Genesis 6:1-22 NOAH – A PICTURE OF GRACE
As we read the sixth chapter of Genesis, several things are obvious. First, we see Sin Increasing (vv. 1-5). Nine generations had now descended from Adam. It was a time of: A. Spiritual Departure. Notice Genesis 6:1-3, We see two distinct classes that are referred to. There was the "Sons of God" and the “the daughters of men." the spiritual condescended to the natural. There was a spiritual departure. God was forsaken and forgotten. Their back was turned to the spiritual and toward the physical and sensual. It was a time of spiritual apostasy. B. Shameless Depravity. Notice Genesis 6:4-5, One evil generation produced an even more evil generation. The word "wickedness" in v.5, speaks of lewdness, moral depravity. It was a society without morals and standards. v.5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Genesis 6:11-12, “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.” God said that "all flesh" was corrupt. Second, we see the Holy Spirit Striving (v. 3). And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. 1 Pet. 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. Hos. 4:17; Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone. Lk. 13:24-25 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. 25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Third, we see God Repenting (v. 6). And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. The first time repentance is mentioned in the Bible, the Person repenting is God himself. Repentance is a change of mind, a change of attitude, a change of direction, and a change of action. God is immutable (Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8). He never changes his mind, or alters his purpose (Job 23:13). Yet, the Lord God does sometimes alter his course of action in providence. Fourth, we see Justice Threatening (v. 7). And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. "The soul that sinneth, it must die!" Justice demands it. Psa. 11:6; Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. 2 Thess. 1:7-10 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. Fifth, we see Grace Intervening (v. 8). But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. "Grace" Grace is God's work. Grace is God's gift. Grace is God's intervention. A. This Is . . First Grace. 6:8 “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” - This is the first time grace is mentioned in the Bible. GRACE IS EVERYTHING FOR NOTHING TO THOSE WHO DON’T DESERVE ANYTHING B. This Is . . Found Grace. 6:8 “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” A search party was organized to find a little boy who got lost in a winter storm. “Oh, Daddy I found you, I found you!”
C. This Is . . Favoured Grace Expressed In A Word. 6:8
“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” D. This Is . . Focused Grace. 6:8 “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” We all need Grace. It really doesn’t matter if you’re the first or last that grace is given too, we all need it.
(a) The Basis of Noah's faith was the Word of God. 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. He was "warned of God of things not seen as yet." Faith must have a foundation. And the foundation of all true faith is the Word of God Rom. 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (b) The Character of Noah's faith was Reverence. He moved with fear." Noah feared God, because he believed God. He had an awesome sense of God's wisdom, holiness, justice, truth, and power. He was overwhelmed with a sense of God's goodness. (c) The Evidence of Noah's faith was Obedience. Being moved with fear, (he) prepared an ark." Faith is belief in action James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? (d) The Result of Noah's faith was Salvation. He "prepared an ark to the saving of his house."
Noah believed God; and God saved his family. Abraham believed God; and God gave his seed the land of promise. Rahab believed God; and God saved her household. The four men believed God, Christ healed their paralyzed friend - "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved, and thy house!" (Acts 16:31). (e) The Confession of Noah's faith was Public. By his faith in and by his obedience to the Lord God, Noah "condemned the world." He called them to faith by the Word of God he preached, and condemned them for their unbelief. (f) The Reward of Noah's faith is Everlasting. He "became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." (g) The Means of Noah's salvation was an ark (Gen. 6:13-18). Noah and his family were saved by an ark, a ship which God commanded him to build. That ark was a picture of Christ.
I. There Was Salvation In The Ark:
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 10:7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
II. There Was Security In the Ark: "and the Lord shut them in." v.7
The same door that shut them in, shut others out. III. There Was Sufficiency In the Ark All Their Needs were Supplied:
For 150 days they had to eat, drink and be clothed.
Phil 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
