LARGEST RUBBERBAND BALL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHNvScJ5bzI
That, my friends, is absurd and outrageous. 5 years! Are you kidding me!
We’ve launched a series where we’re going to look at the absurd and outrageous commands God made – commands that at the beginning seems ludicrous, but at the end, they led to saved lives and restored relationships.
Here’s the key…so many of us have grown up thinking God’s commands were mean – almost like a parent enforcing curfew or making you take a nap. That’s not what He intended.
What do we mean when we say absurd and outrageous?
• Absurd – ridiculously unreasonable.
• Outrageous – exceeding the limits of what is usual, not conventional or matter-of-fact
So…when we are talking about the absurd, outrageous commands of God, we are talking about commands that seem unreasonable or commands that exceed the limits of what is usual.
This is where faith begins to strut her stuff. We know by faith that what appears on the surface to be absurd or unreasonable is, in fact, solid and necessary. And…by faith we become obedient to what God commands.
KEY:
Faith raises us above the ordinary.
KEY:
Faith, by definition, steps off the cliff. It is not stationary.
Here’s something absurd and outrageous:
Noah being asked to build a boat the size of 1 ½ football fields…by himself…in a desert…that’s absurd and outrageous. If you didn’t know the end of the story, the command would be laughable.
Write this down:
God’s commands aren’t necessarily meant to match your understanding, they are meant to meet your challenges.
What happens when our faith syncs with the commands of God…what happens when we respond positively to the absurd, outrageous commands of God. God’s commands aren’t necessarily meant to match your understanding, they are meant to meet your challenges.
Faith can be unreasonable, unthinkable, unyielding, untenable, unbelievable, unpredictable, unprecedented, unexplainable, ending…but it is not undeniable, unheralded or untold. We step into the word of the absurd. But remember…
KEY:
God’s commands aren’t necessarily meant to match your understanding, they are meant to meet your challenges.
This truth reveals itself in the story of Noah, who was asked by God to build an ark.
READ SCRIPTURE: Genesis 6:9 – 14 (NIV)
It would appear that God was asking something very odd from Noah. The command to build an ark qualifies as an absurd, outrageous command of God! But I remind you…
2” x 4” board illustration:
o The ark was 450 ft. long / 75 ft. wide / 45 ft. tall
o The ark was the length of 1½ football fields
o It took “Noah & Sons” apprx. 100 years to build the ark
o The capacity of the ark was equal to that of 522 railroad cars.
o In the 1920’s, the Ringling Brothers Circus would travel with 335 horses, 26 elephants, 16 camels and a few other animals – they filled 92 railroad cars…not even close to 522.
KEY:
God asked Noah to turn “this” (2” x 4”) into a ship that would cover 1½ football fields. He did not train Noah – He did not coach Noah – He did provide special tools for Noah…He simply gave Noah an absurd and outrageous command.
Why?
God’s commands aren’t necessarily meant to match your understanding, they are meant to meet your challenges. Look at this situation.
What God asked of Noah opened up the possibility that Noah would be the object of ridicule and scorn.
o His actions were condemning of the people. (Hebrews 11:7)
o His actions made no sense in light of the known world.
o His actions put his character and intelligence in question.
o His actions consumed his life.
o His actions required resources and time. Where did the money come from? How did he make the time without also working to provide for his family?
What saved Noah…it wasn’t his skills…
KEY:
It was his heart.
Don't think that your skill set or gifts or what you have is what qualifies you to answer God's call.
Character is critical
Genesis 6:9 (NIV)
“Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God.”
DEFINITION:
“Character is the will do to what’s right even when it’s hard.”
Your character directly impacts your God-opportunities. Noah was described as righteous, blameless, and faithful. Because of Noah’s character, God not only chose to save he and his family from death, but chose to start over with Noah.
KEY:
Is your character solid enough that God could restart the world with it?
God wants to use you to for incredible things, but so many people limit their “usefulness” by compromising their character. Can I just say this: The people around you need you to have high character. They want you to have character.
Authors James Kouzes and Barry Posner surveyed nearly 1,500 managers from around the country as part of a study sponsored by the American Management Association. They asked the following open-ended question: “What values, personal traits, or characteristics do you look for and admire in your superiors?” In other words, what makes a leader worth following?
More than 225 values, traits, and characteristics were identified. These were then reduced to 15 categories. What these mangers said they wanted most from their leaders was: High Character. The categories that scored the highest marks were “integrity”, “is truthful”, “is trustworthy”, “has character”, and “has convictions”.
The same authors did another survey of 2,600 top-level managers and found the number one characteristics they look for in leaders: Honesty…honesty beat out “competency”, “intelligence”, and “is inspiring”.
Think of it this way – what if Noah hadn’t been “blameless and faithful”?
o The first time his neighbor complained that the ark was blocking his view – he would have quit.
o The first time his friends mocked him – he would have quit.
o The first time his family doubted him – he would have quit.
KEY:
If Noah didn’t have high character, the ark never would have happened.
Building an ark (in case you don’t know) is extremely difficult…
Noah faced social isolation.
Noah faced physical exhaustion.
Noah faced possible failure.
Turn it on yourself…
o You have faced social isolation.
o You have faced physical exhaustion.
o You have faced possible failure.
In regards to your character – are you ready to be used by God?
WHAT WE LEARN FROM GOD’S ABSURD & OUTRAGEOUS COMMAND TO NOAH:
Obedience doesn’t make you untouchable
2 Corinthians 12:10 (NIV)
That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Noah was certainly affected by the taunts of those around him when he built the ark. How could he not be?!
KEY:
We often blame God and question His will if we have to struggle in order to do it.
KEY:
God didn’t ask Noah to build an ark so he would be ridiculed…he asked him to build it so he would be saved.
o I’m certain that the evil of society was bearing down on his family and his thinking.
o He no doubt had to wonder from time to time if he was a nutcase.
o He was bombarded every day with influences that were counter to God’s will.
o But…he was also affirmed by God daily. And though the influences around him affected him…they did not deter him from doing God’s will. How about you?
Remember, obedience doesn’t keep you from being unaffected by life...
KEY:
God’s commands are meant to provide refuge in the midst of storms.
There’s no doubt many of us would have said…
“God why did you ask me to do something that would bring shame to me and my family?”
Don’t shy away from God’s commands. When you hear Him speak don’t run fearing you will be in over your head.
Obedience creates clarity
Psalm 119:97-104 (MSG)
Oh, how I love all you've revealed; I reverently ponder it all the day long.
Your commands give me an edge on my enemies; they never become obsolete.
I've even become smarter than my teachers since I've pondered and absorbed your counsel.
I've become wiser than the wise old sages simply by doing what you tell me.
I watch my step, avoiding the ditches and ruts of evil so I can spend all my time keeping your Word.
I never make detours from the route you laid out; you gave me such good directions.
Your words are so choice, so tasty; I prefer them to the best home cooking.
With your instruction, I understand life; that's why I hate false propaganda.
The more you listen to God, the less confusing life gets.
The more you obey God, the less cluttered decisions become.
KEY:
God’s commands aren’t necessarily meant to match your understanding, they are meant to meet your challenges.
I wonder what your days and nights seem like right now. Do you have confusion? Do you have chaos?
This may seem absurd and outrageous, but I believe if you lock on to obedience, the rainbow will come. God will bless you for listening.
What is your absurd and outrageous command?
o Do you need to forgive someone who wronged you?
o Do you need to lead a community group?
o Do you need to give money or other resources to someone in need?
o Do you need to lead your family?
o Do you need to commit to your marriage?
o Do you need to hand control over to God?
Here is what I know without question:
God has great things in store for you, but the great things are usually prefaced with a great command.
KEY:
Will you say yes?
