Jump Start # 3553

Galatians 6:10 “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Our verse today presents two great ideas that are linked and joined together. Doing good is the first concept. Peter told Cornelius that Jesus went about doing good. Jesus did. And, so should we. Do good. Do good to all. Do good, especially to fellow believers.

The other concept linked to doing good is opportunity. Do good while you have the opportunity. What a great thought that is. That needs to be preached. That needs to be understood. That needs to be illustrated at home and taught at home.

Here’s why this is so valuable:

First, opportunities do not wait for us. The door of opportunity closes and much too often we missed the chance to do good. We were going to. We wanted to. But, when it fit in with our schedule the opportunity passed. And, some opportunities are gone forever. The opportunity to share the good news about Jesus. The opportunity to help someone financially. The opportunity to encourage someone.

The apostle encased his words with “while we have opportunity.” The “while” doesn’t stick around and wait for you. The “while” may come when we have so many other things to do.

Second, some opportunities are disguised as great challenges. We like things quick, easy and convenient. Not all opportunities are like that. Some are complex. Some take time. Some require a whole Saturday. Some may take weeks and weeks to complete. For those impatient, always in a hurry, they will pass on these opportunities because they are too involved.

Third, some opportunities do not bring immediate results. That shouldn’t stop us from doing good. We may never see the positive good from helping others. That’s ok. It’s not about getting a “thank you” from someone or a pat on our backs. Helping someone out of the ditch of life is worth it. It is because we have been in those ditches ourselves. We know what it is like to have to struggle alone. We also know what it is like to have someone in our corner who will help us and be there for us. Helping someone see Jesus clearly is so worth it. We may not witness their conversion to the Lord. We may not see their hearts turn to goodness. Knowing that we used an opportunity to do what we could is what is important.

The great reformer Luther was asked what he would do today if he knew he was going to die tomorrow. His response was to plant a tree. A tree which he would never be able to sit in the shade. A tree which he would never eat its fruit. Yet, others would benefit from the effort he extended in planting that tree.

That little boy in your Bible class, you may never see it, but he may stand before the people of God and preach the words of Jesus some day. That little boy may become a shepherd of God’s people decades from today. While you may never see that, the little seed that you dropped in his heart can make all the difference.

Fourth, sometimes we miss opportunities because we are not looking for them. If you are waiting for someone to call you up and ask, “Can you bring some food over because mom is sick,” you’ll never get that call. People won’t do that. But in any size congregation, if your eyes are open and your ears listening, you’ll see where a card in the mail will encourage someone. You’ll see where taking someone out to lunch will help. You’ll see so many good things that can be done. Yet, most will miss these. You won’t find these listed in the church bulletin. You won’t find people coming up and asking you. But for those who are looking for opportunities, they see them everyday. They see them everywhere.

What a blessing it is to be the hands, feet and eyes of our Lord. Let your light shine before men in such a way  that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven. Those are the Lord’s words. He did more than speak those words, He lived them. Doing good. Good works.

When you are no longer on this side of life, how will you be remembered? The guy who always complained? The person who never did anything? The person who kept to himself? Or, the guy who did good.

He went about doing good. Spoken of Jesus. Ought to be spoken of us. It all begins with opportunities. While we have opportunity…

Roger

Jump Start # 2901

Galatians 6:10 “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

It is a question that I have been asked. My sweet dad even asked me this before he passed away. And, I never really knew how to answer it. Here is a Christian advanced in age, limited with what they can do, and they want to go on and be with the Lord. They believe. But, they remain. Another day. Another week. Another month. Another year. More than once I have been asked, “Why doesn’t the Lord just take me? I’m ready to go.” The only thing I could ever think to say was, “The Lord is not through with you yet.” Many sit in a nursing or assisted living home. The TV blares loudly through another game show. And, there they lay or sit. Why doesn’t the Lord take them?

Recently, a new answer was given to me. Something I never considered. It came from my preaching friend Jim Deason. Jim was one of our summer speakers this year. Our theme is that wonderful old hymn, “How firm a foundation.” Jim’s lesson, taken from that hymn, was thru fiery trials. It was a powerful lesson about suffering and trials. It’s on our website. It’s very, very helpful.

Jim raised this very thought at the end of his lesson. Why do some hang on when they are ready to go? Why doesn’t the Lord take them? His answer, so that you and I could have opportunities to serve. One of the benefits through suffering is the blessing of being able to serve others. What a great thought!

Within the personal family, taking care of an aged saint sometimes can seem burdensome to us. We have to adjust our schedule, run errands, take care of their bills, doctor appointments, and so many, many things. We sigh. We get weary. But what is all of that doing for us? It takes the attention off of us and we become servants, as the Lord wants us to. When we do this well, it humbles us and helps us to remember what is really important. When we don’t do this well, we complain, get mean, and it become a burden, rather than a blessing.

Our verse today is about serving. Doing good, the apostle says to everyone, especially those who are believers. We are to do this as we have opportunity. These opportunities often do not come at a convenient time. We are busy people and rarely do we find an afternoon in which we have nothing to do. There is always things to do. Things around the house. Things in the yard. The car. The pets. Banking. So many things to do. Who has time to go sit with grandma for a couple of hours? Who has time to run her to the doctor? Who has time to go through her checkbook and get everything straightened out?

You’ll notice our passage does not begin with, “Whosoever has the time.” No, it says as we have opportunity. Now, we can justify what we do by saying, I just don’t have the opportunity now. I’m way too busy. That will curve the guilt, but grandma still needs you. And, in the back of your mind you wonder how you would feel if you were that person laying in a nursing home bed and no one seemed to have the time for you.

Opportunities are there just about every day. Opportunities to pray for others. Opportunities to do something good for someone. Opportunities to share God’s word. Opportunities to make a difference. The funny thing about opportunities is that they are like a door. Sooner or later it closes and those chances to serve are gone. Grandma passes away. The person who had surgery is now back to work. The person who wanted to talk, now doesn’t want to. Doors close. Opportunities go away.

But beyond grandma, there are daily opportunities at work and among the church family. People need you. God wants you to serve. Can you do it? Will you do it?

What I have seen with some is that:

First, they will tell others about opportunities while they themselves do little. “Someone,” it is said, “needs to visit that new member.” And, typically what is meant is, YOU need to see that new member. Don’t tell others until you have first done what you could.

Second, others do not need to know about what you do. The need often is so involved that others can help, but don’t toot your own horn. Serve. Don’t let the left hand know what the right hand is doing. Do what you can.

Third, serve with joy. Yes, serving is tiring, messes with your schedule and can often even be thankless. But don’t ruin the good you are doing by being crabby. The Corinthians were reminded that serving without love really defeats the purpose. Brighten someone’s day by being kind, helpful and thoughtful. Don’t bring rain clouds of gloom and doom. Don’t make them feel bothered by bothering you.

Fourth, we do this, because Jesus first served. We are to follow His example. Helping others points the way to Christ. It can lead to greater opportunities to teach the Gospel.

Why am I still here? It may not be for their sake, but our sake. The Lord may be giving us the opportunity to serve. Don’t be like the rich man who ignored poor Lazarus, sick at his gates. He let opportunity slip through his hands. Not only did he ignore Lazarus and not help him, but his selfishness cost him his soul. He should have brought Lazarus in. He should have fed Lazarus. He could have called his doctor to see after Lazarus. With a little help, maybe Lazarus could have lived longer and maybe, just maybe, that sour, selfish spirit of the rich man could have become kind and receptive to the Lord.

Why am I here…so I can help you! Great thought, my friend. Thanks for preaching that!

Roger

Jump Start # 2882

Galatians 6:10 “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Israel is a small country but the landscape is very different from north to south. There are places in Israel that are very green with olive, banana and fig tree plantations. Then there are places that are arid, hot and desert. The attraction to Israel is not the landscape but what happened on that land. It is called the “Holy land,” and “the Bible lands” because of the majority of Biblical events took place in and around Israel. Because of that, there are many churches that are built above what is believed to be sacred locations, such as the place of Jesus’ birth, His burial, where He spoke the sermon on the mount.

One such place is the church of the Holy Sepulchre. It is located in what is known as the “Old City” of Jerusalem. Deep within this church building is thought to be the tomb where Jesus was laid after His death. Six different religious orders control this site, including the Greek Orthodox, the Armenians. In the 1700’s a worker placed a ladder outside a window. No one really knows much about that story except the six different orders cannot agree upon whose responsibility it is to remove the ladder. So, three hundred years later, there is a ladder outside that window. We saw the ladder. At a place that is supposed to be the tomb of Jesus, who died to unite all people with God and whose prayer was for the unity of all believers, there remains a ladder. A memorial to the reality of stubbornness, a lack of cooperation and division. Is it any wonder that some are fed up with religion because we act so differently from the Savior and His spirit.

I immediately thought of this old poem when I saw the ladder by the window:

There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it.

Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.

Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody’s job.

Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it.

It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.

And, just how many ladders are left outside windows because no one takes it upon himself to do something about it. Not real ladders, but jobs to be done at home and in the congregation. There is trash in the parking lot. We see it. We tell others about it. We complain about it. But when we walk away and leave the trash there, we’ve just put a ladder up by a window. It’s not our job, we say. And, unless the Lord sends a strong breeze, that trash will remain.

But greater than trash in the parking lot, are souls that are neglected because, “I’m not one of the elders.” Someone could use some encouragement. Someone could be helped by a visit. Someone needs some godly council and advice. We see it. It’s obvious, like a ladder outside a window. But no one steps up. No one does anything. A weak faith slowly dies. A damaged marriage falls apart. A teen gets mixed up with the wrong crowd and gets into some serious trouble. A confused heart falls into error by following website posts that are misleading and dangerous. Everyone sees these things. It’s like a ladder outside a window. Hard to miss. But, like the ladder, no one takes on the responsibility to do anything about it.

What can we learn from the ladder outside the window:

First, I do not need a title to get involved and help others. One doesn’t have to be a shepherd, deacon or preacher to do good. You know what needs to be done. You see it. You can sit back and wait for others, as they do the same thing, and a soul is lost, because no one did anything. Passages such as Galatians 6:1 and 1 Thessalonians 5:14 are not addressed exclusively to the leaders of the congregation. Anyone who is spiritual and anyone who has a heart that cares can step up and encourage and influence for what is right. We remember the words of Isaiah, “Here am I, send me.”

Second, we can make simple things complex by overthinking, and making mountains out of molehills. I wanted to climb up on that ledge and just remove that ladder myself. Had I done that, I’d probably still be in Israel awaiting trial by six different religious orders. We do not need committees for every project. We can spend so much time in the huddle that the play is never executed. Sometimes we worry so much about what “might” happen that we don’t do anything. This is especially true when it comes to church discipline. Leaders fear what other family members might say. They try to figure out how they may react. And, in all of this, no discipline is practiced. What should be done, isn’t done.

Third, there are some things that are to be done by us as individuals and not as a church. The story of the good Samaritan doesn’t trickle down to a church helping others. That’s not the point of that passage. It is about you and I doing what we can. We are to engage in good deeds. We are to do these things without having to get a pat on the back or a shout out from the pulpit. We don’t have to tell others. There doesn’t have to be a formal declaration to remove a ladder. Far too many run their faith through the church. If things are going well down at the church house, then their faith is good. But if things are sour, their faith reflects that. Instead, our faith must be directly tied to the Lord. No matter what happens to others and what happens down at the church house, we can be strong, faithful and confident, because of the Lord. Jesus said not to let the left hand know what the right hand is doing. Just do good. Do it so much that you forget what all you have done. Do it to so many people that you leave a trail of good deeds following you.

A ladder outside a window…

Roger

Jump Start # 1669

Galatians 6:10 “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”

  Doing good is characteristic of Christians. Three times in Titus the plea to be engaged in good deeds is used. The example of Jesus, the story of the good Samaritan and the overall concept of loving all people and being compassionate drives God’s people to help others. Christians are “do gooders.” They are to make a difference in the lives of others.

Three things come from our verse today:

Christians must have open eyes. This is how one makes the most of opportunities. It is easy to miss opportunities or to let opportunities go by, simply because we didn’t see them. Look for them. Keep your eyes open. There are ways to help every day. Little things and big things. Something as easy as stopping by the hospital on your way home from work to visit a sick friend. It’s as easy as mowing your neighbor’s yard when he is out of town. Someone in our congregation handed me some money recently and told me to go buy four Bibles for a mother and her three children that started attending with us. They love the Bibles. They don’t know who did this for them. Someone with open eyes saw an opportunity.

  Christians must have a willing heart. It’s one thing to see opportunities, it’s something else to act upon them. The easy thing to do is to say, “I wish someone would do something about this.” We are that someone. Helping others puts them at the top of the list and ourselves at the bottom of the list. If we wait until we feel like it, the opportunities are gone. Opportunities show up on a Saturday morning when we’d rather sleep in. Opportunities come when I have a full schedule. The willing heart is the key. Selfishness kills the good that can and ought to be done.

  Christians must have the resources. To see what needs to be done, but to be unable to help, doesn’t do anyone much good. Resources of time. Resources of money. Resources of talent. Put all of these together and lives can be changed. The good Samaritan could help the wounded man because he saw him, he cared for him and he had some resources that allowed him to help. He used his oil. He took the wounded man to an inn and left money for his care. Had the Samaritan been living paycheck to paycheck with a credit card maxed out, he wouldn’t have been much help. He had resources. Would it be wise for us to set aside some money for good Samaritan causes? If we wait until we pay off debt, the kids are out of college, and we are in a better position, the opportunity will be long gone. Opportunities come suddenly. They come unannounced. I have seen more than once, occasions where at the end of services some money is being collected to help someone, and right then and there, thousands of dollars are donated. Folks had resources. People were willing to give. It’s amazing.

Doors are opened when good is done. The very hearts that may be closed to the listening of preaching, may be touched and opened by the goodness and generosity of those who are doing good. When people help out without any expectations back, that moves people. We don’t do good with the understanding that now you must come to my church because I helped you out. That leaves the impression that you now owe me. That leaves the impression that we are buying your commitment or salvation. Do good with no strings attached. Do good without saying anything.

My wife and I went to a new place to eat last night after services. There were a few there from our congregation. When I got ready to pay for our food, I was told that someone had already paid for it. One of our members did that. What a surprise. What a delight. What a generous and kind act. Doing good. Making a difference. It doesn’t always involve money. Sometimes, it involves muscle. Someone needs help moving. You show up. A neighbor has a lot of yard work. You jump in and help out. A storm causes a lot of damage in an area and you are there with a chain saw, pickup and time. It’s shoveling the driveway of a senior citizen. It’s helping an expectant mother with a baby shower. It’s blessings from Heaven that come through you.

Most of us have a long list of people who have done things for us in the past. Most of us preachers can look through our library and see books that have been given to us by others. Doing good—that’s how Christianity is witnessed. Your belief in the trinity, the one faith, the inspiration of the Scriptures are all important and powerful doctrines, but those don’t help a guy who is down on his luck. They don’t do much for a two man job when there is only one man to do it. Stand with what the Bible teaches, but get out and get busy helping others. This is where it’s at.

God has a wonderful way of providing opportunities. Find what you are good at. Find what you can do. Then, go do it. Don’t come back tooting your horn or telling others that you were the only one who showed up. Don’t do that. That only ruins the good that you did. Just do it. Buy the older couple’s meal and don’t say anything about it. Work behind the scenes. Let God get the glory. That’s missed sometimes because we are wanting a shout out, a big thank you or at least a slap on the back. If that’s why we do things then our motives are misguided. It is never about us, but always about God and doing what we can to be His eyes, His feet and His hands.

Let us do good…shall we? Let’s start today!

Roger

Jump Start # 1295

Galatians 6:10 “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”

Opportunity—it often comes just now and then. A person who is sharp, aware and alert, will make the most of those opportunities. For most of us, opportunity passes, and later on we look back and sure wish we had done things differently.

I was teaching about grace yesterday in a class entitled, “Understanding Grace.” We were looking at the prodigal. There is a classic illustration of wasted opportunity. The father of the prodigal had spent a lifetime building his estate. His rebellious son demanded his share, then and now. The generous father gave it to him. There was opportunity. Imagine what good that young man could have done with that fortune. With his father still alive for advice, he could have set himself up for years to come. He could have made it possible for future generations of the family to benefit from his wise and careful planning. What an opportunity. He blew it. He didn’t think past the weekend. He spent it all. He foolishly spent it all. It was gone. What it took his father years to build, the reckless son threw away in a very short time. He came home broke, dirty, guilty and ashamed. He had nothing to show for what was given to him. He wasted a great opportunity.

In our verse today, Paul is reminding the brethren at Galatia to do good while they have opportunity. We use the expression, “strike while the iron is hot.” That is a blacksmithing term. The old blacksmith would stick a piece of iron in the fire until the iron was bright red. He’d take that to the anvil and start hammering and hammering that hot iron. It would bend and take a new shape. Back into the fire and then back on the anvil. This process would continue until the smithy had it just the way he wanted it. Then, he would douse the iron into a barrel of water, steam would shoot up into the air and the iron would cool down. At that point  the iron would no longer bend. A strong man could hammer and hammer that piece of iron, but he could not bend it once it had cooled. The expression, “strike while the iron is hot,” means to move quickly while you have opportunity. Once the iron cooled, once the opportunity passed, it’s too late.

Paul was wanting the Galatians to help others, especially, other Christians. There was a window of opportunity. First, the need is not always there. Waiting too long, and the person doesn’t need your help any more. Also, waiting too long, and you may not be in the position to help. There was a moment, an opportunity, window, a “striking while the iron was hot,” time period. Don’t waste it. Don’t let it go by.

There are many moments like that for us. Sometimes we don’t do as well with the opportunities as we ought to.

• College is such an opportunity, especially if your parents paid for it. That is huge. The number of young people finishing school with staggering student loans is unbelievable. To have school paid for, either by scholarships or parents, is a huge blessings. Many don’t see it at the moment. School is viewed as a semester long summer camp. Little attention is given to studies and too much devoted to playing around. The semester ends and the grades stink. Wasted opportunity.

• Our fellowship is such an opportunity. There is a wealth of really studious, spiritual and godly folks all around us. Some have authored great studies in God’s word. Many are doing great work everywhere they go. What an opportunity to learn from such people. Just to sit and pick their brain and have them iron out the wrinkles in your faith and answer those troubling questions is awesome. The opportunities are there, but how few take advantage of them. All over this country are godly men who are serving as shepherds in congregations. These men have the heart of a servant. Smart, humble, experienced—what a joy it is to know them and to learn from their insights. Do we do that? What a great opportunity.

• Things come up, nearly every day, which are opportunities to share the Gospel. A comment is made by a co-worker, a family member or a neighbor. That is a door cracked open for you to say something. It’s your opportunity to support and defend the Gospel message. It may come in the form of a complaint or criticism someone has about the Bible or the church. That’s a door open to set the record straight. Do it kindly, but do it. A conversation at work switches to knowing each other in Heaven. What a great opportunity to say something. You hear someone talking about how useless their church services are, that becomes an opportunity to say something about what worship is all about. All about us are opportunities. The way to share the gospel is not knocking on a strangers door, but building spiritual bridges with the people that you know. Listen. Be ready. Be thinking.

• Someone that you know has a need. That is opportunity. It may be financial. You can do something. Do you? It may be extending comfort to someone who has lost a loved one. It may be giving advice to someone. It may be nothing more than being a friend to someone. There are opportunities. Strike while the iron is hot. Later on, the financial problems may have worked out. Later on, the person is no longer interested in listening to you. Later on, the iron has cooled and it doesn’t matter what all you do, it’s too late.

We must be watchful and ready for opportunities. That means, some evenings I have to go out and spend some time with others. You do that, because the opportunity is there. That means, some Sunday afternoons, there is no time for a nap, because you must meet with someone to encourage them. Strike while the iron is hot.

While we have opportunity, Paul says. That opportunity may not always be there. Remember the story of the rich man and Lazarus? There was opportunity. The sick, poor Lazarus was dropped off at the rich man’s gates. The rich man was rich. He had the means to do something. He had the opportunity, right there was Lazarus. The poor man wasn’t in Africa. He was right there at the gates. He let opportunity slip by. The poor man died. Too late. The rich man died. God judged him for not doing what he could.

Opportunity. Don’t waste it. Don’t let it go by. The heart of a servant compels us to do what we can.

Roger