A Door of Divine Opportunity

“A great and effective door has opened to me!” I Corinthians 16:9

It is quite thrilling when we recognize that God is doing something unique and wonderful. It is even more thrilling when we realize that He is giving us the opportunity to join His activity. The Apostle Paul had just concluded a season of ministry in the city of Corinth. He had labored faithfully there for some eighteen months before ending what we call his second missionary journey as he began the arduous journey back towards Jerusalem. Paul passed through the city of Ephesus as he traveled, and he told the believers that he would return to them if it proved to be the Lord’s will (Acts 18:19-21).

 

Well, it certainly proved to be God’s plan for this man to return, and when he did, he experienced some of his most fruitful ministry. After straightening out some poor doctrine concerning the Holy Spirit and believer’s baptism, Paul spoke boldly among the Jews in the synagogue for three months. When opposition began to rise against his teaching, he was able to secure a place in the school of Tyrannus (who was either a Jewish rabbi, or perhaps a Greek philosopher, and a well known and respected teacher with his own “private” school) and continue his ministry for the next two years. This door of opportunity gave Paul a safe space to teach, lecture, mentor and disciple both Jews and Greeks on a daily basis. As a result, the Bible says “the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.” (Acts 19:20)  No wonder Paul said to the Corinthians that a great and effective door has opened to me!

As I write these words, God is uniquely opening a wonderful door of ministry opportunity for me as well. I may not encounter what Paul did so many years ago in the exciting city of Ephesus, but I am no less delighted to be involved in a deeper commitment as the Staff Evangelist to our home congregation, Friendship Baptist Church (www.friendshipsturgis.com). This wonderful church is the place of numerous spiritual encounters that have shaped our lives for God’s glory during the formative years of our marriage. Tammy and I never envisioned our being blessed with this opportunity when we returned to this area several years ago, yet this door has opened for us and we are gladly walking through it. Please pray for us as we officially begin on March 1^st in this new ministerial role. Our sincere hope and prayer is to experience spiritual fruit like we’ve never seen before. To God be the glory!