Obedience

Obedience

March 19, 2017 Morning Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: We must be obedient whether or not we understand.

Focus Passage: Genesis 6:3-7:6

Supplemental Passage: "For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. "For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. (Matthew 24:37-39 NASB)

Introduction: In a world of immorality and godlessness, we are like mini-Noahs. We point to the cross, the wooden vessel, to find salvation in Jesus.

I. God Told Noah to Build an Ark

a. In Scripture we are only told the gross dimensions of the Ark—450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high, assuming a cubit of 18" (6:15). We also know that the Ark had three decks (6:16). [https://answersingenesis.org/bible-timeline/how-long-did-it-take-for-noah-to-build-the-ark/]

b. Noah didn’t live near the sea

c. Noah had never seen a vessel, or even a building, this big before

d. No evidence of rain, up until the flood

II. Noah was 480 years old when he got the call

a. God gave him a 120 year warning

b. He didn’t start right away. One son had not yet been born

c. Scholars estimate a minimum of 65 years to build with only Noah and his three sons to do the work. [https://answersingenesis.org/bible-timeline/how-long-did-it-take-for-noah-to-build-the-ark/]

III. Noah’s obedience resulted in preservation of mankind on the earth

a. By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. (Hebrews 11:7 NASB)

b. We, too, must obey for the Glory of God and the building of His Kingdom

Application/Invitation: The pen does not tell the author what to write. The hammer does not complain when the carpenter slams its head on a nail, or uses its tongs to pry . The camera does not refuse to take a picture if it doesn’t like the subject matter or the composition. The pots and pans do not cry when they are place on the fire. We are HIS workmanship. We are the vessels in HIS hands. If God tells you to do something, you better do it!