“When he (God) opens a door, no one can close it. And when he closes it, no one can open it.” Revelation 3:7 (NCV)
• God opens the door to the Macedonian providence.
• God opens the door of Lydia’s Heart.
• God opens door of the Philippian Prison.
GOD’S REQUIREMENTS FOR FINDING OPEN DOORS
1. GOD REQUIRES ME TO BE ACTIVE.
Paul and his companions traveled 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. Acts 16:6 - 8 (NIV)
When the priests who are carrying the Ark touch the water with their feet, the river will stop flowing as though held back by a dam, and will pile up as though against an invisible wall!” Now it was the harvest season and the Jordan was overflowing all its banks; but as the people set out to cross the river and as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river’s edge, 15-16 suddenly, far up the river at the city of Adam, near Zarethan, the water began piling up as though against a dam! And the water below that point flowed on to the Dead Sea until the riverbed was empty. Then all the people crossed at a spot where the river was close to the city of Jericho.” 17 and the priests who were carrying the Ark stood on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan and waited as all the people passed by. Joshua 3:13-16 (TLB)
2. GOD REQUIRES ME TO BE ATTENTIVE.
During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Acts 16:9 (NIV)
• Attentive to His confirmed word.
Fight against those who want to change It (the teachings). The right way to believe has been given to God's people once for all times. Jude 1:3b (WE)
• Attentive to His committed disciples.
He (Levi)passed on to the people all the truth he got from me. He did not lie or cheat; he walked with me, living a good and righteous life, and turned many from their lives of sin. Malachi 2:6-8 (TLB)
• Attentive to His clear calling.
Dearly loved friends, don’t always believe everything you hear just because someone says it is a message from God: test it first to see if it really is. For there are many false teachers around. 1 John 4:1 (TLB)
3. GOD REQUIRES ME TO BE ACCOMMODATING.
After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. 11 From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis. 12 From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district[a] of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days…
Acts 16:10 - 12 (NIV)
• God does not move the door he moves the disciple.
….not only has God opened a significant door here for me to serve … there is a lot of opposition against me. 1 Corinthians 16:9 (VOICE)
4. GOD REQUIRES ME TO BE AUTHENTIC.
• I am called to be authentic in every location.
On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. Acts 16:11- 13 (NIV)
• I am called to be authentic with every person.
One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” Acts 16:14 - 16 (NIV)
• I am called to be authentic in every situation.
Picture this: It’s midnight. In the darkness of their cell, Paul and Silas—after surviving the severe beating—aren’t moaning and groaning; they’re praying and singing hymns to God. The prisoners in adjoining cells are wide awake, listening to them pray and sing. 26 Suddenly the ground begins to shake, and the prison foundations begin to crack. You can hear the sound of jangling chains and the squeak of cell doors opening. Every prisoner realizes that his chains have come unfastened. 27 The jailer wakes up and runs into the jail. His heart sinks as he sees the doors have all swung open. He is sure his prisoners have escaped, and he knows this will mean death for him, so he pulls out his sword to commit suicide. 28 At that moment, Paul sees what is happening and shouts out at the top of his lungs, Paul: Wait, man! Don’t harm yourself! We’re all here! None of us has escaped.29 The jailer sends his assistants to get some torches and rushes into the cell of Paul and Silas. He falls on his knees before them, trembling. 30 Then he brings them outside Jailer: Gentlemen, please tell me, what must I do to be liberated? Paul and Silas: 31 Just believe—believe in the ultimate King, Jesus, and not only will you be rescued, but your whole household will as well. 32-34 The jailer brings them to his home, and they have a long conversation with the man and his family. Paul and Silas explain the message of Jesus to them all. The man washes their wounds and feeds them, then they baptize[b] the man and his family. The night ends with Paul and Silas in the jailer’s home, sharing a meal together, the whole family rejoicing that they have come to faith in God. Acts 16:25-34 (VOICE)