We serve a God who is in the business of opening new doors in our lives and what He opens no one can close and what He closes no one can open. This year it’s time to step into the new doors God has opened in our lives. Some of these doors may be new opportunities and new experiences that we have never gone through before and that can at times be intimidating. In these next few minutes, I hope to move you from a position of intimidation to one of anticipation. Let’s move in the direction God is taking us and embrace the new doors with an open mind.
Let’s open up Scriptures and look at a regular person like you and me who had to face some new doors in his life and how he handled it. The one I am talking about is none other than Paul the great apostle and missionary. Paul was someone who was always on the move and had a great heart to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. That was his passion and calling. His 3rd missionary journey took him to Ephesus where he spent 2 years. Allow me to give you some background of this place to understand exactly where Paul was and the situation he was in. Ephesus was a very popular ancient port and the reason for this was because of the location of the Temple of the God of Artemis. It was the 2nd of the 7 wonders of the Ancient World and as such it was a popular tourist destination. People came there to worship an ancient god and here was Paul preaching the gospel of the one true God.
In Acts 16:6-8, we see Paul having big plans to preach in different regions all around Asia. However, the Bible clearly states “the Holy Spirit would not allow him” to go there. (This was a closed door).
Paul and his companions travelled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.
Later on in Acts 19, God takes Paul to Ephesus. He preached in the synagogues boldly for 3 months but the people there were not very receptive. The Bible says “they became hardened and disobedient”. (This was another closed door).
Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.
As he left the synagogue, Paul encountered Tyrannus, whom Bible commentaries say was a wealthy businessman who owned a large premises and he allowed Paul to use it for free on a daily basis for 2 years. (This was an open door)
Paul was a tent-maker by profession. He worked from 6 am to 11am which was the culture and that time. From 11am to 4 pm would be their rest time or what we refer to today as siesta! Paul sacrificed his rest time and went to the Hall of Tyrannus and sat and had discussion with people and taught them the Word. These were not small groups of people. As we study and read commentaries, we find that in that span of 2 years, Paul reached up to 2 million people. That would mean 1 million people per year, 83 333 people per month and 2777 per day! Put yourself in Paul’s shoes and imagine teaching the Word daily to 2777 people. The Bible says he reasoned with them, which means they came with lots of questions and Paul had to answer each one!
Paul was a multi-tasker and despite the doors that were closed before this, he stayed focused on this wonderful door God had opened and remained open for 2 years. It was during this time that he wrote the letter to the church in Corinth and said something so profound and this is what I would like to focus on today.
As Paul wrote this verse, he was referring to the Hall of Tyrannus that he was in. The first key word used here is GREAT. The Greek word for this is “Megale” and this is where we get the English term ‘mega”. It means large, mighty, big, vast, spacious, great intensity and abundance. This is the door God opened for Paul.
Paul does not stop at great but moves on further to describe it as an EFFECTIVE door. Here the Greek word is “Energes” which means powerful, energetic, active, and able to produce results. This is where we get the English word “energy”.
Are you able to see how Paul is describing his ministry in the Hall of Tyrannus? The opened door provided so many opportunities for ministry and growth. Paul was enjoying it. This was true missions. Paul then says that this door was OPENED to him. The Greek word again here is “Aneogen”. This is where Paul is describing how great this door is. The word “Aneogen” means an entrance that remains open and gives you the opportunity to do something. Paul was saying that this door remained open for 2 years with so many ministry opportunities. He got to touch millions of lives.
The final part of this verse is not a complain but a fact that happens when we have open doors. He says that there were “MANY ADVERSARIES”. The NIV says that “many people oppose me” and the NCV says “many people work against me”. The Greek work here is “Antikeimenoi” which means people who lie around waiting to strike you. Who were these adversaries that Paul faced? Those who practiced occults, the business owners who were making idols and those running the Temple of the God of Artemis all opposed Paul, because what he was doing was affecting their business. That did not stop Paul. He continued to persevere and push forward towards the door God had opened for him.
So what is God telling all of us for 2024, having understood what Paul went through and what he affirms us in 1 Cor 16:9? Are there some doors that may have closed and you are discouraged? Those doors were not meant for you. Are there new doors that have opened but there is opposition? You may feel like giving up but God is saying to push forward.
God is ready to OPEN doors in your life that you may EXCEL. He is ready to create OPPORTUNITES so you need to be ENTHUSIASTIC. Do not let OPPOSITION from the ENEMY affect you.
As God opens new doors for you, just march forward and don’t allow the enemy to drag you backwards Press on, step forward and receive your breakthrough.
About the Ryans: Ps. Justin Ryan & his wife Ps. Jacquie are the founders of One Voice Ministries, established in 2008. It is a missions and training ministry focused on reaching the 10/40 Window. To date they have ministered in 9 nations, teaching and training pastors and leaders as well as evangelising many of the unreached peoples groups. Here in Malaysia, One Voice has an established work with the Orang Asli.
In 2013, the Lord has led them to found Issachar Academy where they provide training specifically for missions in a hospitable environment. Through the academy, the Ryans also help Christians recognise and move in their seasons with God.For more details please visit them at www.onevm.net
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