Final Cocerns-Missions/Serving

The door of opportunity

Evangelical Commentary on the Bible E. Questions about the Collection and Paul’s Plans (16:1–9)

Paul’s hope is to come to Corinth after passing through Macedonia, to stay at Corinth (perhaps even for the winter), and then to continue his journey wherever that may take him. But he does not intend to begin his journey or leave Ephesus (from where this letter is written) until Pentecost; the opportunity for ministry, despite opposition, is simply too great to be abandoned any more quickly (vv. 8–9).

1 Corinthians 16:5–12 ESV

I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go. For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am. So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers. Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will to come now. He will come when he has opportunity.

It is Open wide

Paul states that a door-wide door actually, has been opened for effective ministry. “wise men are on the watch for, and avail themselves to opportunities” Jamieson, Fausset , Brown

the Bible refers to these doors in many ways-door of hope Hos2:15, door of faith acts 14:27, an open door Rev 3:8, door of utterance col 4:3

lady who came in struggling and I was led to tell her simply that she wouldn’t be able to see change without the Lord Jesus

It is effective work

How do I know if the work is effective or taking hold?

Isaiah 55:11 “so shall be my word that goes out from my mouth. It shall not return to me without success, but shall accomplish what I desire and be successful in the thing for which I sent it.”

Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose,”

Hebrews 11:3 ESV

By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

It is of the Lord

how do we know if it is from the Lord? just stick close to His Word-hide it in your heart, know it in your head

Psalm 33:4 MSG

For God’s Word is solid to the core; everything he makes is sound inside and out.

2 Peter 3:18 LEB

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

It will be opposed

whenever the gospel truths are shared and the work of the Lord is done there comes opposition-some sort of antagonist arrives or has been lying in wait. who are the antagonists?

we are an opposition-pride=we must remember that it is the Lords work in us not our work FOR the Lord. the Holy Spirit enables us to plant or water but God brings the increase

Paul tells them that they need to give financially to the work but also to give love-be nice to Timothy

those who serve themselves-Demetrius-was the head of a great opposition because people stopped shopping at his place

the occult-satan- diana is worshipped here by everyone-or the slave girl possessed following after them to disrupt the work and prayer

confusion-the whole city in Ephesus was in the rally against the church not only Paul. all the more important for us to be hearers and doers of the word who can rightly divide and deliver the message of the Bible

James 1:22 “But be doers of the message and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves,”

Romans 2:13 “For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be declared righteous.”

2 Timothy 2:15 “Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, a worker having no need to be ashamed, guiding the word of truth along a straight path.”

It is the same work as others

This is not a new work-we dont need new work we are to continue with THE WORK

Acts 1:8 ESV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Matthew 28:18–20 MSG

Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”