The phrase ‘when one door closes, another opens’ is often used to encourage someone in a time of disappointment, but it has great truth for Christians too. In Acts 16 we see that, despite the existing churches daily growing and being strengthened in the faith, door after door appears closed for the apostle Paul and his companions to share the gospel further.
But God had the right door just about to open which would lead to the gospel spreading to Europe for the first time. We see some simple lessons we can apply in our own lives from this exciting new stage of Paul’s second missionary journey and how the gospel came to Europe:
1. With A Vision (Acts 16:6-9)
a. We Must Have A Big Vision (Proverbs 29:18; Ephesians 3:20)
b. We Must Act (Acts 16:10; Habakkuk 2:2)
2. With Prayer (Acts 16:13a; Acts 3:1; Acts 10; Acts 12:5,12)
3. With A Small Group Of People Hungry For God (Acts 16:13-15; Zechariah 4:10)
4. With A Power Encounter (Acts 16:16-24; Galatians 5:1; John 10:10; Luke 4:18-19)
Apply
How do you respond when you see a door closed that you had hoped would be open? Do you have a clear vision from God which you are prepared to act on to see fulfilled? Everything starts with vision. Paul and his companions were guided by the Holy Spirt to alter their direction, and Paul was given a new, bigger vision from God to bring the gospel to Europe (Acts 16:9). Like Paul, we must have a big vision (Proverbs 29:18 KJV). If our vision doesn’t go beyond finishing our studies, paying debts, owning a home, being successful or raising our children then it’s not the fullness of God’s vision for our lives. God has called us to achieve great things that go far beyond our routine. Today, no matter what’s happened in your past, nor your current circumstances, you can receive a new vision from God for your life, your family, ministry and future that is bigger than you can yet imagine (Ephesians 3:20) And, once we receive the vision, we must act. The book of Acts is so-called because it catalogues the ACTS of the apostles. Paul and his companions ‘got ready at once’ (Acts 16:10). When we understand the importance and value of having a God-given vision, we won’t want to waste any time in carrying it out. We are all reaping the benefits of KCI's founding Pastor, Billy Richards, and Pastors Wes and Adriana's faithfulness in carrying out the vision God gave them for this church. And there are many who are yet waiting to hear the good news of Jesus for themselves (Habakkuk 2:2 AMP). The vision will become reality with action.
Are you devoted to prayer, daily praying big bold prayers for your life, your family, future and ministry with faith that God will hear and answer? Once Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke arrived at Philippi, the leading city of Macedonia, they immediately looked for a place of prayer (Acts 16:13a). Prayer was a key characteristic of the apostles and the Early Church. Many miracles took place as they were going to pray or were actually in times of prayer (Acts 3:1; Acts 10; Acts 12:5,12). Believing in Jesus Christ and the promises of the Bible will urge us into praying bold prayers which align with the heart and will of God. Prayer and spreading the gospel go hand in hand. The early church modelled this and the miraculous was their reality: it can be ours as well through prayer.
Do you get discouraged looking at the size of your ministry, or are you in great faith for fruitfulness this year? Europe has been a centre of Christianity for centuries. So how did it start? With a few women having a prayer meeting by the river (Acts 16:13). Paul and those with him found this small group of prayerful women and began to share with them about Jesus (Acts 16:14-15). The Lord opened Lydia’s heart to respond to Paul’s message, and consequently her whole household was immediately saved. Lydia was the first woman recorded in Europe to accept Jesus as her saviour and consequently the first church in Europe was about to be birthed. Paul and those who had gone to Macedonia were also provided for by her generous hospitality in gratitude for them sharing the gospel. This small group of faithful women hungry for God were met by a faithful group of believers hungry to share the kingdom of God with them. You may have a small family, or maybe you are a leader or member of one of the church’s small groups (a cell group) which seems small right now, but do not be discouraged by how small your family or ministry may be (Zechariah 4:10). For when a small group of people is hungry for God, and when you have a God-given a vision and remain prayerful, you can be confident that there will be a fruitful outcome, just as Paul experienced.
Are you ready to share the gospel and see the power of God at work through you? fortune telling slave girl was oppressed not only by human masters but by the evil, occult spirit operating in her (Acts 16:16-18). No one thought of her wellbeing: she was just a money-maker for her owners rather than them wanting to help her. Yet Paul saw it was time for her to be set free. And Jesus said He came to set the oppressed free (Luke 4:18-19). Sometimes freedom brings a reaction, whether in families or in communities. We see that Paul and Silas again face persecution and even imprisonment for sharing the gospel (Acts 16:19-24). Yet for this slave girl, her day of freedom had come. She experienced the life-changing power of an encounter with the Holy Spirit, and would never be the same again (Galatians 5:1). And we see later how even this persecution became another opportunity for Paul to further spread the gospel. Jesus desires that every single person lives in complete freedom. That’s why He died on the cross to take all punishment that was rightfully ours, and He rose again to give us ‘life in abundance’ (John 10:10). Today, no matter what you have experienced so far in your life, or the doors that appear to be closed around you, you can receive a new vision from the Lord for your life and future. As you determine to stay prayerful and hungry for God every day, He will do the miraculous and show you His great power at work.
