WEBVTT 00:00:00.700 --> 00:00:05.620 Well, please take your Bibles and open them up this morning to Genesis chapter 8. 00:00:05.740 --> 00:00:10.359 ! If you're using the Pew Bibles there in front of you, if you don't have a copy of God's Word yourself, 00:00:10.359 --> 00:00:15.339 you can find this all the way on page 5 of the Pew Bible there in front of you. 00:00:15.400 --> 00:00:16.899 We haven't made too much progress. 00:00:17.460 --> 00:00:21.080 Genesis chapter 8, page 5 of the Pew Bible in front of you. 00:00:21.640 --> 00:00:25.580 And when you found it, let's stand in honor of the preaching of God's Word. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:37.119 We end at chapter 7 with the bad news of the flood coming down and we begin chapter 8. 00:00:37.119 --> 00:00:42.880 But God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the livestock that were with him in the ark. 00:00:43.759 --> 00:00:47.039 And God made a wind blow over the earth and the waters subsided. 00:00:47.859 --> 00:00:51.100 The fountains of the deep and the windows of the heavens were closed. 00:00:51.539 --> 00:00:56.560 The rains from the heavens were restrained and the waters receded from the earth continually. 00:00:56.560 --> 00:01:00.400 At the end of 150 days, the waters had abated. 00:01:00.960 --> 00:01:05.700 And in the seventh month, on the 17th day of the month, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. 00:01:06.240 --> 00:01:09.280 And the waters continued to abate until the 10th month. 00:01:09.879 --> 00:01:13.879 In the 10th month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains were seen. 00:01:15.099 --> 00:01:20.219 At the end of 40 days, Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made and sent forth a raven. 00:01:20.719 --> 00:01:24.140 It went to and fro until the waters were dried up from the earth. 00:01:24.140 --> 00:01:29.519 Then he sent forth a dove from him to see if the waters had subsided from the face of the ground. 00:01:30.319 --> 00:01:32.780 But the dove found no place to set her foot. 00:01:33.040 --> 00:01:37.620 And she returned to him to the ark, for the waters were still on the face of the whole earth. 00:01:38.460 --> 00:01:42.400 So he put out his hand and took her and brought her into the ark with him. 00:01:43.120 --> 00:01:44.799 He waited another seven days. 00:01:44.859 --> 00:01:47.799 And again, he sent forth the dove out of the ark. 00:01:47.799 --> 00:01:50.140 And the dove came back to him in the evening. 00:01:50.280 --> 00:01:53.579 And behold, in her mouth was a freshly plucked olive leaf. 00:01:54.060 --> 00:01:57.120 So Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth. 00:01:57.959 --> 00:02:00.959 Then he waited another seven days and sent forth the dove. 00:02:01.159 --> 00:02:03.140 And she did not return to him anymore. 00:02:04.199 --> 00:02:11.139 In the 601st year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried from off the earth. 00:02:11.139 --> 00:02:14.119 And Noah removed the covering of the ark and looked. 00:02:14.500 --> 00:02:16.859 And behold, the face of the ground was dry. 00:02:17.659 --> 00:02:21.519 In the second month, on the 27th day of the month, the earth had dried out. 00:02:22.279 --> 00:02:23.399 Then God said to Noah, 00:02:23.619 --> 00:02:29.159 Go out from the ark, you and your wife and your sons and your sons' wives with you. 00:02:29.819 --> 00:02:33.419 Bring out with you every living thing that is with you of all flesh, 00:02:33.959 --> 00:02:37.239 birds and animals and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, 00:02:37.240 --> 00:02:42.100 that they may swarm on the earth and be fruitful and multiply on the earth. 00:02:43.000 --> 00:02:46.560 So Noah went out and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives with him. 00:02:47.020 --> 00:02:49.860 Every beast, every creeping thing and every bird, 00:02:50.340 --> 00:02:53.620 everything that moves on the earth went out by families from the ark. 00:02:54.700 --> 00:02:59.920 Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and took some of every clean animal and some of every clean bird 00:02:59.920 --> 00:03:02.340 and offered burnt offerings on the altar. 00:03:03.120 --> 00:03:06.480 And when the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma, the Lord said in his heart, 00:03:06.479 --> 00:03:09.879 I will never again curse the ground because of man, 00:03:10.259 --> 00:03:13.379 for the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth. 00:03:14.139 --> 00:03:17.399 Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done. 00:03:17.959 --> 00:03:20.739 While the earth remains, seed time and harvest, 00:03:21.000 --> 00:03:23.939 cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, 00:03:24.479 --> 00:03:26.679 shall not cease. 00:03:27.319 --> 00:03:29.459 The grass withers and the flower fades, 00:03:29.539 --> 00:03:32.599 but the word of the Lord endures forever. 00:03:32.939 --> 00:03:33.759 Let's pray once more. 00:03:33.759 --> 00:03:36.359 Father, we praise you for your word. 00:03:36.500 --> 00:03:38.219 We praise you for your faithfulness. 00:03:39.099 --> 00:03:42.039 And now we pray, God, would you speak to us again through your word. 00:03:42.120 --> 00:03:43.039 We ask in Jesus' name. 00:03:44.000 --> 00:03:44.280 Amen. 00:03:45.099 --> 00:03:46.199 You may be seated. 00:03:49.399 --> 00:03:52.659 Well, I'm excited to jump back into the book of Genesis this morning. 00:03:53.219 --> 00:03:56.079 You know, we took a brief break over the past several weeks 00:03:56.079 --> 00:03:58.039 to focus in on the resurrection of Jesus. 00:03:58.039 --> 00:04:03.219 But now we get to come back and pick up where we left off in Genesis. 00:04:03.500 --> 00:04:06.780 You know, back in the days before streaming television 00:04:06.780 --> 00:04:12.280 and the ability to just watch seasons of television over a one or two day span, 00:04:12.500 --> 00:04:16.779 we used to actually have to wait week by week for a new edition, 00:04:16.899 --> 00:04:17.939 a new episode to come out. 00:04:18.560 --> 00:04:20.099 And sometimes even longer than that. 00:04:20.139 --> 00:04:23.980 You'd have to wait months until a new season came out with a new episode of the show. 00:04:23.980 --> 00:04:28.200 And sometimes they would leave you with a cliffhanger on the edge of your seat 00:04:28.200 --> 00:04:30.700 wondering what in the world is going to happen next. 00:04:30.740 --> 00:04:32.360 And you would have to wait. 00:04:33.140 --> 00:04:37.140 Well, we left Noah here at the end of chapter 7, 00:04:37.319 --> 00:04:39.860 sort of a little bit on a cliffhanger. 00:04:40.500 --> 00:04:44.460 Chapter 7 ended with the floodwaters coming down on the earth, 00:04:44.660 --> 00:04:46.600 wiping out all of mankind. 00:04:46.600 --> 00:04:52.080 All that is, with the exception of Noah and his family. 00:04:52.840 --> 00:04:55.420 Just eight people out of all the world. 00:04:55.560 --> 00:04:58.939 Noah and his family and the animals with him there on the ark. 00:04:59.160 --> 00:05:04.120 Everything else by the end of chapter 7 is completely wiped away. 00:05:04.320 --> 00:05:07.640 God is here judging the sin of the world. 00:05:07.780 --> 00:05:10.120 That's where we left off last time, several weeks ago. 00:05:11.180 --> 00:05:12.980 And you might remember as you think back, 00:05:13.240 --> 00:05:15.920 as we've walked through this story and the account of the flood, 00:05:15.920 --> 00:05:20.960 we've seen several attributes of God on display in this story. 00:05:21.879 --> 00:05:24.500 Now, of course, we've seen his holiness. 00:05:25.379 --> 00:05:28.920 In contrast to the pervasive wickedness of man, 00:05:29.000 --> 00:05:32.500 we've seen that our God is holy, holy, holy. 00:05:32.639 --> 00:05:34.400 He is completely pure. 00:05:34.680 --> 00:05:36.939 We've seen his wrath against sin. 00:05:37.040 --> 00:05:39.120 We've seen his justice on full display. 00:05:39.580 --> 00:05:43.340 As the waters come down and wipe away sin from the earth, 00:05:43.400 --> 00:05:44.340 we've seen his justice. 00:05:44.339 --> 00:05:47.579 We've seen his power and his sovereignty on full display 00:05:47.579 --> 00:05:51.939 as he simply speaks and the waters come and accomplish his will. 00:05:52.879 --> 00:05:57.739 But at the same time, we've seen his heart of mercy towards sinners. 00:05:58.659 --> 00:06:02.779 As Noah and his family are spared from the judgment that they deserve, 00:06:02.879 --> 00:06:05.199 we see God's heart of mercy towards sinners. 00:06:05.199 --> 00:06:08.219 We see his grace towards sinners on full display. 00:06:08.399 --> 00:06:14.219 As Noah alone, Noah and his family are chosen out of all the families of the earth to be preserved. 00:06:14.479 --> 00:06:17.060 We've seen his wisdom on full display. 00:06:17.480 --> 00:06:24.300 As he preserves his promise to crush the head of the serpent through the line now of Noah. 00:06:25.740 --> 00:06:28.839 This morning, as we turn our attention to chapter 8, 00:06:28.839 --> 00:06:32.139 we get to see another attribute of God on display. 00:06:32.299 --> 00:06:36.919 This morning, we get to see God's faithfulness on display. 00:06:38.060 --> 00:06:41.500 Our God is faithful. 00:06:42.659 --> 00:06:43.219 Amen? 00:06:44.299 --> 00:06:49.079 Our God is faithful to all his promises. 00:06:49.299 --> 00:06:51.079 We often sing of the faithfulness of God. 00:06:51.079 --> 00:06:52.959 We'll sing later on this morning. 00:06:53.139 --> 00:06:56.319 Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father. 00:06:57.000 --> 00:06:59.919 There is no shadow of turning with thee. 00:07:00.719 --> 00:07:04.199 As thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not. 00:07:04.259 --> 00:07:06.779 As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be. 00:07:06.959 --> 00:07:09.479 Great is thy faithfulness. 00:07:10.379 --> 00:07:14.459 The big idea for us this morning as we look to Genesis chapter 8 is this. 00:07:15.039 --> 00:07:18.199 God is faithful to all his promises. 00:07:18.199 --> 00:07:25.159 And because God is faithful, God's people respond to the faithfulness of God in two ways. 00:07:25.259 --> 00:07:29.139 It's by waiting on him and worshiping him. 00:07:29.800 --> 00:07:31.259 It's the big idea this morning. 00:07:31.360 --> 00:07:37.180 Because God is faithful, God's people wait on him and worship him. 00:07:37.259 --> 00:07:39.079 So let's look there to our text first. 00:07:39.319 --> 00:07:40.639 Starting here with verse 1. 00:07:40.759 --> 00:07:43.399 First, we see our God is faithful. 00:07:43.620 --> 00:07:45.939 This is the main theme here in the passage. 00:07:45.939 --> 00:07:49.339 We see it in the very first two words of the chapter, don't we? 00:07:49.959 --> 00:07:51.139 But God. 00:07:52.219 --> 00:07:53.800 But God. 00:07:54.819 --> 00:07:59.439 And those that know your Bible, you know, those are two very powerful words, aren't they? 00:08:00.120 --> 00:08:04.620 Again, we end at chapter 7 with destruction and devastation. 00:08:04.720 --> 00:08:06.819 But now with these two words. 00:08:07.000 --> 00:08:09.180 Those two words change everything, don't they? 00:08:09.180 --> 00:08:17.060 Everything that came before, all the wrath and all the judgment, all the destruction, all the devastating waters of the flood, 00:08:17.160 --> 00:08:19.540 all the bad news is now overcome. 00:08:19.959 --> 00:08:22.840 It's wiped away by some very good news. 00:08:23.060 --> 00:08:24.740 But God. 00:08:26.180 --> 00:08:29.960 Those two words, but God, are the hinge here. 00:08:30.199 --> 00:08:34.879 Between the destruction of chapter 7 and now the deliverance of chapter 8. 00:08:34.879 --> 00:08:38.159 God here intervenes on behalf of Noah. 00:08:38.320 --> 00:08:39.179 And what does God do? 00:08:39.299 --> 00:08:43.220 It says, but God remembered Noah. 00:08:43.720 --> 00:08:44.659 Now what does that mean? 00:08:45.600 --> 00:08:47.279 God remembered Noah. 00:08:47.460 --> 00:08:50.279 Well, you might remember just a couple of chapters earlier. 00:08:50.519 --> 00:08:54.039 Just a few chapters here at the beginning of the flood story. 00:08:54.500 --> 00:08:58.360 God delivered Noah the bad news in chapter 6, verse 17. 00:08:58.360 --> 00:09:06.700 He said, behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. 00:09:07.639 --> 00:09:10.120 Everything that is on the earth shall die. 00:09:10.639 --> 00:09:12.159 But, here's the good news. 00:09:13.060 --> 00:09:17.060 But, I will establish my covenant with you. 00:09:17.899 --> 00:09:19.960 And you shall come into the ark. 00:09:20.100 --> 00:09:23.440 You, your sons, your wife, your sons' wives with you. 00:09:23.500 --> 00:09:24.519 This is a promise. 00:09:25.500 --> 00:09:27.820 God has now spoken a promise to Noah. 00:09:27.820 --> 00:09:31.940 Yes, I will destroy all things because of the wickedness of the earth. 00:09:32.220 --> 00:09:34.600 But, I make you a promise, Noah. 00:09:34.780 --> 00:09:37.440 I will deliver you. 00:09:38.620 --> 00:09:42.160 Now, as the waters begin to come down, just as God promised. 00:09:42.300 --> 00:09:46.340 Noah, he's here waiting for God to make good on the second half of the promise. 00:09:47.280 --> 00:09:50.960 He's waiting on the ark for God to show himself faithful. 00:09:52.380 --> 00:09:54.560 You know, that phrase, God remembered. 00:09:54.740 --> 00:09:56.220 Of course, it doesn't mean that God forgot. 00:09:56.220 --> 00:09:56.500 God forgot. 00:09:57.040 --> 00:10:00.620 And now, he's just now calling to mind something that he forgot. 00:10:00.779 --> 00:10:02.340 You and I are forgetful. 00:10:02.920 --> 00:10:05.420 You know, we go to the grocery store and we forget our list. 00:10:06.040 --> 00:10:06.820 You know, we look around. 00:10:06.920 --> 00:10:08.580 We don't remember why we came. 00:10:08.680 --> 00:10:12.160 And maybe it'll come to us and say, oh, I remember what I was supposed to do here. 00:10:12.220 --> 00:10:13.300 That's not what's happening here. 00:10:13.960 --> 00:10:16.519 God did not forget that Noah was on the ark. 00:10:16.519 --> 00:10:18.639 And now, he's got to do something about it. 00:10:18.659 --> 00:10:19.519 That's not what's happening. 00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:24.659 An all-knowing, eternal, sovereign God doesn't forget anything. 00:10:24.939 --> 00:10:27.620 This remembering is not language of forgetting. 00:10:28.559 --> 00:10:33.480 This remembering is language of covenant faithfulness. 00:10:34.360 --> 00:10:36.460 Covenant faithfulness. 00:10:36.460 --> 00:10:39.160 And we see it all throughout the scriptures. 00:10:39.360 --> 00:10:42.680 As we continue to go through Genesis, we'll see it again in chapter 19. 00:10:43.019 --> 00:10:44.639 God remembered Abraham. 00:10:45.200 --> 00:10:48.780 So, he rescued Lot as he destroys Sodom and Gomorrah. 00:10:49.639 --> 00:10:53.480 In chapter 30, God remembers Rachel and opens up her womb. 00:10:54.340 --> 00:10:55.440 Exodus chapter 2. 00:10:55.540 --> 00:11:01.420 As we look ahead to Exodus, God hears the groans of his people as they cry out to him in slavery. 00:11:01.419 --> 00:11:06.919 And God remembers the covenant that he made with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. 00:11:07.339 --> 00:11:12.759 As God remembers throughout the scriptures, what he's doing is he's thinking of his people. 00:11:13.879 --> 00:11:15.839 He is seeing their need. 00:11:16.500 --> 00:11:20.819 And he is determining to take action on their behalf. 00:11:22.039 --> 00:11:23.879 This is covenant faithfulness. 00:11:23.959 --> 00:11:27.620 And church, this ought to absolutely just stun us. 00:11:29.139 --> 00:11:30.059 Our God. 00:11:31.419 --> 00:11:35.219 Who reigns and rules over all creation. 00:11:36.319 --> 00:11:41.139 Our God who created all things and who reigns as king over it all. 00:11:41.240 --> 00:11:45.539 Who sees all and knows all and is greater than all. 00:11:45.939 --> 00:11:53.199 This great God is not too distant to remember each and every one of his children. 00:11:54.779 --> 00:11:59.299 He is not too busy to know you personally. 00:11:59.299 --> 00:12:03.319 He is not too preoccupied to know your needs. 00:12:03.919 --> 00:12:06.719 He is not too busy to know your condition. 00:12:06.919 --> 00:12:09.639 He is not too busy to hear your prayers. 00:12:10.559 --> 00:12:12.579 It is absolutely amazing when you think about it. 00:12:12.620 --> 00:12:16.339 Our God is faithful and ready to act in faithfulness. 00:12:16.500 --> 00:12:18.699 Not just to all his people generally. 00:12:18.700 --> 00:12:24.160 But to each and every individual one of his children specifically. 00:12:26.280 --> 00:12:28.560 Here, out of all the people of the earth. 00:12:28.680 --> 00:12:32.460 God in covenant faithfulness remembers Noah. 00:12:32.460 --> 00:12:34.379 And what does God do? 00:12:34.379 --> 00:12:35.840 Look there again to verse 2. 00:12:36.600 --> 00:12:37.680 God remembers Noah. 00:12:37.920 --> 00:12:42.740 And so he now sovereignly causes the wind to pass over the earth. 00:12:43.240 --> 00:12:45.600 And as he does, now we see the waters. 00:12:45.600 --> 00:12:47.820 They begin to peel back. 00:12:47.920 --> 00:12:49.379 The waters begin to recede. 00:12:49.500 --> 00:12:52.280 And so we see here not only that God is faithful. 00:12:52.759 --> 00:12:54.360 But God is powerful. 00:12:54.940 --> 00:12:55.860 And he is capable. 00:12:56.100 --> 00:12:56.820 He is sovereign. 00:12:56.960 --> 00:12:58.900 He is able to accomplish his plans. 00:12:58.899 --> 00:13:01.039 You know, it is interesting. 00:13:01.240 --> 00:13:03.220 And we will see this over the next couple of weeks. 00:13:03.299 --> 00:13:03.799 Lord willing. 00:13:04.360 --> 00:13:07.379 We ought to think about this event with Noah. 00:13:07.559 --> 00:13:09.980 Sort of as a second creation account. 00:13:10.980 --> 00:13:12.399 Sort of a new creation. 00:13:12.399 --> 00:13:15.059 God wiped the slate clean of his first creation. 00:13:15.360 --> 00:13:16.720 And is now in a sense. 00:13:16.779 --> 00:13:18.279 It is like he is starting over new. 00:13:19.220 --> 00:13:21.539 And so now in this second creation account. 00:13:21.740 --> 00:13:24.360 There is echoes of the first creation account. 00:13:24.460 --> 00:13:25.579 That we ought to take note of. 00:13:25.679 --> 00:13:26.559 Here again. 00:13:27.039 --> 00:13:28.579 Just as he did at the beginning. 00:13:28.580 --> 00:13:31.120 God is bringing order out of chaos. 00:13:31.440 --> 00:13:33.040 You remember that from Genesis chapter 1. 00:13:34.080 --> 00:13:34.800 Here again. 00:13:34.900 --> 00:13:35.900 Just as at the beginning. 00:13:36.220 --> 00:13:38.960 He is starting over with a new representative. 00:13:39.259 --> 00:13:40.100 No longer Adam. 00:13:40.259 --> 00:13:41.660 But now Noah. 00:13:42.420 --> 00:13:43.400 And here again. 00:13:43.480 --> 00:13:44.259 It is interesting. 00:13:44.460 --> 00:13:47.520 The word here for wind in the Hebrew. 00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:50.259 Is the same word for spirit. 00:13:51.240 --> 00:13:53.500 There is an intentional echo here. 00:13:53.680 --> 00:13:54.379 So again. 00:13:54.480 --> 00:13:55.160 Here again. 00:13:55.280 --> 00:13:56.460 Just as at the beginning. 00:13:56.460 --> 00:13:57.800 Just as the spirit. 00:13:58.200 --> 00:14:00.259 Hovered over the face of the waters. 00:14:00.259 --> 00:14:01.320 In chapter 1. 00:14:01.320 --> 00:14:02.580 So now here. 00:14:02.680 --> 00:14:03.660 At the command of God. 00:14:03.780 --> 00:14:04.500 The wind. 00:14:04.680 --> 00:14:05.080 Spirit. 00:14:05.639 --> 00:14:07.639 It blows the waters away. 00:14:09.019 --> 00:14:10.540 This is a new beginning. 00:14:12.040 --> 00:14:12.660 And so here. 00:14:12.780 --> 00:14:15.180 Just as we were reminded in chapter 1. 00:14:15.280 --> 00:14:15.920 Here again. 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:16.860 We should be reminded. 00:14:17.060 --> 00:14:19.000 That just as we saw at the beginning. 00:14:19.139 --> 00:14:20.639 That our God is creator. 00:14:21.019 --> 00:14:22.660 And ruler of all. 00:14:22.740 --> 00:14:24.379 He is king of all creation. 00:14:24.379 --> 00:14:25.320 So now. 00:14:25.419 --> 00:14:26.519 Don't pass by this. 00:14:26.620 --> 00:14:27.220 Notice it. 00:14:27.799 --> 00:14:29.600 The waters obey him. 00:14:30.820 --> 00:14:33.039 The wind obeys him. 00:14:34.120 --> 00:14:35.039 He speaks. 00:14:35.279 --> 00:14:36.399 And it happens. 00:14:37.259 --> 00:14:40.000 Every inch of his creation. 00:14:40.000 --> 00:14:42.740 Is submissive to him as king. 00:14:42.879 --> 00:14:44.779 He stands above everything. 00:14:44.779 --> 00:14:45.399 In heaven. 00:14:45.620 --> 00:14:46.379 And on earth. 00:14:46.480 --> 00:14:48.480 And all things move. 00:14:48.600 --> 00:14:50.460 According to his sovereign command. 00:14:50.460 --> 00:14:54.320 This is how the Bible talks about our God. 00:14:54.420 --> 00:14:55.740 He is powerful. 00:14:56.259 --> 00:14:57.019 Faithful. 00:14:57.139 --> 00:14:58.080 He is sovereign. 00:14:58.560 --> 00:14:59.560 He is good. 00:15:00.960 --> 00:15:01.759 You may know that. 00:15:02.440 --> 00:15:05.720 Other cultures also have flood stories. 00:15:06.480 --> 00:15:08.139 You may know this. 00:15:08.200 --> 00:15:09.259 This flood story. 00:15:09.340 --> 00:15:11.080 It's not really unique to the Bible. 00:15:11.200 --> 00:15:13.240 We believe this is the truth. 00:15:13.780 --> 00:15:17.000 But other cultures also record a similar event. 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:22.019 Non-believers sometimes use this kind of as an attack on the story by the way. 00:15:22.139 --> 00:15:26.720 But really what does that tell you if multiple cultures in multiple places are all talking about the same thing? 00:15:27.480 --> 00:15:29.220 It probably tells you it actually happened. 00:15:29.580 --> 00:15:29.759 Right? 00:15:30.360 --> 00:15:35.000 Well listen to this from the epic of Gilgamesh. 00:15:35.179 --> 00:15:36.159 And listen to what it says. 00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:39.559 Listen to how different it is describing the gods. 00:15:39.559 --> 00:15:42.459 It says the gods were frightened by the deluge. 00:15:43.619 --> 00:15:44.679 Shrinking back. 00:15:44.819 --> 00:15:47.399 The gods ascended to the heaven of Anu. 00:15:48.439 --> 00:15:51.299 It says the gods cowered like dogs. 00:15:51.979 --> 00:15:53.559 Crouched against the outer wall. 00:15:53.679 --> 00:15:56.639 The gods all humbled sit and weep. 00:15:56.719 --> 00:15:57.500 Do you hear the difference? 00:15:59.000 --> 00:15:59.759 John Currid. 00:15:59.979 --> 00:16:00.919 In his commentary. 00:16:01.119 --> 00:16:05.599 He points out that these deities are at the mercy of nature. 00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:07.420 But Yahweh on the other hand. 00:16:07.540 --> 00:16:09.600 He governs nature. 00:16:10.940 --> 00:16:14.720 Our God is the sovereign ruler of all creation. 00:16:14.960 --> 00:16:17.620 And here God moves heaven and earth. 00:16:18.180 --> 00:16:21.360 To demonstrate his faithfulness to his promises. 00:16:21.580 --> 00:16:25.000 And to rescue his chosen people. 00:16:25.200 --> 00:16:25.600 So now. 00:16:26.480 --> 00:16:27.899 How does Noah respond? 00:16:28.960 --> 00:16:30.899 Let's look here and see how Noah responds. 00:16:30.899 --> 00:16:36.240 Because his response ought to be our response as well to the faithfulness of God. 00:16:36.539 --> 00:16:37.079 So second. 00:16:37.959 --> 00:16:39.659 Because God is faithful. 00:16:40.500 --> 00:16:43.699 God's people wait on him. 00:16:44.659 --> 00:16:46.179 Because God is faithful. 00:16:46.860 --> 00:16:49.799 God's people wait on him. 00:16:51.340 --> 00:16:53.199 Samuel Saldivar. 00:16:53.399 --> 00:16:56.379 He takes a stab at defining the faithfulness of God. 00:16:56.460 --> 00:16:57.679 And he says it like this. 00:16:57.679 --> 00:17:02.620 He says the faithfulness of God means God is unchanging in his nature. 00:17:03.759 --> 00:17:05.099 True to his word. 00:17:05.839 --> 00:17:08.460 Has promised salvation to his people. 00:17:08.859 --> 00:17:10.919 And will keep his promises forever. 00:17:12.139 --> 00:17:13.779 He is worthy of eternal trust. 00:17:13.879 --> 00:17:16.940 No matter how unlikely his promises seem. 00:17:17.779 --> 00:17:25.779 Nothing in heaven and on earth can prevent God from accomplishing all that he has promised his people through Jesus Christ. 00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:28.879 I want to read that second sentence again. 00:17:28.980 --> 00:17:30.660 Because here's where we often feel the most tension. 00:17:30.799 --> 00:17:30.920 Okay. 00:17:31.500 --> 00:17:32.039 So again. 00:17:32.160 --> 00:17:32.759 Second sentence. 00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:33.799 He says again. 00:17:34.139 --> 00:17:36.480 He is worthy of eternal trust. 00:17:36.660 --> 00:17:40.700 No matter how unlikely his promises seem. 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:42.759 Or I would add. 00:17:42.839 --> 00:17:44.240 In light of Genesis chapter 8. 00:17:44.559 --> 00:17:48.799 No matter how long it takes for his promises to come to pass. 00:17:48.799 --> 00:17:52.339 We all know. 00:17:52.819 --> 00:17:56.019 I could go around this room and every single one of us would have a story. 00:17:56.319 --> 00:17:58.200 We all know by experience. 00:17:58.539 --> 00:18:02.539 That often God's promises don't come quickly to pass. 00:18:02.599 --> 00:18:02.899 Do they? 00:18:04.180 --> 00:18:09.519 Often he tends to work in ways where it seems unlikely that his promise will be fulfilled. 00:18:10.460 --> 00:18:12.519 That's just the way that God seems to work. 00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:13.079 Isn't it? 00:18:13.079 --> 00:18:20.839 But it's in this period of waiting that both his faithfulness is demonstrated and our faith is tested. 00:18:22.460 --> 00:18:23.919 Look there to verse 4. 00:18:24.079 --> 00:18:27.259 And I want you to notice how long Noah was on this boat. 00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:33.359 Because this hope, his confidence in the Lord, it wasn't quickly vindicated, was it? 00:18:33.379 --> 00:18:34.980 I mean the promise was still there. 00:18:35.720 --> 00:18:38.839 But it was not quickly brought to fulfillment. 00:18:38.839 --> 00:18:43.919 Verse 4, it tells us the waters were on the earth 150 days. 00:18:44.319 --> 00:18:45.179 And then they abated. 00:18:45.879 --> 00:18:47.599 Finally the storm stopped. 00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:50.480 But just think 150 days. 00:18:51.799 --> 00:18:54.980 When's the last time you waited on something for 150 days? 00:18:56.319 --> 00:18:59.919 Y'all, I can barely wait for the 30 seconds on the microwave to go off. 00:19:00.079 --> 00:19:02.539 We don't like to wait that long. 00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:04.720 What were you doing 150 days ago? 00:19:05.720 --> 00:19:07.839 That was December 12th. 00:19:07.839 --> 00:19:10.599 And we had just finished decorating here for Christmas. 00:19:11.459 --> 00:19:13.319 Miss Gail was about to celebrate a birthday. 00:19:14.259 --> 00:19:17.059 We were walking together through the book of Philippians. 00:19:17.199 --> 00:19:18.619 That's a long time ago, isn't it? 00:19:19.259 --> 00:19:20.679 150 days. 00:19:20.759 --> 00:19:23.019 But the whole ordeal, it says, was longer than that. 00:19:23.939 --> 00:19:27.639 Verses 4 and 5 tells us it was about three months, 73 days, 00:19:27.879 --> 00:19:32.539 in between the time that the ark sat still on the top of the mountains of Ararat 00:19:32.539 --> 00:19:35.740 and when the other tops of the other mountains were able to be seen. 00:19:35.920 --> 00:19:38.039 But even then, still, he's not done waiting. 00:19:38.159 --> 00:19:40.960 Verse 6 says, now the tops of the mountains are seen, 00:19:41.039 --> 00:19:42.940 but now he waits another 40 days. 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:48.019 He opens the window of the ark and he sends out a raven. 00:19:48.159 --> 00:19:50.279 He begins this sort of testing. 00:19:50.519 --> 00:19:53.819 Noah wants to see if the ground is dry and safe 00:19:53.819 --> 00:19:56.599 before he exits the ark with him and his family. 00:19:56.599 --> 00:20:00.599 So he sends out this raven and apparently it comes back and forth, 00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:02.299 back and forth, back and forth. 00:20:02.379 --> 00:20:04.219 It's still not ready yet. 00:20:05.240 --> 00:20:06.599 So seven more days. 00:20:07.740 --> 00:20:09.119 Another week on the boat. 00:20:09.980 --> 00:20:13.459 Another week stuck there with just these same seven people on the boat. 00:20:13.579 --> 00:20:14.740 Y'all, I love my family. 00:20:16.539 --> 00:20:17.759 Y'all know I love my wife. 00:20:18.500 --> 00:20:19.519 Y'all know I love my children. 00:20:20.240 --> 00:20:21.179 I love my in-laws. 00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:21.939 I love my parents. 00:20:21.940 --> 00:20:25.840 I could not imagine being on a boat for this long with any of them. 00:20:26.900 --> 00:20:27.759 Think about it. 00:20:29.400 --> 00:20:34.220 And so another week goes by waiting and hoping stuck there on the boat. 00:20:34.320 --> 00:20:37.080 He sends out another dove and the dove comes back empty. 00:20:38.180 --> 00:20:42.519 And so he sends her back in and he says he waits another seven days. 00:20:42.660 --> 00:20:45.279 This is not instant gratification, is it? 00:20:46.640 --> 00:20:50.340 You and I are so used to just instant, quick gratification. 00:20:50.339 --> 00:20:53.639 The Christian life is not always instant gratification. 00:20:55.099 --> 00:21:01.500 Yes, praise God, we enjoy many of the blessing of his promises now, right now, right now in Christ. 00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:06.539 But many of the promises of God await their full fulfillment at his return. 00:21:07.720 --> 00:21:12.579 The Christian life is often marked by waiting on the promises of God. 00:21:14.419 --> 00:21:17.359 After seven days, he sends the dove out again. 00:21:17.480 --> 00:21:18.939 This time the dove comes back. 00:21:18.940 --> 00:21:21.180 It waited until evening, but it comes back. 00:21:21.240 --> 00:21:27.100 And verse 11 tells us that in the dove's mouth was now a freshly plucked olive leaf. 00:21:27.160 --> 00:21:28.019 Something green. 00:21:28.840 --> 00:21:31.320 Which means there's new growth here. 00:21:32.120 --> 00:21:33.720 It means there's life now. 00:21:33.779 --> 00:21:34.660 There's something fresh. 00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:36.600 Something out of the ground here. 00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:44.160 Finally, after all this waiting, finally, Noah gets a clear sign that the waters of judgment have begun to recede. 00:21:44.160 --> 00:21:47.100 And the renewed land was ready to be inhabited again. 00:21:47.180 --> 00:21:49.779 So now, finally, he can come out of the ark, right? 00:21:51.000 --> 00:21:51.360 Wrong. 00:21:53.140 --> 00:21:56.900 Verse 12 says, even then, he still doesn't come out of the boat. 00:21:57.000 --> 00:21:59.700 Verse 12 says, he waited another seven days. 00:22:00.519 --> 00:22:02.259 And then he sent forth the dove. 00:22:02.320 --> 00:22:05.560 And now she did not return to him anymore. 00:22:05.680 --> 00:22:07.200 Which means she found somewhere to live. 00:22:07.200 --> 00:22:10.580 So he takes off the covering of the ark. 00:22:10.740 --> 00:22:13.160 He sees the dry ground for himself. 00:22:13.340 --> 00:22:14.420 But notice this. 00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:21.140 It is not until the Lord himself commands Noah to come out of the ark. 00:22:21.660 --> 00:22:25.360 That Noah takes one step out onto dry land. 00:22:25.500 --> 00:22:26.100 You notice that? 00:22:26.099 --> 00:22:35.359 Noah is demonstrating for us what it looks like to trust that God is faithful. 00:22:35.939 --> 00:22:38.459 And to cling to his word in obedience. 00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:42.099 And to wait on him in faith. 00:22:43.399 --> 00:22:44.639 You can do the math here. 00:22:44.779 --> 00:22:49.059 In chapter 7, it tells us Noah was 600 years old when the waters started coming down. 00:22:49.059 --> 00:22:55.799 And now, verse 13 of chapter 8, it tells us in the 600th and first year, in the first month, 00:22:55.839 --> 00:22:59.099 on the first day of the month, the waters were dried from off the earth. 00:22:59.339 --> 00:23:06.079 In other words, he added all up, he has waited in the ark for over a year for this promise to be fulfilled. 00:23:07.740 --> 00:23:13.480 His problem was not quickly resolved, but Noah himself was resolved, wasn't he? 00:23:14.339 --> 00:23:17.379 And to wait and to trust in the Lord. 00:23:17.380 --> 00:23:20.700 I wonder if you and I share this same level of resolve. 00:23:21.360 --> 00:23:21.980 Do you? 00:23:23.820 --> 00:23:28.300 I wonder if we are willing to wait on the Lord. 00:23:29.320 --> 00:23:31.780 Are you willing to wait on him in times of trial? 00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:36.000 If you think about the trials in your life, Christian, 00:23:36.100 --> 00:23:40.720 I know they're unlikely to be as dramatic and as big as this, what Noah's going through, 00:23:40.780 --> 00:23:42.040 but we still go through trials. 00:23:42.039 --> 00:23:47.359 What do you think about in your own life as your world is tossed upside down? 00:23:47.480 --> 00:23:47.940 What do you do? 00:23:49.220 --> 00:23:52.639 When your children are going wayward, what do you do? 00:23:53.859 --> 00:23:58.180 When your source of income has gone away, your provision has gone away, 00:23:58.240 --> 00:24:03.299 when people around you are lying and cursing you and trying to tear you down, 00:24:03.420 --> 00:24:04.139 what do you do? 00:24:04.139 --> 00:24:05.099 Where do you turn? 00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:06.159 How do you respond? 00:24:06.160 --> 00:24:16.480 Noah shows us here, God's people wait on the Lord to fulfill every promise of his word. 00:24:17.620 --> 00:24:19.080 Ken Matthews, he says, 00:24:19.140 --> 00:24:24.040 When troubles come, they often advance swiftly and retreat slowly. 00:24:24.279 --> 00:24:24.540 Amen? 00:24:24.540 --> 00:24:24.680 Amen. 00:24:24.680 --> 00:24:35.220 Are we content to wait on him when his promises seem unlikely or slow to come to pass? 00:24:35.340 --> 00:24:39.740 Because God is faithful, God's people wait on him, but not only this. 00:24:39.880 --> 00:24:45.560 Third, because God is faithful, God's people worship him. 00:24:46.759 --> 00:24:49.600 God's people worship him. 00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:51.100 Look there to verse 13 with me. 00:24:51.099 --> 00:24:55.099 Finally, after all this waiting, Noah, it says, 00:24:55.259 --> 00:25:00.559 Remove the covering of the ark and looked and behold, the face of the ground was dry. 00:25:00.699 --> 00:25:02.319 Can you imagine the relief that he felt? 00:25:04.599 --> 00:25:07.740 God had done it exactly as he promised. 00:25:08.740 --> 00:25:13.399 And now Noah gets to lay eyes on it and see God has been faithful to his word. 00:25:13.559 --> 00:25:15.379 God has come through on his promise. 00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:19.379 God has rescued me and my family out of all the people of the earth. 00:25:19.380 --> 00:25:22.320 I mean, you have to imagine how undeserving Noah felt. 00:25:22.680 --> 00:25:23.720 Why me, God? 00:25:23.760 --> 00:25:25.880 How could you choose me? 00:25:26.300 --> 00:25:28.060 What's worthy about me? 00:25:29.780 --> 00:25:32.620 And just as God had done in the beginning with Adam and Eve, 00:25:32.720 --> 00:25:35.260 so now God gives Noah his word. 00:25:35.340 --> 00:25:35.640 He says, 00:25:35.880 --> 00:25:41.080 Go out from the ark, you and your wife and your sons and your sons' wives with you. 00:25:41.140 --> 00:25:43.420 Bring out with you every living creature, 00:25:43.540 --> 00:25:45.620 every living thing that is with you of all flesh, 00:25:45.619 --> 00:25:49.500 birds and animals and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, 00:25:49.639 --> 00:25:54.379 that they may swarm on the earth and be fruitful and multiply on the earth. 00:25:54.419 --> 00:25:56.759 Again, this is a new beginning. 00:25:58.219 --> 00:26:03.559 So Noah went out with his family and all the animals with their families, 00:26:03.559 --> 00:26:08.379 and he steps foot on dry ground for the first time in over a year. 00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:11.519 And what is the very first thing Noah does? 00:26:11.599 --> 00:26:12.139 Verse 20. 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:17.119 Then Noah built an altar to the Lord 00:26:17.119 --> 00:26:20.559 and took some of every clean animal and some of every clean bird, 00:26:20.859 --> 00:26:23.679 and he worships the Lord. 00:26:25.019 --> 00:26:27.539 He offered burnt offerings on the altar. 00:26:27.679 --> 00:26:28.839 This is an act of worship. 00:26:28.839 --> 00:26:29.000 Worship. 00:26:30.199 --> 00:26:31.779 And of course it is. 00:26:32.859 --> 00:26:35.240 What else should we expect Noah to do? 00:26:35.339 --> 00:26:39.879 What's the right response of somebody who's experienced the mercy and the grace 00:26:39.879 --> 00:26:41.619 and the faithfulness of God? 00:26:42.639 --> 00:26:43.799 It's worship. 00:26:45.439 --> 00:26:49.039 What's the right response of somebody who's waited on the Lord, 00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:50.099 waited on Him, 00:26:50.439 --> 00:26:51.539 trusted His word, 00:26:51.659 --> 00:26:55.419 and now seen Him come through exactly as He's promised? 00:26:55.679 --> 00:26:56.799 It's worship. 00:26:56.799 --> 00:26:57.000 Worship. 00:26:58.200 --> 00:27:03.200 What's the right response of somebody who's been delivered from the judgment that they know they deserve 00:27:03.200 --> 00:27:06.940 and brought through the waters of judgment to new life? 00:27:07.000 --> 00:27:07.819 What's the response? 00:27:08.639 --> 00:27:09.619 It's worship. 00:27:11.399 --> 00:27:14.919 Church, when God demonstrates His faithfulness, 00:27:15.359 --> 00:27:17.039 those who have waited on Him, 00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:18.980 worship Him. 00:27:20.240 --> 00:27:23.379 Well, this ought to be the response of every single Christian. 00:27:23.740 --> 00:27:24.159 Why? 00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:27.580 Because we have, in Christ, 00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:31.060 experienced a much greater salvation even than this. 00:27:33.380 --> 00:27:39.180 Those in Christ have been rescued from the wrath of God by the grace of God. 00:27:39.300 --> 00:27:43.640 God has been gracious and merciful to us in Christ. 00:27:43.840 --> 00:27:47.360 We have been saved from our judgment owed to us for our sin. 00:27:47.359 --> 00:27:51.599 And in Christ, who loved us and gave Himself for us. 00:27:53.439 --> 00:27:54.519 Ephesians chapter 2. 00:27:55.819 --> 00:27:56.779 Paul read it this morning. 00:27:56.859 --> 00:27:57.519 I'll read it again. 00:27:57.639 --> 00:27:57.859 It says, 00:27:57.859 --> 00:28:02.319 You were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, 00:28:03.319 --> 00:28:04.919 following the course of this world, 00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:07.919 following the prince of the power of the air, 00:28:08.059 --> 00:28:11.019 the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience, 00:28:11.319 --> 00:28:14.819 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, 00:28:15.779 --> 00:28:18.019 carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, 00:28:18.079 --> 00:28:20.439 and were by nature children of wrath, 00:28:20.639 --> 00:28:21.979 like the rest of mankind. 00:28:21.980 --> 00:28:24.740 But God, you hear that? 00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:29.079 But God, being rich in mercy, 00:28:30.039 --> 00:28:33.160 because of the great love with which He loved us, 00:28:33.400 --> 00:28:36.039 even when we were dead in our trespasses, 00:28:36.420 --> 00:28:39.880 made us alive together with Christ. 00:28:39.880 --> 00:28:42.340 By grace you have been saved. 00:28:42.400 --> 00:28:42.640 Amen. 00:28:45.380 --> 00:28:49.040 How do we respond to such a salvation? 00:28:51.260 --> 00:28:52.700 Well, if you're not a believer, 00:28:52.880 --> 00:28:55.580 your response is to come to Christ in faith. 00:28:56.400 --> 00:28:59.980 Because it's in Christ that we see the faithfulness of God 00:28:59.980 --> 00:29:01.420 most clearly displayed. 00:29:01.520 --> 00:29:02.860 All the promises of God. 00:29:03.100 --> 00:29:05.140 Find their yes and amen in Christ. 00:29:05.140 --> 00:29:09.400 It's in Christ that we see the wrath of God against sin 00:29:09.400 --> 00:29:10.680 most clearly displayed 00:29:10.680 --> 00:29:13.280 as He pours His wrath out on Him 00:29:13.280 --> 00:29:15.660 as a substitute in the place of sinners. 00:29:16.400 --> 00:29:18.780 It's in Christ that we see the holiness of God 00:29:18.780 --> 00:29:20.259 most clearly displayed 00:29:20.259 --> 00:29:22.880 as He lives perfectly in our place. 00:29:22.980 --> 00:29:25.100 It's in Christ that the mercy of God 00:29:25.100 --> 00:29:26.400 is extended to sinners. 00:29:27.280 --> 00:29:28.980 It's in Christ that the grace of God 00:29:28.980 --> 00:29:31.460 is poured out on sinners like us. 00:29:32.560 --> 00:29:34.880 What keeps you from coming to Him 00:29:34.880 --> 00:29:35.840 in faith? 00:29:38.100 --> 00:29:40.320 And for those that have trusted in Him, 00:29:40.400 --> 00:29:41.360 what's our response? 00:29:42.460 --> 00:29:45.740 Church, daily, our response ought to be 00:29:45.740 --> 00:29:47.740 daily worship. 00:29:49.580 --> 00:29:50.500 Now, of course, you and I, 00:29:50.600 --> 00:29:52.080 on this side of the cross, 00:29:52.180 --> 00:29:52.980 in the new covenant, 00:29:53.160 --> 00:29:54.520 we don't build an altar 00:29:54.520 --> 00:29:56.240 and offer up animal sacrifice 00:29:56.240 --> 00:29:57.600 and worship to God. 00:29:57.700 --> 00:29:58.380 Praise God. 00:29:58.480 --> 00:30:01.160 Christ is the sacrifice once for all 00:30:01.160 --> 00:30:02.720 for the forgiveness of sins. 00:30:02.980 --> 00:30:04.500 But you do realize, I hope, 00:30:04.880 --> 00:30:06.860 the Bible commands us 00:30:06.860 --> 00:30:08.600 to offer sacrifice in worship. 00:30:09.260 --> 00:30:09.940 You realize that? 00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:12.800 Even here in the new covenant, 00:30:12.940 --> 00:30:15.240 we are commanded to offer up 00:30:15.240 --> 00:30:17.560 sacrifice to God in worship. 00:30:17.700 --> 00:30:19.100 Romans 12, verse 1. 00:30:20.320 --> 00:30:20.760 Paul says, 00:30:20.759 --> 00:30:21.759 I appeal to you, 00:30:21.759 --> 00:30:21.799 I appeal to you, 00:30:21.920 --> 00:30:22.720 therefore, brothers, 00:30:22.839 --> 00:30:24.299 by the mercies of God, 00:30:24.440 --> 00:30:26.099 to present your bodies 00:30:26.099 --> 00:30:28.879 as a living sacrifice, 00:30:30.160 --> 00:30:32.700 holy and acceptable to God, 00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:35.819 which is your spiritual worship. 00:30:35.819 --> 00:30:41.139 So here in response to the great faithfulness 00:30:41.139 --> 00:30:41.559 of the Lord, 00:30:41.659 --> 00:30:44.500 Noah offers up a sacrifice of worship. 00:30:44.839 --> 00:30:45.980 And as he does, 00:30:46.059 --> 00:30:47.019 verse 21 says, 00:30:47.119 --> 00:30:49.039 the Lord smells the pleasing aroma 00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:50.599 and says in his heart, 00:30:50.679 --> 00:30:52.879 I will never again curse the ground 00:30:52.879 --> 00:30:53.639 because of man. 00:30:54.419 --> 00:30:56.240 For the intention of man's heart 00:30:56.240 --> 00:30:57.779 is evil from his youth. 00:30:57.859 --> 00:30:59.220 Neither will I ever again 00:30:59.220 --> 00:31:00.720 strike down every living creature 00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:01.399 as I have done. 00:31:01.400 --> 00:31:03.500 While the earth remains, 00:31:03.680 --> 00:31:05.240 seed time and harvest, 00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:06.820 cold and heat, 00:31:07.200 --> 00:31:08.420 summer and winter, 00:31:08.580 --> 00:31:09.519 day and night, 00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:11.840 shall not cease. 00:31:11.940 --> 00:31:12.940 Did you notice this passage 00:31:12.940 --> 00:31:15.840 is bookended by two promises of God? 00:31:17.540 --> 00:31:19.960 God was faithful to his promise 00:31:19.960 --> 00:31:21.019 to preserve Noah 00:31:21.019 --> 00:31:22.800 and he will be faithful 00:31:22.800 --> 00:31:25.560 to his promise to preserve the earth 00:31:25.560 --> 00:31:28.680 until its appointed end. 00:31:28.680 --> 00:31:31.220 We see here, 00:31:31.240 --> 00:31:34.039 God will sustain this sinful world 00:31:34.039 --> 00:31:34.660 in order, 00:31:34.960 --> 00:31:35.460 we know, 00:31:35.539 --> 00:31:36.940 in order to redeem it 00:31:36.940 --> 00:31:39.740 by the sacrifice of his son Jesus. 00:31:39.920 --> 00:31:41.420 So that any who are covered 00:31:41.420 --> 00:31:42.740 by his sacrifice, 00:31:43.039 --> 00:31:43.640 by faith, 00:31:43.720 --> 00:31:45.380 are also in him. 00:31:45.940 --> 00:31:47.980 Holy and pleasing 00:31:47.980 --> 00:31:50.660 and acceptable in the sight of God. 00:31:50.740 --> 00:31:53.019 We are covered by his mercy 00:31:53.019 --> 00:31:55.460 and covered by his faithfulness. 00:31:55.539 --> 00:31:55.880 Church, 00:31:57.060 --> 00:31:58.440 because God is faithful, 00:31:58.440 --> 00:31:58.980 Christians, 00:31:59.220 --> 00:32:00.360 we walk by faith. 00:32:01.580 --> 00:32:03.740 We trust in his word. 00:32:04.700 --> 00:32:06.299 We cling to his promise 00:32:06.299 --> 00:32:08.000 even when it seems unlikely, 00:32:08.240 --> 00:32:09.240 even when it takes forever 00:32:09.240 --> 00:32:10.180 to come to pass. 00:32:11.019 --> 00:32:12.519 We wait on him 00:32:12.519 --> 00:32:15.380 and we worship him 00:32:15.380 --> 00:32:17.220 until the day when the Lord returns 00:32:17.220 --> 00:32:19.259 and finally brings to pass 00:32:19.259 --> 00:32:22.059 all of his promises in full. 00:32:22.059 --> 00:32:26.440 I want to read one more passage to you 00:32:26.440 --> 00:32:27.000 as we close. 00:32:27.119 --> 00:32:29.700 We've come here a number of times 00:32:29.700 --> 00:32:31.179 as we've gone through this flood story. 00:32:31.319 --> 00:32:32.039 2 Peter, 00:32:32.119 --> 00:32:33.079 and I'll point you there again 00:32:33.079 --> 00:32:33.700 as we close. 00:32:35.299 --> 00:32:36.079 Peter tells us, 00:32:36.159 --> 00:32:37.179 scoffers will come 00:32:37.179 --> 00:32:38.859 in the last days with scoffing, 00:32:40.099 --> 00:32:41.960 following their own sinful desires. 00:32:42.399 --> 00:32:42.879 They will say, 00:32:43.220 --> 00:32:45.159 where is the promise of his coming? 00:32:46.359 --> 00:32:47.339 When's he going to come? 00:32:48.299 --> 00:32:49.439 He said he's coming. 00:32:49.519 --> 00:32:50.439 We haven't seen him yet. 00:32:50.500 --> 00:32:51.819 Where's the promise of his coming? 00:32:51.939 --> 00:32:53.639 You Christians are fools 00:32:53.639 --> 00:32:54.599 for waiting on him. 00:32:56.459 --> 00:32:58.099 For ever since the fathers fell asleep, 00:32:58.199 --> 00:32:59.480 all things are continuing 00:32:59.480 --> 00:33:00.579 as they were 00:33:00.579 --> 00:33:03.240 from the beginning of creation. 00:33:03.720 --> 00:33:04.179 Summer, 00:33:04.879 --> 00:33:05.359 winter, 00:33:05.899 --> 00:33:06.559 seed time, 00:33:06.559 --> 00:33:07.419 and harvest. 00:33:07.839 --> 00:33:08.599 For they deliberately 00:33:08.599 --> 00:33:09.740 overlook this fact 00:33:09.740 --> 00:33:11.639 that the heavens existed long ago 00:33:11.639 --> 00:33:13.460 and the earth was formed 00:33:13.460 --> 00:33:14.279 out of water 00:33:14.279 --> 00:33:15.419 and through water 00:33:15.419 --> 00:33:16.480 by the word of God. 00:33:16.859 --> 00:33:18.379 And that by means of these 00:33:18.379 --> 00:33:19.940 the world that then existed 00:33:19.940 --> 00:33:21.559 was deluged with water 00:33:21.559 --> 00:33:22.299 and perished. 00:33:23.019 --> 00:33:24.639 But by the same word, 00:33:25.220 --> 00:33:26.319 the heavens and earth 00:33:26.319 --> 00:33:27.440 that now exist 00:33:27.440 --> 00:33:29.179 are stored up for fire 00:33:29.179 --> 00:33:30.579 being kept 00:33:30.579 --> 00:33:31.740 until the day of judgment 00:33:31.740 --> 00:33:32.539 and destruction 00:33:32.539 --> 00:33:33.740 of the ungodly. 00:33:34.740 --> 00:33:36.419 But do not overlook this fact 00:33:36.420 --> 00:33:36.740 beloved, 00:33:37.660 --> 00:33:38.500 that with the Lord 00:33:38.500 --> 00:33:40.660 one day is as a thousand years 00:33:40.660 --> 00:33:41.820 and a thousand years 00:33:41.820 --> 00:33:43.100 as one day. 00:33:43.980 --> 00:33:45.940 The Lord is not slow 00:33:45.940 --> 00:33:47.519 to fulfill his promise 00:33:47.519 --> 00:33:49.240 as some count slowness, 00:33:49.380 --> 00:33:51.240 but is patient towards you. 00:33:52.060 --> 00:33:54.000 Not wishing that any should perish, 00:33:54.680 --> 00:33:56.300 but that all should reach repentance. 00:33:57.380 --> 00:33:58.700 But the day of the Lord 00:33:58.700 --> 00:34:00.680 will come like a thief 00:34:00.680 --> 00:34:02.600 and then the heavens 00:34:02.600 --> 00:34:04.080 will pass away with a roar 00:34:04.079 --> 00:34:05.819 and the heavenly bodies 00:34:05.819 --> 00:34:06.899 will be burned up 00:34:06.899 --> 00:34:07.500 and dissolved 00:34:07.500 --> 00:34:08.880 and the earth 00:34:08.880 --> 00:34:10.199 and the works that are done on it 00:34:10.199 --> 00:34:11.599 will be exposed. 00:34:12.819 --> 00:34:14.119 Since all these things 00:34:14.119 --> 00:34:15.139 are thus to be dissolved, 00:34:15.500 --> 00:34:16.440 what sort of people 00:34:16.440 --> 00:34:17.559 ought you to be 00:34:17.559 --> 00:34:18.539 in lives of holiness 00:34:18.539 --> 00:34:19.340 and godliness 00:34:19.340 --> 00:34:20.900 waiting for, 00:34:21.480 --> 00:34:23.019 waiting for, 00:34:23.840 --> 00:34:24.659 and hastening 00:34:24.659 --> 00:34:26.639 the coming of the day of God 00:34:26.639 --> 00:34:27.719 because of which 00:34:27.719 --> 00:34:29.239 the heavens will be set on fire 00:34:29.239 --> 00:34:29.799 and dissolved 00:34:29.800 --> 00:34:30.820 and the heavenly bodies 00:34:30.820 --> 00:34:32.460 will melt as they burn. 00:34:32.940 --> 00:34:34.840 But according to his promises, 00:34:35.100 --> 00:34:35.460 Christian, 00:34:36.019 --> 00:34:37.180 we are waiting 00:34:37.180 --> 00:34:38.880 for new heavens 00:34:38.880 --> 00:34:40.220 and a new earth 00:34:40.220 --> 00:34:42.760 in which righteousness dwells. 00:34:42.800 --> 00:34:43.539 Therefore, beloved, 00:34:43.680 --> 00:34:45.120 since you are waiting for these, 00:34:46.300 --> 00:34:48.200 be diligent to be found by him 00:34:48.200 --> 00:34:49.280 without spot 00:34:49.280 --> 00:34:50.880 or blemish 00:34:50.880 --> 00:34:52.600 and at peace. 00:34:52.599 --> 00:34:55.019 Father, 00:34:55.779 --> 00:34:58.799 we praise you, God, 00:34:58.839 --> 00:34:59.960 for your faithfulness. 00:35:01.659 --> 00:35:03.059 Great is thy faithfulness, 00:35:03.099 --> 00:35:03.559 O God, 00:35:03.719 --> 00:35:04.219 my Father. 00:35:04.319 --> 00:35:05.500 There is no shadow 00:35:05.500 --> 00:35:06.579 of turning with thee. 00:35:06.679 --> 00:35:07.619 You have spoken 00:35:07.619 --> 00:35:09.019 and you will fulfill 00:35:09.019 --> 00:35:10.659 every single promise 00:35:10.659 --> 00:35:11.480 of your word. 00:35:11.599 --> 00:35:11.759 Lord, 00:35:11.819 --> 00:35:12.799 we rejoice 00:35:12.799 --> 00:35:13.460 that in Christ 00:35:13.460 --> 00:35:14.980 we enjoy many of them now, 00:35:15.079 --> 00:35:15.619 but Lord, 00:35:15.699 --> 00:35:16.799 we wait for the day 00:35:16.799 --> 00:35:17.799 when Christ returns 00:35:17.799 --> 00:35:19.039 and we enjoy them 00:35:19.039 --> 00:35:20.440 in full at his return. 00:35:20.440 --> 00:35:22.720 Lord, 00:35:22.740 --> 00:35:23.980 if there are any here 00:35:23.980 --> 00:35:25.420 who are outside of Christ, 00:35:25.539 --> 00:35:27.000 would you turn their hearts 00:35:27.000 --> 00:35:28.000 to you in faith? 00:35:29.740 --> 00:35:30.000 And Lord, 00:35:30.059 --> 00:35:32.039 as we wait on you, God, 00:35:32.079 --> 00:35:32.700 would you establish 00:35:32.700 --> 00:35:33.579 our hearts in faith? 00:35:33.659 --> 00:35:34.659 We pray in Jesus' name. 00:35:35.559 --> 00:35:35.780 Amen.