Trusting God In Uncertainty

In Revelation 3:7-8, Jesus tells the church in Philadelphia:

"I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door that no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name."

Imagine being that small church on the outskirts of the Roman Empire. Jesus sees their faithfulness and says, "I'm proud of you!" He promises them an open door that no one can shut. What an encouragement!

Jesus as the Door
Jesus controls the door because He has the keys. He owns it. In John 10:9, He says:

"I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture."

This is the door of salvation. Jesus invites us to enter through Him and find safety and nourishment.

Doors of Ministry
The Bible also talks about doors of ministry. In Acts 14:27, we read:

"And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles."

This was a huge moment! The gospel was spreading beyond the Jewish community, just as Jesus had commanded. Today, we still pray for open doors in unreached areas, like the 10/40 window.

Sometimes, an open door might surprise us. In 1 Corinthians 16:8-9, Paul writes:
"But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries."

Paul expected to move on, but God opened a door for him to stay. This reminds us that opportunities can come in unexpected ways, even in the face of uncertainty.

Practical Application
So, what does this mean for us?

• Be faithful in small things. God notices and rewards faithfulness.
• Look for open doors of opportunity in your life.
• Remember that Jesus is the ultimate door to salvation and abundant life.
• Pray for open doors in ministry, both locally and globally.
• Stay open to unexpected opportunities. Sometimes, staying put can be as important as moving on.

In our walk with God, we'll face many doors. Some will open easily; others might be tricky or sticky. But remember, Jesus holds the keys. He opens doors no one can shut and shuts doors no one can open. Trust Him to guide you through the right doors at the right time.

The Multi-Step Journey
Sometimes, an open door is just the first step in a longer journey. Let's look at Paul's experience in 2 Corinthians 2:12-13:

"When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia."

Isn't that interesting? Paul stepped through an open door, thinking it was God's leading. He started serving, working, doing what God called him to do. But something felt off. His spirit wasn't at rest. It's like having a rock in your shoe - you're supposed to keep walking, but it's uncomfortable.

Sometimes, that first step is part of a two-step dance. You might never have reached the second place without going through the first. It was clear leading, but it just wasn't right. Instead of going back, you ask, "Lord, what's next?" and step forward.

Different Types of Open Doors
God opens various doors in our lives:

• Some we stay in longer
• Some lead to something new
• Some don't quite fit
• Some lead to incredibly fruitful paths

Acts 16:6-10 shows us another example. Paul and his team faced closed doors in Asia and Bithynia. But then, Paul had a vision of a man from Macedonia saying, "Come over and help us." They immediately went, concluding God had called them there.

Dealing with Uncertainty
This journey can be frustrating. You might ask, "Lord, what are you doing? What do you want from me?" Here's the posture of a Jesus follower: open your hands to let go of what you're holding onto and open them to receive what God has for you.

Remember, it's okay to step through doors and see what God has in store. Sometimes, He never moves you, but you grow because you stepped in. Proverbs 25:2 says, "It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out."

We often worry about getting from point A to point B. But God does His finest work between those points. Sometimes, A and B become the same place - you never leave, but God creates disruption to help you grow.

God's Triumphal Leadership
How do you view God's leading in your life? Paul concludes in 2 Corinthians 2:14: "But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere."

Trust that God is leading you to victory, even when the path seems uncertain. He's using your journey to spread His love to others.

God leads us in Christ's triumphal procession. Even in uncertainty, we can hold our heads high, knowing He's guiding us to victory. But do we truly believe this? Life often feels like Joseph's journey - from pit to prison to palace. Or like Paul's experiences - shipwrecked, abandoned, pressed on every side. Yet, God was leading them triumphantly.

Remember, God walks with us as our Good Shepherd. He guides us through valleys and to green pastures. His purpose? That we might spread "the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere."

Whether in good times or tough spots, God's leading us to exude the sweet aroma of Jesus. It's not about our comfort, but about reflecting Christ.

So, in every situation, ask yourself: Am I giving off the fragrance of Jesus? That's the heart of God's triumphant leading in our lives.

This recap is from the message shared by Senior Pastor Dr. Roger Patterson on Sunday July 28, 2024. Check out the full message below!