Subject: Trust the Lord to Open the Double Doors
by Rick Welborne
Isaiah 45:1-8 (NKJV)
1 "Thus says the LORD to His anointed, To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held-- To subdue nations before him And loose the armor of kings, To open before him the double doors, So that the gates will not be shut:
2 'I will go before you And make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the bars of iron.
3 I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of secret places, That you may know that I, the LORD, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel.
4 For Jacob My servant's sake, And Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me.
5 I am the LORD, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me,
6 That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting That there is none besides Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other;
7 I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the LORD, do all these things.'
8 "Rain down, you heavens, from above, And let the skies pour down righteousness; Let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation, And let righteousness spring up together. I, the LORD, have created it.
1 "Thus says the LORD to His anointed, To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held-- To subdue nations before him And loose the armor of kings, To open before him the double doors, So that the gates will not be shut:
2 'I will go before you And make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the bars of iron.
3 I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of secret places, That you may know that I, the LORD, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel.
4 For Jacob My servant's sake, And Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me.
5 I am the LORD, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me,
6 That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting That there is none besides Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other;
7 I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the LORD, do all these things.'
8 "Rain down, you heavens, from above, And let the skies pour down righteousness; Let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation, And let righteousness spring up together. I, the LORD, have created it.
--It would be ridiculous for me to ask how many of you would want the Lord to bless you so much that He could not get it thru a single door…He would have to open the double doors.
--If God would take a king who was not a righteous man and give him such a promise of victory…how much more will He bless those of us who serve Him faithfully! How many of you want God to give you victory?
--God promises Cyrus…I will go before you…wow! Just that promise is enough to get anyone excited. We are not in this battle alone…Jesus is our Commander and Chief…sounds like certain victory already!
2 Chronicles 20:15 (NIV)
15 He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.
15 He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.
--God promises Cyrus…I will make the crooked places straight…How many of you know that when you need God to open the doors before you that the enemy sets up road blocks. He will throw you a curve or two.
Psalm 27:8-14 (NIV)
8 My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.
8 My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.
13 I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
13 I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
--God promises Cyrus… I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron. Nothing is worse than getting so close to your miracle or victory to find out the doors are sealed up tight!
--So many doors seemed to be closed to the gospel around the world…and with those we are trying to reach but listen to God’s promise:
Psalm 2:8-9 (NKJV)
8 Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel.' "
8 Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel.' "
–We have been exhorting you to put on the armor of God everyday...we must do it to be ready for the battles ahead of us…to see doors opened for us.
–Sister Browne told me years ago to preach about putting on your armor...so put it on! Stay ready for battle!
--Some of you think your years have been tough but just imagine with me the casualties we would have had without God’s armor…without God on our side.
–Sister Browne said that one of the reasons we have not been able to get out there and rescue the captives is because we are just nurturing our own wounds. Ouch!
--She said it is time to get your armor on and get in the fray of the battle...people need to be set free. We must trust God to open the double doors.
1. To go through the double doors we must realize there are many adversaries.
--God never promised that we would not have to go to battle but He did promise that He would be our leader and that we would experience victory.
1 Corinthians 16:9 (NKJV)
9 For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
–There are double doors waiting to be opened and I believe they have your name on them but please realize that there are many adversaries…many enemies.
Adam Clark Commentary and Critical Notes - A great and energetic door is opened to me; that is, God has made a grand opening to me in those parts, which I perceive will require much labor; and besides, I shall have many adversaries to oppose me. Door often signifies occasion or opportunity; but here, the apostle may allude to the throwing open of the great doors of the Circus Maximus before the chariot races began; and the many adversaries may refer to the numerous competitors in those races. God gave him a grand opportunity to preach the Gospel; but he was not to expect that either Satan or wicked men would leave him unmolested.
–I believe that the Circus Maximus (a great and energetic door) is about to open up for everyone who is pursuing God…those seeking His favor.
--For those who are worshiping no matter what, those who are putting on the armor of God every day, and those who are knocking on the door!
Matthew 7:78 (NKJV)
7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
--Remember every year how we encourage you about fasting and praying…sometimes as we fast and pray God helps us to push back the adversaries and see His victory.
Isaiah 58:6-9 (NKJV)
6 "Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh?
8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' …
6 "Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh?
8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' …
2. When we try to go through those double doors we really should not be surprised by opposition and difficulty.
Barnes - That such a work of grace, such a setting open of a great and effectual door, is often the occasion of increased opposition to the gospel. Why do we get so surprised when we have opposition to our efforts of serving Christ with all our hearts?
–Paul chose to stay in Ephesus even in the midst of great opposition...why should we hang in there in the face of trials and tribulations.
Barnes Notes on the New Testament Explanatory and Practical:
A. The opposition was regarded by Paul as an evidence that the Holy Spirit was there.
B. It was proof that the enemies of God were alarmed, and that the kingdom of Christ was advancing.
C. His presence also would be needed there, to encourage and strengthen the young converts who would be attacked and opposed; and he deemed it his duty to remain.
D. A Christian should regard it as his duty to remain faithful thru trials when there is such opposition. His presence is needed to comfort and encourage the church; and when the minds of men are challenged, it is often the best time to present truth, and to defend successfully the great doctrines of the Bible.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible - True courage is sharpened by opposition; and it is no wonder that the Christian courage of the apostle Paul should be emboldened by the zeal of his adversaries. They were bent to ruin him, and prevent the effect of his ministry at Ephesus; and should he at this time desert his station, and disgrace his character and doctrine? No, the opposition of adversaries only awakened his zeal. He was in nothing daunted by his adversaries; but the more they raged and opposed the more he exerted himself. Should such a man as he flee? Note, Adversaries and opposition do not break the spirits of faithful and successful Christians, but only rekindle their zeal, and inspire them with fresh courage.
–It is time that we lay hold of the promises of God...is there opposition...yes...put on the armor ... will there be challenges...bless the Lord at all times...are there people who need to be set free... fast and pray!!!
3. It is time to open up the double doors and receive the blessings God has promised us.
Romans 8:3132 (NKJV)
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
–This is our year, Church...pursue Him, trust Him, worship Him, love Him...Keep knocking on the double doors until they open.
–2017 will be a year to remember at Life Church Assembly of God...get ready!!!
–What if the enemy continues to attack...I can guarantee it, but hear your Pastor:
Romans 8:3739 (NKJV)
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,
39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
–Put on the armor of God every day, pray in the spirit (throw the lance of prayer), worship no matter what is going on, fast and pray with us, and believe with us that this will be the year:
Isaiah 58:10-14 (NKJV)
10 If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
12 Those from among you Shall build the old waste places; You shall raise up the foundations of many generations; And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.
13 "If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, From doing your pleasure on My holy day, And call the Sabbath a delight, The holy day of the LORD honorable, And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, Nor finding your own pleasure, Nor speaking your own words,
10 If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
12 Those from among you Shall build the old waste places; You shall raise up the foundations of many generations; And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.
13 "If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, From doing your pleasure on My holy day, And call the Sabbath a delight, The holy day of the LORD honorable, And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, Nor finding your own pleasure, Nor speaking your own words,
14 Then you shall delight yourself in the LORD; And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, And feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father. The mouth of the LORD has spoken."
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