Get in the Ark
Genesis 6:5-8; 13; 17-18; Genesis 2:7
Introduction:
Time has not changed. World still consists fo two groups of people...the righteous and the wicked.
God created man for good - the moral right.
Man took his eyes off of God...began to think for himself...getting him into trouble.
In Chapter 3 of Genesis we see the hand of Satan manipulating mankind.
God saw the “wickedness” that man had allowed to “creep into his life.”
“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.” KJV
Jeremiah, the prophet even adds to this by his writing that says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”KJV
This grieved God...then as well as now.
God doesn’t want man to “blatantly rebel against His standards.”
Because of mankind’s rebellious bent God chose to “destroy” man whom He created.
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. KJV
One man, however, found “grace” in the eyes of Lord and he was spared along with his wife, sons and daughter in laws.
This man was Noah!
The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. KJV
God instructed Noah to build an ark...a means whereby Noah and his family would be spared from the impending wrath of God upon the entire of creation.
Let’s look at the ark and what it represents for us today.
It not only represents the place where Noah and his family was spared from the flood of God’s wrath towards creation, but it is also a typology of the ark of safety we find in Jesus.
The ark is a picture of Jesus Christ Himself.
Today, we live in a society that has turned away from God. Thank goodness that we have some who have “found” grace in the eyes of the Lord.
We truly deserve another flood of God’s wrath, but because He loves “fallen man” He provided us with an “ark” into which we likewise could enter.
What did the ark of Noah’s day represent to him and his family?
I. THE ARK: A PLACE OF REFUGE.
The ark was God’s appointed way of salvation for Noah and family.
Mankind had become as 1 Peter 3:20 says, “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.” KJV
Noah stood before God uncondemned unlike the rest of creation.
Romans 8:1 tells us this truth - “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. KJV
My friend, if you are “in Christ” - if you have received Him into your heart, taking Him as your personal Lord and Savior, then you will not be condemned.
John 3:18 reassures this thought - “he that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” KJV
Don’t let “unbelief” condemn you...believe in Jesus.
The “ark” of Noah’s day represented a place of safety. There he would find himself protected by the power of God.
There he would be kept, ever secure, ever protected by the “hands of God.”
Sounds like “eternal security” to me, doesn’t it?
Today, if you stand before God condemned because of your unbelief, why not get into the “ark of safety” represented by the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
In the ark, Noah and his family were separated from evil.
Sin that had run rampant in that day, was now being destroyed by the judging hand of God.
In Jesus, you can be “separated” - set apart from the evil that is out to consume mankind.
Outside the ark the flood waters rose higher and higher...drowning out the rebellion of man against a Holy and Righteous God.
Someday destruction will come again to the earth, but not by flood.
But all rebellion will be dealt with by God...the righteous judge.
Notice if you will something else about the ark.
II. THE ARK: AN INVITATION TO SECURITY.
As the Bible shares, God said to Noah, “Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.” Genesis 7:1 KJV
In Genesis 6:18 we read that God says to Noah - “But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee.”
In Isaiah 55:3 we read of a promise given to mankind -
“Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.” KJV
God is saying to mankind today - Listen to My Word, hear it, believe it, receive what it offers to you.
Come into the ark of safety. Come to Jesus.
God offers hope that only can be found in Jesus.
Noah “went into the ark because of the waters of the flood.”
He accepted the offer of God’s safety and security. He recognized the “ark” as a place of refuge from the impending judgment of God upon creation.
Today, God is offering to you an invitation to “security.” He’s offering you the “work of Jesus” for mankind...the free offer of salvation.
Today, God is offering you an escape route from what will otherwise be “eternal separation” from Him if you choose to “ignore His offer” of salvation.
He is offering you hope in Jesus.
Jesus stands before you as the “ark” of safety and refuge.
Will you enter in?
Noah built the ark, and went into the ark. God shut the door to protect Noah and his family.
Not only did God shut the door of the ark then, but today He is opening the door for you to walk through.
Noah was saved only because he chose to enter into the ark of safety.
Today, the same is true for you. God has prepared a way...that way is Jesus.
John 14:6 tells us...Jesus said it Himself...”I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” KJV
Be safe and secure in Jesus’ hands.
CONCLUSION:
There is a great deal of similarity in the pictures of the ark and Jesus.
Both the ark and Jesus Christ was and is the means whereby man can find salvation.
Are you standing on the outside looking in?
Today, why not get on the ark and be assured that your life will be secure, safe, and separated in the Divine Ark, the Lord Jesus Christ.
God is calling out today to all who will hear His voice - “Come into the ark!”
Will you answer by “entering in today?”
