Shut Doors
When uncertain about our course, we should submit to God's will and trust Him to guide us, even if it means closed doors.
Charles E. Cowman preaches about the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the lives of early Christian missionaries, highlighting how the Spirit often leads through prohibitions to direct them to the right path. Believers are encouraged to submit their judgment to the Spirit, trusting Him to close doors that are not of God and to guide them in the right direction. The sermon emphasizes the importance of obedience to even the slightest prompting of the Spirit, patience in waiting for God's timing, and the assurance that God holds the key to every closed door, leading His people to the right opportunities.
Text
"They were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the Word in Asia" (Acts 16:6).
It is interesting to study the methods of His guidance as it was extended towards these early heralds of the Cross. It consisted largely in prohibitions, when they attempted to take another course than the right. When they would turn to the left, to Asia, He stayed them. When they sought to turn to the right, to Bithynia, again He stayed them. In after years Paul would do some of the greatest work of his life in that very region; but just now the door was closed against him by the Holy Spirit. The time was not yet ripe for the attack on these apparently impregnable bastions of the kingdom of Satan. Apollos must come there for pioneer work. Paul and Barnabas are needed yet more urgently elsewhere, and must receive further training before undertaking this responsible task.
Beloved, whenever you are doubtful as to your course, submit your judgment absolutely to the Spirit of God, and ask Him to shut against you every door but the right one. Say,
"Blessed Spirit, I cast on Thee the entire responsibility of closing against my steps any and every course which is not of God. Let me hear Thy voice behind me whenever I turn to the right hand or the left."
In the meanwhile, continue along the path which you have been already treading. Abide in the calling in which you are called, unless you are clearly told to do something else. The Spirit of Jesus waits to be to you, O pilgrim, what He was to Paul. Only be careful to obey His least prohibition; and where, after believing prayer, there are no apparent hindrances, go forward with enlarged heart. Do not be surprised if the answer comes in closed doors. But when doors are shut right and left, an open road is sure to lead to Troas. There Luke awaits, and visions will point the way, where vast opportunities stand open, and faithful friends are waiting. --Paul, by Meyer
Is there some problem in your life to solve,
Some passage seeming full of mystery?
God knows, who brings the hidden things to light.
He keeps the key.
Is there some door closed by the Father's hand
Which widely opened you had hoped to see?
Trust God and wait--for when He shuts the door
He keeps the key.
Is there some earnest prayer unanswered yet,
Or answered NOT as you had thought 'twould be?
God will make clear His purpose by-and-by.
He keeps the key.
Have patience with your God, your patient God,
All wise, all knowing, no long tarrier He,
And of the door of all thy future life
He keeps the key.
Unfailing comfort, sweet and blessed rest,
To know of EVERY door He keeps the key.
That He at last when just HE sees 'tis best,
Will give it THEE.
--Anonymous
Sermon Outline
- I. The Methods of God's Guidance
- A. Prohibitions to guide us in the right direction
- B. Closing doors to prevent us from taking the wrong path
- II. The Importance of Submitting to God's Will
- A. Ask God to shut against us every door but the right one
- B. Cast our judgment on the Spirit of God
- III. The Role of Obedience in God's Guidance
- A. Obey God's least prohibition
- B. Continue along the path we have been treading
- IV. The Promise of God's Guidance
- A. God will make clear His purpose by-and-by
- B. God keeps the key to every door in our future life
Key Quotes
“Blessed Spirit, I cast on Thee the entire responsibility of closing against my steps any and every course which is not of God.” — Charles E. Cowman
“God knows, who brings the hidden things to light.” — Charles E. Cowman
“He keeps the key.” — Charles E. Cowman
Application Points
- We should submit our judgment to the Spirit of God and ask Him to guide us in our decisions.
- Obedience to God's least prohibition is crucial in understanding His will for our lives.
- We should trust God and wait for His timing, even if it means uncertainty and closed doors.