Introduction

Good morning, beloved. It's a joy to gather with you in the house of the Lord. Today, we are turning to the pages of Genesis, to the ninth chapter, to reflect on a narrative that is as old as time itself, yet as fresh as the morning dew. It's a story that reminds us of God's fundamental plan, our faltering faith, and His unwavering forgiveness and future promises.

Charles Spurgeon, the great preacher of yesteryears, once said, "Faith goes up the stairs that love has built and looks out the windows which hope has opened." We are talking about faith that ascends the stairs, love that constructs, and hope that opens windows to the future.

Before we delve deeper, let us read the scripture together. Genesis 9:1-15 says, "Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth. The fear and dread of you will fall on all the beasts of the earth, and on all the birds in the sky, on every creature that moves along the ground, and on all the fish in the sea; they are given into your hands. Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it. And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being. Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind. As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it.' Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: 'I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth. I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.' And God said, 'This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.'"

As we embark on this sermon, let's bow our heads in prayer.

Fruitfulness as God's Fundamental Plan

The narrative of Noah, as we read in Genesis, begins with a divine command, a blessing even - "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth." This is not a suggestion, not a proposal, but a command from the Creator of the universe. It is a command that echoes the first command given to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. It is a command that underscores the fundamental plan of God for mankind - fruitfulness.

Fruitfulness, in its simplest form, means to produce fruit. But it's more than just a biological or agricultural term. It's a spiritual principle that permeates the entire Bible. It's about abundance, multiplication, growth, and productivity. It's about being a blessing to others and making a positive impact in the world. It's about living a life that is not just about survival, but about thriving and flourishing.

The first aspect of fruitfulness we see in the command to Noah is the idea of multiplication. "Increase in number," God says. This is not just about having children, although that is certainly part of it. It's about multiplying in every area of life. It's about increasing in wisdom, in understanding, in love, in kindness, in generosity, in faith, in hope, in joy, in peace. It's about growing and expanding and becoming more than we are.

The second aspect of fruitfulness is the idea of filling the earth. This is not just about geographical expansion, although that is certainly part of it. It's about filling the earth with the knowledge of God, with the love of God, with the peace of God, with the joy of God. It's about making a difference in the world, about leaving a positive legacy, about influencing others for good.

The third aspect of fruitfulness is the idea of dominion. "The fear and dread of you will fall on all the beasts of the earth," God says. This is not about ruling with an iron fist, but about stewardship, about taking care of the earth and everything in it. It's about responsibility, about accountability, about leadership. It's about using our gifts, our talents, our resources, our opportunities, not for our own selfish gain, but for the benefit of others and for the glory of God.

The fourth aspect of fruitfulness is the idea of covenant. "I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you," God says. This is not just about a contract, but about a relationship, about a commitment, about a promise. It's about trust, about faithfulness, about loyalty. It's about walking with God, about living in obedience to His commands, about depending on His grace and mercy.

In all these aspects, we see that fruitfulness is not just a command, but a blessing. It's not just a duty, but a privilege. It's not just about doing, but about being. It's not just about what we can achieve, but about who we can become. It's not just about our efforts, but about God's grace. It's not just about our success, but about God's glory. It's not just about our life, but about God's plan.

Faltering in Faith and God's Forgiveness

As we continue to reflect on the narrative of Noah, we find ourselves in a world freshly cleansed by the flood, a world filled with promise but also with challenges ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO