The LORD's Day February 21, 2010

What We Learn From Noah

Genesis 6.7-7.24

Each story in the Bible is history. History is really His Story- God's account of working on earth.

We have in Genesis 1-2 The His Story of Creation
Genesis 3 The His Story of Sin
Genesis 4-5 The His Story of Cain and Abel
and the generations to Noah

In the scripture we read this morning we have the His Story of the flood on the earth and how life was preserved to repopulate it.

When you come to faith in the LORD Jesus Christ you take Him at His Word and accept the Bible as fact, as it it indeed is.

Each Story in His Story contains things we can glean from for our lives. These are Eternal Universal Truths. God speaks from the accounts in the Bible to our souls today. We learn and live. There is much to learn from in the account of Noah.

1. In the Absolute Worst of Times God Still Has His People.

Noah's time was a time of great wickedness on the earth 6.5
when every inclination of the thoughts of man's heart was only evil all the time
The earth was corrupt on God's sight and full of violence -6.11

It was the worst time on earth up to now but Noah found favor/grace in the eyes of the LORD.

In times of national and worldwide crisis God's people can lose perspective.
Elijah's lament:I Kings 19.10 The Israelites have rejected Your Covenant, broken down Your altars and put Your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."
I am the only one left- looking at the situations can cause our hearts to melt in fear.
v.18 7,000 all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal.

2. Noah Spoke God's Word in a Time When Judgment was Imminent. II Peter 2.4-5
He did not spare the ancient world when He brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness and seven others.

Preacher= a herald or messenger with public authority conveying official messages of a king.

Hebrews 11.7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of righteousness that comes by faith.

Noah spoke with God's authority, the Word of God and no one responded. After 120 years of giving out God's Word while building the ark, he had the same amount of people, the same people he began with. He was commended for his faithfulness to the LORD, even when there were no converts.

3. The Days Preceding Jesus' Return Will Be Like Noah's Matthew 24.37-44

Life will be going on 24.37-38
Unaware of judgment until it is too late vs.39-41
The ark must have appeared to the people on earth as a foolish waste of time.
Our faith in Genesis-Revelation appears the same II Peter 3.3-7

Jesus used(s) the Noah analogy to drive home to His followers this point: Be ready for the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.

4. The LORD Keeps His People Secure When The Earth Gives Way Psalm 46.2

Whether it is "our world" coming down in loss and tragedy or literally the earth itself.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in time of trouble.
He is faithful to all His Promises. Psalm 145.13
II Peter 2.5 He protected Noah
Protect= to guard that he may remain safe, to keep watch, have an eye upon him

See how wonderful the LORD is! In a terrible time He had Noah speaking His Word. He kept His servant safe when the judgment came. He will do the same now at the end of the age!