The Open Door Series

Acts 19:1-20 The Open Door

1. The Providence in the Open Door

1 Corinthians 16:9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me,

Paul on his third missionary journey stayed in Ephesus for three years

Acts 20:31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

2. The Preparation for the Open Door - 19:1-10 “A MIGHTY REVIVAL”

1 Corinthians 16:9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me,

It's Beginning - 1 finding certain disciples,

It's Beckoning - 2 he said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost

It's Believing - 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

It's Bestowing - 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them and they spake with tongues and prophesied

It's Beguiling - 7 And all the men were about twelve. (So Few)

It's Blossoming - 8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

It's Blessing - 10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

3. The Problems with the Open Door - there are many adversaries.

THE TIMING OF THE TROUBLE. When did this trouble begin? When God began to work

THE TEACHING OF THE TROUBLE Where did the trouble come from?

Doubters - 9 But when divers were hardened, and believed not,

Deniers - but spake evil of that way before the multitude,

Deriders - he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.

THE TELLING OF THE TROUBLE What did the trouble reveal? -

Deceivers - 13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

Distorters - 14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.

Defrauders - 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

Defilers - 16 the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

Defamers - 17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus;

4. The Provision of the Open Door

1 Corinthians 16:9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me,

A Holding - 10 And this continued by the space of two years;

A Hearing - so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

A Helping - 11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul

A Healing - 12 so that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them,

and the evil spirits went out of them.

5. The Potential through the Open Door

1 Corinthians 16:9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me,

The Concern - 17 and fear fell on them all,

The Conviction - and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

The Confession - 18 And many that believed came, and confessed,

The Consecration - and shewed their deeds.

The Confiscation - 19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

The Consolation - 20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed