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Great Open Effectual Door with Adversaries
1 Corinthians 16:8-9 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.
Theme Definition:
Great: Huge, above normal, beyond expectation
Effectual: effective; productive, valuable, powerful successful in producing a desired or intended result.
Door: It is an exit or entrance or a place of access. Breakthrough. A way; a passage; an opening; an entrance; an access route; an escape route.
Adversaries: one's opponent in a contest, conflict, or dispute. the Devil.
Introduction:
5–7. Paul relays his travel plans, informing the Corinthians that he hopes to see them after visiting Macedonia. As Paul lays out his plans, it is clear that he thinks strategically for the sake of the gospel. We discover from 2 Corinthians 1:15–16 that at some point his plans evolved so that he hoped to see the Corinthians twice on his way to and from Macedonia. If the Lord permits, Paul desires to spend some significant time with the Corinthians. When he writes 1 Corinthians, he hopes that he might spend a significant amount of time with the Corinthians or even spend the winter, though he recognizes that it all depends upon the Lord’s will (1 Cor. 4:19). Certainly, Paul wants to strengthen and edify the Corinthians (cf. Rom. 1:12), but at the same time he desires that they might help him on his journey.
As the year started we all made our plans just like Paul and we need to deal with any Adversaries at our doors and opportunities. Our plans shall be successful in Jesus name. We are more than conquerors. Nothing shall derail our plans.
BODY:
8–9. Paul explains why he does not come immediately: he is currently ministering in Ephesus and planning to stay there at least until Pentecost, which is celebrated fifty days after Passover and thus is dated in late spring. The reason for the stay is elaborated. A significant opportunity for the gospel has opened up: the word door is used elsewhere by Paul to denote an opportunity for proclaiming the gospel (cf. 2 Cor. 2:12; Col. 4:3). Thus Paul certainly wants to linger. Luke details the account of Paul’s mission in Ephesus (Acts 19:1–41), informing the reader that Paul stayed for two years (Acts 19:10). Luke’s account also verifies Paul’s rendition, saying that ‘all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord’ (Acts 19:10, 20, 26). The adversaries Paul mentions are also confirmed in Acts; the riot stirred up by Demetrius and his co-workers threatened the mission (Acts 19:23–41; see also 1 Cor. 15:32).
Adversaries can arise especially where sinners are being saved, Satan will not be happy. So he will certainly oppose. There were several challenges in Ephesus regarding their spiritual and social state, but Paul saw opportunities more than the problem and he stayed. Reference to 1 Corinthians 15:32 Paul said, "If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die."
The word adversary here indicates those who are opposed both to him personally and to the message he proclaims. Paul experienced life-threatening situations for the sake of the gospel but he remain resolute.
It is one thing for a door of opportunity to be opened to someone. It is another thing for it to be a great one. Certainly, it is something else for it to be effectual one also. When a good opportunity arises, adversaries may also arise. It is a good to focus on the opportunity than to intensify your focus on the adversaries because when we focus on the adversaries, we lose energy but if we focus on the opportunity, we reserve energy. The bible says we are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ who loved us. When we concentrate and acknowledge His love scripture say all things worketh for good to them that love the Lord. Scripture says, in Exodus 14:4 “The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.”
Let’s learn to choose our battles and wait for the Lord in our battles. He will fight for us whilst we are we are silent. Some battles are too long and if we are not careful and focused enough, they will exhaust us. If we not careful to concentrate on the right things, these type of great doors might result in issue like anxiety. We need to balance our emotions properly and skillfully. Anxiety is dangerous because it brings an absence of trust in God and an inclination to take and carry burdens on to ourselves. The bible says, cast all your burdens unto Jesus Christ for He cares for you/us (1 Peter 5:7; Psalm 55:22). Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’” Isaiah 54:1-4 gives us an assurance of peace, It says ““Sing, O barren, You who have not borne! Break forth into singing, and cry aloud, You who have not labored with child! For more are the children of the desolate Than the children of the married woman,” says the Lord. 2 “Enlarge the place of your tent and let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; Do not spare; Lengthen your cords, And strengthen your stakes. 3 For you shall expand to the right and to the left, and your descendants will inherit the nations, and make the desolate cities inhabited. 4 “Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; Neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame; For you will forget the shame of your youth and will not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore.” Trust the Lord that he will remove your shame. If you are going through an anxiety, I will urge you to read Philippians 4 and you shall find the joy of the Lord. This chapter has helped me a lot. May the Lord give you peace that transcends all your understand (Phil 4:6-7).
There are four ways that might help us to deal with anxiety in our lives:
1. Trust in God.
2. Keep things in perspective, be positive mind.
3. Reach out to others.
4. Learn coping skill, like balancing your emotions.
When the children of Israel when in captivity and oppression in Egypt the Lord gave them the best way to deal with adversity especially when you are not in control. He had sent plagues of many kinds upon the Egyptians in way that they should release the children of Israel but they could not until the day they applied the blood on the door post. Ladies and gentleman, brethren in Christ the blood of Jesus gives us victory (Rev 12:11). Without the shading f the blood there is no forgiveness of sins (Heb 9:22). The blood is a sign for our success and redemption. In Exodus 12:22-23 scripture says, “You shall take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood which is in the basin, and apply some of the blood that is in the basin to the lintel and the two doorposts; and none of you shall go outside the door of his house until morning. For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to smite you." Below are six things that can help us to conquer our adversaries in a smart and clean way.
1. Apply the blood of the Door Post. Whilst the adversaries are outside don’t go outside. Allow the Lord the deal with your adversaries outside in Jesus’ name. Stay inside Jesus and you will be safe and covered. Don't go outside Jesus.
2. Be patient whilst the Lord is fighting your battles.
3. Remain Spiritual do not be enticed with the Delilah’s of this world
4. Enquire of the Lord in all your strategies.
a. 2 Samuel 5:19 And David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the Lord said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.
b. 1 Samuel 30
c. 2 Samuel 2:1 Then it came about afterwards that David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go up to one of the cities of Judah?” And the Lord said to him, “Go up.” So David said, “Where shall I go up?” And He said, “To Hebron.
5. Pray for the anointing of the Almighty God upon your life in Jesus name. David inquired of the Lord nine times in the books of first and second Samuel. This shows a waiting and trusting on the anointing for breakthrough and conquer. Paul said that he was tarrying in Ephesus until the Pentecost. He was trusting Lord for the anointing, spiritual revival and empowerment. Many apostles where miraculously taken out of prison after praise and prayer. The anointing did it for them. May the Lord send an anointing upon your life. When the anointing comes upon your life it will destroy the yoke of bondage. Samson could lift the enemy’s gate (Judges 16:1-3) and even break chain when the anointing was upon his life.
a. Judges 16:1-3 Now Samson went to Gaza and saw a harlot there, and went in to her. 2 When the Gazites were told, “Samson has come here!” they surrounded the place and lay in wait for him all night at the gate of the city. They were quiet all night, saying, “In the morning, when it is daylight, we will kill him.” 3 And Samson lay low till midnight; then he arose at midnight, took hold of the doors of the gate of the city and the two gateposts, pulled them up, bar and all, put them on his shoulders, and carried them to the top of the hill that faces Hebron.
b. Judges 16:8 So the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven fresh bowstrings, not yet dried, and she bound him with them. 9 Now men were lying in wait, staying with her in the room. And she said to him, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” But he broke the bowstrings as a strand of yarn breaks when it touches fire. So the secret of his strength was not known.
i. DO NOT TELL PEOPLE THE SECRET OF YOUR. IT MIGHT BE PRAYER, IT MIGHT BE FASTING, IT MIGHT BE WORSHIP. WHATEVER IT IS DON’T TELL THEM
c. Isaiah 10:27 “It shall come to pass in that day That his burden will be taken away from your shoulder, And his yoke from your neck, And the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil.”
6. Continue in the word of God doing good. Revelation 3:8 ‘I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
Please note that it was in Ephesus where God did extraordinary miracles through Paul. Handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched his body were sent out to the sick and the possessed, and they were healed. Though he saw this Paul did not start a handkerchief ministry. He did not give people a toxic a dangerous doctrine. He knew that it was all about Jesus.
What are the doors has God opened to you? If there is oppositions to them, I want to encourage to remain resolute and focused on the Lord. You will see what The Lord will do through you. I promise you, He will make a way in places that will startle us. Stay tuned. Isaiah 43:15-16 15 I am the LORD, your Holy One, Israel's Creator, your King." 16This is what the LORD says- he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, Isaiah 43:15-17 “15 I am the Lord, your Holy One, The Creator of Israel, your King.” 16 Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea And a path through the mighty waters, 17 Who brings forth the chariot and horse, The army and the power (They shall lie down together, they shall not rise; They are extinguished, they are quenched like a wick):”
In conclusion I would like to say to you, God open the door and I want you to remain confident in His love and keep on trusting Him. Paul says in Philippians 1:6, “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;”
1. Do not compromise your faith – Philadelphia church (Revelations 3:8).
2. Be observant and sensitive like Mordecai (Esther 2:21-22). Trust the Lord that no Haman or nothing will block your door (Esther 6-7).
3. Walk through without delay just like Jephthah and set conditions spiritually and physically (Judges 11:4-11).
4. Pray for sustenance of the Door. Pray that God will sustain the door till you are done. Remember God opened it you. It's yours. Joshua prayed for the sun and moon to stand still until he had victory (Joshua 10: 12-15). Pray for Supernatural assistance , asking for the Lord to fight for you
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