Introduction:
Good morning, my beloved congregation in Christ Jesus! It is great to see your faces radiating with the joy of the Lord on this blessed day of Pentecost. Today, we gather here to celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all flesh as promised by our Lord Jesus Christ. He promised that we shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us and we shall be His witnesses unto the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8).
As we reflect on this powerful promise from the Lord, let us also consider the theme for today's message: "Opportunity Only Knocks Once, But Sin Knocks All The Time!"
Body:
Beloved, the Bible teaches us that opportunities come our way, but they do not always come knocking. Sometimes, they just pass us by without notice, and we miss our chance to seize them. However, the devil never misses a chance to lure us into sin. He knocks on our door day and night, with temptations of the flesh, the world, and our own selfish desires.
The book of James reminds us that every good and perfect gift comes from above, from the Father of Lights in whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. (James 1:17) Therefore, when we see opportunities that come our way, whether big or small, we must recognize them as gifts from God and not let them pass us by.
The story of the Good Samaritan paints a vivid picture of how seizing opportunities to do good can have a profound impact on the lives of others. A man was robbed, beaten, and left half-dead by the roadside. Two religious leaders passed him by without helping him, but a Samaritan, who was a despised outsider, stopped to help him. The Good Samaritan saw an opportunity to show love and compassion to someone in need, and he took it. (Luke 10:29-37)
Beloved, what opportunities has God presented to you? Perhaps an opportunity to share the gospel with someone, to serve in the church, or to be a blessing to your neighbor. Do not let these opportunities pass you by. Seize them and watch how God can use you to make a difference in someone's life.
On the other hand, sin knocks all the time, and we must always be on guard against the wiles of the devil. The Bible says that the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
The story of Joseph is an example of how saying no to sin can be an opportunity to honor God. Potiphar's wife tried to seduce Joseph, but he refused to sin against God. He recognized that sin would not only harm his relationship with God but also Potiphar and his family. He saw saying no to sin as an opportunity to honor God and protect his integrity. (Genesis 39:1-20)
Beloved, what sins are knocking on your door? Is it lust, greed, pride, or envy? Do not let them in. Say no to sin and yes to righteousness. Remember, the devil is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Do not give him a foothold in your life.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, my dear congregation, opportunities come and go, but sin never stops knocking. It is important to seize every opportunity God presents to us and to guard against the devil's schemes that seek to destroy us. Let us be like the Good Samaritan, who seized the opportunity to show love and compassion to someone in need. And let us be like Joseph, who said no to sin as an opportunity to honor God and protect his integrity. May the Holy Spirit guide us and empower us to seize every opportunity for God's glory and say no to sin. Amen!
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