Sermon Central
-
Noah's Ark And What It Means For You Series
Contributed by Chris Gowen on Jan 24, 2010 (message contributor)
Summary: The account of Noah and the Ark is more than just a story. It is an historical fact which speaks to our very day. There are several lessons we can learn about Noah's Ark.
Noah’s Ark and What it Means for You!
13 And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 14 Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. 15 This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits. 16 Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks. 17 For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die. 18 But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you. 19 And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ark to keep them alive with you. They shall be male and female. 20 Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground, according to its kind, two of every sort shall come in to you to keep them alive. 21 Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up. It shall serve as food for you and for them.” 22 Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him. (ESV)
I. A Warning –“I will destroy them…” v.13 God said, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh…” Notice again in verse 17 “For behold, I will bring a flood…to destroy all flesh..” Look back in verse 7 “I will destroy man..”
This warning from God is not what might happen if man does not turn around and do better. It’s not a potential warning. It’s a certain, determined event to take place. During stormy weather there will be a tornado watch and a tornado warning. A watch means conditions are right for the possibility of a tornado. Look at verses 11,12 and note the wickedness and violence. This is a “watch”. Conditions are ripe for the judgment of God. A warning means a tornado has been spotted and you need to take cover now. This is not God’s flood watch, but it is God’s flood warning! It is coming directly to you. “I have determined to make an end of all flesh” (ESV) It’s not a sudden warning. God has put the word out for a long time.
(1) A prolonged warning – (see Gen. 6:3) “yet his days shall be 120 years” God did not make the announcement of a global flood and in five minutes it comes. The warning goes out for a long period of time. This speaks of the patience of God. “God is not willing that any should perish, but that all might come to repentance.” 2Peter 3:9 Today, look how long God has warned America to turn back. It was a devastating earthquake that destroyed much of Haiti. What holds back something of a greater magnitude from hitting our country? It’s by the grace of God that we have not been destroyed. The national sin of America is abortion. God said to Noah, (v.13) “for the earth is filled with violence through them..” The most violent place in America is not on the streets of Chicago, Memphis, or New York. The most violent place in America is occurring in the womb where mass murder is going on. The slaughter of innocent babies is not what you hear about today. God hears the cries of those babies just as He heard the cry of the blood of Abel. Noah’s flood is a warning to America. There is coming a fire from the Lord.
Psalm 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
(2) A clear warning – No one can say that the warning is not clear. God said in v.7 “I will destroy man from the face of the earth” It is repeated again in v.13 and v.17. Noah was God’s mouthpiece declaring coming judgment. The Bible tells us in Hebrews 11:7
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.
2Peter 2:5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; Noah preached clearly of God’s intent to destroy mankind. How clearer can you get? The warning of coming judgment is clear in Scripture. Consider what is said in 2Thess 1:7-9
