A. DOORS ABOUT HEAVEN
1. The door of salvation. “ I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9).
2. The door of discipleship. “You can enter God’s kingdom only through the narrow door. The highway to hell is a wide door for the many who choose that way. But the doorway to life is very narrow and the road demanding, and only a few ever find it” (Matthew 7:13-14, ELT).
3. The door of opportunity. “There is a wide-open door for a great work here” (1 Corinthians 16:9, NLT).
After entering the door of salvation we face doors of ministry and growth challenges.
B. HOW TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT OPENING LIFE’S DOORS
1. The Bible door. God’s will is consistent with the Word of God.
a. Do not proof text or apply out of context.
b. The Bible has guidelines or principles.
2. The prayer door.
a. Making right choices by praying for insight and assurance.
b. Pray for guidance. “The Spirit of God will lead the children of God” (Romans 8:14, ELT).
3. The yielded door. 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 door. “In the multitude of counselors, there is safety” (Proverbs 24:6).
a. They help you see a decision from a differ 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 door. “Each has his proper spiritual gift” (1 Corinthians 7:7, ELT).
a. Minister where you are gifted.
b. Do not make major decisions/emphasis on minor gifts.
6. The common sense door.
a. Seldom does God lead against common sense.
b. But sometimes people’s common sense is not God’s common sense.
7. The circumstance door.
8. The activity door. God leads those who actively seek His will.
C. WE FACE MANY DOORS IN LIFE
1. The service door. “A single day in Your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than live anywhere else” (Psalm 84:10, ELT).
2. The opportunity door. “Know that it (the coming of the Son of Man) is soon, even at the door” (Mark 13:29).
3. A dangerous door. “Remove … far from the prostitute’s house, and come not near her door” (Proverbs 5:8, ELT).
4. A waiting room door. Sometimes God is not ready for you to have/give what you desire. “Wait on the Lord … He shall strengthen your heart, wait I say on the Lord” (Psalm 84:24).
5. A Trojan horse door. Sometimes dangers and sin are hidden behind the door.
6. The family door. Sometimes only family gain entrance, others cannot enter on activity.
7. The credentials door. Sometimes you cannot enter because lack of a degree, or “papers.” You may have to go stand at the preparation door. This door may require college training, a license, exam, or experience.
8. The postponement door. You must wait for 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 things are different when you enter.
12. The one-way door. Be cautious of doors where you cannot exit.
D. FUTURE DOORS
1. Some future doors you do not know about. So walk daily with Christ. “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him” (Colossians 2:6).
2. Your last door will lead to Heaven. “Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven … the voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this” (Revelation 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.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
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