Refreshing The Heart Of God Series

A. Read: Genesis 6:9-22

B. Song Intro: Part 1 – The Preparation

1. God promised and Noah prepared.

One of the benefits of preaching books of the Bible rather than topical sermons is that God gives me “fresh eyes” to see His word. In the past my focus for this story was the flood itself. I used to get caught up in questions like: How wide-spread was the flood?; or How many animals could the ark actually hold?; or how stable would it have been in tsunami conditions; and etc. This time around I see that the flood is simply the setting for the story. The focus is the relationship between God and Noah. The Genesis flood is about God’s faithfulness and one man’s trust in His promises. What we see here is an example of a life of faith, which doesn’t merely believe that God exists, but acts on what God says.

In chapter six, God warned Noah of a coming flood that would terminate all life in the land. He gave the man specific steps to take to preserve himself, his family, and the land animals. The Bible says that Noah was a righteous man in his generation. He demonstrated his righteousness through his preparation which came from his trust in God. He built the ark exactly as God commanded him.

2. God’s vision was specific.

That’s the great thing about God. When He sends a vision or revelation, it’s always specific. There’s no guess work involved, only faith. We must have the faith to act on His specific marching orders no matter how outrageous they may seem to us.

3. Noah demonstrated his faith by following God’s plan to the letter.

Some think that a life of faith is about being a good person. That’s not exactly true. A life of faith is about following God’s vision for your life. It is acting on what He has told you again and again and again, no matter what the cost.

That’s how Noah demonstrated his righteousness. He was not a person without sin, as we’ll see next week. But Noah was absolutely a man who took God at His word and acted on it. Noah’s response to God’s commands proves Romans 1:17 which says: “The righteous will live by faith.”

- Salvation is God’s work and we simply take Him at His word and obey

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:16-18

- A life of faith continues this principle

God speaks through the Bible or revelation. We hear, take Him at His word, and obey. If individuals, families, or churches operate this way God calls them righteous simply because they take Him at His word.

C. Song: “Be Thou My Vision”

D. Read: Genesis 7:1-24

E. Children’s Sermon: Part 2 – The Fulfillment

1. Flood quiz

Hold up nursery Noah’s ark and ask questions:

Is this what Noah’s ark look liked?

How many of each kind of animal did Noah bring onto the ark?

How did he have time to round them all up?

How many people were on board the ark?

How old was Noah when the flood came?

What caused the flood?

Why did God bring the flood?

How do you think Noah and his family felt on the ark?

What does the Bible mean when it says, “Then the LORD shut him in”? (8:16)

2. Main questions:

*What is the Bible telling us about God in this story? (He is faithful. He keeps His

promises.)

*What is the Bible telling us about Noah? (He trusted God’s promises. He did exactly

what God commanded him.)

*What does this story tell us about the way we should live?

3. Prayer

F. Read: Genesis 8:1-22

H. Sermon: Part 3 – Refreshing the Heart of God

One of the fringe “benefits” of preaching is that you, the preacher, usually get tested on it before you present it. Sometimes it happens afterward. For me the test came right along with the preparation this week.

As I’ve told you before, right now God has given me a vision to do one thing as pastor of this church: lead Antioch to become a praying church. He desires that we be a people who seek His face before seeking His hand. He wants us to learn to hear His voice, see what He’s doing in the world, and then respond with action. That is also the point of the flood story as well. Noah listened to God and then obeyed.