Bible Reading: Exodus 12:22-51; Job 30; Luke 15; 1 Corinthians 16
1 Corinthians 16:9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.
Paul wrote this letter to the Corinthian church because he was not going to be able to be with them soon. He was going to stay in Ephesus because a great door and effectual was opened unto him. Sometimes the Lord Jesus sets an open door before us. When he does, we need to walk through it. Even though there were needs in Corinth, Paul stayed at Ephesus because of the open door. Paul had seen open doors for ministry before.
Acts 14:27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
There was a door opened on his first missionary journey. The Gentiles believed the gospel and many were saved.
2 Corinthians 2:12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord…
Paul asked for prayer that a door would be opened for the gospel.
Colossians 4:3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds.
An open door is an opportunity to get the gospel out. We should pray for an open door for the gospel and the courage to preach boldly when we have it. The Lord Jesus told the church at Philidelphia that he had set an open door before them.
Revelation 3:7-8 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
Jesus set an open door before this church. They were not a big and powerful church, but they were faithful.
- They had a little strength. They were not mighty and powerful, but they did have a little strength.
- They had kept the Word of Jesus. They believed his word and lived by it. They had faithfully preached the Word of Jesus Christ
- They had not denied his name. They were faithful to Jesus even in temptation.
We need to look for open doors for the gospel. We also need to know that even in the midst of great opportunity, there is also great adversity. Paul had many adversaries in Ephesus. Do not let adversity sidetrack you. Pray for the open door and then walk through it!
In Christ,
Rody
