Shut Out of Mercy's Doors: Genesis 7 | Lord's Day Sermon | 6th April, 2025 | Adeola Ogundele

In this sermon, Pastor Adeola Ogundele explores the state of the world in the days of Noah—a world marked by deep wickedness and corruption. Drawing parallels to our present time, he reminds us that humanity is fundamentally broken, and God sees not only our actions but the intentions and motivations of our hearts.

Despite the widespread depravity, Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord (Genesis 6:8). God's grace toward Noah was not based on Noah’s perfection, but on God’s sovereign choice to show him mercy. This sets the foundation of the Christian faith: that God treats believers not as their sins deserve, but as He would treat His own Son, Jesus Christ. This divine favor isn't earned—it is granted by God's eternal wisdom and mercy.

Noah was the outlier in his days, living righteously and being marked by God for preservation from the impending destruction of the world. God, having put up with their rebellion, decided that enough was enough and he was going to purge the world and sort of, reboot it through the only righteous man that remained on the earth. Noah and his family were marked for salvation while the doors of God's mercy, having been open for long enough, were to be shut against the sinful multitude that lived in the earth.

Referencing Hebrews 11:7, Pastor Adeola emphasizes that true faith is inseparable from obedience. If a Christian claims to have faith but lives in disobedience, that faith is not genuine. Spiritual stagnation often stems from a refusal to obey God. Peace and spiritual growth come through walking in alignment with God’s will.

Noah’s faith led him to live counter-culturally. While the world around him mocked and scoffed—people who could not imagine rain falling for 40 days and 40 nights—Noah believed. These mockers, much like today's atheists, agnostics, and self-proclaimed intellectuals, rejected the message of salvation.

Importantly, Pastor Adeola warns that religious activity is not a substitute for faith. One can be involved in building the ark and still be shut out when the rain begins. When judgment came, God Himself shut Noah in—a powerful picture of divine protection and separation.

The lesson for us is that God's patience though enduring, eventually comes to a head when men resolve to remain in their rebellion. He suffers long, but not for so long. For his day of reckoning comes and it is without reversal for the unbelieving.

For the people of Noah's world, it eventually became too late. The same applies to this day to everyone who lives a life that is defiant against God's laws. Eventually, mercy's doors get shut and then it is too late.