Closed Door, Greater Purpose

Lead Pastor Scott Harris opened his message with Proverbs 16:9, reminding the church that while we make plans, the Lord ultimately directs our steps. Sometimes this redirection comes through rejection or closed doors, which can be painful but purposeful. Using Acts 16 as a guide, Pastor Scott highlighted how Paul experienced such redirection, showing that God often uses “no” to lead us into greater opportunities.
Paul, after parting ways with Barnabas, took Silas on his second missionary journey and soon invited Timothy, a young believer with both Jewish and Greek heritage, to join him. Timothy’s faith, reputation, and cultural background uniquely prepared him to minister alongside Paul in both Jewish and Gentile communities. Paul circumcised Timothy to remove barriers among Jews, further enabling their mission. Pastor Scott emphasized that God had been preparing Timothy long before this moment, weaving his heritage, family faith, and character into His plan.
Just like Paul and Timothy’s story, God works behind the scenes in our lives, often in ways we don’t recognize, to prepare us for His purposes. Closed doors aren’t the end; they are often God’s redirection toward something greater. This truth invites us to walk by faith, trusting God’s unseen preparation for the future.