Get Into the Ark

Posted on August 5, 2007

 

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Genesis 6:9-7:24

ONE GREAT TRUTH: It is possible to escape God’s judgment upon a sinful world and to live a life of integrity in the midst of a wicked generation, but only by trusting in God’s provision of His Son, Jesus.

The story of Noah and the ark is one of the most well-known Bible stories of all time. It has been the subject of comedy routines, songs, and movies such as the presently popular Evan Almighty. The reality of the story is that it is a type of what Jesus will do for those who wish to escape the judgment of God by trusting Him as their Savior.

I.          The Lesson of Noah:

We can live righteously in a wicked generation.

The question we struggle with is, how can I break out of the mold? This world is so sinful and forces its values upon us always. Temptation is on every hand. How can we escape? How can we ever possibly be different? Noah answers and says, “Through faith in Jesus, you can live a righteous and holy life!”

A.         Righteousness and holiness are possible. (vs. 6:9; 7:1) The word “perfect” has to do with living a “whole” life as opposed to a divided one. It means to live with integrity.

B.         Obedience is a requirement. (vs. 6:22; 7:5) Noah, moved with fear, acted on what God had said. Furthermore, he did all that God commanded.

C.         We must begin by faith. (Hebrews 11:7) It is through an act of faith that righteousness is imputed to us. It is in living by faith that holiness is achieved. And obedience is the greatest expression of faith. In fact, obedience (acting in response to God’s commands) is the very essence of biblical faith.

II.         The Lesson of the Ark:

We can be saved through the gracious provision and protection of God.

A.         God provides an atonement. (6:14) The word “pitch” found in this verse is usually translated as “atone” elsewhere in the Old Testament. Inside and out, the ark was to be atoned for with tar. Our sins are real and cannot be ignored, but God has made a way for them to be covered with the blood of Jesus Christ!

B.         God provides eternal security. (7:16) Can you imagine what it must have been like inside the ark? Difficult. Can you imagine what it must have been like outside the ark? Far worse! But God provided Noah’s family with safety and security – in God’s power, because of God’s promises, and because of the provision of an atonement and covering, God would keep them until the judgment was complete! (Philippians 1:6; 1 Timothy 1:12; Jude 24)

III.        The Lesson of the Flood:

All the world will be judged by God because of sin.

The water came from above and from beneath. It was overwhelming. It peaked after 150 days (7:24) and relented after another 150 days (8:3). As rivers and oceans overran their banks and moved beyond their boundaries, immense catastrophes ensued. A flood of this proportion would have undoubtedly caused the earth’s bodies of water to violently interact. Tsunamis, giant whirlpools and waterfalls would have been created until the flood eventually crested. This was God’s judgment upon sin.

The promise to our age is that someday the earth will be destroyed by fire… (2 Peter 3:10-13) Are you prepared? Have you acted in an obedient response to the revelation of God by placing your faith in Jesus Christ eternally as Savior?