What to do when opportunity knocks

Matthew Fretwell July 10, 2019

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“But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries” (1 Corinthians 16:8–9).

When writing to the Corinthian churches, the Apostle Paul provided insight regarding his mission work. Paul let the church know that he would come soon, but that God had “opened effective doors” of ministry for him—and so, he was going to remain in Ephesus for as long as the doors remained open.

While our heart’s desire is to be fruitful in ministry, we shouldn’t prescribe this text as a justification for leaving “unfruitful” areas—especially if God has called us to a people group or location. Follow God at all costs. Paul’s wisdom demonstrates that when opportunity knocks, we’re to answer and be hospitable.

Paul desired to stay in Ephesus while the ground was fertile. While God continued to do mighty works—Paul wanted to keep up with His leading. It would behoove those in ministry, especially church planters and missionaries, to see Paul’s witness as a season for continual plowing and reaping.

Like a farmer during sowing and harvesting seasons—life can become overwhelming and busy, but there will be no harvesting without sowing. Whenever God grants us the ability to be effective gospel witnesses, we ought to take every opportunity we can.

Recognize seasons of favor

As Paul desired to remain in Ephesus, he did so because he was able to recognize that God was at work. As ministers of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18), we ought to have the spiritual receptivity to see, know and “feel” when God is granting us a season of fruitfulness.

Recognizing seasons of favor is important. Again, to utilize an agricultural analogy, a farmer must acknowledge the seasons for planting and the seasons for harvesting. I know that in my life, there are obvious and evident periods of God’s overflowing favor—it is during these times that I want to be especially open to receiving the divine appointments that are set before me.

I know that I never want to miss a great opportunity. It seems that life is a finely spun web of intricate relationships. For the most part, I am where I am because of God’s divine appointments, open doors and taking advantage of those seasons of favor. Whether I can “shoehorn” one more meeting in my schedule or not, I try to accommodate the appointments that God brings to me—especially those unannounced marketplace ones.

Big opportunities will face big opponents

Lastly, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the 400-pound gorilla at the end of Paul’s statement—those big opportunities caused some big opponents to appear. It is inevitable that when seasons of favor occur that you can (and should) expect some spiritual warfare.

Whenever the Lord begins to bless you and grant you favor, especially in gospel ministry that breaks through the darkness, you can rest assured that evil will not cease to hinder the mission. 

As Peter stated, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). When big opportunities arise, so does your adversary.

Remember that you’re never alone and never without the presence of God. The Great Commission is one big audacious “God-sandwich” (Matthew 28:18–20). The commission of Christ begins with Christ’s universal authority over all things, granted to us, and ends with Christ always being with us—the middle part is the commission work.

Reminding ourselves that wherever the Lord sends, He has ultimate authority and is always with us. God will never leave you, nor forsake you.

Photo source: istock 

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Dr. Matthew Fretwell is a church missiologist, professor, trainer, author, and practitioner. He currently serves on faculty at the Regent University School of Divinity as an Assistant Professor of Practical Theology. He's written ten books and peer-reviewed papers, with a recent three-volume book series entitled, Multiply Jesus (Church Planting, Church revitalization, and Missionary Preparedness). Learn More »

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