## The Windows of Heaven

## Genesis 7:11

(Genesis 7:11) In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.

The 'windows of heaven' is an interesting phrase. God has used this phrase a number of times in the Scripture. In the text this morning it is used to describe the way that God poured out the rain upon the earth to bring about the flood. It is also used to describe God's desire to pour out blessings upon our lives in Malachi 3:10, "...Prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it". The picture we get is that God is looking down upon us through the 'windows of heaven' and every so often He opens them and sends us something we need. Sometimes it is judgment and sometimes it is blessings. This morning I want to focus on the blessings we receive when God opens the windows of heaven.

God Opened the Windows of Heaven and…

I. Sent Us a Savior.

A. He sent Jesus down to show us what God is like.

1. It is true that we can see God in nature.

a. "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork." cf Ps. 19:1

b. Who can look at the sun and moon and the beauty of a starlit night and say there is no God?

c. Who could look at the mountains, the rivers, the oceans, and the beauty of this earth and say that there is no God?

d. The Word of God answers those questions: "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." cf Ps. 14:1

2. It is also true that we can see God as He reveals Himself in His Word.

a. As we read the Bible we can find His signature on every page.

b. It is His love letter to us.

c. It is our map to eternal salvation and our guidebook for life.

3. The best way to see God is to look at Jesus Christ.

a. The disciples asked Jesus to show them the Father.

b. Jesus said, "...He that hath seen me hath seen the Father..." cf Jn. 14:9

c. "I and my Father are one." cf Jn. 10:30

d. God revealed Himself to mankind through His Son Jesus Christ.

B. He sent Jesus down to teach us how to live.

1. History, philosophy, and the sciences are all important in their place, but they do not teach us how to live!

2. God's Word tells us "This is the way, walk ye in it."

3. Jesus said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you." cf Mt. 6:33

4. It isn't enough to learn how to make a living, we must learn how to live !

5. Jesus said, "...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly!" cf Jn. 10:10

C. He sent Jesus down to save us.

1. Luke 19:10, "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."

2. The crucifixion of Christ was all part of God's plan to redeem us!

3. I am thankful that Jesus Christ was seeking for me, and He didn't stop until I was found!

4. If you are here without Christ this morning, Jesus is seeking for you!

5. Won't you trust Christ today? God opened the windows of heaven and sent down His only- begotten Son that we might be saved!

II. Sent Us the Holy Spirit.

A. To convict of sin.

(John 16:7-11) Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

1. In times past we went our own way.

2. The Holy Spirit is the one who makes us aware of our sin and our need for a Savior!

3. The Holy Spirit makes us feel uncomfortable and shines a spotlight on our sin!

B. He seals those who are saved.

1. Paul said, "We are sealed unto the day of redemption." (Ep 4:30)

2. A seal serves two purposes:

a. It is used as identification.

b. It is used as preservation

3. In both instances the Christian is sealed by the Holy Spirit of God.

(Romans 8:9) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

4. We are unable to keep ourselves saved; we are "kept by the power of God" cf 1Pe. 1:5.

C. He guides us in all truth.

(John 16:13) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. (KJV)

1. This is accomplished through His Word.

2. The Holy Spirit never leads contrary to God's Word.

3. God's will for our lives is revealed in the Bible ... it isn't hidden!

4. We do not need some mystical magic formula in order to find out what God would have us do.

III. One Day He Will Send Back His Son.

A. There will be a return.

1. This is not theological conjecture, this is the Word of God.

2. Jesus said, "I will come again."

3. The angels told the disciples, "this same Jesus ... shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."

4. Jesus said, "Surely, I come quickly"

B. There will be a resurrection and a rapture. 1Thess. 4:16-18

1. We see the order in this passage.

2. The dead in Christ shall rise first.

3. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up.

4. We will then meet the Lord in the air.

5. This is not the same as when Jesus returns to establish His kingdom.

6. That will take place after the seven year tribulation period.

7. The only ones involved with the rapture will be Christians ... those in Christ!

C. There will be a reunion. v 17

1. We will be with them (those who have died in Christ) in the clouds.

2. I'll see Mom and Dad again.

3. All those who have gone on to heaven before me, I will meet them again.

4. What a great reunion that will be, but the best will be when we see Jesus!

5. If you are born again ... you will be there too!

What a wonderful God we serve. He opened the windows of heaven and sent us His Son to be our Savior, He sent us the Holy Spirit to convict us and comfort us, and one day He will open the windows and send His Son back for us! Will you be ready? Have you put your faith in His finished work on Calvary? With the heart man believeth and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Have you accepted Christ and made a public profession of your faith in Him? Why not come today?