A. DOORS TO HEAVEN
1. The door of salvation. “I am the door, by Me if any man enters in he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture” (Jn. 10:4).
2. The door of discipleship. “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it” (Matt. 7:13-14, NLT).
3. The door of opportunity. “There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose Me” (1 Cor. 16:9, NLT).
After salvation we face doors of confusion or doubt. Sometimes we are not sure if we should go through some doors.
B. GUIDE TO MAKING DECISION IN THE WILL OF GOD
1. The Bible guide. God’s will is consistent with the Word of God.
a. Don’t proof text or apply out of context.
b. The Bible has guide lines or principles.
2. The prayer guide.
a. Pray for insight and assurances for understanding.
b. Pray for guidance. “The Spirit of God will lead the children of God” (Rom. 8:14, ELT).
3. The yielded guide. You must be yielded to God to find His plan for your life.
a. If you are unyielded, what you want may not be God’s will.
b. If you are yielded, what you desire may be God’s will.
c. Our old flesh will play tricks about our desires.
4. The wise counsel guide. “In the multitude of counselors, there is safety” (Prov. 24:6).
a. They help you see a decision from a different point of view.
b. Friendship advice can be good or bad. Some friends will not tell you the truth, so they hurt you.
5. The spiritual gift guide.
a. Do what you are gifted to do.
b. Don’t make major decisions on minor gifts.
6. The common sense guide.
a. Seldom does God lead against common sense.
b. But sometimes people’s common sense is not God’s common sense.
7. The circumstance guide.
8. The activity guide. God leads these who actively seek His will.
C. WE FACE MANY DOORS
1. The service door. “A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked” (Ps. 84:10).
2. The opportunity door. “Know that it (the coming of the Son of Man) is night, even at the door” (Mark 13:29).
3. A dangerous door. “Remove . . . far from the prostitute’s door, and come not near her door” (Pro. 5:8, ELT).
4. A waiting room door. Sometimes God is not ready for you to have what you desire, “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires” (Ps. 37:4).
5. A Trojan horse door. Sometimes dangers and sin are hidden by the door.
6. The family door. Sometimes only family gain entrance, other things you can’t do because of family.
7. The credentials door. Sometimes you can’t enter because lack of a degree, or “papers.” You may have to go stand at the preparation door.
8. The postpone door. God keeps you waiting until a future entrance.
9. The caution door. Like danger signs on a highway, you can proceed, but be careful of danger.
10. The gift-wrapped door. Some doors look appealing and exciting, but once you enter, it may be a different world than you expect.
11. The projection door. You project good things on the other side, but it’s different when you enter.
12. The one-way door. Be cautious of doors where you can’t exit.
D. FUTURE DOORS
1. You will have more doors in the future (everyone does). So walk daily with Christ. “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him” (Col. 2:6).
2. Our last door will be into heaven. “Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this” (Rev. 4:1, NLT).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
All PBC lessons are available online at trbc.org/pbc.
Go to www.Hopenow.tv for the current program schedule.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
Dr. Towns’ web address is www.elmertowns.com.
