Noah, Grace and the Future

If we do not understand the sinful depravity of man, we cannot fully comprehend God's judgment, His justice, or His grace.

Scripture:  Genesis 6:5-22

Sermon Notes:

1. The biblical account of Noah’s flood is a literal, historical account of an unprecedented global flood: Peter, Jesus and the rest of Scripture refer to Noah’s flood; all people groups have a flood story; and Noah’s global flood accounts for geological features of the earth.
2. A careful reading of Scripture to understand God’s plan in history supports the orthodox view of the global flood.
3. The flood was God’s judgment upon the depravity of man (Genesis 6:5).
4. Without God’s grace and the Holy Spirit, man can only go on sinning.
5. Awareness of the severity of our sin in contrast to God’s absolute holiness drives us to Christ for salvation.
6. If we do not understand the nature of sin, God’s judgment seems unnecessarily harsh.
7. At heart, man is basically hostile to God. Sin originates in the heart and it is what defiles a man (1 Sam. 16:7; cf. Jer. 17:9; Ps. 5:9; 14:3; Rom. 3:10-18).
8. If we fail to grasp the depth of our sin, we cannot understand the gospel, judgment and the grace of God (Jn. 5:40; Matt. 11:27; Jn. 3:19).
9. God didn’t actually change His mind (Gen. 6:6 cf. Mal. 3:6). The text says God “repented” to aid our understanding of how grieved God was about the sinful condition of the human race.
10. Man’s role as covenant head means that his sin brings judgment on the whole earth.
11. Likewise, man’s salvation in Christ means reconciliation for the whole creation.
12. Like Noah, we are to believe and obey God’s Word despite opposition and ridicule from contemporaries.
13. Noah grew up in an environment of faith (which is a great blessing) and he walked with God by faith (Heb. 11:7).
14. God loves us based on His pure grace, not because of anything good in us (Rom. 5:8).
15. Noah did not compromise his profession by an uncommitted life.  True righteousness begins with fellowship with God, not a list of rules.
16. By both word and deed, Noah was a preacher of righteousness (2 Pet. 2:5).
17. Jesus refers to Noah’s flood and Sodom’s destruction as warnings of divine judgment upon sin (Lk. 17:26-30).
18. The flood was a cleansing of all the violence and evil.
19. God remembers the names of all those who fear and honour Him as Noah did.
20. The future belongs to Christ and God’s covenant people (Ps. 37:18, 22, 37-38).

Application Questions:

1. Why must Noah’s flood be literal, historical and global?
2. Why is God’s judgment so severe against sin?
3. What is the biblical description of man’s condition after the Fall?
4. Why is it necessary to apprehend our own depravity, if we are to truly be driven to Christ in the gospel?
5. Like Noah, can it be said of us that we “walk with God”?
6. Are we willing to face opposition as we stand up for God?
7. What is the future for God’s covenant people?