Opportunity knocking

Making a difference, part 2 of 2
Pastor Vince DiPaola

“See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.” (Revelation 3:8b, NIV)

I. Hearing “opportunity knock”

“He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask Him to send out more workers for His fields.” (Matthew 9:37–38, NLT)

II. Why we “answer the door”

Every year, we exist to…

“The 5 G’s taught in depth at New Horizons 101”

1. Help people experience amazing grace. (See Matthew 28:19a, Acts 2:41,47b)

2. Help people enjoy spiritual growth. (See Matthew 28:20a, Acts 2:42)

3. Help people engage in small groups. (See Matthew 28:19b, Acts 2:46)

4. Help people employ their spiritual gifts. (See Matthew 22:39, Acts 2:43–44)

5. Help people embrace worship as giving to God. (See Matthew 22:37, Acts 2:45–47a)

III. How we can “answer the door”

This year, we must all endeavor to…

“The 4 I’s”

1. …Invite others: opening our front doors wider.

“And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message… Make the most of your chances to tell others the Good News.”(Colossians 4:3a,5a, NIV&LB)

2. …Inspire growth: seeing more of Jesus in the mirror.

“Now we see things imperfectly as in a poor mirror, but then we will see
everything with perfect clarity [face to face]. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God knows me now.” (1 Corinthians 13:12, NLT)

3. …Involve people: getting players in the game.

“Now all of you together are Christ’s body [the church], and each of you is a separate and necessary part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27, NLT)

4. …Invest wisely: letting scripture guide our finances.

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” (Luke 16:10–11, NIV)