1 Corinthians 16:8,9 But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost,  9because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.

I.  The great door of opportunity

     (1 Cor. 16:9a)

     A. For the Apostle Paul

     B. For Crossroads Community Church

     C. For each of us individually

II.    The great opposition which attends the opportunity

     (1 Cor. 16:9b; 2 Cor. 1:P8-9a)

     A. Opposition from the god of this age

          (2 Cor. 4:3-4)

     B. Opposition from people around us

          (2 Cor. 4:9  “persecuted..., struck down...”)

     C. Opposition within us

          (2 Cor. 4:7-8)

III. Staying in Ephesus

A.     Staying because of the opportunity to work for the Lord

     (1Cor. 16:9a)

    B. Not losing heart in spite of the opposition

          (2 Cor. 1:9b-10; 2 Cor. 4:8-9; 2 Cor. 4:1)

     C. Staying because of the opposition

          (1 Cor. 16:9b)