Main Idea

A closed door is not God rejecting us, but God redirecting us. God is not absent, angry, or ignoring us. He may be guiding us toward something we cannot see yet.

Scripture

Acts 16:6–10
⁶ Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. ⁷ When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. ⁸ So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. ⁹ During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” ¹⁰ After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Acts 16:11–15
¹¹ From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis. ¹² From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district^[a] of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.

¹³ On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. ¹⁴ One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. ¹⁵ When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.

Proverbs 16:9
In their hearts humans plan their course,
    but the Lord establishes their steps.

Acts 16:40
⁴⁰ After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left.

Philippians 1:3
³ I thank my God every time I remember you.

Philippians 4:15–16
¹⁵ Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; ¹⁶ for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.

Philippians 4:18
¹⁸ I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

Discussion Questions

• What is one door you tried to open in life that did not work out, but later you realized God may have been guiding you another way?
• Why do closed doors often make us feel like God is withholding, ignoring us, or disappointed with us?
• Read Acts 16:6–10. Paul was doing something good, but the Holy Spirit stopped him. What does this teach us about how God guides His people?
• In the sermon, we learned that sometimes God’s open door is a person, not a destination. Who might be a “Lydia” in your life—someone God has placed near you who may be open to Jesus? What is the next step of obedience you already know God is asking you to take, even if you do not have the whole map yet?