Preach to the Open Door - Acts 18:4-8

Each Sabbath found Paul at the synagogue, trying to convince the Jews and Greeks alike. And after Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul spent all his time preaching the word. He testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.  But when they opposed and insulted him, Paul shook the dust from his clothes and said, “Your blood is upon your own heads—I am innocent. From now on I will go preach to the Gentiles.”  Then he left and went to the home of Titius Justus, a Gentile who worshiped God and lived next door to the synagogue. Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, and everyone in his household believed in the Lord. Many others in Corinth also heard Paul, became believers, and were baptized. Acts 18:4-8

If anything, Paul (formerly known as "Saul") was a stubborn man.  The first thing the Lord said to him on the Road to Damascus was, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads." (Acts 9:5)  I think that's why Paul often went to the synagogue, trying to convince the jews that Jesus was the Messiah, yet with little success.  That's pretty much what happened in Corinth;  Paul tried to share the truth with the jews in that city, and they pretty much mocked him out of the synagogue! Finally Paul declared, "From now on I will go preach to the Gentiles."

I think there's a lesson here for us:  In our mission to tell people about Jesus, we need to look for the open doors.  

Now, I'm not saying we should completely ignore those who mock us for our faith, or those who initially resist our message.  Sometimes a person that God is already dealing with will put up a front of antagonism in order to hide a heart of conviction.

What I am saying is that we shouldn’t waste a lot of time trying to convince someone who is obviously not interested in hearing about Jesus.  If God has put someone like this on your heart, PRAY for them.  Trust me, God is very capable of working circumstances of their life, and the condition of their heart, to bring them to a place of being ready to hear the gospel.  When that time comes, you’ll recognize the open door.

Begin each day with a prayer to ask God to show you the open doors in the lives of the people around you.  Trust that God will lead you to them at the perfect time, and that the Holy Spirit will give you the words to say (Luke 12:12).

Pastor Clay