How do we respond to opportunities!

Do you have a hearts desire that has not yet been fulfilled?

If so what is it?

Let’s read luke 1:5-23

5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”

21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.

23 When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
What was Zechariah and Elizabeth’s hearts desire?

Zechariah and Elizabeth were both from well respected backgrounds. Zechariah was a member of the priestly division and Elizabeth was a descendant of the first high priest and brother to Moses, Aaron.

Now we are told that they had been praying for years and years and perhaps they gave up! Keep in thought, that within the culture of the day to not have a baby was seen not to be blessed by God so not having a child was a social stigma and a sign that God was not blessing them.

Just like an asian woman who is the oldest in her family and not getting married any time soon.

How long have you been waiting for your answered prayer?

I will tell you today that God is always listening and he answers prayers through certain opportunities that come our way.

What opportunity was presented to Zechariah?

To serve in the Temple for one week!

Well, there are over 20,000 priests who are expected to serve in the temple. But only one priest is selected to go and pray on behalf of the people in his community. Because there were too many priests each one was placed into divisions, 24 to be exact. This would mean that the opportunity to go into the temple was a life time opportunity and Zechariah was finally given this opportunity.

You see Zechariah was willing to take the opportunity to be a candidate to serve in the temple earlier, he could have so easily have said 'oh I'm too old to serve now but instead he took the opportunity and because of this decision he had the opportunity to be voted to serve and therefore this led to the final opportunity which was an encounter with God.

In some ways one opportunity always leads to another which may lead to your hearts desire being fulfilled.

What are the opportunities in your life right now now? Do believe God can use these to do a work in you?

We must make ourselves available and take every good opportunity that comes our way. Because you do not know where they may take you.

Have you ever experienced this? Where you’ve taken one opportunity that has led you to another?

My hearts desire was to get married but I had to take one opportunity of joining bible college that brought me to Asia, that opened another opportunity to seek after a Asian wife on the Internet which eventually led me to marrying Abby.

So we’ve learnt that we must make ourselves available for every good opportunity that comes and to step out of our comfort zone.

But how did Zechariah respond to his opportunity to be a Father?

Not only must we make ourselves available but we must embrace every opportunity positively.

You don’t go to a job interview with a negative attitude. Otherwise would the job be offered to you.

Sometimes our negative attitudes can prevent opportunities from happening.

What was Gods response to Zechariah’s negativity?

Despite Zechariah’s negative response God is still gracious enough to bless Zechariah and Elizabeth with a child.

Take comfort that whatever opportunity you may have lost in the past. God is gracious to turn our mistakes into opportunities.

Oh by the way did you know that the meaning of John is ‘The Lord is gracious’

What lessons can you learn from Zechariah’s life?