Make The Most Of Every Opportunity

                                      MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY

What Happens in One Minute Around the World?

The following 10 things will happen around the world every 60 seconds of this new year:

• Births: Approximately 250 babies are born worldwide every minute. (Source: Worldometers)

• Deaths: Approximately 105 people die worldwide every minute. (Source: Worldometers)

• Marriages: Around 116 people get married worldwide every minute. (Source: The World Bank)

• YouTube Uploads: Approximately 500 hours of video content are uploaded to YouTube every minute. (Source: YouTube)

• Packages Delivered: Amazon delivers approximately 1,200 packages per minute. (Source: Amazon)

• Emails Sent: Approximately 200 million emails are sent worldwide every minute. (Source: Statista)

• Google Searches: Approximately 40,000 Google searches are conducted every minute. (Source: Google)

• Social Media Posts: Approximately 1.5 million social media posts are made every minute. (Source: Statista)

• Netflix Streams: Approximately 100 million minutes of content are streamed on Netflix every minute. (Source: Netflix)

• Twitter Tweets: Approximately 500,000 tweets are sent every minute. (Source: Twitter)

Note: These statistics are approximate and can vary based on various factors.[1]

            These statistics tell us how much time people spend consuming social media posts and entertainment and acquiring things. Do we become any wiser and our lives become better because of all that consumption? One common commodity we all have is time. We all are given the same amount of 24 hrs daily. How we use or abuse our time indicates who we are as people.

            How are we going to spend those precious minutes and days of 2025? In Ephesians 5:15-20 the Apostle Paul urges the Ephesian believers to, Make the Most of Every Opportunity.” As we begin 2025,  let us explore why we mustn’t waste time. Instead, we redeem the time. The Apostle Paul gives several commands to the Ephesian believers out of God’s Love for them—Eph 3:17-18, “Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him.

            Your roots will grow down into God’s Love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his Love is.” Keeping God’s Love as the backdrop, let’s explore these life-giving commands.

I. Don’t live like Fools but like those who are Wise.

            What would that be if you made only one resolution in the New Year? Could we make this command not to live like fools but like those who are wise as our New Year’s resolution? If that is your resolve, you must first understand who a fool and a wise person is. The Bible has a lot to say about fools. Biblically speaking, a fool is someone who disregards God’s word. Ecc 10:2 says, “The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.”

            A fool is one whose wayward heart turns continually toward foolishness. “For fools speak folly, their hearts are bent on evil: They practice ungodliness and spread error concerning the Lord.” Is 32:6.  Here is what the wise King Solomon says about fools.

           

            From the book of Proverbs: a fool hates knowledge Pr 1:22, takes no pleasure in understanding Pr 18:2, enjoys wicked schemes Pr 10:23, proclaims folly Pr 12:23, spurns a parent’s discipline Pr 15:5, speaks perversity Pr 19:1, is quick-tempered Pr 12:16 gets himself in trouble with his proud speech Pr 14:3, mocks at sin Pr 14:9, is deceitful Pr 14:8, and despises his mother Pr 15:20 A foolish child brings grief to their parents Pr 17:25; 19:13. A foolish man commits sexual immorality, Pr 6:32. A foolish woman tears down her own house Pro 14:1

           

            According to Jesus, a wise man hears God’s Word and practices what it says, like the wise man who built His house upon the Rock. Matt 7:24-27). In the New Year, we are given a fresh chance to stop living foolishly and start living wisely. It is possible to live wisely if you are resolute and intentional, like David, who said, “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies.” Psalm 119:97.             The more News you consume from the TV or social posts, without discretion, the more foolish you become. But you become wiser if you read and meditate on God’s Word daily. Therefore, at Hope Church, we encourage everyone to read through the Bible.

II. Make The Most Of Every Opportunity

            Paul encourages the Ephesians believers to “Make the Most of Every Opportunity, in these evil days.” (NLT). In NIV, it says, “Making the Most of Every Opportunity because the days are evil.” In KJV, it reads, “Redeeming the Time.” How much time were we given to live in this world? Twenty, fifty, seventy, or a hundred like the 39^th President Jimmy Carter lived?

            The Psalmist left the answer in God’s hands, saying, “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:16. “Teach us to number our days, that we might gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

            These scriptures remind us that we don’t have unlimited time to live; we only have a brief time on this earth, and soon, we will be gone. “Live Like You Were Dying” is a song recorded by American country music singer Tim McGraw. It tells the story of a man in his early forties who learns that he has an unspecified, life-threatening illness (most likely cancer).

            The message is to live life to the fullest by doing things such as skydiving, mountain climbing, fishing, and bull riding. He also says that he became a better husband and friend. He talks about how going fishing with his father stopped being an imposition and how he finally, after reading the Bible, took a long, hard look at his life and past, giving new consideration to what he might have done differently had he had this perceptive earlier.”[2]

            While it focuses on pursuing earthly passions in the time we have left, the lyrics make an essential point. They conclude with this thought: “Someday, I hope you get the chance to live like you were dying.” Paul’s message to the Ephesian believers was to make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. What did Paul mean by evil days when he gave this command?

            The evil days for believers were the uncertain days of afflictions, significant troubles, and persecution. No one knew who would become a target of persecution for their faith. Yet under such trying circumstances, they were to make the most of every opportunity and live wisely.

 

 

 

 

III. What does wise living Consist of?

            For the Ephesian believers, wise living consisted of the following: 1. They were to stop getting drunk with wine and be filled with the Holy Spirit. A recent study found that excessive alcohol consumption could lead to six types of cancer. If you drink too much alcohol, it would be wise for you to stop or reduce it by 2025.

            2. As it was mentioned in Hebrews 10:25, they were not to neglect to assemble as they saw the Lord’s day was approaching. 3. When they come together, they encourage one another by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs and making music to the Lord. 4. They lived with gratefulness.” If Paul’s days were evil, how about the days we are living in today?

            What does making the most of every opportunity mean for us today in 2025? As Christians, we should live like we were dying, as Tim McGraw’s song suggested, and pursue all God has given us to do while we have time. We may never know when our time will end, but as long as there is still a day, let’s make the most of every opportunity so that we can bear fruit.

            We want to intentionally cultivate consistent patterns of reading the Bible and praying, attending Church, Joining Bible times, and Wednesday night prayer times. In the New Year, we want to give up toxic habits and develop life-giving habits. We would be wise in how we spend our day, prioritizing what would make us physically, emotionally, spiritually, and socially strong. You may have to cut down on social media and seek to develop healthy friendships. This means starting our day by reading God’s word and spending time in Prayer. These and more are part of living wisely by making the most of every opportunity because of the evil days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[1] https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2024/december/what-happens-in-one-minute-around-world.html

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_Like_You_Were_Dying_(song)#:~:text=%22Live%20Like%20You%20Were%20Dying,(2004)

Celebrating Christ In Christmas

                                                 CELEBRATING CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS

 

            In a social media post, a prominent Christian radio station in Melbourne asked their morning radio listeners to vote on their "must do" Christmas traditions. Then they posted the top 8, calling it their "Ultimate Christmas Traditions List":

1.     Picking out a tree from the Christmas Tree farm.

2.     Taking the family to a Christmas movie.

3.     Buying one special ornament every year.

4.     Giving Christmas pajamas on Christmas Eve.

5.     Taking a photo by the Christmas tree every year.

6.     Making homemade eggnog.

7.     Wrapping presents and watching Carols by Candlelight.

8.     Watching Polar Express on Christmas Eve and leaving a bell by my daughter's bed when she's asleep.

            Reading such a list is a little heartbreaking. To think, these eight activities were the top "must do" Christmas traditions for a radio audience that primarily identifies as Christian. Eggnog and The Polar Express, but not one mention of anything focused on the actual reason for the season. To their credit, the radio station at least included this question on their Facebook post: "Have they missed anything???"[1] What is in your "Ultimate Christmas Traditions List"?

            Let's not blame the radio audience in Melbourne, Australia. In the USA, many people, including professing Christians, also miss out on the real reason for this season. This Advent season allows us to pause from busyness and refocus on what truly matters. My message will help you discover what you might be missing this Christmas and Celebrate it with Joy.

I. Biblical Significance of Celebrations

            Many people tend to think God is a joy killer and that the devil offers all the fun and happiness in life. That view of God is not accurate. In fact, God is the giver of Joy, and there is unlimited Joy in His presence. God wants all of us to celebrate and enjoy all aspects of life.

            Celebration is a recurring theme in the Bible. They happened frequently during birthdays, weddings, victories, holidays, at the end of completing a specific task, religious feasts, etc. Celebration centers around a feast or festival, where families and communities come together to enjoy good food, sing and play instruments, exchange gifts, and offer sacrifices to God.

            God commanded Israelites to observe each year the three pilgrimage feasts- the Passover, the Feast of First Fruits, and the Feast of Tabernacles- and other special events in the life of Israel. The celebration of the Passover was for a perpetual remembrance, to keep alive for future generations what God had done for the Israelites in redeeming them from bondage in Egypt and guaranteeing freedom for subsequent generations. Exodus 12:24-30.

            This celebration has been passed on from generation to generation. It is a constant reminder of what God has done for his people. Celebrations bond people to God and each other. In Luke, we read, "Every year, Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival.

            God is not against parties; He wants us to celebrate for the right reasons and in the right ways. Here is what displeases God: Amid celebrations, there is a danger of forgetting, cursing God, and sinning against Him. God had something to say about Israel's celebrations.

            Isaiah 5:11-14, "Woe to those who rise early in the morning to run after their drinks, who stay up late at night till they are inflamed with wine. They have harps and lyres at their banquets, pipes and timbrels and wine, but they have no regard for the deeds of the Lord, no respect for the work of his hands. Therefore, my people will go into exile."

            For Christians, Christmas is very significant because it commemorates the birth of our Lord and Savior. As we gather on Christmas Eve service in the Church or at home with our families on Christmas Day, let's remember and celebrate the real reason for Christmas. God wants us to enjoy His greatest gift for us, but what hinders you from that joy this Christmas?

 

II. Busyness Kills The Joy Of Christmas

            The Italians have a legend about a woman named Befana who lived along the dusty road that led to Bethlehem. She was her village's best housekeeper—meticulous, which was no small task with all that dust. Late one night, there was a knock at the door, and she opened it to find three kings searching for the baby born to be King of the Jews, the Prince of Peace.

            Frankly, she also saw all the dust that blew in and the dirt on their boots and clothes. They asked to rest awhile and invited her to join them on their journey. She said she'd love to do that, but she had to get the house back in order after they left, and there was a load of laundry to be done. "Let me finish up," she said, "then I'll be right behind you."

            And they told her all she had to do was follow the Star. She worked all night, and finally, near dawn, she put on her heavy cloak. She took a little straw doll she wanted to give to the baby and left her house spic and span. But the sky had clouded, and she couldn't see the Star. It began to rain, and her little doll was ruined. Finally, she gave up and went home. "I'm a foolish old woman," she said to herself. "I missed my chance to worship the newborn Prince of Peace. Perhaps I will find him someday." So, the legend is that she sets out with a bag of toys each year, leaving some at every house with a child, hoping one of them might be the Child she missed.[2]

            Are you too busy for Christmas? Busyness kills the joy of Christmas. Work will always be there, and so is the last gift to buy or the greeting card to write. But don't miss out on what truly matters. Christmas is not about the Christmas Tree, Santa Claus, Rudolf, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, or gift exchange. It is coming together with our family and friends in our Church community to celebrate the Prince of Peace. It is about receiving, celebrating, and sharing God's perfect gift to humanity with others. That perfect gift is Mary's Child, Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

III. Celebrating Christ In Christmas

            These days, the festival of Christmas has lost its true meaning. Some people don't even call it Christmas; it's a Holiday. The word for Christmas in late Old English is the Mass of Christ. Christmas in the Roman Catholic Church includes a celebration of the Eucharist, or as Protestants would call it, Communion. Christmas would not be Christmas without Christ in it. It will be like another holiday that comes and goes each year—celebrating Christ in Christmas, which makes this festival more significant. We must celebrate Christ for the following reasons.

            1. We celebrate Christ because he was born to fulfill Isaiah's prophecy. "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isa 9:6-7 As per the prophecy, Jesus is that promised Messiah, who will establish God's Kingdom on the Earth.

            2. We celebrate Christ because, as the angel said, the birth of Jesus Christ is the "Good News." Good news is meant to be celebrated. The angel said the news of Jesus' birth would cause "great joy" and would be "for all the people." For this reason, Christians worldwide joyfully celebrate Christmas so that people will be glad for this occasion.

            3. We celebrate Christ by worshipping Him, as the wise men worshiped Him. They brought gifts of Gold, frankincense, and Myrrh as a form of Worship. God doesn't need gifts. He wants true worshippers who will worship Him in Spirit and Truth. John 4:23.

            4. We celebrate Christ by singing carols and choirs because they express joy following the examples of Mary, Zacharias, Simeon, and the angels who praised God by singing. 5. We celebrate Christ by giving one another gifts as our gratitude for God's gift for us. 2 Cor 9:15. As we gather with our families on Christmas Day, before opening any gifts, let us bow down in adoration before Jesus Christ, our Savior, the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

 

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[1] https://au.thegospelcoalition.org/article/how-to-celebrate-christ-at-christmas/

[2] Italian Christmas Tradition, “Le Befana,” 13th-century Italian folklore; Alice Bonvicini, “The Befana Comes by Night,” IItaly.org (1-02-11)

Rejoicing In God

                                                REJOICING IN GOD

             Where can we find hope and joy in tragedies, fears, and uncertainties? It is said that George Frederick Handel composed his amazing musical The Messiah in approximately three weeks. It was apparently done at a time when his eyesight was failing and when he was facing the possibility of being imprisoned because of outstanding bills.

            However, Handel kept writing amid these challenges until the masterpiece, which included the majestic "Hallelujah Chorus," was completed. Handel later credited the completion of his work to one ingredient: Joy. He was quoted as saying that he felt as if his heart would burst with joy at what he was hearing in his mind. Sure enough, listening to the entire work of The Messiah or the "Hallelujah Chorus" brings great joy to one's heart.[1]

            During this Advent season, we have been working through ancient prophecies and their relevance to us in the 21^st Century. We saw how to find Hope in God during difficult times. We also learned that one day, God will establish His righteous Kingdom on earth, and the Shepherd King Jesus will reign with us in His Kingdom forever. Today, we will learn how two couples' difficult situations turned into moments of joyful celebration. And how a Silent night brought God's Joy to the whole world. Luke 2:8-20 I title this sermon: Rejoicing In God.

I. An Elderly Couple Finding Joy in A Difficult Situation

            Imagine you were a young married couple who dreamed of building a big family. After repeatedly trying, you discovered it wouldn't work. You spent a lot of money trying to have a child and prayed to God earnestly. Now, you are in your eighties. All hope seems to have gone, but the desire for children remained. Suddenly, your hope seems to be restored, and God begins to answer your prayers for a child, and your wife becomes pregnant.

            How would you respond to this unexpected turn of events? Would you terminate the pregnancy due to unforeseen complications? Or would you welcome and embrace the child, realizing it was God's will? Perhaps this was the high priest Zachariah's dilemma when he heard the angel's words in the Temple saying, "Don't be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. ¹⁴ You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth." Luke 1:13-15 (NLT)

            Zechariah was awe-struck by this angelic visitation and barely spoke. God made him unable to speak for nine months because of his unbelief. After completing his priestly duties, he went home and delivered this news to his wife. Soon enough, Elizabeth became pregnant. How did she respond to this challenging situation? She went into seclusion for five months.

            More importantly, she recognized God's will in that pregnancy and said, "He has taken away my disgrace of having no children." Is it a disgrace not to have children? It was indeed, in ancient Israel, that barren women were considered cursed and ridiculed in society. Lev 20:21-22.         However, there are several examples of barren women whose prayers were answered:

Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel: These three matriarchs were initially barren, but God granted their prayers. Hannah, the mother of Samuel, was barren initially, but God granted her prayers. The Shunamite woman was barren at first, but God granted her prayers. These incidents illustrate that God has the power to grant children and also to withhold children from being born.

            In the case of this elderly priestly couple, God heard their prayers and granted them a child, and they named him John, which means "the grace or mercy of God," who became the forerunner of Jesus, the Savior of the world. What seemed like a highly impossible and disgraceful situation, God turned into a Joyful moment because this couple trusted and embraced God's will in their lives. What difficult situation are you facing in your life? You, too, have hope!

II. A Young Woman's Dream Turned into a Nightmare

            Imagine you are a teenage girl full of hopes, marrying a handsome young man and building a family. You met a hero of your heart, got engaged, and dreamed of marriage and a beautiful future. Something supernatural happened. An angel showed up by your kitchen sink and said, you will be pregnant and give birth to a son, and he will become great in the world.          How would you respond to this sudden spoiler news? Would you terminate the pregnancy due to inconveniencing your plans and the terrible consequences that followed? Perhaps that must have been going through the young virgin Mary, who was betrothed to be married to a young carpenter named Joseph. On the one hand, the angel Gabriel greeted Mary, saying highly favored of God and delivered shocking news of the birth of Jesus.

            How did Mary respond to this sudden status of favor and intrusion into her dream world? Mary knew, as per the custom, that being pregnant with a child before marriage meant a death sentence by stoning. She might have thought the news of her pregnancy would bring disgrace to the family, and Joseph may terminate the wedding; infact he contemplated it secretly.

            Despite all those possible disastrous scenarios, Mary responded beautifully to the angel who had brought that news. "I am the Lord's servant. May your word to me be fulfilled." Mary yielded to God's will. Soon after, Mary visited her old aunt, Elizabeth, who miraculously conceived a baby. Upon hearing Mary's voice, little John, who was in Elizabeth's womb, leaped for Joy, and Mary burst into a song: "My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant." Luke 1:46-56

            The underlying principle of these two rather unusual yet historically accurate stories is that God can turn any impossible situation the other way around and make it a Joyful moment, provided we yield ourselves to God's will even when things don't go as expected.  

III. Rejoicing In God. (Luke 2:8-12)

            It's been 400 years since the last prophet, Malachi, prophesied that God will send the prophet Elijah the prophet before the great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. Mal 4:5-6. These were the silent years where God did not speak, and there were no revelations from Heaven.

            Suddenly, Heaven became busy again, breaking the silence that night in the mountains of Palestine. A group of peasants watched their flocks that night. An angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them and said. "I bring you good news that will bring great Joy to all people. What was that " Good News" that the angel talked about? It was about the birth of Mary's child, Jesus, which means "The LORD Saves."

            Believing the angel's words, the shepherds hurried to Bethlehem and saw the baby Jesus lying in a manger as the angel had told them. When they saw him (Jesus), they spread the good news concerning what the angel told them about the child to everyone on their way back home.

            Elizabeth, Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds' challenging situations turned into moments of joy as they chose to rejoice in the Lord. Similarly, your difficult situation can become a moment of Joy as you choose to rejoice in our Lord Jesus Christ.

            Rejoicing in God doesn't happen automatically. It is a choice. When we rejoice in God, our hearts will be filled with Joy. Hear what the Apostle Paul, who faced many challenges, including chains, imprisonment, and slander, said, "Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then, you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Phil 4:4-7. (NLT). Let us rejoice in the Lord and experience joy in our difficult times.

 

 

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[1] https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2022/december/joy-of-lord.html