SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW
Hebrews 12:1
Message of NOAH
Hebrews 12:1 International Children’s Bible (ICB)
12 So we have many people of faith around us. Their lives tell us what faith means. So let us run the race that is before us and never give up. We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way. And we should remove the sin that so easily catches us.
Intro:
(brief interpretation of the verse with the context of chapter 11 the heroes of faith)
YOU ARE IN A RACE and all of the CROWDS OF FAITH ARE CHEERING YOU. And upon entering into a stadium there is man.. a very ancient man coming out from the crowd to greet you. He is far more older than the rest.. why because he is 950 years old. And as you approach him – he gave you a very inspiring, encouraging and powerful words ….HE SAYS…
“ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE”
He continues saying … I know this because when God decided to destroy the earth – He made a covenant..
Genesis 8:21 International Standard Version (ISV)
21 When the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma, he told himself, “I will never again curse the land because of human beings—even though human inclinations remain evil from youth—nor will I destroy every living being ever again, as I’ve done.
Genesis 9:13-17 International Children’s Bible (ICB)
13 I am putting my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of the agreement between me and the earth. 14 When I bring clouds over the earth, a rainbow appears in the clouds. 15 Then I will remember my agreement. It is between me and you and every living thing. Floodwaters will never again destroy all life on the earth. 16 When the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it. Then I will remember the agreement that continues forever. It is between me and every living thing on the earth.”
17 So God said to Noah, “That rainbow is a sign. It is the sign of the agreement that I made with all living things on earth.”
And you realized… WOW… YOU HUG THE OLD MAN SAYING.. IT IS YOU NOAH. And he continues saying to you… JUST DON’T FORGET - ONE MAN CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
And as we study the life of Noah – He’s right. ONE MAN CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Because of him – his righteousness SAVE HUMANITY for EXTINCTION.
Genesis 6:1-8 King James Version (KJV)
6 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth,
and daughters were born unto them,
2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair;
and they took them wives of all which they chose.
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.
4 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the
sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children
to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.
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.
6 And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth,
and it grieved him at his heart.
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.
8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
I. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR YOUR FAMILY
Not only Noah was save because of his obedience – his family benefited also.
Genesis 7:1 New International Version (NIV)
7 The Lord then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.
Your life of integrity to God always has the potential to impact others. WE DON’T ALWYS SEE THAT - COZ YOU ARE BUSY FOCOSING ON WHAT THE LORDS WANTS FOR YOU TO DO – BUT IT HAPPENS.
II. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR FUTURE GENERATION
ILLUS:
A young man observed an old man planting apple orchard. And the young man said, “you don’t expect to eat apples from those trees do you.” And the old man says, NO! – but somebody will.
Because of God’s covenant to Noah, mankind are safe from worldwide destruction of the flood. And we are still receiving the benefit that came from a man’s life of righteousness - A PERSON THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
III. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR GOD
Chronicles 16:9 International Standard Version (ISV)
9 The Lord’s eyes keep on roaming throughout the earth, looking for those whose hearts completely belong to him, so that he may strongly support them……….
God is always looking for someone to stand up for Him. Just like in the case of Noah. When God was discouraged with the sins of the people he created – Noah found Grace and caused God to save humanity. Because of Noah’s relationship to God – Noah changed the course of history – SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW.
IV. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE AT ANY AGE
Many of us, put some restriction (limit) to themselves according to their talents, age, intelligence or experiences. But with God, a person CAN ALWAYS MAKES A DIFFERENCE. – regardless of circumstances or situations. – AND AGE MEANS NOTHING TO HIM.
Like the boy with his bread and fish from John 6:1-13 – where God fed the 5000 people. – and for Noah when he entered the ark he was 600 YEARS OLD.
You are never too old or young…. TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR GOD.
NOAH’S WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
• Don’t be afraid to STAND OUT in a crowd.
No one encouraged Him to follow God – yet he stood for Him even the rest of the world stood against Noah.
DIFFERENCE – MAKERS ARE DIFFERENT. DON’T LET THAT BOTHER YOU.
• Don’t be afraid to do something for the first time.
- It is a strange to build an ark far away from the sea or river.
- They never imagine a flood because it never rain before.
- Everybody reacted and commented that Noah was losing his mind.
- BUT TO NOAH? …. No comment…. Why…. Because he’s busy and more concern WITH OBEYING GOD THAN LOOKING FOOLISH.
Don’t allow the words “Its never been done”
to prevent you from doing what God asks.
• WHEN YOU SEE A RAINBOW – remember that ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Conclusion:
Somewhere over the rainbow ……… and next time you see a rainbow … think of God’s promise to you…. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. (jonard, thon, ryan, jopeht, tek, aisa, Margie, lhen, Carla, ichak, jonel .amang..irma...riverside family) you can make a difference.
Acknowledgement: RUNNING WITH THE GIANTS SERIES by JOHN C MAXWELL.
