Lesson 4 of 52: The Flood - Genesis 6

The Flood
Genesis 6-9
Open the eyes of my heart
What a beautiful name it is


Wake
All the poor and powerless



INTRODUCTION

What is the major teaching in Genesis since Adam and Eve?


GOD AS JUDGE (6:5-7)


Sin ________________________________  God


Is the story of the flood a children's story?





GOD AS REDEEMER

In which ways does God redeem his creation?



How is the flood/ark like the Garden of Eden and the Cross?



NOAH IS A MAN OF FAITH


Hebrews 11:1,6,7; 2 Peter 2:5


How do we see Noah's faith showing itself?


STORY OF THE FLOOD

Post-Deluman Re-Created World

1. __________________________________________

2. __________________________________________

3. __________________________________________


CONCLUSION


1.  When you see rain....


2.  When you see a rainbow....



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INTRODUCTION

What is the major teaching in Genesis since Adam and Eve?
The Consequence of Sin and its continues growth 
     ch. 1-3 is about the first sin
     ch. 4 - Cain kills abel
8 generations (1,500 years); Lamech - 2 wives; brags about killing 

Ninth generation; Noah and the story of the flood (Gen. 6-9) 


GOD AS JUDGE (6:5-7)
God's Judgment on Sin
When the Bible says God is "sorry," does not mean God made a mistake. 
Means he will do something about the problem.  

Sin grieves  God
   When you enter into any human relationship - you open your heart to possible pain
      More you open your heart, the deeper the pain can go

    Same is true of God
      God has made his heart vulnerable to us
      When we sin, it grieves God (not just breaking rules)
   
   Don't leave today thinking that sin is not a big deal - "Not that bad"
     Not trivializing sin - Holiness matters some of the time
     Sin grieves the heart of God - Sin is bad enough to "blot out" all life (6:7)


Is the story of the flood a children's story?

   One of the darkest moments in humanity's existence
      Only darker moment - hours of darkness before Jesus' death
      Gustave Dore's "Deluge - x rated movie

   Sin is a big deal
     Always destructive - always consequences
     Never trivialize sin - God's holiness always matters

   Do we really understand this? 

  Say something that hurts a person's reputation (story of visitor)
     Draw negative conclusion without knowing the person
     Pass judgement when it is none of our busienss
     Refuse to forgive
     Allow anger to fester - refuse to deal with fear that fuels the anger


   Sin is a big deal because God's holiness is really a big deal




GOD AS REDEEMER
Even in the midst of judgment, God is a redeemer

Meet Noah 6:8-9
   Noah stands in stark contrast to all the sin
   Promised conflict of Genesis 3:15



In which ways does God redeem his creation?
(6:14--22) See how God redeems the righteous Noah
   God the judge tells Noah about the coming flood
     Kills all human and animal life

   God the redeemer makes plan to see Noah
     God gives the plans for the ark
     Send the animals - shuts the door (7;16)
     Neer loses control  of the flood - tells it to come and go
     When over - accepts Noahs sacrifice


How is the flood/ark like the Garden of Eden and the Cross?
   Each is the place of the judgment of sin and the redemption of the righteous
   Even in the midst of God punishing our sin, he is always there to redeem


NOAH IS A MAN OF FAITH

Put yourself in Noah's shoes

   God tells him about the flood.  "What?"  (canopy theory)
     Build ark.  'What?" - Long, skinny, floating barge

   Where is it going to float?  - You'll see

   How big?  
     1.5 football fields x 25 years wide (this room), 3 levels  15' ceilings

   So big it will take 7 days for the animals to fill it up

   "How will I steer?"  
     No rudder - at my mercy of the redeeming God

   Gather food for all the animals
     How much?  For ever a year

Imagine the ridicule

   Apparently took over 100 years

   What if God asked us to build an ark on our parking lot.   

Yet look at Noah's response
   Believed God and responded in obedience -- 6:22 (4x)

   Example of faith in Heb. 11:7


Hebrews 11:1,6,7; 2 Peter 2:5

Noah was 600 years old

How do we see Noah's faith showing itself?


STORY OF THE FLOOD


Post-Deluman Re-Created World

1. God sends the animals
2. He enters when the rain starts
3. 150 days to recede (ark on mountains of ararat
     4 months until see the dry land
     Raven - strong bird; never returns
     Dove (twice) - olive trees only grow in valleys
     2 more months until God says it was okay (1 year and 10 days) 8:15-17

CONCLUSION


1.  When you see rain....

     agree with God that he hates sin
         sin grieves God - always horrific - destructive
         Look at the sin in your life - esp. what you are comfortable with 


2.  When you see a rainbow....
   remember, God is a redeeming God
     People whose faith leads to obedience will be redeemed
     Has God asked you to do something the world says is silly?  Step out in faith
    Like Noah and the ark?
    Like Moses returning to Egypt?
    Like Hudson Taylor and the Inland China Mission