April 19, 2015
Noah, Grace and the Future
If we do not understand the sinful depravity of man, we cannot fully comprehend God's judgment, His justice, or His grace.
Scripture: Genesis 6:5-22
Sermon Notes:
- The biblical account of Noah’s flood is a literal, historical account of an unprecedented global flood: Peter, Jesus and the rest of Scripture refer to Noah’s flood; all people groups have a flood story; and Noah’s global flood accounts for geological features of the earth.
- A careful reading of Scripture to understand God’s plan in history supports the orthodox view of the global flood.
- The flood was God’s judgment upon the depravity of man (Genesis 6:5).
- Without God’s grace and the Holy Spirit, man can only go on sinning.
- Awareness of the severity of our sin in contrast to God’s absolute holiness drives us to Christ for salvation.
- If we do not understand the nature of sin, God’s judgment seems unnecessarily harsh.
- At heart, man is basically hostile to God. Sin originates in the heart and it is what defiles a man (1 Sam. 16:7; cf. Jer. 17:9; Ps. 5:9; 14:3; Rom. 3:10-18).
- If we fail to grasp the depth of our sin, we cannot understand the gospel, judgment and the grace of God (Jn. 5:40; Matt. 11:27; Jn. 3:19).
- God didn’t actually change His mind (Gen. 6:6 cf. Mal. 3:6). The text says God “repented” to aid our understanding of how grieved God was about the sinful condition of the human race.
- Man’s role as covenant head means that his sin brings judgment on the whole earth.
- Likewise, man’s salvation in Christ means reconciliation for the whole creation.
- Like Noah, we are to believe and obey God’s Word despite opposition and ridicule from contemporaries.
- Noah grew up in an environment of faith (which is a great blessing) and he walked with God by faith (Heb. 11:7).
- God loves us based on His pure grace, not because of anything good in us (Rom. 5:8).
- Noah did not compromise his profession by an uncommitted life. True righteousness begins with fellowship with God, not a list of rules.
- By both word and deed, Noah was a preacher of righteousness (2 Pet. 2:5).
- Jesus refers to Noah’s flood and Sodom’s destruction as warnings of divine judgment upon sin (Lk. 17:26-30).
- The flood was a cleansing of all the violence and evil.
- God remembers the names of all those who fear and honour Him as Noah did.
- The future belongs to Christ and God’s covenant people (Ps. 37:18, 22, 37-38).
Application Questions:
- Why must Noah’s flood be literal, historical and global?
- Why is God’s judgment so severe against sin?
- What is the biblical description of man’s condition after the Fall?
- Why is it necessary to apprehend our own depravity, if we are to truly be driven to Christ in the gospel?
- Like Noah, can it be said of us that we “walk with God”?
- Are we willing to face opposition as we stand up for God?
- What is the future for God’s covenant people?
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