The Dead
Luke 9:59-61 “And He said to another, Follow Me! But he said, Lord, first allow me to go and bury my father. (60) Jesus said to him, Let the dead bury their dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
#3 Let Me Go Say Goodbye
Luke 9:61 “Another also said, “I want to follow you, Lord, but first allow me to say good-bye to those who are at my house.”
Missed Opportunities
Failed To Continue
John 6:60-69 “Therefore many of his disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying! Who can listen to it?” (61) But Jesus knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at this, said to them, “Does this cause you to stumble? (62) Then what if you would see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? (63) It is the spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and are life. (64) But there are some of you who don’t believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who didn’t believe, and who it was who would betray him. (65) He said, “For this cause I have said to you that no one can come to me, unless it is given to him by my Father.” (66) At this, many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. (67) Jesus said therefore to the twelve, “You don’t also want to go away, do you?” (68) Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. (69) We have come to believe and know that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Missed Opportunities
Judas- An Object Lesson
Matthew 26:14-16 “Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests, (15) and said, “What are you willing to give me, that I should deliver him to you?” They weighed out for him thirty pieces of silver. (16) From that time he sought opportunity to betray him.”
Luke 22:3-6 “Satan entered into Judas, who was also called Iscariot, who was counted with the twelve. (4) He went away, and talked with the chief priests and captains about how he might deliver him to them. (5) They were glad, and agreed to give him money. (6) He consented, and sought an opportunity to deliver him to them in the absence of the multitude.”
Missed Opportunities
Comfort and Ease: Stingy Towards God
Luke 12:16-21 “And He spoke a parable to them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully. (17) And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room in which to store my fruits? (18) And he said, I will do this. I will pull down my barns and build bigger ones, and I will store all my fruits and my goods there. (19) And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat drink and be merry. (20) But God said to him, Fool! This night your soul shall be required of you, then whose shall be those things which you have prepared? (21) So is he who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
Matthew 6:19-21 “Don’t layup treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; (20) but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal; (21) for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Proverbs 19:17 “He who has pity on the poor lends to Yahweh; he will reward him.”
1 John 3:14-18 “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. He who doesn’t love his brother remains in death. (15) Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him. (16) By this we know love, because he laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. (17) But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and closes his heart of compassion against him, how does God’s love remain in him? (18) My little children, let’s not love in word only, or with the tongue only, but in deed and truth.”
Missed Opportunities
More Missed Opportunities
Adam & Eve
Genesis 3:1-7 “Now the serpent was more subtle than any animal of the field which Yahweh God had made. He said to the woman, “Has God really said, ‘You shall not eat of any tree of the garden’?” (2) The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees of the garden, (3) but not the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden. God has said, ‘You shall not eat of it. You shall not touch it, lest you die.’” (4) The serpent said to the woman, “You won’t really die, (5) for God knows that in the day you eat it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (6) When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took some of its fruit, and ate; and she gave some to her husband with her, and he ate it, too. (7) Their eyes were opened, and they both knew that they were naked. They sewed fig leaves together, and made coverings for themselves.”
Missed Opportunities
Ananias and Sapphira
Acts 5:1-11 “But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira, his wife, sold a possession, (2) and kept back part of the price, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. (3) But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land? (4) While you kept it, didn’t it remain your own? After it was sold, wasn’t it in your power? How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You haven’t lied to men, but to God.” (5) Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and died. Great fear came on all who heard these things. (6) The young men arose and wrapped him up, and they carried him out and buried him. (7) About three hours later, his wife, not knowing what had happened, came in. (8) Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” She said, “Yes, for so much.” (9) But Peter asked her, “How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” (10) She fell down immediately at his feet, and died. The young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband. (11) Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who heard these things.”
Missed Opportunities
Simon The Magician
Acts 8:18-24 “Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, (19) saying, “Give me also this power, that whomever I lay my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.” (20) But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! (21) You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart isn’t right before God. (22) Repent therefore of this, your wickedness, and ask God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. (23) For I see that you are in the poison of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.” (24) Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that none of the things which you have spoken happen to me.”
Missed Opportunities
Lot’s Wife
Genesis 19:12-13 “Then the two visitors said to Lot, “Who else do you have here? Do you have any sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or other relatives in the city? Get them out of this place (13) because we are about to destroy it. The outcry against this place is so great before the LORD that he has sent us to destroy it.”
Genesis 19:15-17 “At dawn the angels hurried Lot along, saying, “Get going! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or else you will be destroyed when the city is judged!” (16) When Lot hesitated, the men grabbed his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters because the LORD had compassion on them. They led them away and placed them outside the city. (17) When they had brought them outside, they said, “Run for your lives! Don’t look behind you or stop anywhere in the valley! Escape to the mountains or you will be destroyed!”
Genesis 19:23-26 “The sun had just risen over the land as Lot reached Zoar. (24) Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah. It was sent down from the sky by the LORD. (25) So he overthrew those cities and all that region, including all the inhabitants of the cities and the vegetation that grew from the ground. (26) But Lot’s wife looked back longingly and was turned into a pillar of salt.”
Missed Opportunities
King Saul
1 Samuel 9:17 “When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said, “Here is the man that I told you about! He will rule over my people.”
1 Samuel 15:11 “I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned away from me and has not done what I told him to do.” Samuel became angry and he cried out to the LORD all that night.”
1 Samuel 15:13-15 “When Samuel came to Saul, Saul said to him, “May the LORD bless you! I have fulfilled the LORD’s orders.” (14) Samuel replied, “If that is the case, then what is this sound of sheep in my ears and the sound of cattle that I hear?” (15) Saul said, “They were brought from the Amalekites; the army spared the best of the flocks and cattle to sacrifice to the LORD our God. But everything else we slaughtered.”
1 Samuel 15:24-28 “Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have disobeyed what the LORD commanded and your words as well. For I was afraid of the army, and I obeyed their voice. (25) Now please forgive my sin! Go back with me so I can worship the LORD.” (26) Samuel said to Saul, “I will not go back with you, for you have rejected the LORD’s orders, and the LORD has rejected you from being king over Israel!” (27) When Samuel turned to leave, Saul grabbed the edge of his robe and it tore. (28) Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day and has given it to one of your colleagues who is better than you!”
1 Samuel 15:35 “Until the day he died Samuel did not see Saul again. Samuel did, however, mourn for Saul, but the LORD regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.”
Missed Opportunities
Samson
Judges 13:3-5 “Yahweh’s angel appeared to the woman, and said to her, “See now, you are barren and childless; but you shall conceive, and bear a son. (4) Now therefore please beware and drink no wine nor strong drink, and don’t eat any unclean thing: (5) for, behold, you shall conceive, and give birth to a son. No razor shall come on his head; for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb. He shall begin to save Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.”
Judges 15:11 “Then three thousand men of Judah went down to the cave in Etam’s rock, and said to Samson, “Don’t you know that the Philistines are rulers over us? What then is this that you have done to us?” He said to them, “As they did to me, so I have done to them.” Judges 15:14-15 “When he came to Lehi, the Philistines shouted as they met him. Then Yahweh’s Spirit came mightily on him, and the ropes that were on his arms became as flax that was burned with fire, and his bands dropped from off his hands. (15) He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, put out his hand, took it, and struck a thousand men with it.”
Judges 16:1 “Samson went to Gaza, and saw there a prostitute, and went in to her.
Judges 16:4 “It came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.”
Judges 16:20 “She said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” He awoke out of his sleep, and said, “I will go out as at other times, and shake myself free.” But he didn’t know that Yahweh had departed from him.”
Judges 16:28-30 “Samson called to Yahweh, and said, “Lord Yahweh, remember me, please, and strengthen me, please, only this once, God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.” (29) Samson took hold of the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and leaned on them, the one with his right hand, and the other with his left. (30) Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” He bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell on the lords, and on all the people who were therein. So the dead that he killed at his death were more than those who he killed in his life.”
Missed Opportunities
David & Nabal The Ignorant
1 Samuel 25:4-39 “David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep. (5) David sent ten young men, and David said to the young men, “Go up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name. (6) Tell him, ‘Long life to you! Peace be to you, and peace be to your house, and peace be to all that you have. (7) Now I have heard that you have shearers. Your shepherds have now been with us, and we didn’t harm them, neither was there anything missing from them, all the while they were in Carmel. (8) Ask your young men, and they will tell you. Therefore let the young men find favor in your eyes; for we come on a good day. Please give whatever comes to your hand, to your servants, and to your son David.’” (9) When David’s young men came, they spoke to Nabal all those words in the name of David, and waited. (10) Nabal answered David’s servants, and said, “Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants who break away from their masters these days. (11) Shall I then take my bread, my water, and my meat that I have killed for my shearers, and give it to men who I don’t know where they come from?”
(12) “So David’s young men turned on their way, and went back, and came and told him all these words. (13) David said to his men, “Every man put on his sword!” Every man put on his sword. David also put on his sword. About four hundred men followed David, and two hundred stayed by the baggage. (14) But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, saying, “Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to Greet our master; and he insulted them. (15) But the men were very good to us, and we were not harmed, and we didn’t miss anything, as long as we went with them, when we were in the fields. (16) They were a wall to us both by night and by day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep. (17) Now therefore know and consider what you will do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his house; for he is such a worthless fellow that one can’t speak to him.”
(18) “Then Abigail hurried and took two hundred loaves of bread, two containers of wine, five sheep ready dressed, five seahs of parched grain, one hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on donkeys. (19) She said to her young men, “Go on before me. Behold, I am coming after you.” But she didn’t tell her husband, Nabal. (20) As she rode on her donkey, and came down by the covert of the mountain, that behold, David and his men came down toward her, and she met them. (21) Now David had said, “Surely in vain I have kept all that this fellow has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained to him. He has returned me evil for good. (22) God do so to the enemies of David, and more also, if I leave of all that belongs to him by the morning light so much as one who urinates on a wall.”
(23) “When Abigail saw David, she hurried and got off her donkey, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground. (24) She fell at his feet, and said, “On me, my lord, on me be the blame! Please let your servant speak in your ears. Hear the words of your servant. (25) Please don’t let my lord pay attention to this worthless fellow, Nabal; for as his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name, and folly is with him; but I, your servant, didn’t see my lord’s young men, whom you sent. (26) Now therefore, my lord, as Yahweh lives, and as your soul lives, since Yahweh has withheld you from blood guiltiness, and from avenging yourself with your own hand, now therefore let your enemies, and those who seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal. (27) Now this present which your servant has brought to my lord, let it be given to the young men who follow my lord. (28) Please forgive the trespass of your servant. For Yahweh will certainly make my lord a sure house, because my lord fights Yahweh’s battles. Evil will not be found in you all your days. (29) Though men may rise up to pursue you, and to seek your soul, yet the soul of my lord will be bound in the bundle of life with Yahweh your God. He will sling out the souls of your enemies, as from the hollow of a sling. (30) It will come to pass, when Yahweh has done to my lord according to all the good that he has spoken concerning you, and has appointed you prince over Israel, (31) that this shall be no grief to you, nor offense of heart to my lord, either that you have shed blood without cause, or that my lord has avenged himself. When Yahweh has dealt well with my lord, then remember your servant.” (32) David said to Abigail, “Blessed is Yahweh, the God of Israel, who sent you today to meet me! (33) Blessed is your discretion, and blessed are you, who have kept me today from blood guiltiness, and from avenging myself with my own hand. (34) For indeed, as Yahweh, the God of Israel, lives, who has withheld me from harming you, unless you had hurried and come to meet me, surely there wouldn’t have been left to Nabal by the morning light so much as one who urinates on a wall.” (35) So David received from her hand that which she had brought him. Then he said to her, “Go up in peace to your house. Behold, I have listened to your voice, and have granted your request.”
(36) “Abigail came to Nabal; and behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king. Nabal’s heart was merry within him, for he was very drunk. Therefore she told him nothing, until the morning light. (37) In the morning, when the wine had gone out of Nabal, his wife told him these things, and his heart died within him, and he became as a stone. (38) About ten days later, Yahweh struck Nabal, so that he died. (39) When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Blessed is Yahweh, who has pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and has kept back his servant from evil. Yahweh has returned the evildoing of Nabal on his own head.” David sent and spoke concerning Abigail, to take her to himself as wife.”
Missed Opportunities
The Common Theme
The Cares Of This Life
Luke 8:9-15 “Then his disciples asked him, “What does this parable mean?” (10) He said, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of God’s Kingdom, but to the rest in parables; that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’ (11) Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. (12) Those along the road are those who hear, then the devil comes, and takes away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved. (13) Those on the rock are they who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; but these have no root, who believe for a while, then fall away in time of temptation. (14) That which fell among the thorns, these are those who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. (15) Those in the good ground, these are those who with an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it tightly, and produce fruit with perseverance.”
Luke 17:33 “Whoever seeks to save his life loses it, but whoever loses his life preserves it.”
Missed Opportunities
Double-Minded Man
James 1:6-8 “But let him ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed. (7) For that man shouldn’t think that he will receive anything from the Lord. (8) He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
From Albert Barnes Commentary: James 1:8
A double minded man – The word here used, δίψυχος dipsuchos occurs only here and in Jas_4:8. It means, properly, one who has two souls; then one who is wavering or inconstant. It is applicable to a man who has no settled principles; who is controlled by passion; who is influenced by popular feeling; who is now inclined to one opinion or course of conduct, and now to another.
James 4:6-10 “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (7) Be subject therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (8) Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (9) Lament, mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to gloom. (10) Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.”
Matthew 15:8-9 “‘These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. (9) And in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrine rules made by men.’”
Missed Opportunities
Lukewarm
Revelation 3:14-19 “To the angel of the assembly in Laodicea write: “The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of God’s creation, says these things: (15) “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. (16) So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth. (17) Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing;’ and don’t know that you are the wretched one, miserable, poor, blind, and naked; (18) I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich; and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see. (19) As many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent.”
Missed Opportunities
Both Hands To The Plow
Luke 9:62 “And Jesus said to him, No one, having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon.”
Missed Opportunities
Don’t Miss This Opportunity
Matthew 28:18-20 “Then Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (19) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
John 9:4 “I must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day. The night is coming, when no one can work.”
Matthew 24:42 “Watch therefore, for you don’t know in what hour your Lord comes.”
Matthew 24:45-51 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has set over his household, to give them their food in due season? (46) Blessed is that servant whom his lord finds doing so when he comes. (47) Most certainly I tell you that he will set him over all that he has. (48) But if that evil servant should say in his heart, ‘My lord is delaying his coming,’ (49) and begins to beat his fellow servants, and eat and drink with the drunkards, (50) the lord of that servant will come in a day when he doesn’t expect it, and in an hour when he doesn’t know it, (51) and will cut him in pieces, and appoint his portion with the hypocrites. That is where the weeping and grinding of teeth will be.”
Missed Opportunities
Closing Verses:
1 Kings 18:21 “Elijah came near to all the people, and said, “How long will you waver between the two sides? If Yahweh is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” The people didn’t say a word.”
Joshua 24:14-15 “Now therefore fear Yahweh, and serve him in sincerity and in truth. Put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River, in Egypt; and serve Yahweh. (15) If it seems evil to you to serve Yahweh, choose today whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.”
Deuteronomy 30:15-20 “Behold, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and evil. (16) For I command you today to love Yahweh your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his ordinances, that you may live and multiply, and that Yahweh your God may bless you in the land where you go in to possess it. (17) But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; (18) I declare to you today, that you will surely perish. You will not prolong your days in the land where you pass over the Jordan to go in to possess it. (19) I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Therefore choose life, that you may live, you and your descendants; (20) to love Yahweh your God, to obey his voice, and to cling to him; for he is your life, and the length of your days; that you may dwell in the land which Yahweh swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”
Missed Opportunities
We must take hold of the opportunity we have been given to share the Gospel. There will be a day when we can no longer do any work for God. And the only thing left will be to receive the payment of our efforts. From that point on in eternity we will no longer be able to invest into the kingdom as we can here on earth. We will be rewarded from God for it. Yet, some will have so little to show for their time here, that I can’t help but to think about the regret that will be felt. And for those who work faithfully, they will have their efforts follow them for all eternity. The clock is ticking down to the end of time. The hours left here on Earth to work for God are closing. It’s time to work hard, put in some overtime, and stamp your time card for all eternity.
Missed Opportunities
Seize The Day:
Don’t Miss This Opportunity.
Missed Opportunities
