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"The Right Doors" (Acts 16)
Originally Delivered: October 30, 2011Question Of The Week
Message Length: 35 min.
Abstract - Ed Windhausen delivers today's message about how God opens and closes doors to properly use us for His will.  If you have had times in your life when you can't understand why God allowed something to happen, and then think further and you likely will see where He opened another opportunity that was better.  This message helps you understand that God is in control.
 

Introduction -

  1. TV game show “Let’s Make a Deal”…
  2. As Christians we play “Let’s Make a Deal” with God.
  3. What Doors open and what Doors stay shut?

I.                    God owns the key to every door.

A.     Paul’s 1st missionary trip – Acts 14:21-27

1.      Success and open doors.

B.     The wind changed direction – Acts 16:6-10

1.      Closed doors

2.      Closed directions, (North)

3.      Not told why

4.      Holy Spirit kept them from entering – vs 6

C.     God still does that…closes doors.

1.      Revelation 3:7b

a.       Noah’s Ark – Genesis 7:16

b.      Soldiers at Jesus tomb

D.     Coming under God’s protection.

1.      Preventative Action

II.                 Closed doors take on a new meaning.

A.     How to view closed doors.

1.      North, South, East – All closed

2.      Western door open – Acts 16:11-12

B.     A start in a new ministry – Acts 16:13-14

1.      Jewish prayer meeting

2.      A lady of influence - Lydia

C.     Paul’s missionary team starts the work – Acts 16:16-24

1.      Satan’s Road Block

2.      Paul and Silas – Speed Bumps

III.               Another closed door, another opportunity – Acts 16:24ff

A.     The prison door.

1.      Old familiar sounds of locked doors

B.     They didn’t complain, they rejoiced – vs 25

1.      Worship service

2.      They recognized this was God’s opportunity to do another great thing.

C.     God shook the prison – vs 26

1.      Most secured doors open

2.      Everyone’s chains fell off

D.     The Jailer’s heart was open – vs 27-29

1.      What must I do to be saved?

E.      God uses closed doors to advance His cause.

1.      Sarah

2.      Moses

3.      Daniel

4.      Jesus

Conclusion:

      1.  God’s goal is people

      2.  Coit McCoy, quarterback at University of Texas, 2010 Bowl Championship Series

      3.  His statement…