Yes, you read it right, I said good Friday morning. It seems that some of you did not receive last Monday’s blog, so I’m going to try again. I’m sure the problem was, “pilot error.” Any of my kids can tell you that I am not computer savvy. As a matter of fact, any tool in my hands: electronic, electrical, hand, or otherwise is a dangerous thing. My dad was very good with tools, as are my two boys, Jason and Kevin. That kind of talent skips a generation I am told.
Here is Monday’s blog, slightly updated.
Sunday at Friendship Harmony was a celebration of the Lord’s Supper. We have Communion with our Lord the first Sunday of every month. As we receive the bread and the juice, we think of the great sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf. It is hard to imagine Jesus loving me so much that He would suffer the horrors of the cross for me. I believe that if I was the only person on earth in need of redemption, Christ would still have gone to the cross. When I traveled the country singing Gospel music, we sang a song called, “When He Was On The Cross, I was On His Mind.” One of the most striking lines in the song says, “He knew me, yet He loved me.” Jesus loved me when I was in the filth and degradation of my sin. The Apostle Paul told the Romans, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. [7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. [8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8
Sunday was the final message in the four part series “Open Doors.” The title was, “When God Closes The Door.” God not only opens doors, but He also closes them. According to the text verse, Rev. 3:7, when God closes a door, it stays closed. It also teaches when God opens a door, no man can close it. Has God closed some doors in your life? Are you just as thankful for the closed doors as you are for the open ones? You should be. When God closes a door, it is for the best. If you were wandering aimlessly and about to go into a place full of danger, when suddenly someone closed the door to protect you from going in, would you not be grateful? I’m sure you would. That is what God does for you when He closes a door. The sermon notes are below and the video is posted on YouTube. You can view it at www.youtube.com. From their home page type in Friendship Harmony Baptist Church. When our icon comes up, find the message you’d like to see. There are several to choose from, so be sure to take in the entire series. Thank you for being a faithful reader of the blog. Here are the notes.
God’s Open Doors
Revelation 3:7
Series: God’s Doors By: Pastor Vic Cooper
4 of 4
When God Closes The Door
I. Only God can open or close one of His doors.
A. Angels can, also, but only at God’s calling.
1. Angels never act independently from God.
B. “To try to open a door God has shut is an exercise in futility and foolishness.” Pastor Vic Cooper
II. When God closes a door, it stays closed until He decides to reopen it.
A. God closed the door of the ark.
Genesis 7:16 (NASB-Updated) Those that entered, male and female of all flesh, entered as God had commanded him; and the Lord closed it behind him.
B. Noah and all family stayed aboard until God told them to leave. Genesis 8:15-16 And God spake unto Noah, saying, [16] Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons' wives with thee.
C. God closed a door to Daniel. Daniel 12:9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
D. God opened that door to John. Rev. 1:1, 19 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: [19] Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
III. Some doors God has no intentions of ever reopening.
A. Satan’s destiny is sealed and it is for ever. Rev. 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
B. The sinner’s punishment is also for ever.
Rev. 20:15; 22:10-11 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. [11] He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
1. The rich man of Luke 16:26 was told his punishment was for ever.
2. Psalm 37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.
C. The backslidden Christian can also face a closed door. Jeremiah 15:6 Thou hast forsaken me, saith the Lord, thou art gone backward: therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and destroy thee; I am weary with repenting.
Conclusion: If God has opened a door, walk in. If God has closed a door, walk away.
I hope you are blessed with a safe and healthy week. Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead when you go to bed this coming Saturday night. If you’re in the area this coming Sunday, be sure to come to Friendship Harmony for a joyous time in the Lord. If not, be sure to visit us on YouTube, and again next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!
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