"SEIZING DIVINE OPPORTUNITIES" 📖 SERMON BY INI- IBEHE OKOKO Ph.D.

"SEIZING DIVINE OPPORTUNITIES"
📖 Ephesians 5:16 – "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil."
Beloved, today I want to speak to you about opportunity—God-given moments that can change your life forever. Opportunities come and go, but what we do with them determines our destiny. Many people pray for breakthroughs, yet when the opportunity comes, they hesitate, doubt, or fail to recognize God's hand in it.
The Bible is full of examples of people who seized opportunities and those who missed them. Today, I declare that you will not miss your God-given opportunity!
OPPORTUNITY IS A GIFT FROM GOD
📖 Ecclesiastes 9:11 – “The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.”
This verse reminds us that success is not about how smart, strong, or talented you are—it is about recognizing and seizing divine opportunities!
🔹 Joseph was a slave and a prisoner, but he seized the opportunity to interpret Pharaoh’s dream and became Prime Minister of Egypt (Genesis 41).
🔹 Esther was an orphan, but she seized the opportunity to save her people from destruction (Esther 4:14).
🔹 The blind Bartimaeus did not miss his moment—when Jesus passed by, he cried out for mercy and received his sight (Mark 10:46-52).
👉 May God open your eyes to see the opportunities He has placed before you!

1. Opportunity Dr. Ini-ibehe OKOKO

2. What is “Opportunity”? Oxford Dictionary : A time or set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something Cambridge Dictionary : An occasion or situation that makes it possible to do something you want to do or have to do, or the possibility of doing something Opportunity is a gift from God

3.  ” Opportunity  is a  haughty goddess  who  wastes no time  with  those  who are  unprepared ” ( George S .  Clason  in “The  Richest Man  in  Babylon ”)

4. KEY SCRIPTURES Eph. 5:15-17.NIV- " Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is." Ecclesiastes 9:11 (NIV) "I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all." Revelation 3:8 - 'I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut.'

5. Opportunity Does Not Wait Beloved, how many times have we missed divine opportunities because of delay, doubt, procrastination or fear? How many times has God sent us an open door, but we waited for a “better time”? The truth is, opportunity waits for no man!

6. Opportunity Does Not Wait “ The Opportunity of a lifetime must be seized in the lifetime of that opportunity” Opportunities are not permanent. The doors God opens to us don’t remain permanently open.

7. Joseph was a slave and a prisoner, but he seized the opportunity to interpret Pharaoh’s dream and became Prime Minister of Egypt ( Genesis 41 ). 🔹 Esther was an orphan, but she seized the opportunity to save her people from destruction ( Esther 4:14 ). 🔹 The blind Bartimaeus did not miss his moment—when Jesus passed by, he cried out for mercy and received his sight ( Mark 10:46-52 ) .

8. How To Recognize Opportunity Opportunities don’t always come in glamorous packages. Sometimes, they come disguised as problems, challenges, or seemingly small tasks. But those who are spiritually alert will discern them. Prayer and Discernment: James 1:5 - "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."

9. Opportunities Often Come in Disguise The Israelites saw a giant (Goliath), but David saw an opportunity for promotion ( 1 Samuel 17 ). The widow in Zarephath saw only a handful of flour and oil , but Elijah saw an opportunity for supernatural provision ( 1 Kings 17:8-16 ). The disciples saw a storm , but Jesus saw an opportunity to demonstrate God’s power ( Mark 4:35-41 ).

10. Opportunities Require Boldness Peter saw Jesus walking on water. While others hesitated, he stepped out and walked on water too ( Matthew 14:28-29 ). The woman with the issue of blood pressed through the crowd to touch Jesus ( Mark 5:25-34 ). Zacchaeus climbed a tree just to see Jesus, and his life changed forever ( Luke 19:1-10 ).

11. Opportunities Are Connected to Service Proverbs 18:16 – “A man’s gift maketh room for him and bringeth him before great men.” Ruth served Naomi, and her faithfulness led her to Boaz, her divine destiny helper ( Ruth 2 ). Joseph served in prison and his service led to his elevation ( Genesis 41 ).

12. What Happens When You Seize Opportunities? Revelation 3:8 – “Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.” 🔹 God will promote you – Like David, when you step forward in faith. 🔹 God will provide for you – Like the widow in Zarephath, when you trust Him. 🔹 God will position you for influence – Like Esther, when you walk in courage.

13. Be Prepared for Your Divine Moment If God opened a door for you in a foreign land, are you equipped? Have you learned the necessary skills? If a great business deal came your way, do you have the knowledge to manage it? If God sent you your destiny helper today, would you recognize them, or would you dismiss them because they don’t look like what you expected?

14. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU MISS AN OPPORTUNITY? 📖 Luke 19:41-44 – Jesus wept over Jerusalem because they did not recognize their time of visitation . The rich young ruler missed his opportunity to follow Jesus ( Mark 10:17-22 ). The five foolish virgins missed their moment because they were not prepared ( Matthew 25:1-13 ).

15. Recognizing God’s Open Doors • Not all doors are from God – Discernment is key- ( James 1:5 ) – Ask God to help you recognize divine opportunities. • Open doors align with God's Word and purpose • Pray for wisdom to see divine opportunities Be bold and take action ( Joshua 1:9 ) – Don't let fear hold you back. Faith requires action – Step through the door

16. : What Should You Do Now? B e bold and take action ( Joshua 1:9 ) – Don't let fear hold you back. Faith requires action – Step through the door Be diligent and serve well ( Colossians 3:23 ) – Your service today is your breakthrough tomorrow. Stay connected to God ( John 15:5 ) – He is the source of all opportunities.

17.   Take Action Now! Beloved, as you go forth, ask yourself: What are my goals for tomorrow? What opportunities has God already placed in my path that I have been neglecting? What can I start preparing for today? Do not wait until it is too late. God is setting up something great for you—prepare, discern, and seize the moment!

18. PRAYER 🔥 I pray that you will seize every God-given opportunity in this season! 🙌 May God open doors that no man can shut! 🙏 May you walk in favor and divine appointments! 💥 Your time of opportunity is now!