WEBVTT 00:00:00.760 --> 00:00:10.919 We're continuing our series in Genesis this morning and we have come to Genesis chapter 6 verse 9 and we are going to read all the way through the end of chapter 7. 00:00:11.120 --> 00:00:19.140 So some of you all were worried that we'd never make any progress in Genesis. Well, here we are. We're going to read a larger section of Genesis this morning. 00:00:19.140 --> 00:00:29.240 If you're physically able, when you found that in God's Word, would you stand in order of the reading of God's Word? Genesis 6 verse 9 through the end of chapter 7. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:48.240 These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God. And Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. 00:00:48.980 --> 00:00:59.219 Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:10.280 And God said to Noah, I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 00:01:11.120 --> 00:01:19.019 Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark and cover it inside and out with pitch. This is how you are to make it. 00:01:19.019 --> 00:01:30.679 The length of the ark, 300 cubits. Its breadth, 50 cubits. And its height, 30 cubits. Make a roof for the ark and finish it to a cubit above and set the door of the ark in its side. 00:01:31.199 --> 00:01:41.819 Make it with lower, second, and third decks. For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. 00:01:41.819 --> 00:01:55.319 Everything that is on the earth shall die. But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you. 00:01:55.319 --> 00:02:01.659 And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sword into the ark to keep them alive with you. 00:02:02.219 --> 00:02:07.939 They shall be male and female, of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, 00:02:08.359 --> 00:02:15.419 and of every creeping thing on the ground according to its kind. Two of every sword shall come into you to keep them alive. 00:02:15.419 --> 00:02:22.699 Also, take with you every sort of food that is eaten and store it up. It shall serve as food for you and for them. 00:02:23.599 --> 00:02:26.939 Noah did this. He did all that God commanded him. 00:02:28.039 --> 00:02:35.619 Then the Lord said to Noah, Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation. 00:02:36.479 --> 00:02:43.119 Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, the male and his mate, and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and his mate, 00:02:43.120 --> 00:02:50.039 and seven pairs of the birds of the heavens also, male and female, to keep their offspring alive on the face of all the earth. 00:02:50.599 --> 00:02:55.560 For in seven days I will send rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, 00:02:55.860 --> 00:03:00.960 and every living thing that I have made I will blot out from the face of the ground. 00:03:01.879 --> 00:03:04.759 And Noah did all that the Lord had commanded him. 00:03:05.800 --> 00:03:09.200 Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters came upon the earth, 00:03:09.199 --> 00:03:15.879 and Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives with him went into the ark to escape the waters of the flood. 00:03:16.599 --> 00:03:19.019 Of clean animals and of animals that are not clean, 00:03:19.500 --> 00:03:21.879 and of birds and of everything that creeps on the ground, 00:03:22.039 --> 00:03:26.799 two and two, male and female, went into the ark with Noah, as God had commanded Noah. 00:03:27.560 --> 00:03:31.419 And after seven days the waters of the flood came upon the earth. 00:03:31.419 --> 00:03:37.379 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, 00:03:37.819 --> 00:03:41.599 on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, 00:03:42.139 --> 00:03:43.799 and the windows of the heaven were opened, 00:03:44.479 --> 00:03:47.659 and rain fell upon the earth forty days and forty nights. 00:03:48.479 --> 00:03:52.839 On the very same day Noah and his sons, Shem and Ham and Japheth, 00:03:53.199 --> 00:03:56.079 and Noah's wife and the three wives of his sons with them, 00:03:56.199 --> 00:03:57.019 entered the ark, 00:03:57.020 --> 00:03:59.700 They and every beast according to his kind, 00:03:59.900 --> 00:04:02.340 and all the livestock according to their kinds, 00:04:02.719 --> 00:04:05.980 and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth according to its kind, 00:04:06.260 --> 00:04:08.439 and every bird according to its kind, 00:04:08.840 --> 00:04:09.879 every winged creature. 00:04:10.500 --> 00:04:12.020 They went into the ark with Noah, 00:04:12.180 --> 00:04:13.580 two and two of all flesh, 00:04:13.680 --> 00:04:15.040 in which there was the breath of life. 00:04:15.660 --> 00:04:18.280 And those that entered, male and female of all flesh, 00:04:18.379 --> 00:04:20.560 went in as God had commanded him, 00:04:21.100 --> 00:04:22.699 and the Lord shut him in. 00:04:23.840 --> 00:04:26.360 The flood continued forty days on the earth. 00:04:27.019 --> 00:04:29.199 The waters increased and bore up the ark, 00:04:29.240 --> 00:04:31.120 and it rose high above the earth. 00:04:31.779 --> 00:04:34.519 The waters prevailed and increased greatly on the earth, 00:04:34.560 --> 00:04:36.899 and the ark floated on the face of the waters. 00:04:37.819 --> 00:04:40.560 And the waters prevailed so mightily on the earth 00:04:40.560 --> 00:04:43.620 that all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered. 00:04:44.339 --> 00:04:46.859 The waters prevailed above the mountains, 00:04:47.579 --> 00:04:49.319 covering them fifteen cubits deep, 00:04:49.319 --> 00:04:52.599 and all flesh died that moved on the earth. 00:04:53.240 --> 00:04:55.879 Birds, livestock, beasts, 00:04:56.259 --> 00:04:58.439 all swarming creatures that swarm on the earth, 00:04:58.560 --> 00:05:00.319 and all mankind. 00:05:01.600 --> 00:05:03.300 Everything on the dry land, 00:05:03.360 --> 00:05:05.259 and whose nostrils was the breath of life, 00:05:05.539 --> 00:05:05.920 died. 00:05:06.879 --> 00:05:09.039 He blotted out every living thing 00:05:09.039 --> 00:05:10.659 that was on the face of the ground. 00:05:11.300 --> 00:05:13.740 Man and animals and creeping things 00:05:13.740 --> 00:05:14.840 and birds of the heavens, 00:05:14.840 --> 00:05:16.920 they were blotted out from the earth. 00:05:17.420 --> 00:05:18.939 Only Noah was left, 00:05:19.500 --> 00:05:21.840 and those who were with him in the ark. 00:05:22.480 --> 00:05:24.220 And the waters prevailed on the earth 00:05:24.220 --> 00:05:26.939 one hundred fifty days. 00:05:27.780 --> 00:05:29.660 Grass withers, flower fades, 00:05:29.780 --> 00:05:32.819 but the word of the Lord endures forever. 00:05:33.660 --> 00:05:36.019 Father, we thank you for this word. 00:05:36.019 --> 00:05:41.519 We pray that by it we would be both warned of judgment to come 00:05:41.519 --> 00:05:44.219 and driven to our knees in faith in the Messiah 00:05:44.219 --> 00:05:45.819 that you've provided for salvation. 00:05:46.579 --> 00:05:47.339 We love you. 00:05:47.399 --> 00:05:48.419 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:05:49.299 --> 00:05:49.560 Amen. 00:05:50.199 --> 00:05:51.120 You may be seated. 00:05:53.779 --> 00:05:54.879 Several years ago, 00:05:55.019 --> 00:05:57.419 I was asked to give devotions 00:05:57.419 --> 00:05:59.339 at a local preschool in Myrtle Beach 00:05:59.339 --> 00:06:00.259 where we used to live, 00:06:00.599 --> 00:06:02.199 and so I asked the leadership, 00:06:02.439 --> 00:06:03.899 well, what text or what topic 00:06:03.899 --> 00:06:05.599 would you like me to talk about? 00:06:05.600 --> 00:06:06.260 And they said, 00:06:06.340 --> 00:06:07.720 we want you to talk to the children 00:06:07.720 --> 00:06:10.140 about Noah and the ark. 00:06:11.300 --> 00:06:13.020 And I said, okay, that'd be perfect. 00:06:13.080 --> 00:06:14.040 I'd be glad to do that, 00:06:14.100 --> 00:06:15.240 but I could already tell 00:06:15.240 --> 00:06:16.640 just in those initial conversations 00:06:16.640 --> 00:06:19.140 that we had different versions 00:06:19.140 --> 00:06:21.000 of that story in our mind. 00:06:22.420 --> 00:06:24.700 Somehow, as you probably are aware, 00:06:24.840 --> 00:06:25.680 Noah and the ark 00:06:25.680 --> 00:06:28.040 has become sort of a light 00:06:28.040 --> 00:06:31.939 and fun and colorful children's story. 00:06:32.280 --> 00:06:32.939 There's animals, 00:06:33.280 --> 00:06:34.300 there's rainbows, 00:06:34.300 --> 00:06:35.180 there's a boat, 00:06:35.180 --> 00:06:35.780 there's water, 00:06:35.900 --> 00:06:37.060 it's all nice and fun, 00:06:37.180 --> 00:06:39.079 but as we just read, 00:06:39.180 --> 00:06:41.300 I hope you heard the language 00:06:41.300 --> 00:06:42.259 from Scripture. 00:06:42.519 --> 00:06:45.040 This actual story of Noah and the ark 00:06:45.040 --> 00:06:46.639 is not quite so lighthearted, 00:06:46.879 --> 00:06:47.500 is it? 00:06:48.939 --> 00:06:50.759 Before I got up to talk, 00:06:50.960 --> 00:06:53.000 first about the bad news of sin 00:06:53.000 --> 00:06:55.220 and God's judgment against sin, 00:06:55.280 --> 00:06:56.740 and then ultimately the good news 00:06:56.740 --> 00:06:57.780 of God's grace, 00:06:57.840 --> 00:06:59.960 and God's grace provided in Christ, 00:07:00.439 --> 00:07:01.340 well, they sang a song 00:07:01.339 --> 00:07:02.879 that confirmed all my suspicions. 00:07:02.939 --> 00:07:03.979 He might know it. 00:07:04.859 --> 00:07:05.939 The Lord said to Noah, 00:07:06.239 --> 00:07:08.099 there's going to be a flood, 00:07:08.239 --> 00:07:08.639 floody. 00:07:09.859 --> 00:07:11.159 The Lord said to Noah, 00:07:11.259 --> 00:07:12.560 there's going to be a flood, 00:07:12.719 --> 00:07:13.060 floody. 00:07:13.139 --> 00:07:14.699 Get those children out of the muddy, 00:07:14.759 --> 00:07:16.339 muddy children of the Lord. 00:07:16.419 --> 00:07:17.339 I don't know what that means. 00:07:17.439 --> 00:07:18.519 I didn't read about any children 00:07:18.519 --> 00:07:19.379 getting in the boat here. 00:07:20.259 --> 00:07:20.879 The animals, 00:07:20.979 --> 00:07:21.439 the animals, 00:07:21.539 --> 00:07:22.559 they came in by twosies, 00:07:22.639 --> 00:07:22.959 twosies, 00:07:23.039 --> 00:07:23.339 animals, 00:07:23.519 --> 00:07:23.879 animals, 00:07:23.879 --> 00:07:23.979 animals, 00:07:23.980 --> 00:07:25.420 came in by twosies, 00:07:25.520 --> 00:07:25.819 twosies, 00:07:25.900 --> 00:07:26.220 elephants, 00:07:26.560 --> 00:07:27.340 and kangaroosies, 00:07:27.420 --> 00:07:27.860 roosies, 00:07:28.439 --> 00:07:30.140 children of the Lord. 00:07:30.200 --> 00:07:30.840 You get the idea. 00:07:32.240 --> 00:07:33.300 For whatever reason, 00:07:33.960 --> 00:07:34.939 and forgive my pun, 00:07:35.720 --> 00:07:36.680 there is a tendency 00:07:36.680 --> 00:07:37.819 to water down 00:07:37.819 --> 00:07:39.360 the story of the flood. 00:07:40.340 --> 00:07:42.100 We aren't comfortable 00:07:42.100 --> 00:07:43.020 talking about it 00:07:43.020 --> 00:07:44.520 as it really is. 00:07:44.600 --> 00:07:45.520 We have a hard time 00:07:45.520 --> 00:07:46.400 wrapping our minds 00:07:46.400 --> 00:07:47.100 around the truth 00:07:47.100 --> 00:07:48.140 of what's happening here, 00:07:48.220 --> 00:07:49.819 but we have to try 00:07:49.819 --> 00:07:50.939 and understand it 00:07:50.939 --> 00:07:52.120 as it is 00:07:52.120 --> 00:07:54.480 and not as we want it to be. 00:07:55.519 --> 00:07:56.680 This is a story 00:07:56.680 --> 00:07:58.240 of God's wrath 00:07:58.240 --> 00:07:59.220 against sin. 00:08:00.480 --> 00:08:01.920 It is not a pretty picture. 00:08:03.079 --> 00:08:04.040 This is a story 00:08:04.040 --> 00:08:05.199 of God's judgment 00:08:05.199 --> 00:08:06.459 on the wicked, 00:08:06.720 --> 00:08:07.680 but also, 00:08:08.139 --> 00:08:08.660 also, 00:08:08.860 --> 00:08:09.439 it's a story 00:08:09.439 --> 00:08:10.459 of God's preservation 00:08:10.459 --> 00:08:12.100 of the faithful. 00:08:13.420 --> 00:08:13.840 Yes, 00:08:13.860 --> 00:08:14.519 on one side, 00:08:14.620 --> 00:08:16.040 it's a terrifying picture 00:08:16.040 --> 00:08:16.819 of God's wrath 00:08:16.819 --> 00:08:17.680 against sin, 00:08:17.800 --> 00:08:18.699 but it's also 00:08:18.699 --> 00:08:20.120 at the very same time 00:08:20.120 --> 00:08:22.079 a glorious story 00:08:22.079 --> 00:08:23.079 of God's grace 00:08:23.079 --> 00:08:24.060 and mercy 00:08:24.060 --> 00:08:25.979 towards sinners like us. 00:08:26.979 --> 00:08:27.479 So let's look 00:08:27.479 --> 00:08:28.459 at the text this morning 00:08:28.459 --> 00:08:29.000 and we'll see it 00:08:29.000 --> 00:08:30.300 in two parts this morning. 00:08:30.479 --> 00:08:30.919 First, 00:08:31.279 --> 00:08:32.159 this is our outline 00:08:32.159 --> 00:08:32.980 if you're taking notes. 00:08:33.199 --> 00:08:33.480 First, 00:08:33.600 --> 00:08:34.860 we'll see God judges 00:08:34.860 --> 00:08:35.559 the wicked, 00:08:36.360 --> 00:08:37.799 but second, 00:08:38.079 --> 00:08:39.860 the Lord preserves 00:08:39.860 --> 00:08:40.819 the faithful. 00:08:42.539 --> 00:08:43.500 God judges 00:08:43.500 --> 00:08:44.159 the wicked, 00:08:44.939 --> 00:08:46.220 but preserves 00:08:46.220 --> 00:08:47.379 the faithful. 00:08:47.480 --> 00:08:48.579 That's the big idea here. 00:08:48.899 --> 00:08:50.500 And if that's true, 00:08:50.500 --> 00:08:51.539 then the question 00:08:51.539 --> 00:08:52.200 that needs to be 00:08:52.200 --> 00:08:53.159 on all of our mind 00:08:53.159 --> 00:08:53.980 this morning is, 00:08:54.159 --> 00:08:55.419 how do I make certain 00:08:55.419 --> 00:08:56.200 that I'm counted 00:08:56.200 --> 00:08:57.039 among the faithful? 00:08:58.399 --> 00:08:59.440 How do I make 00:08:59.440 --> 00:09:01.259 absolutely certain 00:09:01.259 --> 00:09:02.419 that I get 00:09:02.419 --> 00:09:03.179 on the boat? 00:09:04.539 --> 00:09:05.360 So let's look at it 00:09:05.360 --> 00:09:05.799 this morning. 00:09:05.899 --> 00:09:06.240 First, 00:09:06.659 --> 00:09:07.820 the Lord judges 00:09:07.820 --> 00:09:08.700 the wicked. 00:09:08.879 --> 00:09:09.759 You remember last week, 00:09:09.840 --> 00:09:11.419 the reason for the flood. 00:09:11.500 --> 00:09:12.200 You remember what we saw 00:09:12.200 --> 00:09:12.799 last week? 00:09:13.299 --> 00:09:14.720 All the earth 00:09:14.720 --> 00:09:15.879 has become corrupted 00:09:15.879 --> 00:09:17.440 by this dreadful disease 00:09:17.440 --> 00:09:18.539 called sin. 00:09:18.539 --> 00:09:20.199 And you can look back up 00:09:20.199 --> 00:09:20.639 to the verse, 00:09:21.000 --> 00:09:23.120 verse 5 of chapter 6 00:09:23.120 --> 00:09:24.219 and see that the Lord 00:09:24.219 --> 00:09:25.579 saw the wickedness 00:09:25.579 --> 00:09:26.740 of man was great 00:09:26.740 --> 00:09:27.419 in the earth. 00:09:28.099 --> 00:09:29.179 Every intention 00:09:29.179 --> 00:09:30.500 of every thought 00:09:30.500 --> 00:09:31.639 of every heart 00:09:31.639 --> 00:09:32.740 of every man 00:09:32.740 --> 00:09:34.219 was only evil 00:09:34.219 --> 00:09:35.279 all the time. 00:09:35.360 --> 00:09:36.279 That was last week. 00:09:36.959 --> 00:09:37.659 Now this is not 00:09:37.659 --> 00:09:38.439 a pretty picture, 00:09:38.799 --> 00:09:39.179 is it? 00:09:40.279 --> 00:09:40.980 Verse 11, 00:09:41.199 --> 00:09:41.839 chapter 6, 00:09:41.939 --> 00:09:42.439 says the earth 00:09:42.439 --> 00:09:43.339 was corrupt 00:09:43.339 --> 00:09:44.439 in God's sight 00:09:44.439 --> 00:09:44.819 and the earth 00:09:44.819 --> 00:09:45.620 was filled 00:09:45.620 --> 00:09:46.579 with violence. 00:09:47.579 --> 00:09:48.299 Verse 12 says, 00:09:48.299 --> 00:09:49.079 all flesh 00:09:49.079 --> 00:09:49.599 has corrupted 00:09:49.599 --> 00:09:50.139 their way 00:09:50.139 --> 00:09:50.679 on the earth. 00:09:50.799 --> 00:09:51.439 This isn't just 00:09:51.439 --> 00:09:52.620 an isolated, 00:09:52.959 --> 00:09:53.439 small, 00:09:53.639 --> 00:09:54.399 minor issue, 00:09:54.459 --> 00:09:54.779 is it? 00:09:55.579 --> 00:09:56.439 This corruption 00:09:56.439 --> 00:09:57.339 of sin 00:09:57.339 --> 00:09:58.399 has spread 00:09:58.399 --> 00:09:59.719 and spread 00:09:59.719 --> 00:10:00.539 and spread. 00:10:00.740 --> 00:10:01.919 It has gotten worse 00:10:01.919 --> 00:10:02.979 and worse 00:10:02.979 --> 00:10:03.839 and worse 00:10:03.839 --> 00:10:04.519 and so now 00:10:04.519 --> 00:10:05.500 God has determined 00:10:05.500 --> 00:10:06.379 that He is going 00:10:06.379 --> 00:10:07.339 to undo 00:10:07.339 --> 00:10:08.459 His work 00:10:08.459 --> 00:10:09.719 of creation. 00:10:10.759 --> 00:10:12.019 Whereas in the beginning 00:10:12.019 --> 00:10:13.399 God created 00:10:13.399 --> 00:10:14.099 all things 00:10:14.099 --> 00:10:15.179 and He saw 00:10:15.179 --> 00:10:16.319 and He declared 00:10:16.320 --> 00:10:17.440 that it was good 00:10:17.440 --> 00:10:18.420 and now what happens? 00:10:19.140 --> 00:10:20.100 He sees 00:10:20.100 --> 00:10:21.260 and He declares 00:10:21.260 --> 00:10:22.800 that it is wicked. 00:10:24.040 --> 00:10:25.020 Whereas in the beginning 00:10:25.020 --> 00:10:26.220 God brought order 00:10:26.220 --> 00:10:27.180 out of chaos 00:10:27.180 --> 00:10:28.040 through the power 00:10:28.040 --> 00:10:28.820 of His word, 00:10:28.920 --> 00:10:30.060 now temporarily 00:10:30.060 --> 00:10:31.060 He's bringing 00:10:31.060 --> 00:10:32.100 all things back 00:10:32.100 --> 00:10:32.720 into a state 00:10:32.720 --> 00:10:33.540 of chaos 00:10:33.540 --> 00:10:34.879 by the power 00:10:34.879 --> 00:10:35.580 of His word. 00:10:35.680 --> 00:10:37.080 He is undoing 00:10:37.080 --> 00:10:37.620 His work 00:10:37.620 --> 00:10:38.340 of creation. 00:10:38.500 --> 00:10:39.240 He's scrubbing 00:10:39.240 --> 00:10:41.160 it absolutely clean. 00:10:42.300 --> 00:10:42.500 You know, 00:10:42.520 --> 00:10:43.320 when we first moved 00:10:43.320 --> 00:10:43.860 to the area 00:10:43.860 --> 00:10:44.800 a few years ago 00:10:44.800 --> 00:10:46.860 we had temporary housing 00:10:46.860 --> 00:10:47.780 for a few months 00:10:47.780 --> 00:10:48.840 and we didn't want 00:10:48.840 --> 00:10:49.800 to pay for storage. 00:10:50.220 --> 00:10:50.820 That's just kind 00:10:50.820 --> 00:10:51.400 of how we roll 00:10:51.400 --> 00:10:52.560 and so we threw 00:10:52.560 --> 00:10:53.879 everything in the basement, 00:10:53.980 --> 00:10:54.660 in the garage 00:10:54.660 --> 00:10:55.720 of this house 00:10:55.720 --> 00:10:56.580 that we were staying in 00:10:56.580 --> 00:10:58.040 and we didn't think 00:10:58.040 --> 00:10:58.660 anything of it 00:10:58.660 --> 00:10:59.760 until a few months 00:10:59.760 --> 00:11:00.240 went by 00:11:00.240 --> 00:11:00.660 and it was time 00:11:00.660 --> 00:11:01.260 to load up 00:11:01.260 --> 00:11:02.700 and move into our home 00:11:02.700 --> 00:11:04.020 and we started noticing 00:11:04.020 --> 00:11:05.320 these little black spots. 00:11:06.700 --> 00:11:07.480 Black spots 00:11:07.480 --> 00:11:08.240 on the couch. 00:11:09.180 --> 00:11:09.780 Black spots 00:11:09.780 --> 00:11:10.700 on the beds. 00:11:11.260 --> 00:11:11.760 Black spots 00:11:11.760 --> 00:11:12.920 on the picture frames. 00:11:12.919 --> 00:11:14.120 There was mold 00:11:14.120 --> 00:11:16.319 absolutely everywhere 00:11:16.319 --> 00:11:18.259 and the more you saw it 00:11:18.259 --> 00:11:18.939 the more you saw 00:11:18.939 --> 00:11:21.500 how much it had spread 00:11:21.500 --> 00:11:22.539 all over everything 00:11:22.539 --> 00:11:23.139 and what do you think 00:11:23.139 --> 00:11:24.179 we did when we saw 00:11:24.179 --> 00:11:25.620 that mold all over 00:11:25.620 --> 00:11:26.379 the stuff that we 00:11:26.379 --> 00:11:27.500 wanted to preserve? 00:11:27.659 --> 00:11:28.319 What do you think we did? 00:11:29.039 --> 00:11:30.219 We began 00:11:30.219 --> 00:11:31.179 to scrub it 00:11:31.179 --> 00:11:31.799 clean. 00:11:32.679 --> 00:11:33.779 The more we scrubbed 00:11:33.779 --> 00:11:34.379 the more we saw 00:11:34.379 --> 00:11:35.860 that it needed scrubbing. 00:11:35.939 --> 00:11:36.559 It was everywhere. 00:11:37.879 --> 00:11:38.539 God 00:11:38.539 --> 00:11:39.120 here 00:11:39.120 --> 00:11:40.319 is seeing 00:11:40.319 --> 00:11:41.599 the widespread 00:11:41.600 --> 00:11:42.920 black mold 00:11:42.920 --> 00:11:43.840 of sin 00:11:43.840 --> 00:11:44.800 that has come 00:11:44.800 --> 00:11:45.700 and completely 00:11:45.700 --> 00:11:46.639 corrupted all 00:11:46.639 --> 00:11:47.519 of his creation 00:11:47.519 --> 00:11:48.560 and so what does he do? 00:11:48.779 --> 00:11:49.759 He is preparing 00:11:49.759 --> 00:11:50.879 to scrub it 00:11:50.879 --> 00:11:51.519 completely 00:11:51.519 --> 00:11:52.759 clean. 00:11:53.620 --> 00:11:54.200 Look there 00:11:54.200 --> 00:11:54.840 to chapter 6 00:11:54.840 --> 00:11:55.560 verse 13. 00:11:55.740 --> 00:11:56.360 God said to Noah 00:11:56.360 --> 00:11:58.019 I have determined 00:11:58.019 --> 00:11:59.000 to make an end 00:11:59.000 --> 00:11:59.879 of all flesh 00:11:59.879 --> 00:12:01.000 for the earth 00:12:01.000 --> 00:12:01.820 is filled with 00:12:01.820 --> 00:12:03.040 violence through them. 00:12:03.159 --> 00:12:03.560 Behold 00:12:03.560 --> 00:12:04.759 I will destroy 00:12:04.759 --> 00:12:05.879 them with the earth 00:12:05.879 --> 00:12:06.779 and how will he do it? 00:12:07.379 --> 00:12:08.040 Verse 17 00:12:08.040 --> 00:12:08.660 he says 00:12:08.659 --> 00:12:10.199 behold I will bring 00:12:10.199 --> 00:12:10.939 a flood 00:12:10.939 --> 00:12:12.179 of waters 00:12:12.179 --> 00:12:13.019 upon the earth 00:12:13.019 --> 00:12:13.719 to destroy 00:12:13.719 --> 00:12:14.799 all flesh 00:12:14.799 --> 00:12:15.879 in which is the 00:12:15.879 --> 00:12:16.639 breath of life 00:12:16.639 --> 00:12:17.459 under heaven. 00:12:18.059 --> 00:12:18.539 Everything 00:12:18.539 --> 00:12:19.740 that is on 00:12:19.740 --> 00:12:20.500 the earth 00:12:20.500 --> 00:12:21.899 shall die. 00:12:23.839 --> 00:12:24.500 This isn't just 00:12:24.500 --> 00:12:25.639 a slap on the wrist 00:12:25.639 --> 00:12:26.079 is it? 00:12:27.500 --> 00:12:28.240 This isn't just 00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:29.860 a minor punishment 00:12:29.860 --> 00:12:31.000 he says in chapter 7 00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:31.559 verse 4 00:12:31.559 --> 00:12:31.860 he says 00:12:31.860 --> 00:12:32.759 I'm sending rain 00:12:32.759 --> 00:12:33.399 on the earth 00:12:33.399 --> 00:12:34.419 and every living 00:12:34.419 --> 00:12:35.480 thing that I have made 00:12:35.480 --> 00:12:36.299 I will blot 00:12:36.299 --> 00:12:36.879 out 00:12:36.879 --> 00:12:38.039 from the face 00:12:38.039 --> 00:12:38.719 of the ground. 00:12:40.279 --> 00:12:40.620 And we see 00:12:40.620 --> 00:12:41.079 the impact 00:12:41.079 --> 00:12:41.620 of the storm 00:12:41.620 --> 00:12:42.359 in chapter 7 00:12:42.359 --> 00:12:43.199 verse 21 00:12:43.199 --> 00:12:43.620 it says 00:12:43.620 --> 00:12:44.839 all flesh 00:12:44.839 --> 00:12:45.399 died 00:12:45.399 --> 00:12:45.899 that moved 00:12:45.899 --> 00:12:46.559 on the earth. 00:12:48.539 --> 00:12:49.059 Birds 00:12:49.059 --> 00:12:50.539 livestock 00:12:50.539 --> 00:12:51.079 beasts 00:12:51.079 --> 00:12:51.939 all swarming 00:12:51.939 --> 00:12:52.339 creatures 00:12:52.339 --> 00:12:52.899 that swarm 00:12:52.899 --> 00:12:53.439 on the earth 00:12:53.439 --> 00:12:54.519 all mankind 00:12:54.519 --> 00:12:56.399 everything 00:12:56.399 --> 00:12:57.159 that is on 00:12:57.159 --> 00:12:57.879 the dry land 00:12:57.879 --> 00:12:58.759 and whose nostrils 00:12:58.759 --> 00:12:59.339 was the breath 00:12:59.339 --> 00:12:59.859 of life 00:12:59.859 --> 00:13:00.919 died. 00:13:01.159 --> 00:13:01.819 Just think 00:13:01.819 --> 00:13:02.639 about that image 00:13:02.639 --> 00:13:03.099 for a minute. 00:13:05.120 --> 00:13:05.759 And don't 00:13:05.759 --> 00:13:06.639 water it 00:13:06.639 --> 00:13:07.039 down. 00:13:08.559 --> 00:13:09.340 This is 00:13:09.340 --> 00:13:10.080 complete 00:13:10.080 --> 00:13:11.340 and total 00:13:11.340 --> 00:13:12.319 destruction 00:13:12.319 --> 00:13:13.519 of the wicked. 00:13:13.740 --> 00:13:14.200 It's the death 00:13:14.200 --> 00:13:14.580 penalty 00:13:14.580 --> 00:13:15.840 for every 00:13:15.840 --> 00:13:16.740 living thing. 00:13:16.840 --> 00:13:17.240 We can hardly 00:13:17.240 --> 00:13:18.100 imagine that. 00:13:19.580 --> 00:13:20.059 And the closest 00:13:20.059 --> 00:13:20.799 comparison that 00:13:20.799 --> 00:13:21.600 we have 00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:22.259 is probably 00:13:22.259 --> 00:13:22.700 some of the 00:13:22.700 --> 00:13:23.539 natural disasters 00:13:23.539 --> 00:13:24.319 that we've seen 00:13:24.319 --> 00:13:25.039 in our lifetime. 00:13:25.259 --> 00:13:25.720 You can think 00:13:25.720 --> 00:13:26.720 of some of the 00:13:26.720 --> 00:13:27.360 hurricanes that 00:13:27.360 --> 00:13:28.080 we've lived 00:13:28.080 --> 00:13:28.799 through and seen 00:13:28.799 --> 00:13:29.539 and just to be 00:13:29.539 --> 00:13:30.200 clear I'm not 00:13:30.200 --> 00:13:30.819 saying any of 00:13:30.819 --> 00:13:31.139 these are 00:13:31.139 --> 00:13:31.700 necessarily 00:13:31.700 --> 00:13:32.480 God's judgment. 00:13:32.779 --> 00:13:33.399 We can't 00:13:33.399 --> 00:13:34.419 say that. 00:13:34.419 --> 00:13:35.399 But just 00:13:35.399 --> 00:13:35.939 consider the 00:13:35.939 --> 00:13:36.399 power of 00:13:36.399 --> 00:13:36.759 what we've 00:13:36.759 --> 00:13:37.019 seen. 00:13:37.099 --> 00:13:37.439 I remember 00:13:37.439 --> 00:13:38.360 Hurricane Katrina 00:13:38.360 --> 00:13:38.860 coming through 00:13:38.860 --> 00:13:39.439 New Orleans. 00:13:40.559 --> 00:13:41.719 Just ravaging 00:13:41.719 --> 00:13:42.559 the devastation 00:13:42.559 --> 00:13:42.919 that that 00:13:42.919 --> 00:13:43.779 hurricane brought. 00:13:44.299 --> 00:13:46.500 1,833 00:13:46.500 --> 00:13:47.479 people died 00:13:47.479 --> 00:13:47.839 from that 00:13:47.839 --> 00:13:48.159 storm. 00:13:49.579 --> 00:13:50.199 It brought 00:13:50.199 --> 00:13:51.139 about $108 00:13:51.139 --> 00:13:52.500 billion in 00:13:52.500 --> 00:13:53.179 damages to 00:13:53.179 --> 00:13:53.620 the area. 00:13:53.719 --> 00:13:53.959 It's just 00:13:53.959 --> 00:13:54.279 terrible. 00:13:55.639 --> 00:13:56.419 Or you might 00:13:56.419 --> 00:13:56.979 think of many 00:13:56.979 --> 00:13:57.279 of you were 00:13:57.279 --> 00:13:57.659 here during 00:13:57.659 --> 00:13:58.519 Hurricane Hugo. 00:13:59.639 --> 00:14:00.240 Came and 00:14:00.240 --> 00:14:00.919 made landfall 00:14:00.919 --> 00:14:01.839 right here 00:14:01.839 --> 00:14:02.819 in Allendor. 00:14:02.820 --> 00:14:04.120 Hugo would 00:14:04.120 --> 00:14:04.760 just devastate. 00:14:04.800 --> 00:14:05.100 You saw 00:14:05.100 --> 00:14:05.800 firsthand the 00:14:05.800 --> 00:14:06.360 destruction that 00:14:06.360 --> 00:14:06.980 Hugo brought. 00:14:08.600 --> 00:14:09.060 Or more 00:14:09.060 --> 00:14:09.740 recently you 00:14:09.740 --> 00:14:10.020 could think 00:14:10.020 --> 00:14:10.240 of the 00:14:10.240 --> 00:14:10.840 waters that 00:14:10.840 --> 00:14:11.900 ravaged through 00:14:11.900 --> 00:14:12.520 the upstate 00:14:12.520 --> 00:14:13.600 in the mountains 00:14:13.600 --> 00:14:14.420 just less than 00:14:14.420 --> 00:14:14.960 a year ago. 00:14:15.100 --> 00:14:15.920 Hurricane Helene 00:14:15.920 --> 00:14:16.600 came through 00:14:16.600 --> 00:14:17.220 and nobody 00:14:17.220 --> 00:14:17.960 was ready 00:14:17.960 --> 00:14:18.780 and some 00:14:18.780 --> 00:14:19.500 areas up there 00:14:19.500 --> 00:14:19.860 got over 00:14:19.860 --> 00:14:20.760 30 inches 00:14:20.760 --> 00:14:21.360 of water 00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:21.760 in just 00:14:21.760 --> 00:14:22.580 three days 00:14:22.580 --> 00:14:23.000 time. 00:14:23.100 --> 00:14:23.280 It is 00:14:23.280 --> 00:14:23.920 absolutely 00:14:23.920 --> 00:14:25.160 devastating 00:14:25.160 --> 00:14:25.520 to that 00:14:25.520 --> 00:14:25.800 area. 00:14:25.940 --> 00:14:26.360 These storms 00:14:26.360 --> 00:14:27.420 were terrible. 00:14:27.620 --> 00:14:28.220 We've seen 00:14:28.220 --> 00:14:29.060 the power of 00:14:29.060 --> 00:14:29.340 what these 00:14:29.340 --> 00:14:29.900 waters can 00:14:29.900 --> 00:14:30.160 do, 00:14:30.240 --> 00:14:30.620 haven't we? 00:14:30.620 --> 00:14:33.919 But none 00:14:33.919 --> 00:14:34.360 of these 00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:35.000 storms was 00:14:35.000 --> 00:14:35.440 even a 00:14:35.440 --> 00:14:36.039 fraction 00:14:36.039 --> 00:14:37.279 of the 00:14:37.279 --> 00:14:37.879 devastation 00:14:37.879 --> 00:14:38.220 of this 00:14:38.220 --> 00:14:38.539 flood. 00:14:40.120 --> 00:14:40.560 This isn't 00:14:40.560 --> 00:14:41.080 just 30 00:14:41.080 --> 00:14:41.539 inches of 00:14:41.539 --> 00:14:41.879 water. 00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:42.240 We're told 00:14:42.240 --> 00:14:42.600 in chapter 00:14:42.600 --> 00:14:43.000 7, 00:14:43.080 --> 00:14:43.919 the fountains 00:14:43.919 --> 00:14:44.340 of the 00:14:44.340 --> 00:14:45.379 great deep 00:14:45.379 --> 00:14:46.560 burst forth, 00:14:46.659 --> 00:14:47.159 the windows 00:14:47.159 --> 00:14:47.679 of the 00:14:47.679 --> 00:14:47.940 heavens 00:14:47.940 --> 00:14:48.740 were open, 00:14:49.039 --> 00:14:49.659 the rain 00:14:49.659 --> 00:14:50.179 fell, 00:14:50.299 --> 00:14:50.700 the ark 00:14:50.700 --> 00:14:51.500 is floating 00:14:51.500 --> 00:14:51.960 up above 00:14:51.960 --> 00:14:52.679 the highest 00:14:52.679 --> 00:14:53.299 mountains, 00:14:53.440 --> 00:14:53.960 all of it 00:14:53.960 --> 00:14:54.299 is just 00:14:54.299 --> 00:14:55.240 covered up 00:14:55.240 --> 00:14:55.799 with water, 00:14:55.860 --> 00:14:56.159 not just 00:14:56.159 --> 00:14:56.480 for two 00:14:56.480 --> 00:14:56.820 or three 00:14:56.820 --> 00:14:57.120 days, 00:14:57.200 --> 00:14:57.879 but 40 00:14:57.879 --> 00:14:58.519 days and 00:14:58.519 --> 00:14:59.480 40 nights. 00:15:00.620 --> 00:15:01.220 It's not 00:15:01.220 --> 00:15:01.720 just one 00:15:01.720 --> 00:15:02.539 little area 00:15:02.539 --> 00:15:02.960 of the 00:15:02.960 --> 00:15:03.320 world, 00:15:03.419 --> 00:15:03.620 just a 00:15:03.620 --> 00:15:03.799 couple 00:15:03.799 --> 00:15:04.360 states, 00:15:04.480 --> 00:15:04.879 a couple 00:15:04.879 --> 00:15:05.539 countries 00:15:05.539 --> 00:15:05.879 on the 00:15:05.879 --> 00:15:06.200 coast. 00:15:06.320 --> 00:15:06.799 This is 00:15:06.799 --> 00:15:07.779 the whole 00:15:07.779 --> 00:15:09.399 world undone 00:15:09.399 --> 00:15:09.840 by the 00:15:09.840 --> 00:15:10.279 waters. 00:15:11.919 --> 00:15:12.679 And it's 00:15:12.679 --> 00:15:13.139 not just 00:15:13.139 --> 00:15:14.419 1,800 00:15:14.419 --> 00:15:15.879 people dead, 00:15:16.539 --> 00:15:17.519 as awful 00:15:17.519 --> 00:15:17.860 as that 00:15:17.860 --> 00:15:18.220 is. 00:15:19.679 --> 00:15:20.299 It says 00:15:20.299 --> 00:15:20.860 he blotted 00:15:20.860 --> 00:15:22.000 out every 00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:23.279 living thing 00:15:23.279 --> 00:15:24.159 that was on 00:15:24.159 --> 00:15:24.680 the face 00:15:24.680 --> 00:15:25.019 of the 00:15:25.019 --> 00:15:25.379 ground, 00:15:25.620 --> 00:15:26.120 everything 00:15:26.120 --> 00:15:26.700 that is 00:15:26.700 --> 00:15:27.080 except 00:15:27.080 --> 00:15:28.220 for eight. 00:15:28.220 --> 00:15:30.399 we cannot 00:15:30.399 --> 00:15:31.180 begin to 00:15:31.180 --> 00:15:32.060 fathom the 00:15:32.060 --> 00:15:32.560 destruction 00:15:32.560 --> 00:15:33.080 of this 00:15:33.080 --> 00:15:33.399 flood, 00:15:33.480 --> 00:15:33.840 can we? 00:15:34.639 --> 00:15:35.139 It is 00:15:35.139 --> 00:15:35.540 absolutely 00:15:35.540 --> 00:15:36.480 horrible to 00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:36.960 imagine, 00:15:37.120 --> 00:15:37.519 but listen 00:15:37.519 --> 00:15:37.920 to this, 00:15:37.980 --> 00:15:38.220 we need 00:15:38.220 --> 00:15:38.639 to understand 00:15:38.639 --> 00:15:39.060 this, 00:15:39.500 --> 00:15:40.220 just like 00:15:40.220 --> 00:15:41.019 these hurricanes 00:15:41.019 --> 00:15:41.519 that we've 00:15:41.519 --> 00:15:41.960 seen are 00:15:41.960 --> 00:15:42.360 just a 00:15:42.360 --> 00:15:43.720 fraction of 00:15:43.720 --> 00:15:44.300 the power 00:15:44.300 --> 00:15:44.700 and the 00:15:44.700 --> 00:15:45.320 devastation 00:15:45.320 --> 00:15:45.680 of the 00:15:45.680 --> 00:15:46.080 flood, 00:15:46.460 --> 00:15:47.440 so this 00:15:47.440 --> 00:15:48.259 destructive 00:15:48.259 --> 00:15:49.680 global flood 00:15:49.680 --> 00:15:50.720 is just 00:15:50.720 --> 00:15:52.000 a small 00:15:52.000 --> 00:15:52.779 image of 00:15:52.779 --> 00:15:53.360 the greater 00:15:53.360 --> 00:15:53.860 judgment 00:15:53.860 --> 00:15:54.519 to come 00:15:54.519 --> 00:15:54.820 at the 00:15:54.820 --> 00:15:55.360 return of 00:15:55.360 --> 00:15:55.860 Christ. 00:15:55.860 --> 00:15:58.360 the 00:15:58.360 --> 00:15:58.560 New 00:15:58.560 --> 00:15:59.120 Testament 00:15:59.120 --> 00:16:00.700 looks 00:16:00.700 --> 00:16:01.419 back on 00:16:01.419 --> 00:16:01.700 this 00:16:01.700 --> 00:16:02.139 flood 00:16:02.139 --> 00:16:02.480 and 00:16:02.480 --> 00:16:03.240 sees 00:16:03.240 --> 00:16:03.480 it 00:16:03.480 --> 00:16:03.720 as 00:16:03.720 --> 00:16:04.019 a 00:16:04.019 --> 00:16:04.580 warning. 00:16:06.200 --> 00:16:06.580 We took 00:16:06.580 --> 00:16:07.039 us to 00:16:07.039 --> 00:16:07.620 2 Peter 00:16:07.620 --> 00:16:08.139 last week, 00:16:08.200 --> 00:16:08.659 I want to 00:16:08.659 --> 00:16:09.000 read this 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:10.060 again this 00:16:10.060 --> 00:16:10.360 morning, 00:16:10.460 --> 00:16:10.940 2 Peter 00:16:10.940 --> 00:16:11.399 tells us 00:16:11.399 --> 00:16:11.779 this, 00:16:12.379 --> 00:16:12.600 it says 00:16:12.600 --> 00:16:13.120 the earth 00:16:13.120 --> 00:16:13.779 was formed 00:16:13.779 --> 00:16:14.379 out of 00:16:14.379 --> 00:16:15.060 water and 00:16:15.060 --> 00:16:15.500 through 00:16:15.500 --> 00:16:16.259 water by 00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:16.899 the word 00:16:16.899 --> 00:16:17.580 of God 00:16:17.580 --> 00:16:18.659 and by 00:16:18.659 --> 00:16:19.259 means of 00:16:19.259 --> 00:16:19.759 these the 00:16:19.759 --> 00:16:20.420 world that 00:16:20.420 --> 00:16:21.420 then existed 00:16:21.420 --> 00:16:22.580 was deluged 00:16:22.580 --> 00:16:23.100 with water 00:16:23.100 --> 00:16:24.139 and perished, 00:16:24.240 --> 00:16:24.639 that's the 00:16:24.639 --> 00:16:24.980 flood, 00:16:24.980 --> 00:16:25.899 listen to 00:16:25.899 --> 00:16:26.200 this, 00:16:27.340 --> 00:16:27.879 but by 00:16:27.879 --> 00:16:28.639 the same 00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:29.460 word, 00:16:30.139 --> 00:16:30.659 the heavens 00:16:30.659 --> 00:16:31.779 and earth 00:16:31.779 --> 00:16:32.700 that now 00:16:32.700 --> 00:16:33.720 exist are 00:16:33.720 --> 00:16:34.420 stored up 00:16:34.420 --> 00:16:35.159 for fire, 00:16:35.759 --> 00:16:36.399 being kept 00:16:36.399 --> 00:16:36.820 until the 00:16:36.820 --> 00:16:37.200 day of 00:16:37.200 --> 00:16:37.620 judgment 00:16:37.620 --> 00:16:38.320 and the 00:16:38.320 --> 00:16:38.860 destruction 00:16:38.860 --> 00:16:39.860 of the 00:16:39.860 --> 00:16:40.620 ungodly. 00:16:44.620 --> 00:16:45.580 You can't 00:16:45.580 --> 00:16:46.240 read this 00:16:46.240 --> 00:16:47.139 familiar story 00:16:47.139 --> 00:16:47.700 and miss 00:16:47.700 --> 00:16:48.560 the message. 00:16:49.879 --> 00:16:51.080 This passage 00:16:51.080 --> 00:16:52.220 is a warning 00:16:52.220 --> 00:16:53.100 to the 00:16:53.100 --> 00:16:53.379 wicked, 00:16:53.379 --> 00:16:54.340 not just 00:16:54.340 --> 00:16:54.899 the wicked 00:16:54.899 --> 00:16:55.539 of yesterday 00:16:55.539 --> 00:16:56.379 but the 00:16:56.379 --> 00:16:56.639 wicked 00:16:56.639 --> 00:16:57.460 of right 00:16:57.460 --> 00:16:58.399 now. 00:17:00.120 --> 00:17:00.860 There is 00:17:00.860 --> 00:17:01.120 even 00:17:01.120 --> 00:17:01.879 greater 00:17:01.879 --> 00:17:02.740 destruction 00:17:02.740 --> 00:17:04.000 and judgment 00:17:04.000 --> 00:17:04.920 yet to 00:17:04.920 --> 00:17:05.940 come on 00:17:05.940 --> 00:17:06.839 the wicked, 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:07.700 greater even 00:17:07.700 --> 00:17:08.039 than this 00:17:08.039 --> 00:17:08.599 global 00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:09.420 destructive 00:17:09.420 --> 00:17:10.119 flood that 00:17:10.119 --> 00:17:10.839 wrecked 00:17:10.839 --> 00:17:11.559 everything but 00:17:11.559 --> 00:17:12.400 eight people 00:17:12.400 --> 00:17:13.220 out of all 00:17:13.220 --> 00:17:13.700 the world. 00:17:13.859 --> 00:17:14.019 You know, 00:17:14.900 --> 00:17:15.759 as we think 00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:16.259 about this 00:17:16.259 --> 00:17:16.819 judgment 00:17:16.819 --> 00:17:18.519 and the flood 00:17:18.519 --> 00:17:18.980 and then we 00:17:18.980 --> 00:17:19.380 think about the 00:17:19.380 --> 00:17:20.079 coming judgment 00:17:20.079 --> 00:17:20.619 and the return 00:17:20.619 --> 00:17:21.200 of Christ, 00:17:21.200 --> 00:17:22.380 this devastation, 00:17:22.500 --> 00:17:22.940 you might 00:17:22.940 --> 00:17:24.420 ask at this 00:17:24.420 --> 00:17:24.840 point, 00:17:25.580 --> 00:17:26.460 what kind 00:17:26.460 --> 00:17:26.980 of God 00:17:26.980 --> 00:17:27.319 would do 00:17:27.319 --> 00:17:27.799 something like 00:17:27.799 --> 00:17:28.200 this? 00:17:29.319 --> 00:17:29.720 Have you ever 00:17:29.720 --> 00:17:30.059 asked something 00:17:30.059 --> 00:17:30.539 like that? 00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:32.360 That's about 00:17:32.360 --> 00:17:33.240 the most natural 00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:34.039 question that you 00:17:34.039 --> 00:17:34.539 could ask at 00:17:34.539 --> 00:17:35.000 this point. 00:17:36.279 --> 00:17:37.120 Atheists and 00:17:37.120 --> 00:17:37.880 non-believers, 00:17:38.220 --> 00:17:39.140 if you get into 00:17:39.140 --> 00:17:39.940 conversation with 00:17:39.940 --> 00:17:40.500 them, they might 00:17:40.500 --> 00:17:41.319 ask you something 00:17:41.319 --> 00:17:41.860 like this, 00:17:41.940 --> 00:17:42.900 you actually 00:17:42.900 --> 00:17:43.660 believe in a 00:17:43.660 --> 00:17:43.960 God, you 00:17:43.960 --> 00:17:44.680 trust in a 00:17:44.680 --> 00:17:45.440 God, you 00:17:45.440 --> 00:17:46.319 worship a 00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:47.120 God that 00:17:47.120 --> 00:17:48.279 just completely 00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:48.960 destroyed the 00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:49.480 world that he 00:17:49.480 --> 00:17:49.779 made? 00:17:49.779 --> 00:17:51.240 what kind 00:17:51.240 --> 00:17:51.619 of God 00:17:51.619 --> 00:17:51.920 would do 00:17:51.920 --> 00:17:52.019 that? 00:17:52.039 --> 00:17:52.299 What kind 00:17:52.299 --> 00:17:52.779 of good 00:17:52.779 --> 00:17:53.319 God would 00:17:53.319 --> 00:17:54.480 completely wipe 00:17:54.480 --> 00:17:55.220 out all 00:17:55.220 --> 00:17:55.819 humanity? 00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:58.519 What we need 00:17:58.519 --> 00:17:59.000 to see is 00:17:59.000 --> 00:17:59.420 that at the 00:17:59.420 --> 00:18:00.240 root of that 00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:02.220 objection is 00:18:02.220 --> 00:18:03.299 a minimization 00:18:03.299 --> 00:18:04.279 of the 00:18:04.279 --> 00:18:05.180 seriousness of 00:18:05.180 --> 00:18:05.460 sin. 00:18:08.039 --> 00:18:08.460 One of the 00:18:08.460 --> 00:18:08.960 worst effects 00:18:08.960 --> 00:18:09.579 of sin is 00:18:09.579 --> 00:18:09.899 that it 00:18:09.899 --> 00:18:10.799 blinds us 00:18:10.799 --> 00:18:11.500 to the 00:18:11.500 --> 00:18:12.500 severity of 00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:12.879 sin. 00:18:13.879 --> 00:18:14.500 And it 00:18:14.500 --> 00:18:15.399 blinds us 00:18:15.399 --> 00:18:16.319 to just how 00:18:16.319 --> 00:18:17.220 sinful we 00:18:17.220 --> 00:18:17.720 are. 00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:19.880 we're 00:18:19.880 --> 00:18:20.579 deceived into 00:18:20.579 --> 00:18:21.120 thinking that 00:18:21.120 --> 00:18:22.059 we're mostly 00:18:22.059 --> 00:18:23.019 good, good 00:18:23.019 --> 00:18:23.700 natured people. 00:18:24.799 --> 00:18:25.299 Sin isn't 00:18:25.299 --> 00:18:25.880 that bad, 00:18:26.000 --> 00:18:26.519 it's not that 00:18:26.519 --> 00:18:26.819 bad, God 00:18:26.819 --> 00:18:27.259 doesn't need to 00:18:27.259 --> 00:18:27.819 react that 00:18:27.819 --> 00:18:28.140 way. 00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:29.180 We're just 00:18:29.180 --> 00:18:29.700 trying our 00:18:29.700 --> 00:18:30.259 best, we're 00:18:30.259 --> 00:18:30.839 wounded by 00:18:30.839 --> 00:18:31.480 sin but we're 00:18:31.480 --> 00:18:32.440 not dead in 00:18:32.440 --> 00:18:32.819 sin, we're 00:18:32.819 --> 00:18:33.339 all just good 00:18:33.339 --> 00:18:34.039 people, right? 00:18:35.180 --> 00:18:36.000 That's not how 00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:36.860 God sees it. 00:18:38.759 --> 00:18:39.799 Sin, even 00:18:39.799 --> 00:18:40.579 the slightest 00:18:40.579 --> 00:18:41.980 drop of 00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:43.180 sin poisons 00:18:43.180 --> 00:18:43.559 the whole 00:18:43.559 --> 00:18:43.839 well. 00:18:43.839 --> 00:18:45.579 And if 00:18:45.579 --> 00:18:46.179 we're shocked 00:18:46.179 --> 00:18:47.259 by the 00:18:47.259 --> 00:18:48.019 judgment of 00:18:48.019 --> 00:18:48.759 God against 00:18:48.759 --> 00:18:49.439 sin, that 00:18:49.439 --> 00:18:49.859 God would 00:18:49.859 --> 00:18:50.359 judge a 00:18:50.359 --> 00:18:51.000 sinful world 00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:51.699 is probably 00:18:51.699 --> 00:18:52.259 because we 00:18:52.259 --> 00:18:52.759 have too 00:18:52.759 --> 00:18:53.539 small a 00:18:53.539 --> 00:18:54.259 vision of 00:18:54.259 --> 00:18:54.819 our sin. 00:18:54.899 --> 00:18:55.279 But not 00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:55.980 only that, 00:18:56.220 --> 00:18:56.919 it's probably 00:18:56.919 --> 00:18:57.439 because we 00:18:57.439 --> 00:18:58.119 also have 00:18:58.119 --> 00:18:59.399 too small a 00:18:59.399 --> 00:19:00.179 vision of 00:19:00.179 --> 00:19:00.720 God. 00:19:02.359 --> 00:19:02.799 Think about 00:19:02.799 --> 00:19:03.039 it like 00:19:03.039 --> 00:19:03.559 this, a 00:19:03.559 --> 00:19:05.500 small sin, 00:19:05.559 --> 00:19:06.119 if there even 00:19:06.119 --> 00:19:06.659 was such a 00:19:06.659 --> 00:19:07.519 thing, a 00:19:07.519 --> 00:19:08.699 small sin 00:19:08.699 --> 00:19:09.659 against an 00:19:09.659 --> 00:19:10.359 infinitely 00:19:10.359 --> 00:19:11.959 glorious God 00:19:11.959 --> 00:19:12.679 is of 00:19:12.679 --> 00:19:13.099 eternal 00:19:13.099 --> 00:19:13.699 consequence. 00:19:13.839 --> 00:19:16.179 even the 00:19:16.179 --> 00:19:17.299 smallest sin 00:19:17.299 --> 00:19:17.859 against the 00:19:17.859 --> 00:19:18.899 highest being 00:19:18.899 --> 00:19:19.859 carries with 00:19:19.859 --> 00:19:20.579 it eternal 00:19:20.579 --> 00:19:21.519 consequence. 00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:22.059 Think about 00:19:22.059 --> 00:19:23.079 it, if you 00:19:23.079 --> 00:19:23.659 whack your 00:19:23.659 --> 00:19:24.299 brother on 00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:24.799 the head, 00:19:25.899 --> 00:19:26.179 and that 00:19:26.179 --> 00:19:26.559 doesn't happen 00:19:26.559 --> 00:19:26.819 in our 00:19:26.819 --> 00:19:27.240 house, okay, 00:19:27.259 --> 00:19:27.619 this is just 00:19:27.619 --> 00:19:28.139 hypothetically 00:19:28.139 --> 00:19:28.659 speaking, 00:19:28.879 --> 00:19:29.179 all right, 00:19:29.259 --> 00:19:29.899 out of 00:19:29.899 --> 00:19:30.119 nowhere, 00:19:30.199 --> 00:19:30.539 making this 00:19:30.539 --> 00:19:31.259 up, if 00:19:31.259 --> 00:19:31.879 you whack 00:19:31.879 --> 00:19:32.359 your brother 00:19:32.359 --> 00:19:32.879 on the 00:19:32.879 --> 00:19:34.099 head, you 00:19:34.099 --> 00:19:34.819 deserve time 00:19:34.819 --> 00:19:35.759 out, right? 00:19:37.039 --> 00:19:37.779 If you 00:19:37.779 --> 00:19:38.599 whack your 00:19:38.599 --> 00:19:39.819 mother on 00:19:39.819 --> 00:19:40.299 the head, 00:19:40.899 --> 00:19:41.539 oh, that 00:19:41.539 --> 00:19:42.339 punishment just 00:19:42.339 --> 00:19:42.919 got turned up 00:19:42.919 --> 00:19:43.319 a little bit, 00:19:43.379 --> 00:19:43.639 didn't it? 00:19:44.539 --> 00:19:44.959 Why? 00:19:46.119 --> 00:19:46.879 Because you 00:19:46.879 --> 00:19:47.319 have just 00:19:47.319 --> 00:19:48.119 sinned against 00:19:48.119 --> 00:19:49.159 an authority. 00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:50.740 You have 00:19:50.740 --> 00:19:51.319 sinned against 00:19:51.319 --> 00:19:52.399 somebody who's 00:19:52.399 --> 00:19:53.939 deserving and 00:19:53.939 --> 00:19:55.059 who expects and 00:19:55.059 --> 00:19:55.939 demands your 00:19:55.939 --> 00:19:57.099 utmost love and 00:19:57.099 --> 00:19:58.299 respect and 00:19:58.299 --> 00:19:59.099 honor and 00:19:59.099 --> 00:19:59.519 care. 00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:00.359 If you think 00:20:00.359 --> 00:20:00.679 you're going to 00:20:00.679 --> 00:20:01.399 go whack the 00:20:01.399 --> 00:20:02.059 president of the 00:20:02.059 --> 00:20:02.899 United States on 00:20:02.899 --> 00:20:03.519 the head with no 00:20:03.519 --> 00:20:04.339 consequence, guess 00:20:04.339 --> 00:20:04.519 what? 00:20:04.579 --> 00:20:05.240 You're a dead 00:20:05.240 --> 00:20:05.539 man. 00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:07.259 Why? 00:20:07.259 --> 00:20:07.339 Why? 00:20:07.339 --> 00:20:09.139 Because our 00:20:09.139 --> 00:20:09.859 punishment 00:20:09.859 --> 00:20:12.480 increases in 00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:13.599 direct proportion 00:20:13.599 --> 00:20:14.339 with our 00:20:14.339 --> 00:20:15.699 sinfulness as 00:20:15.699 --> 00:20:16.720 well as who 00:20:16.720 --> 00:20:17.819 we have sinned 00:20:17.819 --> 00:20:18.539 against. 00:20:19.539 --> 00:20:20.459 What we've 00:20:20.459 --> 00:20:20.899 seen, our 00:20:20.899 --> 00:20:21.720 sinfulness is 00:20:21.720 --> 00:20:22.599 total. 00:20:23.539 --> 00:20:24.459 We are totally 00:20:24.459 --> 00:20:25.019 corrupt. 00:20:25.839 --> 00:20:26.699 All the earth 00:20:26.699 --> 00:20:27.679 is totally 00:20:27.679 --> 00:20:28.659 corrupt and 00:20:28.659 --> 00:20:29.679 we have sinned 00:20:29.679 --> 00:20:30.539 against a 00:20:30.539 --> 00:20:31.419 good and 00:20:31.419 --> 00:20:32.039 glorious, 00:20:32.039 --> 00:20:33.039 eternally 00:20:33.039 --> 00:20:34.379 worthy God 00:20:34.379 --> 00:20:34.940 who is worthy 00:20:34.940 --> 00:20:35.680 of all honor 00:20:35.680 --> 00:20:36.539 and praise 00:20:36.539 --> 00:20:37.539 and glory and 00:20:37.539 --> 00:20:38.180 we have spat 00:20:38.180 --> 00:20:38.960 in his face. 00:20:40.440 --> 00:20:41.159 This is what 00:20:41.159 --> 00:20:42.759 sin is. 00:20:44.180 --> 00:20:45.039 So I ask you 00:20:45.039 --> 00:20:45.539 again, what 00:20:45.539 --> 00:20:46.119 kind of God 00:20:46.119 --> 00:20:46.899 would do 00:20:46.899 --> 00:20:47.500 something like 00:20:47.500 --> 00:20:47.839 this? 00:20:47.899 --> 00:20:48.099 And the 00:20:48.099 --> 00:20:48.899 answer, if we 00:20:48.899 --> 00:20:49.619 understand it, 00:20:49.659 --> 00:20:50.659 is a holy 00:20:50.659 --> 00:20:51.379 God. 00:20:52.159 --> 00:20:52.839 One who's 00:20:52.839 --> 00:20:54.359 grieved by 00:20:54.359 --> 00:20:54.899 our sin. 00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:55.599 And a just 00:20:55.599 --> 00:20:56.039 God. 00:20:56.119 --> 00:20:56.859 One who will 00:20:56.859 --> 00:20:57.779 allow no sin 00:20:57.779 --> 00:20:58.740 to go unpunished. 00:20:58.839 --> 00:20:59.759 And a glorious 00:20:59.759 --> 00:21:00.259 God. 00:21:00.339 --> 00:21:00.720 One who's 00:21:00.720 --> 00:21:01.700 worthy of all 00:21:01.700 --> 00:21:02.240 honor and 00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:02.759 praise and 00:21:02.759 --> 00:21:03.519 glory forever 00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:03.940 and ever. 00:21:04.059 --> 00:21:04.220 Amen. 00:21:06.980 --> 00:21:07.620 Those who 00:21:07.620 --> 00:21:08.259 see their 00:21:08.259 --> 00:21:09.700 sin rightly 00:21:09.700 --> 00:21:10.980 don't look at 00:21:10.980 --> 00:21:11.600 this flood and 00:21:11.600 --> 00:21:12.160 say, why would 00:21:12.160 --> 00:21:13.160 God do that? 00:21:13.680 --> 00:21:14.319 They look at 00:21:14.319 --> 00:21:15.600 God's patience. 00:21:16.400 --> 00:21:17.740 120 years of 00:21:17.740 --> 00:21:18.460 delay and they 00:21:18.460 --> 00:21:19.120 say, why in the 00:21:19.120 --> 00:21:19.620 world would God 00:21:19.620 --> 00:21:20.180 do that? 00:21:21.960 --> 00:21:22.480 They look at 00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:23.440 God's preservation 00:21:23.440 --> 00:21:24.880 of Noah and 00:21:24.880 --> 00:21:25.559 his family and 00:21:25.559 --> 00:21:26.360 say, why would 00:21:26.360 --> 00:21:27.200 God do something 00:21:27.200 --> 00:21:27.900 like that? 00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:28.559 See, when you 00:21:28.559 --> 00:21:30.019 see your sin 00:21:30.019 --> 00:21:31.460 rightly and you 00:21:31.460 --> 00:21:32.299 see God's 00:21:32.299 --> 00:21:33.360 glory rightly, 00:21:33.700 --> 00:21:34.360 you will be 00:21:34.360 --> 00:21:35.340 more amazed by 00:21:35.340 --> 00:21:36.100 God's grace 00:21:36.100 --> 00:21:36.720 than God's 00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:37.079 wrath. 00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:39.220 You will be 00:21:39.220 --> 00:21:40.220 more amazed by 00:21:40.220 --> 00:21:41.240 his patience 00:21:41.240 --> 00:21:42.039 than with his 00:21:42.039 --> 00:21:42.539 judgment. 00:21:44.220 --> 00:21:44.620 Now you won't 00:21:44.620 --> 00:21:45.259 wonder why would 00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:45.779 God ever be 00:21:45.779 --> 00:21:46.900 against me. 00:21:47.140 --> 00:21:47.460 You would 00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:48.120 wonder why in 00:21:48.120 --> 00:21:48.400 the world 00:21:48.400 --> 00:21:49.279 would ever God 00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:50.420 be for me. 00:21:50.519 --> 00:21:50.819 You won't 00:21:50.819 --> 00:21:51.579 wonder why God 00:21:51.579 --> 00:21:52.620 judges anybody. 00:21:52.900 --> 00:21:53.160 You'll be 00:21:53.160 --> 00:21:54.259 wondering why 00:21:54.259 --> 00:21:54.860 God might 00:21:54.860 --> 00:21:56.840 preserve anybody. 00:21:56.839 --> 00:22:01.599 God's 00:22:01.599 --> 00:22:01.599 00:22:01.599 --> 00:22:02.519 That's exactly 00:22:02.519 --> 00:22:03.379 what he 00:22:03.379 --> 00:22:03.779 does. 00:22:03.859 --> 00:22:04.339 Yes, the 00:22:04.339 --> 00:22:05.019 Lord judges 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.579 the wicked, 00:22:05.919 --> 00:22:06.659 but look here, 00:22:06.959 --> 00:22:08.000 God preserves 00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:08.980 the faithful. 00:22:10.099 --> 00:22:10.639 So let's look 00:22:10.639 --> 00:22:11.459 second and we 00:22:11.459 --> 00:22:12.379 see this amazing 00:22:12.379 --> 00:22:13.519 truth. 00:22:13.679 --> 00:22:14.279 The Lord 00:22:14.279 --> 00:22:15.759 preserves the 00:22:15.759 --> 00:22:16.199 faithful. 00:22:16.339 --> 00:22:16.799 That was the 00:22:16.799 --> 00:22:17.539 bad news. 00:22:18.559 --> 00:22:19.659 But the good 00:22:19.659 --> 00:22:20.139 news, there's 00:22:20.139 --> 00:22:20.859 good news here. 00:22:20.959 --> 00:22:21.699 Noah is 00:22:21.699 --> 00:22:22.179 preserved. 00:22:22.180 --> 00:22:27.660 God shows mercy here to Noah and to his family. 00:22:28.900 --> 00:22:31.400 So I want to just look back and see. 00:22:31.900 --> 00:22:34.180 I want you to notice a few things about Noah here. 00:22:34.279 --> 00:22:37.779 Because Noah we're told is a model of faithfulness. 00:22:38.660 --> 00:22:41.960 What does it look like to be faithful to the Lord? 00:22:43.180 --> 00:22:46.580 What does it look like to be preserved from the wrath that we deserve? 00:22:46.820 --> 00:22:48.180 Noah shows us here. 00:22:48.180 --> 00:22:53.240 For one thing we're told that Noah out of all the people on the earth. 00:22:53.380 --> 00:22:55.880 Noah was uniquely righteous. 00:22:57.820 --> 00:22:59.440 Blameless it says. 00:22:59.560 --> 00:23:03.240 Chapter 6 verse 9 it tells us Noah was a righteous man. 00:23:03.340 --> 00:23:05.640 He's blameless in his generation. 00:23:06.980 --> 00:23:08.860 Of course that doesn't mean that he's sinless. 00:23:09.900 --> 00:23:12.460 We can look ahead a couple weeks in chapter 9. 00:23:12.640 --> 00:23:15.560 And we see very clearly that Noah is not perfect. 00:23:15.680 --> 00:23:16.680 He's not sinless. 00:23:16.680 --> 00:23:18.799 He's sinful just like you and I are sinful. 00:23:19.100 --> 00:23:22.360 But he is uniquely righteous. 00:23:23.740 --> 00:23:25.039 In a way that's distinct. 00:23:25.140 --> 00:23:27.900 It's unusual in a world of wickedness. 00:23:27.980 --> 00:23:30.779 Where wickedness is the defining characteristic of the world. 00:23:30.920 --> 00:23:32.940 Noah he says is blameless. 00:23:33.380 --> 00:23:34.840 Not only is he blameless. 00:23:35.120 --> 00:23:38.400 But verse 9 tells us Noah walked with God. 00:23:39.840 --> 00:23:42.700 Noah walked with the Lord. 00:23:42.820 --> 00:23:44.799 That's echoes of Enoch isn't it? 00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:47.919 And we saw the story of Enoch last week. 00:23:47.919 --> 00:23:49.399 Enoch walked with God. 00:23:49.579 --> 00:23:50.579 And he was not. 00:23:50.680 --> 00:23:51.759 He walked with God. 00:23:51.859 --> 00:23:53.859 And he escaped the curse of death. 00:23:54.059 --> 00:23:55.460 That's echoes of Enoch. 00:23:55.579 --> 00:23:57.519 It's echoes of the Garden of Eden isn't it? 00:23:58.240 --> 00:24:00.480 Adam and Eve walking with the Lord. 00:24:00.599 --> 00:24:02.940 And this close fellowship with God. 00:24:03.139 --> 00:24:06.240 This close personal intimate communion with the Lord. 00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:07.359 Where they walk with Him. 00:24:07.359 --> 00:24:09.140 And they speak with Him. 00:24:09.220 --> 00:24:11.700 And familial relationship with God. 00:24:11.799 --> 00:24:13.339 He is set apart here. 00:24:13.400 --> 00:24:15.160 Because he knows God. 00:24:16.039 --> 00:24:17.839 And we have to stop and ask don't we? 00:24:18.120 --> 00:24:20.120 Do you know the Lord? 00:24:22.279 --> 00:24:24.500 Do you walk with Him? 00:24:26.200 --> 00:24:27.680 And do you speak with Him? 00:24:27.680 --> 00:24:31.759 Do you have a close relationship with the Lord? 00:24:32.900 --> 00:24:33.539 Noah did. 00:24:34.840 --> 00:24:35.640 And not only this. 00:24:35.840 --> 00:24:36.900 But think about this. 00:24:37.000 --> 00:24:40.580 Noah, out of all the people of the world. 00:24:40.900 --> 00:24:45.620 Noah received the word of the Lord. 00:24:47.140 --> 00:24:49.779 God spoke to Noah. 00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:50.220 Noah. 00:24:50.899 --> 00:24:53.059 Chapter 6 verse 13. 00:24:53.220 --> 00:24:54.960 It says God said to Noah. 00:24:55.119 --> 00:24:56.799 He spoke to Noah. 00:24:56.980 --> 00:24:59.639 I have determined to make an end of all flesh. 00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:02.319 He warned him by His word. 00:25:03.379 --> 00:25:06.619 God spoke to Noah by His word. 00:25:06.700 --> 00:25:09.160 That same word that gave life to the universe. 00:25:09.799 --> 00:25:10.759 And that same word. 00:25:10.940 --> 00:25:14.519 That law giving word that gave instruction to Adam and Eve. 00:25:14.579 --> 00:25:17.399 On what they must do in order to live. 00:25:17.400 --> 00:25:20.300 That same word comes and instructs Noah. 00:25:20.960 --> 00:25:23.700 On what he must do in order to live. 00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:28.240 He didn't leave anything up to guesswork either, did he? 00:25:28.259 --> 00:25:31.660 You see there in chapter 6 verses 14 through 21. 00:25:31.920 --> 00:25:34.860 He lists out every measurement for the ark. 00:25:34.980 --> 00:25:35.400 Every instruction. 00:25:36.240 --> 00:25:37.180 Every little detail. 00:25:37.320 --> 00:25:39.759 All the animals that come in by twosies and twosies. 00:25:41.220 --> 00:25:44.420 All the necessary requirements for food. 00:25:44.680 --> 00:25:45.720 And sacrifice. 00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:49.019 All the things needed for repopulation of the new earth. 00:25:49.079 --> 00:25:51.640 Even down to the type of wood that Noah is supposed to use. 00:25:52.039 --> 00:25:53.819 Every little thing. 00:25:53.920 --> 00:25:56.940 Every detail is laid out here in God's word. 00:25:58.420 --> 00:26:00.400 You know, we don't have time to chase this trail. 00:26:00.579 --> 00:26:01.299 I wish we did. 00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:04.660 There's clear parallels here in this chapter. 00:26:05.019 --> 00:26:07.720 With the construction of the tabernacle later on. 00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:11.799 And you think about just how specific those instructions are. 00:26:11.799 --> 00:26:18.879 God by his word communicates to us everything that's needed for life and godliness. 00:26:19.559 --> 00:26:21.319 It's always been the case. 00:26:22.319 --> 00:26:24.339 Everything is laid out here clearly. 00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:25.180 No guesswork. 00:26:25.539 --> 00:26:29.619 Everything's given to Noah by the word of the Lord. 00:26:29.720 --> 00:26:31.899 Everything needed to escape the judgment of God. 00:26:32.399 --> 00:26:35.059 It's found here in the word of the Lord. 00:26:35.059 --> 00:26:38.399 What a unique gift of God's grace. 00:26:39.379 --> 00:26:41.579 That his word was given to Noah. 00:26:41.839 --> 00:26:45.019 And we might think, well, if only we had something like that. 00:26:46.779 --> 00:26:53.440 If only God would just speak to me and communicate to me exactly what I need to avoid judgment. 00:26:53.619 --> 00:26:59.740 If only God would lay out clearly instructions for how to be preserved from this wicked generation. 00:26:59.740 --> 00:27:02.940 If only God would give me his word. 00:27:03.039 --> 00:27:04.900 Then I would be fine, wouldn't I? 00:27:06.460 --> 00:27:07.039 If only. 00:27:08.079 --> 00:27:10.440 Church, we have it in our laps. 00:27:12.380 --> 00:27:17.839 The Lord has spoken to each and every one of us by his word. 00:27:17.940 --> 00:27:22.599 What a privilege of God's grace it is to have this day in and day out. 00:27:22.640 --> 00:27:23.960 To open it in the morning. 00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:26.480 To open it and read it with our families. 00:27:26.480 --> 00:27:30.460 To come into here in this place and have the word preached. 00:27:31.140 --> 00:27:33.720 We have heard the word of the Lord. 00:27:33.799 --> 00:27:35.000 And with it its warnings. 00:27:35.500 --> 00:27:37.579 With it its provisions for salvation. 00:27:37.960 --> 00:27:41.480 We have each heard the word of the Lord. 00:27:41.680 --> 00:27:42.660 Are we listening? 00:27:49.140 --> 00:27:51.059 You may not love what you hear from the word. 00:27:51.059 --> 00:27:56.539 You may not love what you've heard this morning about sin and judgment. 00:27:56.759 --> 00:27:58.119 Those aren't popular terms. 00:27:58.299 --> 00:27:58.940 This is heavy. 00:27:59.159 --> 00:28:00.200 I realize that. 00:28:00.339 --> 00:28:04.159 But church, consider yourself privileged to be warned. 00:28:05.399 --> 00:28:11.139 And then consider yourself sent and commissioned to go and warn others by the word of the Lord. 00:28:11.140 --> 00:28:14.880 The word came to Noah. 00:28:15.000 --> 00:28:16.680 But he didn't just hear it. 00:28:16.720 --> 00:28:17.680 He didn't just receive it. 00:28:17.700 --> 00:28:18.180 What did he do? 00:28:19.020 --> 00:28:22.100 Noah doesn't just hear it and continue on life as usual. 00:28:22.220 --> 00:28:22.920 What does Noah do? 00:28:23.060 --> 00:28:26.420 Noah obeys the word of the Lord. 00:28:26.540 --> 00:28:28.240 We see it in chapter 6 verse 22. 00:28:29.280 --> 00:28:31.400 And again in chapter 7 verse 5. 00:28:31.680 --> 00:28:36.220 It says Noah did all that God commanded him to do. 00:28:37.500 --> 00:28:38.200 All of it. 00:28:38.200 --> 00:28:42.279 Total obedience to the word of the Lord. 00:28:42.360 --> 00:28:45.160 We just studied in James in the Grow Class Hour. 00:28:45.279 --> 00:28:46.860 We just wrapped up a study in James. 00:28:47.220 --> 00:28:48.140 What does James say? 00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:49.680 Faith without what? 00:28:50.259 --> 00:28:51.340 Works is what? 00:28:51.620 --> 00:28:52.019 Any good? 00:28:52.680 --> 00:28:53.259 It's dead. 00:28:54.319 --> 00:28:56.819 The reformers had a little phrase that they would say. 00:28:56.960 --> 00:28:59.759 They'd say, yes we're saved by faith alone. 00:28:59.759 --> 00:29:03.019 But the faith that saves is never alone. 00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:12.279 In other words, saving faith, genuine faith is always accompanied by good works. 00:29:13.420 --> 00:29:19.480 True, genuine faith is always partnered with obedience to the word of the Lord. 00:29:20.759 --> 00:29:24.119 Noah here obeys all that God commanded. 00:29:24.259 --> 00:29:25.960 And not just for one minute. 00:29:26.539 --> 00:29:26.940 Look here. 00:29:27.279 --> 00:29:30.839 We see here that Noah persists in obedience. 00:29:30.839 --> 00:29:33.879 Now you've got to do a little bit of math here. 00:29:34.579 --> 00:29:37.199 And fill in some of the white space just a little bit. 00:29:37.379 --> 00:29:39.980 But based on the ages that were given for Noah. 00:29:40.299 --> 00:29:42.179 And when he had his three sons. 00:29:42.379 --> 00:29:44.839 And then when the flood waters eventually began. 00:29:44.959 --> 00:29:46.099 And the length of time. 00:29:46.179 --> 00:29:48.599 The warning that God gives before the floods began. 00:29:48.919 --> 00:29:55.399 We can assume that Noah took something like 100 to 120 years to build the ark. 00:29:55.400 --> 00:30:02.820 There is something like 100 to 120 years between the end of chapter 6 and the beginning of chapter 7. 00:30:03.900 --> 00:30:10.220 That is a century of persistent obedience to the word of the Lord. 00:30:11.480 --> 00:30:15.620 That is a century of looking foolish in the eyes of the world. 00:30:16.600 --> 00:30:20.840 That is a century of trusting and obeying the word of the Lord. 00:30:20.900 --> 00:30:23.680 That's a lifetime for most people now, isn't it? 00:30:23.680 --> 00:30:30.360 What in the world can sustain that sort of long term obedience to the word of God? 00:30:30.480 --> 00:30:33.940 The author of Hebrews tells us in Hebrews chapter 11 verse 7. 00:30:35.340 --> 00:30:36.600 By faith. 00:30:37.480 --> 00:30:39.920 Noah being warned by God. 00:30:40.440 --> 00:30:42.500 Concerning events as yet unseen. 00:30:43.400 --> 00:30:47.279 In reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. 00:30:47.279 --> 00:30:55.099 By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. 00:30:55.579 --> 00:31:02.139 Noah was faithful to obey the word of the Lord because he had faith in the Lord. 00:31:03.379 --> 00:31:08.000 Faith in the Lord is the root of all faithfulness to the Lord. 00:31:08.960 --> 00:31:12.680 This is faith that persisted in faithfulness. 00:31:12.680 --> 00:31:18.140 Church, if you want to know what it looks like to be faithful in the midst of this wicked generation. 00:31:19.360 --> 00:31:21.440 Evidence that you are on the boat. 00:31:22.660 --> 00:31:23.960 Here's what it might look like. 00:31:24.019 --> 00:31:24.900 Ask yourself this. 00:31:25.420 --> 00:31:34.539 Are you walking in persistent, obedient, grace empowered, word centered faithfulness to the Lord? 00:31:34.539 --> 00:31:38.159 Are you blameless? 00:31:39.920 --> 00:31:42.700 Are you distinct in righteousness? 00:31:42.899 --> 00:31:43.559 Not perfect. 00:31:44.420 --> 00:31:45.920 But striving for holiness? 00:31:47.639 --> 00:31:49.799 Are you seeking to honor him with your life? 00:31:49.940 --> 00:31:52.579 Does your heart genuinely desire to live for him? 00:31:54.259 --> 00:31:57.819 Are you trusting and obeying the word of the Lord? 00:31:57.980 --> 00:31:59.539 Are you living by it? 00:31:59.579 --> 00:32:00.700 Are you clinging to it? 00:32:00.799 --> 00:32:02.099 Are you believing it? 00:32:02.139 --> 00:32:04.180 Are you holding on to it as your only hope? 00:32:04.180 --> 00:32:09.160 Are you persisting in faith? 00:32:10.660 --> 00:32:13.180 Genuine faith is often battle tested. 00:32:14.259 --> 00:32:15.100 It's proven. 00:32:16.259 --> 00:32:21.400 Are we prepared to persist by faith in the word of the Lord? 00:32:21.620 --> 00:32:22.500 I'll ask it again. 00:32:22.900 --> 00:32:30.400 Are you walking in persistent, obedient, grace empowered, word centered faithfulness to the Lord? 00:32:31.799 --> 00:32:33.700 These are good questions for us to ask. 00:32:33.700 --> 00:32:37.279 Good evaluating questions for us, aren't they? 00:32:38.779 --> 00:32:40.799 But listen to me here because I want to be clear. 00:32:40.799 --> 00:32:49.019 If we base our assurance only on our answers to these questions, we will never know where we stand. 00:32:50.099 --> 00:32:51.000 You want to know why? 00:32:51.000 --> 00:32:55.839 Because not a single one of us does any of those things perfectly. 00:32:55.839 --> 00:33:02.799 Our performance, our effort, our obedience. 00:33:02.799 --> 00:33:11.480 We will never sleep easy knowing that judgment is coming upon the wicked if we look inward at ourselves, at our performance. 00:33:11.480 --> 00:33:20.220 Which is why we must ultimately look to Christ Jesus in faith. 00:33:20.220 --> 00:33:29.860 Jesus Christ is the only one who can answer all of these questions with 100% yes. 00:33:29.859 --> 00:33:35.699 Only Christ Jesus is totally, truly righteous. 00:33:36.399 --> 00:33:39.419 Only Christ Jesus is totally blameless. 00:33:39.519 --> 00:33:42.899 Only Christ Jesus fully obeyed the word of the Lord. 00:33:42.979 --> 00:33:45.779 Only Christ himself is the very word of God. 00:33:46.639 --> 00:33:49.919 Christ himself is the object of our faith. 00:33:49.920 --> 00:33:56.820 Here the world is judged for their wickedness and God brings Noah by his grace into the ark and he's saved. 00:33:58.440 --> 00:33:59.500 And now we're warned again. 00:33:59.640 --> 00:34:01.320 Judgment is coming against the wicked. 00:34:01.319 --> 00:34:05.720 But now, church, the invitation is cast out to all who will listen. 00:34:05.899 --> 00:34:07.859 Come to Christ and live. 00:34:09.079 --> 00:34:12.539 Come to Christ and be saved from the wrath to come. 00:34:13.980 --> 00:34:20.099 The only way you can be certain that you're counted among the faithful is not by looking at yourself and what you've done. 00:34:20.219 --> 00:34:22.679 It's only by coming to Christ in faith. 00:34:24.980 --> 00:34:27.199 Don't miss the lesson here. 00:34:27.199 --> 00:34:31.559 Remember, this isn't just a fun, colorful children's story. 00:34:31.699 --> 00:34:35.000 There is life and death held out for us this morning. 00:34:37.039 --> 00:34:44.039 Jesus himself, as we read earlier, tells us that just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 00:34:45.359 --> 00:34:54.179 They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage until the day when Noah entered the ark and the flood came and destroyed them all. 00:34:54.179 --> 00:34:55.159 This is the warning. 00:34:57.199 --> 00:34:59.939 But the gospel invitation is cast wide. 00:35:02.039 --> 00:35:08.719 Whoever believes in Christ shall not perish, but have eternal life. 00:35:10.799 --> 00:35:13.119 Will you come to Christ? 00:35:14.899 --> 00:35:19.699 Will you come to Christ and escape the judgment that we're owed for our sin? 00:35:21.119 --> 00:35:25.219 Will you come to Christ in faith and cling to him as our only hope? 00:35:27.199 --> 00:35:36.679 The unbelievable good news of the gospel is that in Christ, there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ. 00:35:37.519 --> 00:35:43.519 Which means there's no more wrath of God against the sin of those who are in Christ. 00:35:44.179 --> 00:35:48.059 There is no judgment against those who are in Christ. 00:35:48.179 --> 00:35:50.939 There is no hell for those who are in Christ. 00:35:50.940 --> 00:35:53.679 There is no guilt in life, no fear in death. 00:35:53.740 --> 00:35:56.260 For those who are in Christ. 00:35:58.400 --> 00:36:00.400 How wise was Noah to get in the boat? 00:36:02.860 --> 00:36:04.960 Would you make certain that you're in Christ? 00:36:04.960 --> 00:36:09.420 Are you in him by faith? 00:36:09.420 --> 00:36:13.539 If not, I know any member of this church would love to talk to you more about what that means. 00:36:13.639 --> 00:36:15.840 To be in Christ by faith. 00:36:15.920 --> 00:36:23.199 And if you are in him by faith in church, praise God for the grace he's shown sinners like us. 00:36:23.199 --> 00:36:30.980 If you're in Christ by faith, we can read this account and rejoice in this flood of God's wrath against sin. 00:36:31.059 --> 00:36:36.359 Because we see here, Jesus Christ has washed away all of our sin. 00:36:37.519 --> 00:36:40.619 God is serious about ridding sin. 00:36:40.619 --> 00:36:45.019 God will wash away every stain of sin. 00:36:45.119 --> 00:36:47.259 He will preserve us by his grace. 00:36:47.359 --> 00:36:49.199 He will bring us safely home. 00:36:49.319 --> 00:36:52.219 We can be assured of our salvation now and the future. 00:36:52.359 --> 00:36:56.759 If we are in Christ, the day of his return, we no longer fear. 00:36:56.880 --> 00:36:57.639 We rejoice. 00:36:58.639 --> 00:37:02.619 Because by his grace for you, it's no longer a day of wrath, but of deliverance. 00:37:05.259 --> 00:37:07.440 Marvel at this truth, church. 00:37:07.440 --> 00:37:09.839 What kind of God would destroy the world with a flood? 00:37:10.619 --> 00:37:14.579 The same God who would crush his own son in the place of sinners. 00:37:16.179 --> 00:37:21.480 What kind of God would pour out his wrath on an innocent substitute in our place? 00:37:23.039 --> 00:37:31.519 What kind of God would step down into our mess, into our brokenness to seek and to save the lost? 00:37:33.039 --> 00:37:40.079 What kind of God would go down into the pit of death and rise up triumphant in order to save the wicked? 00:37:40.079 --> 00:37:41.079 Our God. 00:37:41.079 --> 00:37:41.539 Our God. 00:37:42.840 --> 00:37:44.019 A good God. 00:37:45.039 --> 00:37:46.299 A holy God. 00:37:47.400 --> 00:37:51.400 A gracious, loving, glorious God. 00:37:51.519 --> 00:37:51.900 Let's pray. 00:37:52.039 --> 00:37:56.719 Father, we thank you, Lord, for the gospel. 00:37:56.719 --> 00:38:07.219 The bad news that all of us are deserving of judgment, but the good news that Christ has come to save sinners like us. 00:38:08.659 --> 00:38:16.759 We pray that we would rejoice in that provision of salvation, simply to be received by grace through faith. 00:38:16.839 --> 00:38:17.299 We love you. 00:38:17.839 --> 00:38:18.919 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:38:18.920 --> 00:38:20.200 Amen. 00:38:20.200 --> 00:38:20.300 Amen. 00:38:20.300 --> 00:38:20.400 Thank you. 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:20.400 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:50.380 Thank you.