Have you ever prayed for something so long that you stopped expecting the answer? In this powerful Advent message, Pastor Stephen Mizell explores the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth—a faithful couple who waited 40 years for a child while continuing to serve God in the temple.

Through their story found in Luke 1, discover a profound truth: God's silence isn't His absence. Sometimes heaven's delays aren't denials—God is preparing something bigger than what you're praying for.

In This Episode:

• Why biblical hope is different from wishful thinking—it's confident expectation based on God's character
• How Zechariah and Elizabeth's obedience positioned them for a miracle they'd stopped expecting
• The difference between faith that believes God "can" versus faith that serves Him even when He "doesn't"
• Why both Zechariah and Mary asked "how?" but received different responses from the angel
• What it means to "keep lighting the incense"—staying faithful in service while waiting for answers
• How God sometimes closes our mouth so He can open our understanding

Pastor Stephen challenges us with this question: What do you do when your prayers seem unanswered? The answer may surprise you—it's not to stop praying or stop serving, but to continue faithfully because hope is forged in consistency, not excitement.

This message kicks off Open Door Church's Advent series, preparing hearts for 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting beginning January 4th.

Key Quote: "Sometimes the most righteous people carry the heaviest crosses. Faith is not just believing God can—it's continuing to serve Him when He doesn't answer the way you expect."

Scripture Focus: Luke 1:5-25

In this Thanksgiving message, John Lassiter from Open Door Church's teaching team teaches about the spiritual discipline of remembering God's faithfulness. Drawing from Deuteronomy 8, John challenges us to slow down in our busy season and resist the cultural trap of comparison and entitlement.

Through vulnerable personal stories—from his journey as a school principal to watching his daughters get baptized—John illustrates the critical difference between pride that says "look what I did" and gratitude that says "look what God has accomplished through me." He reminds us that gratitude fades when memory fails, and that the greatest danger to our faith isn't trouble or hardship, but the forgetfulness that comes with comfort and success.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why gratitude doesn't come naturally and must be intentional
• The dangerous exchange: replacing dependency on God with confidence in self
• How blessings can make you forget the Blesser
• The reality that self-made faith and self-earned salvation don't exist
• Choosing between being the main character in your own story vs. an important character in God's eternal story
• Practical challenges for cultivating a lifestyle of gratitude

KEY SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy 8:10-18

THREE THANKSGIVING CHALLENGES:

1. Make a list of blessings money cannot buy and praise God for them daily
2. Tell one person each day how God has been good to you
3. Give back where you have been blessed—ask God where He can use you

Whether you're lost in the wilderness or comfortable in your blessings, this message will recalibrate your perspective and inspire you to live with intentional gratitude this Thanksgiving season and beyond.

Feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or like you're constantly losing battles in your life? In this episode, Pastor Stephen Mizell discusses spiritual warfare and how to stand victorious in Christ.

In the final sermon of our "Stronger" series through Ephesians, we uncover the truth about who your real enemy is—and it's not the people around you. Discover how the enemy uses deception, division, and distraction to keep you defeated, and learn the practical steps to put on God's armor every single day.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why people are your mission field, not your problem
• The three tactics Satan uses to keep you defeated
• How to intentionally put on each piece of God's armor
• Why prayer doesn't just make you stronger—it makes you surrender
• The deadly trap of isolation and why you can't fight alone
• How the church functions as both hospital and army

KEY SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 6:10-24

This isn't symbolic fluff—it's spiritual reality. Paul reminds us that we're not fighting against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces in the unseen world. The good news? God never sends His soldiers into battle unarmed. You have everything you need to win the fight.

Whether you're a brand new believer or you've been walking with Christ for decades, this message will equip you to recognize the battle, armor up, pray with power, and stand firm together with your brothers and sisters in Christ.

REMEMBER: Alone you will fail, but together you withstand. The victory has already been secured in Jesus Christ—now it's time to walk in that victory.

Open Door Church | Edenton, NC Pastor Stephen Mizell

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Stronger in Relationships | Building on a Firm Foundation Series

When Christ is at the center, relationships become stronger. When He's not, they become weaker. Pastor Stephen Mizell teaches from Ephesians 5-6 about how our faith should transform our closest relationships—in marriage, family, and work.

Your relationships are the mirror that shows you how you're doing on the inside. If your faith doesn't work at home, does it really work?

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Marriage: Moving from hierarchy to harmony
• Family: Why discipleship starts at home
• Work: Serving as unto the Lord
• How Christ transforms how we love, serve, and lead

KEY SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 5:22-6:9

Open Door Church, Edenton, NC Pastor Stephen Mizell November 9, 2025

Are you living like the person God has called you to be? Pastor Stephen Mizell delivers a challenge about the gap between what we believe and how we live. Using Ephesians 4-5, he reminds us that real strength isn't proven by what you say you believe—it's proven by how you choose to live.

In This Episode:

• Why we can't keep wearing the "dirty diaper" of our old life
• The three guardrails for Christian living: Love, Light, and Wisdom
• Why sanctification requires your participation, not just God's intervention
• How your lifestyle is the loudest sermon you'll ever preach

Pastor Stephen shares why your presence should change the atmosphere of any room you enter. This is Week 7 of the Stronger series from Open Door Church.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-32, Ephesians 5:1-21

Are you growing spiritually or just getting older? In this episode of the Open Door Church podcast, Pastor Stephen Mizell tackles a crucial question every believer must answer: What's the difference between natural growth and intentional maturity?

Drawing from Ephesians 4, Pastor Stephen reveals why salvation is just the starting line, not the finish line. He challenges us to move from being spiritual consumers to becoming spiritual contributors—from spectators in the stands to participants on the field.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why growth is automatic but maturity requires intentional obedience
• How to walk worthy of your calling in Christ
• The difference between knowing Bible facts and looking like Jesus
• Why unity is evidence of maturity (and pride is the seed of division)
• How to move from consumer to contributor in God's kingdom
• What it means to be unshaken when culture shifts around you

Pastor Stephen also shares a powerful, personal vision for the next season of ministry, including four specific commitments that will challenge and inspire you—whether you're a grandparent, a young person, a new believer, or someone sensing God's call to ministry.

This isn't just another sermon about spiritual growth. It's a call to intentional maturity that will change how you walk out your faith every single day.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16 visitopendoor.com

Description: In this message from our Stronger series, Pastor Stephen Mizell reminds us that God's plan for your life is bigger than your life. Drawing from Ephesians 3, he unpacks the mystery of God's purpose—revealed through Christ and displayed through the church. Discover how to find meaning in trials, live rooted in love, and walk confidently in the purpose God has designed for you.

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1–21

Key Themes:

• God's purpose is eternal and far greater than our own plans

• The church displays God's wisdom and grace to the world

• Suffering has purpose—it strengthens and shapes us

• Before God works through you, He works in you

Connect: Open Door Church | Edenton, NC Website: visitopendoor.com

In a world increasingly divided by algorithms, politics, and social media echo chambers, the gospel offers something radically different: true unity through Christ. Pastor Stephen Mizell shows how Jesus tears down walls and creates one new family from strangers and outsiders.

Key Points:

• Algorithms divide us, but the cross unites us
• Remember you were once an outsider—stay humble
• Christ's death reconciles us to God AND to each other
• The church isn't optional—we need community to find our purpose
• A brick alone is a weapon; together we're God's temple

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

If this encouraged you, like, subscribe, and share!

Connect With Us: Website: visitopendoor.com Service Times: 9am & 10:45am Location: Open Door Church, Edenton, NC

#Unity #Ephesians #ChurchFamily #BiblicalTeaching

In week three of our Stronger series, Pastor Stephen Mizell teaches from Ephesians 2 on the power of God's grace. Grace doesn't just make you better—it makes you alive.

Discover what it means to move from death to life, to receive mercy you can't earn, and to live from grace instead of performance.

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1–10

Key Quote: "Grace doesn't grade on a curve—it's graded on a cross." If this message encouraged you, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to hear about God's grace today. Join us this Sunday at Open Door Church in Edenton, NC—where we're building stronger faith together.

In this week's sermon, Pastor Stephen Mizell continues our "Stronger" series from the book of Ephesians, diving deep into what it means to have spiritual vision. Drawing from Ephesians 1:15-23, Pastor Stephen reveals why we live in a culture flooded with information but starving for wisdom—and how God wants to open our eyes to see what really matters.

This isn't about physical sight; it's about spiritual insight. When life gets overwhelming and circumstances feel out of control, what you see determines how you stand. Pastor Stephen shares powerful illustrations and personal stories that will help you understand the difference between wandering aimlessly and walking with divine purpose.

You'll discover:

• Why vision is the difference between wandering and walking with purpose
• The three specific things God wants you to see when your spiritual eyes are opened
• How Christ's current reign (not future reign) changes everything about your circumstances
• A powerful daily prayer and proclamation to transform your perspective
• Why your problems may feel over your head, but they're still under His feet

Whether you're a new believer struggling to find direction or a seasoned Christian who needs fresh perspective on God's plan for your life, this message will equip you to see more clearly and stand more firmly.