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by Sandy Shaw
What are we to do when no one else understands our goal – when we know that it is Almighty God who has given us a goal, and aim, a purpose.
God gave Noah a vision to save the planet. How did Noah handle getting this Ark built when there were so few people around him who realised what was happening? God had regretted creating the human race. He was going to wipe out the earth and start all over again, but God saw one man with integrity.
Things were going to change – speak about Climate Change. This is Climate Change big time. Only Noah’s family understood Noah’s goal.
He reached his goal and fulfilled his mission – overcoming various pitfalls. Noah enjoyed God’s approval – and Genesis Chapters 6 to 9 give us the detailed account of what actually happened.
We see at least four choices we must make in order to fulfil God’s purpose and plan for our life.
1 - I MUST dare to be different from my culture – I cannot fit in with the culture around me.
Genesis 6 verse 9 - “This is the account of Noah and his descendants. Noah had God’s approval and was a man of integrity among the people of his time.”
Culture can easily distract us – entertainment and possessions and popularity – profit – getting rich financially. At that time the world was full of corruption and violence and evil.
Genesis 6 verses 5,6 - “When God saw the extent of human wickedness, and that the trend and direction of men’s lives were only towards evil, he was sorry he had made them. It broke his heart.”
Genesis 6 verses 11and12 - “Now the earth had become corrupt in God’s sight, and it was filled with violence. And God observed all the evil done in the world, and he noticed cruelty and depravity everywhere.”
Luke 17 verse 26 - Jesus said, “When the Son of Man comes again, it will be just like it was when Noah lived.”
Genesis 6 verse 8 - “But Noah was different. God liked what he saw in Noah.” Noah was not concerned about fitting in – about being popular – going along with latest trend. Noah was willing to be different in order to fill his destiny in God.
I can only make a difference by being different. If I decide to be like everybody else I will never make a difference. “Noah was a pleasure to the Lord.”
Genesis 7 verse 1 - “God told Noah, ‘Out of everyone living in this generation, you are the only righteous person on earth!’”
2 - I must listen to God – not the voices of doubt. I am going to start all over again – and I am going to use you, Noah, and your family!!
What are you doing? There is going to be rain – there is going to be a Flood – what with – rain – what is rain – water which comes down from heaven.
Year after year – no rain – 100 years – working on this boat called The Ark – no rain!
Dad – my friends are really having a go at me about this boat which is sitting outside.
Hebrews 11verse 7 – “It was by faith that Noah HEARD God’s warnings about things he could not yet see.”
Hebrews 11verse 1 – “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
[[|4|18]] - “We don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; instead we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the unseen joys to come will last forever.”
Hebrews 11verse 7 – “Noah’s belief in God was in direct contrast to the disbelief of the rest of the world . . .”
Genesis 6 verse 6 – “Noah walked with God.” Noah enjoyed a close relationship with God. Noah lived in fellowship with God. When you walk with God you will be out of step with the world. To have ongoing courage Noah had to stay close to God. You hear God by getting near to God.
Genesis 6 verses 17,18 – “I’m going to send a flood that will destroy everything that breathes. Nothing will be left alive. But I solemnly promise that you, your wife, your sons, and your daughters-in-law will be kept safe in the boat.”
3 – I MUST do exactly what God tells me to do – Noah hears the Word of God, and he does what God tells him to do – Noah made that specific choice and decision.
Hebrews 11verse 7 – “Noah obeyed God and built a large boat to save his family.”
Genesis 6 verses14to 22 – “God told Noah, ‘Build a boat from cypress wood and seal it with tar, inside and out. Then build decks and stalls throughout its interior. Make it 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. Leave an 18-inch opening all the way around the boat just below the roof. Then put three decks inside the boat—and put one door on the side . . . Then include a male and female pair of every kind of animal that I bring into your boat to keep alive during the worldwide flood. And remember, take enough food for your family and for all the animals.’ Then Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him.”
The timing – the method – I have got to do things God’s ways – partial obedience is really disobedience. Look at the details!
If Noah had not done this in this way we would not be here today.
Noah did not take short cuts – or cut corners – or fudge the specifications here and there. I think I can finish this faster my way – than your way O God! NO! Do we really need all these animals on board? Short cuts are often short sighted.
[[|7|1-5]] - “Finally, the day came when the Lord said to Noah, ‘Now get into the boat with all your family . . . And now take along seven pairs of each animal that I’ve approved for eating and sacrifice, along with one pair of each of the others. And take seven male and female pairs of every kind of bird . . .Again Noah did exactly as the Lord had commanded him.”
[[|6|9]] – “Noah consistently followed God’s will.” (NLT)
“Noah always tried to conduct his affairs according to God’s will.”
This man’s faith was amazing! All this did not make sense – a boat – rain – a flood – animals coming – judgment – disaster – and yet the promise!
4 – I MUST never give up on the dream God gives me – 80 to 120 years is a long time – 120 years after God told him to build it, the door is closed.
Hebrews 11verse 7 – “Noah TRUSTED God. When he heard God’s warning about the future, Noah BELIEVED him even though there was no sign of a flood.”
What is it in your life that you see no sign of? Noah did not give up – everything takes longer than I think!
The Ark is really a symbol of being saved by Jesus Christ – safety – security – the first mention of grace in the Bible is in the record of NOAH.
Genesis 6 verse 8 – “Noah found GRACE in the eyes of the Lord.”
This is the only way whereby a person can be rescued and saved and forgiven.
“Lord God Almighty – from early days, You have been so concerned about man and mankind – You see man’s plight and suffering and wickedness and corruption and You intervene and do something about it. Teach us from these lessons we see in the life of Noah – enable us to see how vital it is to be in the Ark – in Christ – rescued – forgiven – protected – empowered – teach us – as we pray Father, in Jesus Name.” Amen.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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