1 Corinthians 16:8-9 But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. 9 For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

Paul says, “A great and effective door has opened to me.” He also says, “There are many adversaries.” These are two very important truths. First, there is always an open door for the Christian who is willing to teach the word of God. That doesn’t mean there is an open invitation. It means that it’s not a closed door that keeps many Christians from speaking God’s Word. Rather, it’s timidness, fear, or possibly even an unwillingness to do so. But anywhere there are people, there is an open door to the Christian who is willing to speak God’s Word. That may be in church, on the street, at work or school or wherever you are. There is always an open door for God’s Word. It may not be well received, yet the door is open. Secondly, anywhere the Word of God is spoken, there will be many adversaries. In Ephesus, it was precisely because the opportunities were so great that Paul had so many adversaries. While there is always an open door for God’s Word, it will also always churn up the outrage of others. Don’t be surprised by that … you shouldn’t be. It’s evident in scriptural example and  learned in practical experience. And if you haven’t noticed, Christianity is being demonized more and more. There is an escalating attitude of hostility towards Christians.  And so we find the media doing everything they can to cast Christianity in a bad light. Bigots … hate mongers … homophobes … vile, mean people. It was the experience of Paul and it is the experience of all who will speak God’s Word. The devil is always unsettled and hostile toward those who are willing to use the over open door of opportunity to proclaim the Gospel.