23/02/2021
"OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS"
WARM UP QUESTION: What if I'll gave you an around the world trip ticket? Or I'll gave you a fan meeting tickets to meet your K-pop fans, EXO, BTS, BlackPink, Got7, NCT, Shinee etc are you willing to grab it? Lastly, what if Jesus is knocking at your door's house are you willing to open that door and take him inside?
IT'S YOUR CHOICE.
Let see this story in the bible about OPPORTUNITY; Open your bible in the book of Luke 19. Let's read the life of Zacchaeus the tax collector.
Luke 19
v. 2 Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. v.3 He wanted to see Jesus but because he is short man, and because of the crowd he did not able to see Jesus.
- its very clear in the passage that Zacchaeus is willing to see Jesus but he did not because of the crowds, which is represented as a hindrances to Zacchaeus that cause him not to see Jesus.
Let's see the hindrances of Zacchaeus;
1. Being a short man.
2. Because of the crowd.
There are many reason why we are not willing to know Jesus in our life. Maybe you are afraid, maybe you need evidence for his existence and Maybe its not yet your time. Pero kailan po pa siya tatanggapin kapag patay kana? kapag mayaman kana? Again it's your choice.
Balikan natin ang buhay ni Zacchaeus, at makikita natin dito na may mga hindrances kung bakit hindi niya makita si Jesus. Ganun din ang buhay ng isang tao, Or let say buhay ng isang krisytano? Sinasabi mo sa sarili mo na cristian ka but angdami naman keso ganon, keso ganito mo? Bakit kaya? I'll tell some of the reasons;
1. PERSECUTION
- this kind of hindrances to us, maybe its hard. Because when we persecuted we are loosing our confidence to share Jesus to others. O sariling mga magulang mo ang number one persecutor mo. Lalo na sa time na sinurrender mo ang buhay mo kay Jesus, tska ka pa pinersecute ng mga parents mo. Ang sakit di ba?
Pero cheer up! Kapatid eto ang verse para sayu.
Matthew 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
Revelation 2:10
Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for then days. Be faithful, even to the point to the point of death, and I give you the crown of life.
Even though your family, friends persecuted you. Be faithful, pray for them. And someday they will share their testimony about you. O baka isang araw magugulat ka na lang isa ng pastor ang persecutor mo noon. Who knows!
2.TEMPTATION
-when we talk about temptation, I do believe you know it already.
This are the two reasons why we are afraid to face our faith in Jesus. And let's go back to the story of Zacchaeus, we will encounter that Zacchaeus had a solution for him to know/see Jesus.
v.4 he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore fig tree to see him.
Zacchaeus find a way just to see Jesus. And when Jesus saw Zacchaeus, he looked up and said to him;
v.5 Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.
v.6 and because of happines Zacchaeus come down and welcomed him gladly.
In this story it tells us, there are many hindrances for us to know Jesus. But we will never let that hindrances destroy us. We will always find a way to know him more better. Persecution as the bible says, Matthew 5:44 Pray for those who persecute you,. And in 2 Chronicles 32:8 the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.
Lastly, when we did that Jesus telling us;
v. 9 today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.
What are you waiting for?!
TAKE IT OUR LEAVE IT?
If God is touching your heart, below is the prayer of salvation. Join me and let's talk to Jesus.
Prayer for Salvation;
Heavenly Father.... I acknowledge that the separation between us....Is because of my sin... I confess that I have sinned.. And have fallen for short of your glory... I thank you that you sent your son, Jesus... to pay the penalty for my sin... I believe that He died on the cross for me..I believe that you raised him from the dead.... I am sorry for my sin... And ask you to forgive and cleanse me.. I want to turn away from everything the bible calls sim... And receive Jesus as my Lord, Master, and Savior.. Help me to love, serve and obey you....For the rest of my life. In Jesus name....AMEN.
If you sincerly prayed that prayer, the bible promises that 2. Corinthians 5:17 If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
GOD BLESS YOU.