Opportunities in the South and Southwest

Opportunities in the South and Southwest OPPORTUNITIES IN THE
SOUTH AND SOUTHWEST
By Frank L. Cox

Introduction

“For it is as when a man, going into another country, called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his several ability; and he went on his journey. Straightway he that received the five talents went and traded with them, and made other five talents. In like manner he also that received the two gained other two. But he that received the one went away and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. Now after a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and maketh a reckoning with them. And he that received the five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: lo, I have gained other five talents. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord. And he also that received the two talents came and said, Lord, thou de- liveredst unto me two talents: lo, I have gained other two talents. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few tilings, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord. And he also that had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou didst not sow, and gathering where thou didst not scatter; and I was afraid, and went away and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, thou hast thine own. But his lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I did not scatter; thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back mine own with interest. Take ye away therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him that hath the ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away. And cast ye out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness: there shall be the weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 25:14-30).

'‘Opportunities” is the big word, the consuming thought, during this lectureship. We have just read the parable of the talents, which is a parable of oppor-tunities. A talent, a certain sum of money, placed in man’s hand represents an opportunity for service. In the parable of the talents we see?

I. Opportunities given.
A certain lord, going into another country, called his servants before him and en-trusted unto them his talents, or goods. Our heavenly Father has given unto us, his servants, wonderful op-portunities—many and varied opportunities. The greatest of all the opportunities entrusted unto us is the opportunity to evangelize—to preach the everlasting gospel in those regions where Christ has not been named.

We have been reminded that there are teeming mil-lions of people in Africa, in India, in China and other parts of the world who know not God, who are in the darkness of sin and death. Countless opportunities are in those fields.

We have been reminded of the millions in our own nation—in the Northeast, the Northwest, the Middle- west—to whom the pure gospel of Christ has never been preached. Countless opportunities for doing good are in our own nation. But we now come to a consideration of opportunities in the Southwest—in our own section of the nation. Millions of people in our section know little or nothing of Christ and his simple plan for saving the world. They are lost, unsaved.

There are innumerable opportunities to preach the gospel to the lost at our very doors. Perhaps there is a person living: just to the right, or to the left, or across the street, or on the same farm, or on the same block who knows nothing of God's forgiving mercy. Perhaps a fellowman who walks and works with you day by day, or who lives beneath the same roof is not a Christian. Oh, the opportunities! We do not need to search for them—we have only to lift up our eyes to see them. A harvest of souls is at hand—ready and waiting.

II. Opportunities used.
Two of the servants in the parable made the proper use of their talents. Many disciples of Christ, likewise, are making the proper use of their talents—at every opportunity they are preaching or teaching the word of God to the lost.

Opportunities used bring upon the user heaven's praise and commendation: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” The Lord is pleased and commends us when we prove ourselves useful in promoting his cause and kingdom.
Opportunities used are multiplied. The talents of the faithful servants were greatly increased. “For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance,” Whatever opportunities may come to you, use them, use them diligently, use them faithfully. They will grow; they will increase. You will grow and increase your strength as you fulfill your duty to man and to God.
Opportunities used bring joy to the user: “Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” We enter the house of joy through service. There is no joy comparable to the joy that is derived through the saving of a soul.

III. Opportunities unused.
We are aware of the fact that opportunities are frequently abused, murdered. But in the parable of the talents, the opportunities were merely unused—buried, neglected. It is sinful to abuse our opportunities. It is also sinful to neglect our opportunities. Many of Christ’s disciples commit no criminal act—they do not murder; they do not commit fornication; they do not rob banks; but they sin in that they neglect to do the good which is in theft* power to do. He who buries his talent—leaves his opportunity unused—is guilty of a sin, a damning sin. An opportunity unused brings heaven’s condemnation: “Thou wicked and slothful servant.” The Lord sternly rebukes those servants who make no use of their opportunities. It may be a small matter for men or for brethren in the Lord to rebuke us—such a rebuke may not be deserved. But it is a matter of serious proportion when the Lord rebukes us—the rebukes which the Lord administers are always deserved rebukes. All the idle, slothful, neglectful members of the church stand rebuked before the Lord. An opportunity unused is lost—taken away: "Take away the talent from him, * * * from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away.” Just here we are reminded of an unfailing law which is as true in the spiritual realm as in the natural: That which we neglect is taken away. Strength unused becomes weakness. Opportunities neglected are lost— they slip from our hands. He who neglects to use his power, will lose his power. An opportunity unused brings heaven’s curse: “Cast ye the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness: there shall be the weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Disciples may be lost, eternally lost, cast into the darkness of the outside, because of neglect of duty. Criminals are on their way to hell. So also are those people who wear Christ’s name, sit at his table, but bury their talents. Opportunities unused will bear witness against us when we stand at last before the Judge of all the earth.