Praying for an Open Door

Subject: Trust God to Open a Great Door

by Rick Welborne

1 Corinthians 16:9 (NKJV) 

9 For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. 

–There is a great and effective door and I believe it has your name on it but please realize that there are many adversaries.

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 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!

–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 on own wounds...she said it is time to get your armor on and get in the fray of the battle...people need to be set free.

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 what I preached about our fasting and praying being that push toward the great and effective door being opened.

 Isaiah 58:614 

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.' "If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, 

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." 

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.

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. 

Barnes Notes on the New Testament - 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 - True courage is whetted 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? 

Matthew Henry's Commentary - Adversaries and opposition do not break the spirits of faithful and successful Christians, but only enkindle 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!!!

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...

–2018 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.