Series: Finding Favor With God [#1]
FINDING FAVOR IN UNFAVORABLE TIMES
Genesis 6:1-22
Introduction:
Even when life gets tough and things seem against us, God's favor is still available to those who seek Him. In our series "Finding Favor With God," we are reminded that God's grace is not only for good times but is especially present when we face difficulties. As we look at the Bible, we see many examples of God showing favor to His people, even in hard situations.
In Genesis 5, we see a list of people from Adam to Noah. It might seem like just names and ages, but it teaches us something important. Even though sin entered the world in Genesis 3, God's favor is still shown in how life continued and how God kept a faithful remnant. This shows us that God's favor is about His ongoing grace to help us and protect us, even when things are difficult.
Genesis 5:21-24
Genesis 5 helps us see that being patient, faithful, and trusting God's plan can help us find His favor, even in hard times. In Genesis 6, the World was full of wickedness and chaos, but God's plan for Noah shows us that His favor is still present. Noah found favor with God because he was obedient and lived righteously, even when everyone else was doing wrong. His story teaches us that to find God's favor, we need to stay firm, trust God's guidance, and be faithful, even when everything around us is unstable. Today, we will learn how to find God's favor in our own difficult seasons by trusting Him, following His Word, and staying faithful.
Genesis 6:1-4
When the times…
1. Seem overwhelming, trust in God's sovereignty.
When life feels overwhelming and chaos seems all around us, it’s important to remember that God is in control. These verses show a time before the flood when the World was full of evil and violence, but even then, God's plan was still working. No matter how bad things get or how uncertain the situation feels, we can trust that God's purposes are not stopped by human sin or chaos. Trusting in God's sovereignty helps us let go of our worries, knowing that He is working everything out for good for those who love Him. This helps us focus less on how overwhelming life seems and more on the fact that God is still in control, which gives us hope and strength to stay faithful.
The Nephilim mentioned in Genesis 6:1-4 have generated a variety of theological interpretations and theories over the centuries. Here are some of the prominent perspectives:
* Fallen Angels Theory.
Many traditional interpretations, especially in Jewish and Christian ancient writings, suggest that the Nephilim were the offspring of fallen angels (or "sons of God") who mated with human women. This view is supported by Genesis 6:2-4, which refers to the "sons of God" and the "daughters of men," implying a supernatural origin. This theory posits that these angelic beings rebelled against God and corrupted the human race, leading to the birth of the Nephilim as giants or mighty beings.
* Elite Lineage or Royalty Theory.
Some scholars propose that the "sons of God" were actually descendants of Seth, considered righteous, who intermarried with the "daughters of men," identified as descendants of Cain, associated with wickedness. The Nephilim, in this view, were powerful kings or rulers, (human giants) whose power and influence contributed to the corruption of society. This interpretation emphasizes human lineage and political power rather than supernatural beings.
* Mythical or Legendary Beings.
Another perspective sees the Nephilim as legendary or mythic figures, representing ancient stories of giants or heroes that were part of oral traditions. These stories may have been exaggerated or symbolic, reflecting cultural memories of real or mythic giants that symbolized chaos and disorder.
* Hybrid Beings as a Theological Symbol.
Some theologians interpret the Nephilim as symbolic of the corrupting influence of sin and rebellion against God. The giants represent the extreme consequences of humanity’s departure from divine standards- An illustration of the chaos and violence that led to the flood.
* Natural or Literary Interpretations.
A less supernatural view suggests that the term "Nephilim" refers to a particular class of mighty warriors or people of great stature, possibly legendary heroes or tribes known for their size and strength, with no need to invoke supernatural origins.
Practically, trusting in God's control means praying intentionally and giving our fears to Him. It also means trying to live in a way that shows we believe His plan is best- By seeking to do what is right and showing kindness, even when it’s hard. Just as Noah found favor with God during a time of great wickedness, we can trust that God's favor is available to us when we rely on His sovereignty. When we remember that God is in control, we can face difficult times with confidence, knowing that His plans for salvation and justice will come true. This trust helps us stay hopeful and also prepares us to be a light to others in a World that needs God's love and redemption.
Genesis 6:5-22
When the times…
2. Test your faith, remain obedient to God's instructions.
God's judgment shows us how serious He is about sin and how important it is to test and strengthen our faith during difficult times. When society was full of wickedness, Noah’s obedience to God’s instructions shows us that we need to stay faithful to God's Word, even when others are going in the wrong direction. This part of the Bible reminds us that obeying God is based on His power and His plan to keep a faithful few. In our lives, this means we should trust God's Word and follow Him, even when it’s hard or unpopular, because doing so helps us stay in His favor.
Today, we are called to test our faith by choosing to obey God instead of doing what feels easy or popular. Like Noah, who worked hard to follow God’s instructions, we need to stay committed to God's ways, even if it costs us friendships, money, or comfort. This means praying regularly, reading the Bible, and resisting the pressure to do what others do. When we choose to obey God, we show that we trust Him to take care of us, especially in tough times. This helps us stay close to Him and receive His blessings, even when life gets difficult.
When the times…
3. Bring judgment, remember God's mercy and provision.
God’s judgment is shown clearly because of how wicked and violent people had become; but even in this story, we see that God is also merciful and caring. Even though He was about to send a flood to judge the World, He showed mercy by saving Noah and his family. This teaches us that God's justice is fair because He wants what is right, but He also shows mercy and gives us a way to be saved. Practically, this means we should trust that God shows mercy, even when things seem bad or difficult. His patience gives us time to turn back to Him and receive His help for our lives.
Today, this story reminds us that even when we go through hard times, (whether personal struggles, problems in society, or world crises) we can remember that God is merciful and provides for us. Just like Noah followed God's instructions and relied on His help, we should stay faithful and trust that God’s judgment is always balanced with mercy. It encourages us to seek God's forgiveness and to help others who are struggling. When we do this, we can find favor with God, turning tough situations into opportunities to experience His grace and protection.
When the times…
4. Threaten to wipe out hope, cling to God's promises.
In times of chaos and despair, like in Genesis 6 when wickedness grew and a flood was coming, it is important for us to hold onto God's promises. This shows God's promise to Noah that, despite His judgment, He will save and protect His people if they trust and obey Him. This teaches us that God's promises are sure, even in the hardest times. Practically, when life feels overwhelming, (whether through personal problems, world issues, or tough situations) we should remind ourselves of God's Word and trust that He is in control. Remembering how God has helped us in the past gives us hope and strength to keep going, knowing He will never leave us.
In our daily lives, we are called to cling to God's promises just like Noah did. Even when things look hopeless or uncertain, we can trust that God's plan is good and that His promises of salvation, protection, and grace are true. This means reading the Bible, praying, and sharing with others to keep our hope alive. When fears threaten to take away our peace, we choose to trust God's plan instead. By doing this, we show others that even in difficult times, God's faithfulness remains. We become beacons of hope, showing God's favor and love, even when everything around us seems dark.
When the times…
5. Demand action, step out in faith.
Theologically, when times become full of evil and chaos, God's message to Noah shows us that we need to trust Him even when things seem uncertain. Noah’s obedience to build the ark, even though others laughed at him and he didn’t know exactly what would happen, shows real faith in God's power and promises. This act of trusting God and taking action proves that God's favor is available to those who obey Him, even when the World around them is doing wrong. Practically, we are challenged to think about whether we are willing to step out in faith when God asks us to do something difficult or uncertain. Like Noah, we may not see the full picture, but we must trust God's plan and take bold steps- Whether that means standing up for what is right, helping others, or making changes in our own lives to follow God's ways.
In everyday life, this point teaches us that faith is active, not passive. When things are tough or confusing, God often calls us to move forward confidently, trusting that He will guide us and give us what we need. Noah’s act of building the ark was a brave step that showed his trust in God, even when others doubted. Today, stepping out in faith might mean speaking out against injustice, sharing Jesus with someone who needs to hear it, or making choices based on God's Word. When we take action and trust God's promises, we open ourselves to His favor, even during hard times. This reminds us to look for how God is calling us to act and to step out boldly, knowing that trusting Him will lead to His blessing and salvation, even in difficult times.
Conclusion:
As we think about Noah’s obedience in a World full of corruption and chaos, we are reminded that God's favor is often given to those who stay faithful during hard times. Noah’s story shows us that even when things seem difficult and the future is uncertain, trusting God's plan and following His instructions can lead us to His blessing. In our own lives, we are called to stand strong, resist doing wrong, and remain faithful to God. Just as Noah was saved and protected during the flood, we too can experience God's care and blessings when we follow Him, especially when times are tough.
As we finish today, let’s decide to keep our hearts obedient and trusting in God. Remember, God's favor isn’t based on how easy our lives are, but on how close we are to Him. Like Noah, may we stay faithful and committed to God, so we can also find His favor. Let’s leave here encouraged to live with honesty and trust, knowing that God's grace will help us through life's storms. He will lead us into new beginnings and blessings as we continue to trust and obey Him.
