What Door is God Opening for You?

Introdcution

Many of us have shared examples of how God has opened doors in our lives. Calling us to faith; Calling us to join or re-engage with Christ’s Church. Some have shared experiences of how God closes one door and opens another.

Often, it is only in hindsight that we are able to see how one door closing was to ensure we went where God was calling us.

Acts 16

In our scripture reading this morning from Acts 16...we see how God worked through the early church to open the doors for ministry and how...those open doors...led to the inclusion of gentiles as well as Jews.

Today we have an interesting combination of cross-generational and cross-cultural evangelism...accomodation in order to share the good news...and God opening the door of faith to establish the first church in Europe at Philipi, which was known for its joy and and a joyful and encouraging congregation.

Paul will later write to this church in what we know as the book of Philippians. He writes in Philippians 4:1

Philippians 4:1 NLT

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.

That church is established here in Acts 16! So let’s get into it.

Door 1: Generational ministry

Acts 16:1–5 ESV

Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

Acts 16:1–5 ESV

As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.

Timothy is a younger diciple...and Paul is intentional about teaching him the faith. We know Timothy is young in part becasue of Paul’s letter calling him a youth in 1 Timothy 4:12

1 Timothy 4:12 LEB

Let no one look down on your youth, but be an example for the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

We find here the open door of ministry through discipleship. Caring for and building up the younger genreation; encouraging their involvement in the church and ensuring they are staying in the scripture to guide their faith.

Who mentored you (or mentors you now) in your faith?

Are you mentoring or checking in with our younger members to see how they are progressing in the faith?

One door of ministry opne to us now is the minsitry of multi-generational ministry with the younger, the older, and everyone inbetween.

Door 2: Divine Guidance

Acts 16:6–10 ESV

And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Did you notice teh “we” in that last sentance? (read again) Luke is the author of the book of Acts and this indicates that he has joined Paul and Timothy as well. The missionary team is growing. And they are reyling on God to guide them where they should go next.

The closed doors are obvious: Holy Spirit forbidding them travel to certain areas. The spirt of Jesus restraining them from going elsewhere.

God sometimes closes the doors of ministries. We are not to blindly keep doing things because we always have...we are discern if any ministry we are involved with are producing fruits...if not...its time to obey God and move on. If so then we go where God guides...not where we want to go.

2 Corinthians 2:12 NLT

When I came to the city of Troas to preach the Good News of Christ, the Lord opened a door of opportunity for me.

The open door is the invivation to Macedonia...Europe where God had big plans to spread the gospel through the church established there.

Closed doors and open doors in relationships...jobs...ministries can be ways of God leading us to where he wants us to go.

Where is the Spirit saying “not here” in your life—and where is He saying “come over here”?

Door 3: The door of the heart

Oh how God loves us...calls to us...brings us to faith. It’s not human words that do this...unless that how God chooses to call a person...it is God Himself...wooing us to faith in Him.

Acts 16:11–14 ESV

So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.

The open door: God...opened Lydia’s heart to receive the good news of Jesus. To believe in him...make him Lord and savior of her life. we are told in the next verse...

Acts 16:15 ESV

And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.

God calls her to faith...Lydia responds to God’s action...by believing and being baptized and immediately bears fruit. Lydia’s hospitality and willingness to receive the gospel exemplifies how God prepares individuals and circumstances when the time is right. Is the time right for you today?

Not just to believe in Jesus but to rededicate yourself to prayer, scripture reading, becoming more involved in the church and seeking the Lord’s will for BPC?

We all need to be like Lydia...open vessels for God...waiting...ready...when God chooses to act.

As Christ’s church today we need to be praying for God to open the hearts of family, friends, enemies, everyone in our community! It’s in God’s timing...so don’t give up...keep praying for others that the time would be right to hear and recieve the good news.

I want you to think about this...whose heart is God preparing you to speak into? Don’t hesitate...follow through with it.

Closing

Lydia...a wealthy merchant...was still looking for God...for salvation. Money and goods mean nothing...they truly can never bring happiness or contentment to the human heart. Lydia knew this. She also knew that Roman culture was a culture of defference to equals...but she opned her house that became the first church meeting place in the city of Philipi.

You have resources. BPC has resources. How are you...how are we using the resources God has given us to share the good news? To disciple others in the faith. To be a blessing to our communities?

God is never done with his people or with his church. God has more to do through us. Let us be attentive to God’s open doors and happily walk through them in faith...trusting in Christ as the head of the church...knowing his faithfulness will see us through.

Thanks be to God...AMEN.