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2009-11-21

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Lifestyles

Friday, January 16, 2009 11:05 AM

When opportunity knocks, will you know how to answer?

By LEONARD CHEASBRO, New Life in Christ Church

Luke 14:16-24

16 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests.

17 At the time of the banquet, he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’

18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’

19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’

20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’

21 “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’

22 “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’

23 “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.

24 ‘I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’

Jesus was telling of the parable of the great supper. The owner of this house went to a lot of time and effort preparing this dinner. But, most of the people this person invited to his dinner found other excuses as to why they couldn’t attend. All of these people missed the opportunity to get a great meal in good company.

The same things occurs when we don’t go wherever the Lord calls us. We miss out on a great opportunity. That could mean that we’re supposed to go and talk to someone about salvation. If we don’t go do that, it could be an eternal mistake — by both parties.

But all the people in this parable had an excuse why they could not go. We hear excuses all the time why people don’t do things, like going to church.

But when we stand before our savior, we won’t be able to have excuse. He will either say “welcome, come on in” or “depart from me; I never knew you — because you had a lot of excuses why you could not come to me and ask for forgiveness.”

That, my friends, is an eternal opportunity missed.

When Jesus called the disciples, they left their jobs and followed Jesus. They didn’t make any excuses. They didn’t miss their opportunity.

When Jesus called us to repent of our sins, he is giving us an opportunity.

So, what is your excuse? Are you missing out on an opportunity or do you hear it knocking and will you follow the call?

Eternity will tell.

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When opportunity knocks, will you know how to answer?

By LEONARD CHEASBRO, New Life in Christ Church

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article | Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article |
Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.