Colossians 4:5-6                                                                       Looking for Opportunities

Kowloon International Baptist Church Kowloon Tong

Harry Lucenay, Pastor                                                                               20 August 2006

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Colossians 4:5:6

1. Act right so your words have meaning.

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders v. 5

What you are gives context to what you say.

Watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get…Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you know what the Master wants. Ephesians 5:15, 16 The Message

Let your life be the best advertisement for the faith you embrace.

Walk your talk.

2. Be alert to God’s appointments.

Make the most of every opportunity v. 5

Don’t just sit there and wait for opportunity to fall into your lap; go after it. (Moule)

To make the most of our opportunities we must dialogue with God even as we listen and share with others

Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute, and love without stopping.

1 Corinthians 16:13 The Message

3. Communicate value in with your words.

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. v. 6

Ogilvie: Grace is an outward expression of our realization of God’s limitless love.

As God’s grace flows through our hearts, the kindness of God is experienced in our presence through word and deed.

Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other. Mark 9:50 New Living Translation

Take control of my words today,

May they tell of Your great love;

And may the story of Your grace

Turn some heart to You above. - Sees

Challenge: Choose a Christian friend. Make three commitments:

1. I will pray for you to make the most of your opportunities for Jesus Christ this week even as I seek to make the most of my opportunities for Jesus Christ.

2. I will pray with my eyes open as I keep asking Jesus Christ, “Lord, what are you up to now? What do you want in this situation? What should I say to this person?”

3. I will meet with my friend at the end of the week and discuss what happened.

The translation used today is The New International Version unless otherwise noted.