Aditness :)

By Dr. Charles Stanley

I. Introduction: An opportunity is defined as a favorable occasion when we have the option of making a decision that could have a positive impact. Times like this are a gift from the Lord.

But too often, we let opportunities pass us by, failing to recognize the heavenly Father sent them. So how can we avoid missing what He has in store for us? The Bible teaches us about a blind beggar named Bartimaeus who experienced Jesus’ love in an unexpected way. We, too, need to remain sensitive to God’s activity in and around us. That way, we can be sure to not miss what He has planned for our lives.

II. Learning from the Story of Bartimaeus

A. In Jesus’ day, people believed that a person’s blindness or disease was caused by sin—either his own or his parents’ (John 9:2). But our Savior values everyone, including the disabled. He sees their impairments not as an indication of sinfulness, but as a chance for His Father’s power to be revealed (John 9:3).

B. Because it was right before the Passover, many people were walking through Jericho to Jerusalem. Bartimaeus had heard of a man from Nazareth named Jesus, who was known for healing the blind and performing many other miracles. But he didn’t expect to have the opportunity to meet Him in person.

C. How do we sharpen our ability to identify the opportunities God brings? Observe how the Lord worked in the lives of people from Old and New Testament stories. Also, look at how He works in the lives of others around you. God will work through the Holy Spirit to make you sensitive to His voice.

D. Once we learn how God operates, we must choose to walk in faith, as Bartimaeus did. He could easily have believed that it was impossible either to be healed or to meet the Son of God. But Bartimaeus cried out in hope (Mark 10:47), even though others in the crowd tried to hush him.

E. Jesus’ reply to this poor man’s plea for mercy is crucial. It demonstrates that He is willing to listen to our cries for help, no matter what condition we’re in.

F. Notice that Jesus asked Bartimaeus, “What do you want Me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51). Do you realize that Jesus has probably said that to you many times? Like Bartimaeus, He wants you to tell Him what you need. Nobody is insignificant in the eyes of God. He wants to speak to you because He loves you and desires a personal, intimate relationship with all His children.

G. In response to Bartimaeus’s faith, Jesus healed his blindness. Immediately upon regaining his eyesight, Bartimaeus began following Jesus.

III. What Is Our Responsibility?

The Lord creates opportunities for us to fulfill His plan and purpose for our lives (Eph. 2:10). But what is our responsibility? We need to:

A. Ask ourselves what God has already done for us.

B. Recognize that He will not give opportunities without providing all we need to fulfill them through the power of the Holy Spirit.

C. Make a decision to follow the voice of the Lord.

D. Persist without giving up, even if others criticize us.

E. Be people who take advantage of every God-given opportunity.

IV. Conclusion: Jesus’ walk through Jericho was not just anyopportunity for Bartimaeus—it was his only chance. It was the last time the Lord would walk that way to Jerusalem before His crucifixion.

For us as children of God, there are promising new roads to take every day. But we have to decide: Do we believe the Lord? Do we want to explore what He has to offer us? Take advantage of the unique and exciting opportunities God has planned just for you. My friend, I promise you will not regret it.

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By Dr. Charles Stanley

Mark 4:35-41

I. Introduction: Of the innumerable gifts with which God has blessed us, the greatest is often overlooked. It is something Jesus said a great deal about and something that we use every day. This great gift is faith, and to attain it, we must understand what it truly means to trust God.

II. Three Types of Faith

A. Intellectual Faith (Natural Faith)—Believing something is true without proof or commitment. For example, a person can intellectually believe Jesus was a real person who performed miracles but not accept the fact that He was God in Man.
B. Faith in God— Believing in God’s existence and His abilities. A person with this kind of faith possesses a confident conviction that God will fulfill what He has promised.
C. Saving Faith—Believing in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, a living person, for the forgiveness of sin and trusting Him because He provides eternal life with God. It isn’t enough to simply believe in the actions of Jesus Christ or the abilities of God. True saving faith is more than that; it is a personal relationship with the Savior.

III. Jesus spent a great deal of His time on earth instructing His disciples and helping them understand what true faith is. For example:

A. When His disciples were concerned about bread, Jesus reminded them how He fed thousands with only a handful of fish and loaves (Matt. 16:7-11).
B. When the disciples could not drive out demons because their faith was little, Jesus explained how faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains (Matt. 17:14-21).

IV. Jesus knew what opposition they would be up against and what they would need to minister to new believers. This is why teaching them about faith was His priority. He knew that for them to be effective as witnesses and servants, they had to have absolute faith in His promises and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

V. Grading Faith. The disciples were human, and their faith went through a process of development.

A. No Faith—They lacked it during the storm on the sea (Mark 4:40).
B. Little Faith—They were anxious about many things, not always trusting that God would provide (Matt. 6:30).
C. Great Faith—A centurion in Capernaum approached Jesus and said that His word alone would be enough to cure a dying servant. Jesus told His disciples, “Truly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel” (Matt. 8:11). They were meant to learn from this man’s example.
D. Faith Failure—Peter experienced this when he denied Christ three times (Luke 22:31-32). These moments are inevitable in our lives; however, God uses them to strengthen our faith and to teach others.

VI. Like the disciples, we all have varying degrees of faith in our relationship with God, and we respond to the Father based on that amount. If we have great faith, He can trust us with bigger challenges and do amazing things through us.

A. Our faith grows as we study the Word, listening for His guidance through the Scriptures.
B. It is also strengthened when we face and overcome struggles. God uses tests for our good and to make us more capable servants.

VII. Having a saving faith is key because it determines our eternal destiny. Many people are deceived. They think because they go to church, are baptized, and tithe regularly, they are saved. They know Jesus intellectually, but they don’t have a relationship with Him.

A. A person who has saving faith both knows the truth of Scripture and practices it (Rom. 1:32).
B. Even demons and the devil have intellectual faith. We must both believe and bear fruit (James 2:18-20).
C. Jesus is addressed as “Lord” 185 times in the gospels. This is important to note because it shows that the disciples recognized His lordship. This truth is the foundation of our faith, the bedrock upon which everything else is built.
D. Those who believe must also express repentance for sin if we truly acknowledge Jesus as our Savior (Luke 24:45-48; Acts 2:36-38). Repentance and faith go hand in hand.

VIII. Conclusion: A saving faith in Jesus Christ means that we accept Him as the Son of God, the only sacrifice that could atone for our sins. As a result, we desire to repent and to surrender every aspect of our lives to Him. He will then transform us and conform us to His image. As we walk with God, the more He will bless each of us with perfect assurance regarding our salvation and our relationship with Him.

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Scripture: Acts 5:14-29

I. Introduction: How do you make decisions? Do you try to determine what will benefit you the most, or perhaps you strive to please or impress others? Maybe you let emotions take control or attempt to make a logical choice. Wise men and women learn to obey God, and leave all the consequences to Him. There is nothing more important in life than following Jesus and trusting Him to care for your needs.

II. What does the Bible say about obeying God?

A. Biblical Example: When the apostles were told to stop preaching in Jesus’ name, they responded, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

B. Sowing and Reaping: Galatians 6:7 says, “Whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” Every action has an impact, for good or evil. Our decisions, and the choices of others, determine the quality of our lives.

C. Disobedient Biblical Characters: The Bible says, “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Num. 32:23). Imagine how different the stories in Scripture would be if mankind knew what disobeying God would cost:

1. Adam and Eve would never have eaten the forbidden fruit.
2. The nation of Israel would have chosen to fight for the Promised Land the first time around instead of wandering 40 years in the desert.
3. After seeing Bathsheba bathing, David would have turned away and walked back inside.
4. Jonah would have willingly traveled to Ninevah to preach the Word of God.

D. Faithful Biblical Characters: The Lord rewarded those who were willing to follow His commands:

1. Noah was asked to build a massive boat—which made him the laughing stock of his commnity. But he was ready when the flood came.
2. Moses, a desert nomad, had to appear before Pharaoh, the leader of a powerful civilization, and demand freedom for the Israelites. Ultimately, the people were allowed to go.
3. Joshua was told to march around Jericho for seven days instead of relying on the military tactics he knew. And God destroyed the enemy.
4. Nehemiah boldly asked the Babylonian king for supplies to rebuild Jerusalem and received all he needed, including guards to help him safely reach the city.
5. In captivity, Daniel and his three friends refused to eat meat because it was not prepared according to Hebrew dietary laws. Yet they were healthier than all the other young men.
6. Peter and the apostles refused to stop preaching about Jesus, even though they were threatened with flogging and imprisonment.

E. The Requirements: As believers, we must:

1. Believe that God is sovereign—He controls all things at all times (Ps. 103:19).
2. Trust that He will work for our good in every situation and circumstance (Rom. 8:28).
3. Love the Lord. The Bible says we show our love for Him by obeying His commands (1 John 5:3)—and not just when they are convenient and desirable.
4. Listen to Him. When you pray, make time to hear what He has to say.
5. Be courageous. Obeying God takes courage because following His will often leads to conflict. You must be willing to do what is right anyway.
6. Fully surrender to Him.

F. The Results of Obedience

1. You will experience personal victory if you follow His will, even if the world does not consider you a success. (See Josh. 1:8.)
2. Obedience leads to supernatural peace and joy in every circumstance.
3. Spiritual growth and maturity results when believers continue to walk with God in the midst of suffering.

G. Application

1. God may ask you to do something that doesn’t make sense from a human perspective.
2. The Father may lead you to give up a hobby or donate a valuable item.
3. He may prompt you to give financially when money is scarce.
4. The Lord might want you to serve in your church or take a leadership role although you feel inadequate.

III. Conclusion: When you need to make an important decision, don’t rely primarily on your own reasoning, the opinions of others, or even what worked in the past. Get on your knees before the Lord and pour out your heart. Spend time prayerfully reading His Word. Listen for His voice, and then follow His specific guidance for your life.

Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him. If you will take to heart this one principle, you will have the awesome privilege of watching the Lord accomplish great things in and through you.

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