Acts 16:4-10
4And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that was ordained of the
apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.6.Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the
region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.
My brothers and sisters have you ever tried to do the impossible and the thing which you tried to do was
blocked from you, not by your doing, but by the will of God. Because sometimes my brothers and sisters a
blocked opportunity can is a useful learning tool used by God for us to grow in faith.
And as you know my brothers and sisters God has many ways of teaching and molding us into the image of
His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ by the way that He blocks opportunities and the lessons that are being
put before us.
So it is at these times that He prevents us from doing or having something that we desire, for his good and
glory. In other words have you ever had a door closed in your face that appeared to be open and you
wondered why.
4And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that was ordained of the
apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.6.Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the
region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.
As a result of facing these closed doors, we can become extremely frustrated. The Apostle Paul knew
exactly how that felt, because on his second missionary journey he wanted to share the gospel in Asia but
repeatedly found the way blocked by the Holy Spirit, and eventually the apostle was stuck in Troas with the
sea before him and closed doors behind him waiting out a cold winter.
He wanted to take the gospel into Asia, but was blocked from doing so, by the Holy Spirit. How strange it
must have been to Paul that God through the Holy Spirit would prevent him from spreading the gospel to
any country or on any continent. But that is the way it was, because this was the second time that the Spirit
of Jesus kept them out of Asia.
The first time they turned northwest and the Spirit said, “No,” they then turned north and the Spirit said no
again. So finally they went west to Troas.
My brothers and sisters God had other plans for these Gospel heavy hitters.
The Bible doesn't tell us how long they stayed in Troas, but we do know that while seeking God’s will like
Paul we must make sure that our plan is in harmony with His plan always.
Paul knew about this wisdom from the Book of Proverbs, 3:5-6, which says, “Trust in the Lord with all of
your heart; and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct
your paths.”
The Lord will make a straight path for anyone who chooses to trust in Him rather than themselves. So my
brothers and sisters instead of getting angry or trying to force the issue by going into new territory, Paul got
down on his knees, what about you my brothers and sisters?
How do closed doors help us? Please bear with me a little while, because the Lord put these four thoughts
on my heart, and at this very moment God is closing some doors to open other doors for us.
The first topic is: Closed doors prevent mistakes
Just because a path is clear does not mean it is the one God intends for us to follow. Sometimes my
brothers and sisters, we won’t even have the information, we need in order to make a wise decision, so
God bars the way from us either spiritually or physically until He is ready to reveal his plan to us, am I right
about this thought?
Because The Holy Spirit has the DNA to our souls and can see the whole map for our lives which is why we
are to follow His guidance at all times. Where He leads us we must follow.
The second is: Closed doors redirect our walk
You can rest assured that God will never leave a willing servant with nothing to do. The alternate
opportunity which God has in mind will yield bigger fruit, more satisfaction and greater glory for Him. “I will
never leave you or forsake you,” said the Lord. Jesus also said, “Take up your cross and follow me, I am
the way, the truth and the light.” So where He leads us we must follow.
The third is: Closed doors test faith and build perseverance
My brothers and sisters, waiting for the Lord God to speak or to act is hard, particularly when our desire
has been denied. But we must Wait, “Wait, wait I say upon the Lord”, and we will learn wisdom, patience,
and trust by pausing prayerfully until God reveals His will for us and to us. We must learn to, “Wait, I say
upon the Lord,” wait! He will answer you in due time.
I repeat to you that The Bible does not tell us how long Paul, Silas and Timothy waited in Troas, but we can
be sure that the apostle did not move until the Lord revealed the entrance to a new mission field, God
showed Paul a vision in a dream of a man crying out in Macedonia. The dream was such that Paul was
being encouraged to come over to Macedonia and save souls. The Spirit of Jesus was leading Paul to
Europe and finally to Rome.
So, my brothers and sisters, those of us who are in a waiting position should view the situation as a chance
to seek not only God’s purpose, but also His guidance.
This is the time to ask God why he has barred the way forward and also maybe the timing is just wrong, and
maybe we need to deal with some non confessed sin which stands in the way of our journey.
Whatever the reason, we must be sensitive to the Holy Spirits leading, as we want to always be ready for
the door that God will surely open sooner rather than later. But my brothers and sisters, when the
opportunity is blocked God has a very good reason for it and we must also remember that he is still
providing love and protection for us even in our disappointment.
I must also tell you that the Lord is keeping his promise to work everything out for our good, “because we
know that all things work together for good to them that love the Lord, to them who are called according to
his purpose.” (Rom.8:28)
So my brothers and sisters, when one door closes, a greater one is about to open. Be ye wise watch and
pray, wait and watch the day will come make no mistake about it.
Finally, my brothers and sisters watch and pray;
We are not always as prepared as we need to be or would like to be or think that we are.
So God may temporarily hold or shut an opportunity for service or whatever it is that we want until we are
properly prepared for his kingdom work, or able to handle what ever it is that we want from him.
Sometimes in life you just have to change directions. It may seem like it’s going to be
hard, but it’s the best thing for you and for the assignment that God has given you to do. I ask do you have
any other choice. My brothers and sisters don’t waste anymore time. Move! Move! The door is open.
My brothers and sisters, as I close and despite the repeated use of the word “closed doors,” in this sermon,
the real message is that the Lord God opens more doors for us, than he closes. Words do not speak for
God, he speaks for them.
Because He closes doors that cannot be opened and opens doors that cannot be closed, do not let your
heart be troubled, believe in God, believe also in me, Jesus said. (Jn.14:1)
Oh! How I love the Name! Jesus’ name YESHUA HAMASIAH!! The name above all names. It is the name
of Power. The one and Only name. He is the example of the door being opened and of it being closed.
So my brothers and sisters, God has built a perfect pathway for us to follow through Jesus Christ. Keep
your feet on it, and you will walk over thresholds leading to service, satisfaction, joy and glory for our Lord.
He is worthy; He is worthy Church! He is worthy to be praised, King of Kings, Lords of Lords, The King of
Glory, Glory to God.
“For we walk by faith and not by sight,” because Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the light; no man
can get to the Father, but by me.”
My brothers and sisters, Jesus is the door opener we must take up our cross and follow him.
Because like He led Paul and Silas, he will lead us to
4And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that was ordained of the
apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.6.Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the
region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.
My brothers and sisters have you ever tried to do the impossible and the thing which you tried to do was
blocked from you, not by your doing, but by the will of God. Because sometimes my brothers and sisters a
blocked opportunity can is a useful learning tool used by God for us to grow in faith.
And as you know my brothers and sisters God has many ways of teaching and molding us into the image of
His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ by the way that He blocks opportunities and the lessons that are being
put before us.
So it is at these times that He prevents us from doing or having something that we desire, for his good and
glory. In other words have you ever had a door closed in your face that appeared to be open and you
wondered why.
4And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that was ordained of the
apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.6.Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the
region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.
As a result of facing these closed doors, we can become extremely frustrated. The Apostle Paul knew
exactly how that felt, because on his second missionary journey he wanted to share the gospel in Asia but
repeatedly found the way blocked by the Holy Spirit, and eventually the apostle was stuck in Troas with the
sea before him and closed doors behind him waiting out a cold winter.
He wanted to take the gospel into Asia, but was blocked from doing so, by the Holy Spirit. How strange it
must have been to Paul that God through the Holy Spirit would prevent him from spreading the gospel to
any country or on any continent. But that is the way it was, because this was the second time that the Spirit
of Jesus kept them out of Asia.
The first time they turned northwest and the Spirit said, “No,” they then turned north and the Spirit said no
again. So finally they went west to Troas.
My brothers and sisters God had other plans for these Gospel heavy hitters.
The Bible doesn't tell us how long they stayed in Troas, but we do know that while seeking God’s will like
Paul we must make sure that our plan is in harmony with His plan always.
Paul knew about this wisdom from the Book of Proverbs, 3:5-6, which says, “Trust in the Lord with all of
your heart; and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct
your paths.”
The Lord will make a straight path for anyone who chooses to trust in Him rather than themselves. So my
brothers and sisters instead of getting angry or trying to force the issue by going into new territory, Paul got
down on his knees, what about you my brothers and sisters?
How do closed doors help us? Please bear with me a little while, because the Lord put these four thoughts
on my heart, and at this very moment God is closing some doors to open other doors for us.
The first topic is: Closed doors prevent mistakes
Just because a path is clear does not mean it is the one God intends for us to follow. Sometimes my
brothers and sisters, we won’t even have the information, we need in order to make a wise decision, so
God bars the way from us either spiritually or physically until He is ready to reveal his plan to us, am I right
about this thought?
Because The Holy Spirit has the DNA to our souls and can see the whole map for our lives which is why we
are to follow His guidance at all times. Where He leads us we must follow.
The second is: Closed doors redirect our walk
You can rest assured that God will never leave a willing servant with nothing to do. The alternate
opportunity which God has in mind will yield bigger fruit, more satisfaction and greater glory for Him. “I will
never leave you or forsake you,” said the Lord. Jesus also said, “Take up your cross and follow me, I am
the way, the truth and the light.” So where He leads us we must follow.
The third is: Closed doors test faith and build perseverance
My brothers and sisters, waiting for the Lord God to speak or to act is hard, particularly when our desire
has been denied. But we must Wait, “Wait, wait I say upon the Lord”, and we will learn wisdom, patience,
and trust by pausing prayerfully until God reveals His will for us and to us. We must learn to, “Wait, I say
upon the Lord,” wait! He will answer you in due time.
I repeat to you that The Bible does not tell us how long Paul, Silas and Timothy waited in Troas, but we can
be sure that the apostle did not move until the Lord revealed the entrance to a new mission field, God
showed Paul a vision in a dream of a man crying out in Macedonia. The dream was such that Paul was
being encouraged to come over to Macedonia and save souls. The Spirit of Jesus was leading Paul to
Europe and finally to Rome.
So, my brothers and sisters, those of us who are in a waiting position should view the situation as a chance
to seek not only God’s purpose, but also His guidance.
This is the time to ask God why he has barred the way forward and also maybe the timing is just wrong, and
maybe we need to deal with some non confessed sin which stands in the way of our journey.
Whatever the reason, we must be sensitive to the Holy Spirits leading, as we want to always be ready for
the door that God will surely open sooner rather than later. But my brothers and sisters, when the
opportunity is blocked God has a very good reason for it and we must also remember that he is still
providing love and protection for us even in our disappointment.
I must also tell you that the Lord is keeping his promise to work everything out for our good, “because we
know that all things work together for good to them that love the Lord, to them who are called according to
his purpose.” (Rom.8:28)
So my brothers and sisters, when one door closes, a greater one is about to open. Be ye wise watch and
pray, wait and watch the day will come make no mistake about it.
Finally, my brothers and sisters watch and pray;
We are not always as prepared as we need to be or would like to be or think that we are.
So God may temporarily hold or shut an opportunity for service or whatever it is that we want until we are
properly prepared for his kingdom work, or able to handle what ever it is that we want from him.
Sometimes in life you just have to change directions. It may seem like it’s going to be
hard, but it’s the best thing for you and for the assignment that God has given you to do. I ask do you have
any other choice. My brothers and sisters don’t waste anymore time. Move! Move! The door is open.
My brothers and sisters, as I close and despite the repeated use of the word “closed doors,” in this sermon,
the real message is that the Lord God opens more doors for us, than he closes. Words do not speak for
God, he speaks for them.
Because He closes doors that cannot be opened and opens doors that cannot be closed, do not let your
heart be troubled, believe in God, believe also in me, Jesus said. (Jn.14:1)
Oh! How I love the Name! Jesus’ name YESHUA HAMASIAH!! The name above all names. It is the name
of Power. The one and Only name. He is the example of the door being opened and of it being closed.
So my brothers and sisters, God has built a perfect pathway for us to follow through Jesus Christ. Keep
your feet on it, and you will walk over thresholds leading to service, satisfaction, joy and glory for our Lord.
He is worthy; He is worthy Church! He is worthy to be praised, King of Kings, Lords of Lords, The King of
Glory, Glory to God.
“For we walk by faith and not by sight,” because Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the light; no man
can get to the Father, but by me.”
My brothers and sisters, Jesus is the door opener we must take up our cross and follow him.
Because like He led Paul and Silas, he will lead us to
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The Word
Sermon of the Month
Distinction: Why God Closes Doors For Us
Sermon of the Month
Distinction: Why God Closes Doors For Us
| John 10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father and I lay down my life for the sheep. KJV |