5/11/08

NORTHSIDE CHURCH OF CHRIST

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA

NOAH 5/11/08

An account in the Bible everyone's familiar with is Noah and the Ark. This morning we are going to take look again at this wonderful story.

1) NOAH'S CHARACTER
a. He was a "righteous" man - Gen 6:9; He was "just", so must we..
b. He was "blameless" - 6:9, We must be complete and mature in everything God wants of us.

   Rom 5:1; 2 Pet 3:14; 2 Tim 3:16-17
     c.   He walked with God - 6:9 Today? We must "walk the walk" Eph 4:17-20; Eph 5:2, 8-11, 15-17 - how do we know how to walk? "understand what the will of the Lord is"
     d. He was obedient - Gen 6:22; 7:5 We must be obedient in all things, not just a few Mt 28:20
          1. God specified the way the ark was to be built and Noah didn't "cut corners". Gen 6:13-16

2. God specified the "passengers" on the ark. Gen 7:1-5

   e. Noah had an influence over his family - Gen 7:7

2) NOAH'S LIFE
     a. He was a preacher - 2 Pet 2:5, He continued preaching to a vastly non-receptive crowd.
          1. an encouragment to preachers today - 2 Tim 4:1-5
     b. He was a worker - He spent many years preparing the ark
     c. He was a man of faith - Heb 11:7

3) NOAH'S ERA - wicked - 6:5-7 (note one aspect of the wickedness was violence - 6:13;) so corrupted
      6:12 - reached a point of decay, when we think of decay we think of utter filth
     a. It's wicked today - there will always be wickedness

4) GOD'S PROMISE, INVITATION AND NOAH'S RESPONSE - 7:1-7
     a. Noah responded - 7:7 He could have rejected the invitation, but didn't
          1. It's not as if he understood what a flood was, but he knew God would destroy mankind and he
               responded to the invitation.

2. What does God say will happen in the future? 2 Pet 3: 3-14

5) THE LORD'S PROMISE, INVITATION AND OUR RESPONSE

A. People like an invitation. Jesus offered an invitation long ago that still applies today. Mt 11: 28-30

1. He offers a rest to those who are His disciples. He doesn't promise a life of physical ease, but one that should appeal to everyone looking for a spiritual rest.

2. There is something that truly satisfies. Isa 55: 1-3; Isa 1: 18-19

a. to those who are obedient the forgiveness of sins

3. A water that quenches now and eternally - Rev 22:17

B. What sort of reception will there be to the invitation?

1. Some will make excuses - Luke 14: 16-20

2. The invitation is still open to all who will listen - Lk 14:21
3. Acts 22:16

RESPOND TO THE INVITATION!