WALKING THROUGH DOORS GOD OPENS
SEIZE THE MOMENT
Copyright 2011 - Pierre M. Eade
GOD OPENS AND CLOSES DOORS
“These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens.” (Revelation 3:7)
Copyright 2011 - Pierre M. Eade
ACTS 16 - OVERVIEW
Split (Acts 15:36-
41)
Timothy(Acts 16:1-5)
Macedonian Call (Acts 16:6-10)
Lydia saved(Acts 16:11-
15)Imprisoned(Acts 16:16-
24)Jailer Saved(Acts 16:25-
34)Released
(Acts 16:35-40)
Copyright 2011 - Pierre M. Eade
OPEN AND CLOSED DOORS
How to respond when God closes a door?How to respond when God opens a door?How to see more open doors in my life?How to know the doors to walk through?
Copyright 2011 - Pierre M. Eade
CLOSED DOORS
An opportunity lostA relationship that
endsA trip that is disrupted A heart that is closedA season that endsA plan that is spoiled
Have you ever been there?
Copyright 2011 - Pierre M. Eade
CLOSED DOORS
Disappointed?Discouraged?Angry?Frustrated?Nervous?Sad?Hopeless?
How do you feel when the doors of life close?
Copyright 2011 - Pierre M. Eade
CLOSED DOORS
The Right ResponseActs 16:6-8
The Wrong ResponseActs 16:18-22
The Right ResponseActs 16:23-25
How do you respond when the doors of life close?
Copyright 2011 - Pierre M. Eade
CLOSED DOORS - THE RIGHT RESPONSE
Discern the source (1 Corinthians 16:9) Don’t Resist the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:51)Keep moving forward (Philippians 3:14)
“forbidden by the Holy Spirit” (v.6)
Copyright 2011 - Pierre M. Eade
CLOSED DOORS
The Right ResponseActs 16:6-7
The Wrong ResponseActs 16:18-22
The Right ResponseActs 16:23-25
How do you respond when the doors of life close?
Copyright 2011 - Pierre M. Eade
CLOSED DOORS – THE WRONG RESPONSE
Manipulation (Acts 16:19)
Anger, Revenge (Acts 16:19)
Fret , Worry (Psalm 37:8)
Blaming or Condemning (Luke 6:37)
Depression, Despair (Jonah 4:8)
Giving up (Galatians 6:9)
“they seized Paul and Silas” (Acts 16:19)
Copyright 2011 - Pierre M. Eade
SPIRITUAL MATURITY TEST
IMMATURITY
MATURITY
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Copyright 2011 - Pierre M. Eade
CLOSED DOORS
The Right ResponseActs 16:6-7
The Wrong ResponseActs 16:18-22
The Right ResponseActs 16:23-25
How do you respond when the doors of life close?
Copyright 2011 - Pierre M. Eade
CLOSED DOORS - THE RIGHT RESPONSE
“they threw them into prison” (v.23)Put Hope in God
(Psalm 43:5) Seek God wholeheartedly (Psalm
119:10)Trust God has a plan (Proverbs
3:5,6)
Copyright 2011 - Pierre M. Eade
OPEN DOORS
How to respond when God opens a door?
Copyright 2011 - Pierre M. Eade
OPEN DOORS
Nervous?Unsure?Afraid?Worried?Hesitant?
How do you feel when the doors of life open?
Copyright 2011 - Pierre M. Eade
THE DOORS GOD OPENED…
Lydia’s heart was open to the Lord (v.14)
Lydia’s entire household is saved(v.15)Lydia showed great hospitality (v.15,40)Opened the prison doors (v.26)Opened the jailer’s heart (v.30) Jailer’s entire family comes to faith
(v.34)Released from prison (v.39)
Copyright 2011 - Pierre M. Eade
OPEN DOORS - THE RIGHT RESPONSE
“immediately we sought to go to Macedonia.”(v.10)
Respond to God’s promptings
Receive the blessings God has for you “So she persuaded us.” (v.15)
“all the doors were opened” (v.26)Realize God is working all around you
Copyright 2011 - Pierre M. Eade
OPEN DOORSHow to see more open doors in my life?
Copyright 2011 - Pierre M. Eade
HOW TO SEE MORE OPEN DOORS
Lydia is immediately used by God.The Jailer is restored to a place of hope
Be open to the Lord.
Be Persistent in Prayer.“we went to prayer” (v.13, 16)“praying and singing hymns to
God” (v.25)Be A Fisher of (Wo)men.
“sat down and spoke to the women” (v.13) Copyright 2011 - Pierre M. Eade
HOW TO SEE MORE OPEN DOORS
“he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in the region…” (v.3)
Be Prepared
Be willing to serve. “they…entered the house of Lydia” (v.40)
Be faithful with what you have today! “faithful over a few…make(s) you ruler
of over many things.” (Matthew 25:23)Copyright 2011 - Pierre M. Eade
OPEN DOORSHow to know which doors to walk
through?
? ? ?
Copyright 2011 - Pierre M. Eade
HOW TO KNOW THE DOORS TO WALK THROUGH?
Copyright 2011 - Pierre M. Eade
HOW TO KNOW THE DOORS TO WALK THROUGH?
Seek Wise Counsel “we sought to go to Macedonia,
concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.” (Acts 16:10)
Copyright 2011 - Pierre M. Eade
HOW TO KNOW THE DOORS TO WALK THROUGH?
Avoid Seeking Ungodly Counsel “Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and
said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” (Acts 16:18)
Fortune-telling, Witchcraft, Divination, Horoscopes, Omens, Casting Spells, Wizards, Consulting the dead, Sorcery.(Deuteronomy 18:10-14) Copyright 2011 - Pierre M. Eade
HOW TO KNOW THE DOORS TO WALK THROUGH?
Seek the Lord daily !! God’s will is not a formula to
solve, but a relationship to develop with the Trinity.
God’s will is discovered one day at a time as we seek to follow Him.
Copyright 2011 - Pierre M. Eade
THE KEY TO GOD’S WILL
10 years5
years1 year6
months3 months
TODAY!
Next week
Copyright 2011 - Pierre M. Eade
WHERE’S IT ALL BEGINS?
“Today Father, I turn from the way I have been living and I give my life to you. Forgive me for all my sins and all the ways I have fallen short of your desire for my life. Come into my life Lord Jesus. Fill me with Your Spirit as I begin this new spiritual journey. Teach me how to live now with You at the center of my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen”
Copyright 2011 - Pierre M. Eade