THE ARK DOOR
Radio Message C.K.A.R.- Huntsville, Sept. 3, 1959.
Gen. 6:8-16.
Every day you will open a door! When you get something from the Ice box or refrigerator you will open the door. When you get into the car, you will open the door. When you enter a store, you will open the door. When you wish to be saved, when you turn to Jesus Christ to meet your need of salvation - you must open the door of your heart.
Jesus said: "I am the Door, by Me if any man enter in he shall be saved." John 10:9.
The door of salvation has been opened for you. Will you enter?
In Genesis Chapter 6 verse 5 we read; God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.''
God was grieved in His heart that man was such a wicked and evil person and God decided to punish man because of sin.
Even though God punishes man - God also offers a place of safety from the judgment and wrath of God. God found Noah a just man, and a man who walked before Him In faith. God's favour and grace was bestowed upon Noah and Noah was used of the Lord to build an ark which would become a refuge and place of safety for both man and the animals of the earth. Noah obeyed the Lord and built the ark which was a boat at least 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high. The ark had three floors with a window in the top of it, and a door in the side of it.
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So that it would be waterproof, the ark was sealed with pitch within and without. It took a long time for Noah and his three sons; Shem, Ham, and Japheth, to build the ark. It must have seemed foolish to the people who were watching, for these men to be building a boat which would float upon the top of water especially when the earth had not seen a flood of water or even rain before.
BUT LISTEN! Noah had faith in God! Noah believed God's Word!
No doubt many stood and laughed at Mr. Noah and his sons as they worked year after year but we believe that Noah was faithfully telling men to prepare for the judgment to come. Many people today seem to laugh at God's people when they tell of a heaven to gain and a hell to shun.
They say; God loves man, and He will never send a man to hell.
God will never send a man to hell! They go because they refuse a place of safety; they reject God's offer of mercy; they turn their back upon God's gift of salvation through faith In Christ as Saviour.
Listen! Are you still living in sin? Do you not know that the "wages of sin is death."? The Bible says," The soul that sinneth, it shall die."
If you are living in sin, and refuse to heed the message of salvation personally, don't blame God and say, "I didn't know" or "I wasn't given a chance to be saved." All who are separated from God's presence in eternal fire have rejected the ark of our salvation.
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Will you be prepared to meet God? Amos 4:12. (“Therefore thus I will do to you, O Israel; because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel!”)
"The Lord is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." 2 Pet. 3:9
Noah believed God!
In Hebrews 11:7 we read." By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith."
When Noah built the ark, God told him to put a door in the side of it. There must be a door to enter.
When the ark was finished and at the appointed time, Noah took animals and birds into the ark two by two. Then Noah took his wife, his three sons and their wives into the ark and GOD SHUT THEM IN. The door was closed! No more could get in, and Noah was safe within.
Eight people were saved because they believed God.
The people outside must have thought this was a great joke UNTIL It started to rain,
What a difference then! There was no laughing then!
When it started to rain - they realized BUT TOO LATE - they had rejected their last opportunity for safety. They died in unbelief.
Dear friend! Don't fool with God's opportunity of salvation, God wants you to take Him at His word and receive Christ as your Saviour. The ark is a beautiful picture or type of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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When we receive Christ as saviour, we have a refuge from the storms of life and the attack of satan. We are safe in Jesus Christ.
Ira D. Sankey has written the following hymn:
The Lord's our rock, in Him we hide,
A shelter in the time of storm.
Secure whatever ill betide, a shelter in the time of storm.
The raging storms may round us beat, a shelter in the time of storm.
We'll never leave our safe retreat, a shelter in the time of storm.
0 rock divine, 0 refuge dear, a shelter in the time of storm.
Be Thou our helper ever near, a shelter in the time of storm.
The Lord was warning people in the day of Noah to be prepared for the day of judgment. He warns us today as well to prepare to meet Him. Christ died at Calvary to save you from your sin. Paul says; “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth." Rom.1:16.
Remember God has opened a door that you may be saved. That door is Christ. He says, By me if any man enter in He shall be saved.
That door is the difference between Heaven and Hell. Believe the Lord. Trust Him today and you will be secure and safe in Him.
