Summary: <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/westside-christian-fellowship/id386117063">If you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes.</a><a style="line-height: 1.5em;" href="%22http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/WP/wp-content/uploads/Audio/7_16_2017_What_Is_an_Open_Door.mp3</a"><br><br> </a><a class="twitter-share-button" href="http://twitter.com/share">Tweet</a><a style="line-height: 1.5em;" href="%22http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/WP/wp-content/uploads/Audio/7_16_2017_What_Is_an_Open_Door.mp3</a"></a><br><br> Complete Sermon Notes<br> What is a Open/Closed Door?<br> <br> ACTS 16: Timothy Joins Paul and Silas, AND The Macedonian Call –<br> “They were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.”<br> <br> <br> Forbidden – Not conforming to usual selection principles.<br> <br> <br> <br> CLOSED DOOR! God will stop you if you’re humble and teachable –<br> <br> <br> CLOSED: Illegal, Lacks Wisdom, Wrong reasons/motives, or we are Running.<br> <br> <br> <br> Caution: You can force it open with a spirit of rebellion – “God gave them over…”<br> <br> OPEN DOOR! 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.<br> <br> <br> Prov. 16:3, “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” He will bring them to fruition if you let Him guide.<br> <br> <br> <br> KEY to hearing God: Spirit-filled Is Spirit-ruled.<br> <br> <br> We want NT power and direction, but do we want NT holiness?<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> Who are we fooling? If we are living in the flesh – too busy for prayer, too hectic for study, too tired for meditation – we won’t discern the right voice.<br> <br> <br> <br> How do I know to leave it shut or pray that it opens?<br> <br> <br> Pray – “God, search my heart and motives. This appears to be a shut door, but will You show me if I should keep contending for it?<br> <br> <br> Integrity – Don’t manipulate things or try to make things happened. Don’t skew information to those who are offering godly counsel. Are you seeking counsel?<br> <br> <br> If God wants to open a door, He will open it!<br> <br> <br> <br> Is there peace about the closed door, or is there a continual stirring for it to open as you seek God not your flesh?<br> EXAMPLE: When I watch fixer-upper.<br> <br> <br> WE OFTEN MAKE IMPULSIVE, FLESHLY DECISIONS.<br> <br> <br> EXCERPT FROM Forks Over Knives: we are programed to seek pleasure, avoid pain, and conserve energy.<br> <br> <br> THE WAITING TIME sifts our motives, clears our thinking, and refocuses our direction.<br> <br> <br> _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _<br> God redirected Paul as he sought Him.<br> And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”<br> <br> <br> Never move on a vision or dream alone unless you know it’s from God – it aligns with His Word and His nature.<br> <br> <br> God’s will is to help others – it rarely has to do with comfort, pleasure, and avoiding pain.<br> <br> <br> This is why I often tell those who move or leave a job to “get away from here,” to be careful in their assumptions!<br> <br> <br> Our first impulse shouldn’t be to run from trouble but to seek God!<br> <br> <br> <br> But sometimes, God will use trouble, challenges, and being discontent to move us on. If you’re filled with the Spirit you’ll know – if you’re filled with the flesh life will be chaotic.<br>
