A GREAT DOOR!

A GREAT DOOR!

1 Cor 16:5-9

5 Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia.

6 And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go.

7 For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.

8 But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.

9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

           In the midst of what seems to be a travel itinerary, Paul inserts a parenthetical but pensive statement that seems apropos for this New Year. He said: “a great door and effectual is opened unto me and there are many adversaries.” So it is with us. I have often observed that great opportunities often present themselves as great difficulties. There are many adversaries.

           The door is a great door! The word is megas meaning large and very wide. Some opportunities are so obvious as to leave little room for question. When God limits your options to only ONE then it would be wise to follow His lead. We like options and alternatives so that we can choose what seems best for us but when God wants only one thing done He will sometimes limit our options to only that one thing. We can choose to be either frustrated or excited.

           The door is effectual! Merriam – Webster says that the word effectual means: “producing an intended effect; adequate.” However the word is a translation of the Greek word energes which means “powerful, operative and energetic!” So the door will be adequate but more than adequate. It will be lively and full of activity; requiring much labor but exciting labor. So this year dawns for our church. There is much work ahead but it will be exciting.

           There are many adversaries! Any work done for God must be viewed as part of a cosmic spiritual conflict. There will always be adversaries. The word is antikeimai which literally means “stretched out in opposition.” Because we work for God there will be those who will be stretched out in opposition to our efforts.

Rev 3:7-8

7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

Dear Lord, strengthen us so that we may walk through the great doors of opportunity that lay before us. AMEN