Acts 16:6-10 "Closed Doors"

I don’t like change. At least not change that's not my idea. I do not want plans to change once I make them. I certainly don't like when doors close on things I’m planning on doing. When I'm working toward a goal, trying to move forward and it seems like the door is cracked a little, so I reach in there to pry it open but it slams shut on my fingers! 

That’s when I start kicking—maybe it just needs a heavy foot and a can-do attitude!

I released a book several years ago—a memoir about my adventures in following Jesus. “Joyride: A Beginning in Every End.” I've kind of half-joked that I should have called it, "Almost Successful." How's that for an inspiring title? "Almost Successful: The Story of Frank Hart who was almost successful as a rock musician, and as singer/songwriter, and as a video director, and as a record producer, and as a worship leader, and as an author, and as a pastor..." I could keep going. Ask about my diet. (Actually don't, I'm still working on my 2020 25.)

People don’t like when I call myself almost successful. And I understand, I was arguably successful in all those things (even the diet, because I have not gotten back to my sumo fighting weight of 275! Not even close.) But in everything I mentioned, I had bigger hopes. I wanted to be the American Bono, the Lutheran Chris Tomlin, I wanted to produce videos and records that everyone would see—really make a cultural impact. I wanted to write books that would inspire people to think deeply about Jesus and grace and all the important aspects of their lives. Even as a pastor—God has been very kind to us. But I want NewChurch to be a ministry that connects with the community where we are planted and introduces hurt, lost, broken, confused people to the love, grace, and wisdom of Christ. A church of disciples who make disciples. And we are, we do—and I’m thankful—but I want us to do more.

I like coming up with ideas, planning, momentum—having big dreams. When I make a friend, I give them my complete devotion, and I will be loyal to them forever. I never want it to end. When I start something, make a plan, I don’t want to ever give up on it. But there have been so many times when I was doing something I loved—something I thought was good, even of God—and the door slammed shut. Painfully. Dreams, relationships, a ministry, a career. Sometimes devastating things. Dropped by a record label, fired by a church, someone I love moves away. Or dies. And that chapter of the story is over. The door is closed.

I'm left feeling confused. Hurt. Like I missed God's leading somehow. Maybe you know that feeling too. That crushing feeling of, “now what?”

We all have to deal with closed doors.

You prayed for the relationship to work out, and it didn’t. You wanted that job, and someone else got it. Maybe high school and college sports was your life, and you feel a little lost after graduation. Maybe you had a job you loved where you were starting to feel really good in a position, and then the company downsized. Or changed. And you were left scrambling.

All these things can mess with your faith.

We're like, "If God is good, and I’m trying to do something good, why won’t He let me?" "I really thought He was leading me to do this!" “Why did He let me start this and not see it through” "Why did He give me this relationship if He's just going to take it away?"

The grief is real. Sometimes it feels like God closed the door on your heart and just left it jammed in there aching with pain.

We're going through the book of Acts line by line, following the adventures of the early church—things that happened after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. All His followers kept going, spreading the Gospel, planting churches. It's particularly focused on taking the message of the Jewish Messiah, Jesus Christ, and sharing it with the Gentiles. All the Greeks and Romans and to the ends of the earth. We're in chapter 16 starting at… 

And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. Acts 16:6

Paul had a big strategy for how he was going to take the Gospel to the rest of the world—and so far those plans had been very successful. He had clear vision but it was always held in submission to the Spirit’s leading. It seems like the next thing he wanted to do was travel west toward Ephesus, but the Spirit said “no.” Doesn’t say how the door was closed—maybe through prophetic revelation or something mysterious—maybe just through external obstacles of some kind. He packs his bags and heads out with his new ministry partner Silas, starts heading to Asia, and somehow the door was closed. It was probably frustrating. But they had confidence this wasn’t God shutting down the mission; just redirecting it. 

And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. Acts 16:7

This is the only time in the Bible the specific phrase “The Spirit of Jesus” is used. In Romans there’s a reference to the “Spirit of Christ,” in Galatians it says, “The Spirit of God’s Son,” and in Philipians it says, “The Spirit of Jesus Christ.” They’re all a reference to the Holy Spirit and point to the unified connection of God the Trinity: three Persons one God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

It seems like this time there may have been a direct prophetic word shutting down their plans to go to Bithynia. This whole section feels very much like my experience trying to figure out exactly what God is leading me to do in my life. Paul made plans, he tried to start doing something, going somewhere, and God yanks on his choke collar. “No!” “Stop!” Wrong direction!”

Can you imagine how disheartening this would be? They’re on foot. They walk for days toward some place and Paul says, “Well, God doesn’t want us to go there after all.” Then they go in a different direction for a few days and it happens again. Silas might have been like, “I’m starting to understand why Mark left you last time.” Paul’s probably having some self doubt thinking, “What kind of leader am I? Have I lost my ability to discern God’s leading?”

I mean, he had a good plan. Bithynia made sense. It was a wealthy, heavily populated area to the north with bustling strategic cities like Nicomedia and Nicaea—major trade routes, politically stable, law-abiding citizens, a pretty safe place to do ministry—lots of people leading to lots of opportunities. It looked like a perfect next step for the mission. But God says, “no.” 

Redirection is always frustrating but the good thing we see here is the Holy Spirit isn’t a passive observer—He actively leads His people. 

So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. Acts 16:8

This is when they hit the water of the Aegean sea—this is the Northwest edge of modern day Turkey—just a day’s journey by ship to Europe. Troas was a Roman colony and port city. God wasn’t just closing doors—He was carefully guiding them to the place where the next step of the Gospel would begin. But they still don’t know where they’re going.

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." Acts 16:9

Finally, a yes! GPS locks in. God speaks through a vision—and it’s not vague. A man from Greece asks for help. God shows Paul that people across the Aegean Sea need to hear the Gospel. This is the introduction of Christianity into Europe. Something I’m particularly thankful for according to my very European 23and Me test results. The Gospel went to Greece and kept going—eventually creating Western Civilization and many centuries later, making its way to Katy, Texas. 

We’re very glad the Gospel didn’t get stuck in the comfort of Bithynia! If Paul would have gone the way he wanted to go, he may have had a nice little life building a nice church in the suburbs of Ephesus—and the message of Jesus might have just stayed there with him.

But even though it had to be frustrating for those doors to slam shut, God had bigger plans.

And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. Acts 16:10

Oh man, look at this! “God had called us…” Look who joined the party! This is the first “we” section in Acts. Dr Luke joins the team. This story just got personal. He’s not just writing history anymore—he entered the story. If you know where this story is going, you know it’s a good thing they have a doctor traveling with them. Paul, Silas, Timothy, and now Luke—all redirected, all obedient, all stepping through an open door into this new chapter. 

This is the moment the Gospel goes to Europe—Philippi, Thessalonica, Corinth—it all starts here. God wasn’t killing Paul’s mission strategy; He was making it better. The Spirit's interventions didn’t stop the mission; they focused it. 

This is a big moment in church history. But it started with closed doors and frustration.

Paul’s doing the work of the Gospel. He wanted to preach in Asia—but the Holy Spirit said no. He tries Bithynia—Spirit of Jesus says no again. This should make us all feel a little better about our best laid plans and strategies. This is St Paul. Not some rookie. He wrote half the New Testament. And even he doesn’t get what he wants or see the whole plan before he gets going, either. He just gets up and starts moving—one faithful step at a time.

So they end up in Troas, looking over the sea toward Europe. That’s where he gets the vision: a man from Macedonia saying, "Come help us."

A bunch of closed doors all leading to an open one. Can you relate? Story of my life. Feel familiar to anyone else?

We need to remember: We’re not in control.

We confuse our plans with God’s plans and assume He should bless every idea that pops into our head. We act like God needs us to figure out the strategy for Him.

Then when things fall apart, when doors close, we spiral into disappointment, bitterness—paralysis. We doubt that God is good. We doubt that He knows what He’s doing. We think He’s punishing us. We feel forgotten. Abandoned. We stop moving forward. We just sit there demanding that He tells us the whole plan before we’ll do what He says and get moving again. We turn prayer into a customer service complaint. We want God to explain the inconvenience.

But He doesn’t owe us explanations. He hardly ever explains Himself. The Spirit isn’t a holy consultant. A life coach. He’s God. He leads—we follow. Doors open, doors close—our job is to keep going.

God is leading us. The detours are all part of the journey—all part of His story for us.

The Spirit wasn’t punishing Paul—He was getting him where he needed to be. There were people in Macedonia who needed help. They needed the Gospel. Families, communities, people who needed the hope of Jesus. Just like we do.

He came to help us in our helplessness. When we were lost, stuck, dead in our sin—He crossed the divide between heaven and earth to rescue us. 

We pray for open doors. Jesus said, "I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved" (John 10:9). And He also said,

"Knock, and it will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7

When all the other doors shut, He’s the one that will always be open. 

He’s the way—He’s the path. He’s also the open door that leads to the path of salvation. And He’s the open door at the end of the road that welcomes you into the heavenly city saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Friend. Brother!”

The biggest closed door the world had ever seen was the stone that sealed the tomb. And He rolled that one away in the resurrection offering life and hope to all of us. Jesus obeyed the Father perfectly, even when the only open door led to the cross. It looked like the end but it was definitely the beginning. The resurrection shows with absolute certainty—that closed doors in this world are never the end. 

Think about that when doors close, God is probably doing something. For all of us who are in Christ, He works all things for our good. Even when it hurts. Even when it makes no sense. He’s writing your story—He’s setting up the glorious ending. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” He closes doors so we’ll move on to better open doors. He turns endings into beginnings.

I say this all the time; The only difference between a tragedy and happily ever after is where you stop telling the story.

That should be very encouraging. Please be encouraged.

Also, if your nose is still throbbing from the last door that shut in your face—I get it—sure, God is good and He says things will get better but maybe you’re not really feeling it right now.

I have a few practical suggestions that can help—take it from a guy who’s had his share of painful redirections.

1. Grieve it. Admit that it sucks. Tell God how you honestly feel. Don't skip this. Jesus wept at Lazarus's tomb even though He knew resurrection was coming in five minutes. So go ahead and cry. Mourn. Lament. Get mad. Tell God all about it. Listen to what He has to say in response.

2. Pray for clarity, but obey without it. God doesn't steer parked cars. Keep moving. Do the next right thing. Take the next step by faith. Not blind faith—faith is never blind. Faith is trust in God’s goodness—goodness we’ve seen before. He’s still good. Have faith in Him.

3. Surround yourself with people you trust. Paul didn’t go alone. Luke starts saying “we” in verse 10. Who you choose to be your community matters. Let them be there for you. Be there for them. There is no category in the Bible for Christians who are by themselves—no one follows Jesus alone.

4. Look for the Macedonian. Who needs help? The next open door will always be to serve someone else—it’s never going to be for you to selfishly be comfortable for yourself. God always calls us to love and serve other people. Who is God calling you to help next? Ask Him. And finally… 

5. Remember How God does things. He always brings resurrection out of death, new chapters out of closed ones. Beginnings out of endings. Open doors after closed ones. And He loves to do things at the last possible moment—you can’t read the Bible without noticing that.

God reminds us of these things all through His Word: Proverbs 16:9 says,

"The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps,"

—even when we try to chart our own course, it’s ultimately God who directs our path. Isaiah 43:19 says,

"Behold, I am doing a new thing,"

giving us hope that closed doors aren’t the end but the beginning of something new. And in Revelation 3:7, Jesus Himself says that He is the one who

"opens doors no one can shut,"

—when He makes a way, nothing can stop it.

Some of you are feeling a chapter close right now. Maybe a job is ending. A friendship is fading. Your kids are growing up. Your health is changing. The dream isn’t panning out.

You wanted to go to Bithynia but you’re stuck in Troas. Pretty frustrated. Waiting for what’s next.

The job needs to get better, business needs to pick up, your heart needs to heal from losing someone, you feel lonely, and discouraged—you’re wondering where God is. Staring at that closed door that seems to be locked from the other side.

Please hear me: God is not done with you. He promises. He is getting you ready for the next thing. Stay open. Stay moving. Keep listening. Read your freakin’ Bible. He will give you direction.

Even as a church, we’re going to face redirections. Ministry ideas that don’t take off. People who leave. Frustrations and challenges. But the Spirit of Jesus is still guiding us. It ain’t over yet! It’s not over until we see Him on the clouds at the end of time—and even then—that’s just the beginning of all things new!

When we get to the end of the book of Acts, we’re going to find that it doesn’t have a proper ending. Luke just stops writing and leaves us wondering what’s going to happen next. Kind of like life. The book of Acts, the acts of the Holy Spirit, the acts of the followers of Jesus—they didn’t end. The story isn’t finished. We are still part of it. You’re still part of it—Acts chapter 2025. So keep walking. Keep trusting. Keep living your life in this unfinished story—because Jesus is still opening your next doors—even if you can’t quite see them yet.

So maybe I wasn’t meant to be the American Bono or the Lutheran Chris Tomlin. Maybe “Almost Successful” was the perfect title all along—at least in the world’s eyes. Because the story isn’t about how far I can get on my own. It’s about how far Jesus has already gone for me—where He’s taking me. 

Same for you. Every closed door, every dead-end dream, every moment that felt like failure—it was all leading somewhere. Maybe not to the success we hoped for, but to the grace we didn’t even know we needed. Because the resurrection proves that God always has a next chapter. He brings beauty from ashes, life from death, purpose from disappointment. And one day, every “almost” will be washed away by the words, “Well done.” So let’s keep going—one faithful step at a time. Even when a door closes—especially then. Because when God says no, it’s only because He has something better. AMEN