Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, 13 I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia.
God is a great door opener “ He opens, and no man can shut and shuts and no man can open”
God opens doors but it’s our responsibility to pursue the opportunity.
13 I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia
He had no rest in his spirit, though there was such a door opened to preach the Gospel, and such an opportunity of doing good, yet he was greatly distressed in his mind; very restless and uneasy in his spirit, and could not be satisfied to stay.
This is a very challenging verse on many levels for me it high lights several key points
Paul even though he is in a place of effectiveness is not at peace. I think some time we think that success will automatically bring happiness. We are so driven by our feelings. When the Lord issued the church the great commission he didn’t say go into all the World and preach the gospel if it feels the right thing to do.
Was Paul out of God’s will? He has an open door but decides to move on because he could not find Titus. Well its a tricky one but I believe Paul had such a vested interest in developing key leaders. He understood God can turn up any place any time (and he proves it) but revivals blow out and they need Godly stewardship. Church is not built on revival
“built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone”
God is not limited to one place, Jesus ministry proved that he took the power of God and miracles all over Israel. Its never about a place its all about His grace.
Pastor thank you. All to often those who's gifting puts them at the front assume that the job or a job will only succeed because of them or by them. It is never an easy decision to say No when God stuff is kicking off. But Paul examples for us that when the Holy Spirit stirs us in a positive or negative way (feeling) we do Very well to act accordingly. I have never, ever, ever known Holy Spirit to get it wrong. Be Blessed. Amen.