When God Shuts The Door

Among the millions of people in Noah’s time, Noah stood alone in his faith,and God did not forget him.

God waited to bring destruction "while the ark was preparing". (1Peter 3:20).

Every man was invited to enter the ark, none were refused admittance.

(1) The Ark Is A Signal To the Sinner

(A) Warned of the danger coming to the sinner

(a) Who Built It? Is it possible many of its buildrs were destroyed?

(B) We may be the means of insuring safety to others, and be lost ourselves. (1 Corinthians 9:27)Paul said, "I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway".

(a) Month by month: Noah looked upon the hundreds of people still they continued in their sin.

(2) Noah Could Build

...........Preach

...........Bear the ridicule and mocking of the people. As strong as he was, there was one thing he could not do. He could not shut the door.

Within just a short amount of time men would be clamoring for admittance.

(A) I picture Noah watching as the last creature boarded the ark, perhaps as he is gazing upon the crowd he sees one of the old workmen, maybe some of the young mothers are there watching as their small children play, maybe his eye catches the familiar sight of some of the older men leaning upon their staff, or could it be some of his relatives or neighbors have gathered close by the ark.

What must be going through his mind?

(B) Their only means of salvation was the ark that they had neglected, perhaps shutting the door may have more than he could do. And God shut the door.

When God shut the door, judgment fell.

(3) There Is Another Door Open Today

(A) Jesus said, "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved." (John 10:9)

(a) To the church in Philadelphia, (Rev. 3:8) "I know thy works: behold I set before thee an open door: and no man can shut it".

(b) To the Laodicean church (Rev. 3:20) "Behold I stand at the door and knock: If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me".

(4) Soon God Shall Shut The Door Of Opportunity

(A) Today is the day of salvation

(a) God is looking at this present world also

(1) God’s Look Is Scrutinizing

(Ill.) I recently had a photograph enlarged from a 5X7 to a 16X20 the larger photo revealed lines and marks around my eyes and forehead that were not detected in the smaller picture.

(B) God’s Look Is Penetrating

(Ill) In Mark chapter 11, verse 12 and 13 you’ll find when Jesus came from Bethany, He was hungry: And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, He came, if haply He might find any thing thereon: and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.

(a) The fig tree is noted for bearing fruit when leaves are present, this tree boasted of something it was not producing. So Jesus came and had a close look at the tree, and after not finding any fruit He cursed the tree.

(C)Men of Noah’s Day #1 A Preacher Of Righteousness

#2 The Holy Spirit To Strive For A While, Then It Ceased, When God Shut The Door

(5) The Ark Is A Type Of Christ

(A) A Refuge: David said, "Thou art my hiding place"

(B) A Home: (Psalms 90:1) "Lord thou hast been our home all generations".

(C) A Temple: Noah and his family worshipped there.

We must also be in Christ to worship.

(D) A Means of Transportation: The ark brought Noah from the old world to the new: from the valley of sorrow to the mountain of rest.

You must enter in, for today the door is open. Soon God shall shut the door.