The Flood Part I

Islington Baptist Church March 11, 2001

Sermon text: Genesis 6:9-7:24

Scripture readings: Matt. 24:36-39 I Pet. 2:5

II Pet. 3, Psalm 104:5-9, Heb. 11:7

For the next few weeks we are going to consider the Bible’s account of Noah, found in Genesis 6:9-9:28. These chapters detail God’s destroying of the earth by means of a world wide flood.

When it comes to the Bible’s assertion that God destroyed the world by means of a flood, many skeptics abound. Some of these skeptics just plain write the Bible’s account of the flood off as a myth; a colorful story that has some morals and life lessons to teach us. Other skeptics say there is some truth to the Bible’s account—but the flood was only a local event and not world wide. Then there’s a whole other batch of skeptics; those who actively seek to destroy the faith of those who believe the Bible’s account of the Flood. These ones come up with all sorts of “scientific reasons” why the Bible’s account is untrue.

When it comes to God’s destroying the world by means of a world wide flood, a good question to ask is this: Is there physical evidence to support the Bible’s claim and assertion?

The overwhelming answer is YES!

1. The geological features of this planet testify to a worldwide flood

All over the earth, there is evidence of Noah’s Flood, from sea bed to mountain tops. Whether you travel by car, train, or plane, the physical features of the earth’s terrain clearly indicate a catastrophic past. (i.e coal beds, various canyons, ocean trenches, salt domes, oil deposits, etc)

a. Sedimentary rock

As it’s name implies, water is intimately involved in the formation of sedimentary rock. Approximately 75% of the earth’s crust is sedimentary rock. Every mountain range in the whole world contains massive amounts of sedimentary rock. Marine fossils abound in sedimentary rock. In fact, millions and millions of fossils have been found in sedimentary rock. These fossils show evidences of a rapid and violent burial (read the Flood action) i.e fossilized jellyfish that were buried before they could decay. Hundreds of animals, many of different species found jumbled together in twisted and contorted positions. Multiple numbers of fossilized fish have been found with another fish sticking out of their mouths (in the process of eating them). There are even fossils that have been found that stand vertically in multiple layers of sedimentary rock. All these are evidence of rapid death and burial of animal and plant life worldwide.

b. The Grand canyon and other canyons

In the middle of the Grand canyon is this tiny little river that follows a deep vertical cut in the ground. The majority of today’s geologists agree that the only plausible explanation for the Grand canyon is that a catastrophic event occurred with water and that the canyon formed, not by the action of this tiny little river but by large scale, catastrophic, water erosion.

2. In addition to the abundance of physical evidence for the Flood there is the matter of 230 Flood stories that come from various people groups the world over. Obviously none of them are identical to the Bible’s account but this is what must be noted: These 230 flood stories agree on 4 major points. 1. A great flood covered the entire earth. 2. All people except a remnant were destroyed. 3. A great craft was used to save this remnant and some animals 4. This craft landed on a mountain.

For 230 different cultures to be all basically talking about and remembering the same event; that’s good reason to believe that there really was a world wide flood that destroyed the world.

We could spend the whole morning dealing with questions regarding the Flood that are not addressed in the Bible’s account. Rather than doing that let me recommend to you the following books…….

We need to get into our text: Read text

OBSERVATIONS AND APPLICATIONS: things that jump out at me

I. The godly character of Noah: he being a man who walked with God. v.9

Noah is a shining example of what a godly man is to look like. Our text tells us that he was man who walked with God; this is illustrated in the fact that he is here said to have been righteous and blameless.

Of course our text is not saying that Noah was perfect—for all men struggle with sin, yet Noah stood out and stands out as an example of the kind of people we ought to be.

When one is described as righteous, blameless, and as walking with God it implies a lot. It implies that not only is their heart right but also that their actions are right before the Lord. It implies a relationship with God and peace with Him. It implies that there is an active seeking of God and a desire to be close to Him. It implies and speaks of one who loves God.