Noah Walked with God

Thesis: To teach the hearer how one “walks with God.”

Text; Gen 6:5-10 (6:11-7:1)

Gen 6:5 The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Gen 6:6 And the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.

Gen 6:7 So the LORD said, "I will blot out (destroy) man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them."

Gen 6:8 But Noah found favor (grace; KJV) in the eyes of the LORD. (Pro 15:3)

Gen 6:9 These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless (complete; perfect) in his generation(s). Noah walked with God.

Gen 6:10 And Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Introduction,

  1. This is the account of what took place approximately 120 years before the flood (Gen 6:3), the wickedness of mankind had grown to such an extent that “every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” thus God was going to take action.

  1. We need to keep in mind that though God is love (1 John 4:8), He also is a consuming fire (Heb 12:29), He is longsuffering, not wishing that any should perish, yet His patience only stands up for so long before He takes action (2 Pet 3:9-10).

  1. The days in which Paul lived were also evil, he wrote (Eph 5:15-16; Gal 1:3-4a) . . .

Eph 5:15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,

Eph 5:16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Gal 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,

Gal 1:4a who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age . . .

  1. The days we live in certainly are evil also, yet God is still exercising His longsuffering as long as His salt, His light are holding forth the word of life and delivering individuals out of the present evil age (Mt 5:13-14; Phili 2:15-16).

Mat 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

Mat 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Phi 2:15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world,

Phi 2:16 holding forth the word of life; that I may have whereof to glory in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain neither labor in vain.

  1. Note in verse 8, that it states that “Noah found favor (grace; KJV) in the eyes of the LORD,” but how exactly did he do that, how was he, among the thousands perhaps millions of people that existed upon the earth at that time, able to find favor in the eyes of the Almighty?

  1. The text states that he “was a righteous man and perfect in his generations,” (Gen 6:9; ASV) I doubt if he never committed a single sin, for the Bible teaches that all have sinned (Rom 3:23), except for Christ (Heb 4:15; 2 Pet 2:22).

  1. This word translated “perfect” many times in the bible does not denote “perfect” as we know it today, it does not mean “flawless,” but rather it means “complete,” or “blameless,” (ASV footnote), in other words God did not put blame on him concerning the sins that popped up in his life because he dealt with them according to God’s commands, as also was the case of Zachariah and Elizabeth the parents of John the Baptist (Luke 1:6).

Luk 1:6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

  1. And this basically describes how “Noah walked with God,” and this is the same way that we today are able to “walk with God.”

  1. A “walk” in the Biblical text denotes one’s life, not part of it, but the whole of it (generally speaking, i.e. “practice”), and when one walks with another (as with God) it is because they are in agreement (Amos 3:3) . . .

Amo 3:3 Shall two walk together, except they have agreed?

  1. When two are “agreed” it implies a certain “set standard” by which the two are able walk, to live together; And that one set, unchangeable, non-subjective standard for us today is the word of God, specifically the New Covenant, which we commonly refer to as the New Testament, and is the only standard under which Christians are united, are one with God (John 17:8, 14, 20-21a).

Joh 17:8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.

Joh 17:14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

Joh 17:20 "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,

Joh 17:21a that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us,

  1. In this lesson we will look at little closer at how Noah “walked with God” and see how to apply these principles to our lives today; remembering the inspired words of the apostle Paul in Rom 15:4 . . .

Rom 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope.

  1. Therefore we will look at . . .

1) The walk of mankind of its own accord (Gen 6:11-13)

2) God’s directions for walking (Gen 6:14-21)

3) The response to God’s directions (Gen 6:22-7:1)

I. THE WALK OF MANKIND OF ITS OWN ACCORD (Gen 6:11-13)

A. (Gen 6:11)

Gen 6:11 Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight, and the earth was filled with violence.

Here we have accounted to us that “the earth was corrupt in God’s sight,” “the earth” is a figure of speech known as the metonymy of the subject (the container for the contained) this speaks of the human race that dwells on the earth, they were corrupted according to His moral standards, thus through trespasses and sins, they separated themselves from God (Isa 59:2), thus the severed their relationship with God, in other words they didn’t attend properly to the things of God.

  1. They didn’t put Him first in their lives (Mt 6:33), nor did they worship Him at all, let alone from the heart and as He directs, in spirit and truth (John 4:24).

    1. Instead, they put other things first, their self-centered desires, which at this point have grown to the point of lawlessness, in other words, where God legislated, where He made laws, gave commands (which man believe He mostly did directly and orally in the Patriarchal Age ), they did otherwise.

    1. We can see a similar circumstance today, the Faith, the Way has grown corrupt to the point that it caters to the wants and sins of people, that which they think they need, instead what they really need, for doing His will glorifies God, which is one of the main purposes of the church (Isa 43:7; Eph 3:21; 2 Tim 4:2-4).

Isa 43:7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."

Eph 3:21 unto him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever. Amen. (They need to . . .)

2Ti 4:2 preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

2Ti 4:3 For the time will come (and has come) when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; (sodomy, lesbianism, divorce, adultery, money-loving, baby killing and general selfishness)

2Ti 4:4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables (that these things are actually approved of God).

    1. The worship also has been corrupted these days, those that attempt to do such, “they do it their way” (as the song states) instead of God’s, thus they offer vain worship (Mt 15:9), will worship (Col 2:23), that which is according to the doctrines of men, the ways of the world, not the word of Lord, not in spirit and truth (Jn 4:24), what feels and sounds good to them, not that which is a sweet savor unto God.

    1. We can be thankful for those that preserve this earth today from the wrath of God, that offer pure and simple worship unto the Most High, but that number is quickly dwindling through the working of Satan among the religions of men.

  1. Note also the earth was “filled with violence” not only did they push God aside for the sake of self, but also they pushed their fellow man aside.

    1. Instead of treating others with the respect due for those made in the image of God, to do unto others as they would have done unto them (Mt 7:12; the golden rule), they used any and all means thinkable to attain “their” goals, no one was going to get in “their” way, this is what is referred to as “the iron rule” (might makes right), and the lives and possessions of others were just a temporary setback to these that followed such a rule.

    1. What about the way that people get the things they think needs to be accomplished in their lives today? Do they put others first, or just consider them a temporary set back, do they cast stumbling blocks for others to trip up on, claiming their “liberty in Christ” or do they make bridges for the weak in the faith to walk upon in order that they may attain eternal life.

    1. If we consider ourselves stronger in the faith, free in Christ, we need to seriously consider the inspired words of the apostle concerning this matter (Rom 14:21-22a).

Rom 14:21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.

Rom 14:22a The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God.

    1. In other words we need to be looking at the will of God and the needs of others first, being like Christ, instead of like men (Phili 2:3-5) . . .

Php 2:3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Php 2:4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Php 2:5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

B. (Gen 6:12)

Gen 6:12 And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.

God saw the world of that day as corrupt, they had corrupted their own way, notice that they weren’t corrupt because of the sin of Adam or Eve, or because of the angels that came to earth took themselves wives of the daughters of men, but because of themselves (Ezek 18:20; Rom 14:12).

Eze 18:20 The soul that sins, it shall die: the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

Rom 14:12 So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.

  1. They had crossed the line, sure Adam and Eve and the angels that sinned had something to do with the present situation, but those groups had to stand before God for themselves, just like the rest of the individuals throughout time, and unless they repented and turned to God, judgment would come, but they didn’t, and so it did.

    1. Look around us today, what most wear, how most speak, what most do with the time God has blessed them with, 1 Cor 10:31, 1 Pet 1:14-16 teaches us where God is to be in relation to our lives.

1Pe 1:14 Because you are children who obey God, don't live the kind of lives you once lived. Once you lived to satisfy your (lusts) desires because you didn't know any better.

1Pe 1:15 But because the God who called you is holy you must be holy in every aspect of your life.

1Pe 1:16 Scripture says, "Be holy, because I am holy." (GW)

1Co 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

    1. And what do you hear for the most part when something is accomplished today, where is the glory given? (One’s parents, their coach, etc.), we know where it needs to go (1 Cor 1:31).

1Co 1:31 . . . as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."

    1. Today it is through the life transforming gospel of Christ that we are able to overcome the corruptions of this world and have the hope of the promise of the life which now is and of that which is to come, how by practicing “godliness”, by being “godlike” (1 Cor 11:1; Eph 5:1; 1 Pet 1:14-16).

1Co 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Eph 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

1Pe 1:14 Because you are children who obey God, don't live the kind of lives you once lived. Once you lived to satisfy your (lusts) desires because you didn't know any better.

1Pe 1:15 But because the God who called you is holy you must be holy in every aspect of your life.

1Pe 1:16 Scripture says, "Be holy, because I am holy." (GW)

C. (Gen 6:13)

Gen 6:13 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.

Those in the days of Noah had crossed the line of God’s longsuffering, their just wasn’t enough of God’s salt and light in the earth to preserve it, they who were created for the purpose of giving glory to God (Isa 43:7) had tossed that aside for a life of sin, and were seeking their wills to be done, not God’s, which leads to death (Pro 14:12), thus God was going to destroy that which He brought about, this demonstrates God’s sovereignty (Job 1:21).

Job 1:21 And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."

  1. Note that it speaks of “the end of all flesh” when these individuals were killed in the flood, the part of them which we refer to as their “spirits,” would continue, as affirmed in 1 Pet 3:17-20 (turn there).

1Pe 3:17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

1Pe 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,

1Pe 3:19 in which he went and proclaimed (preached) to the spirits in prison,

1Pe 3:20 because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.

    1. This passage (1 Pet 3:17-20) tells us that our Lord in the spirit (apart from His body; Acts 2:27, 31; Ja 2:26) went and preached to the spirits of those who perished in the flood.

    1. These “spirits” were in NT times pictured as being “in prison,” I believe this speaks of them being “locked up” in torments in Hades (Luke 16:23) while they await the Day of Judgment.

    1. But why did He go and preach to them? 1 Pet 4:6 gives us the answer (look there) . . .

1Pe 4:6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

    1. So these seemed to have been given another chance, but why? Perhaps because they never had a chance to hear, believe, and live according to the gospel while in the flesh.

    1. Perhaps even today a person who dies in and because of their sins may be able live in the spirit the way that God does, maybe there is crossing over (Lk 16:26) since Jesus died and rose again, I believe if given that chance, most would turn then.

  1. We also need to note that what happened in Noah’s day is going to happen again (turn to Mt 24:37-41)

Mat 24:37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

Mat 24:38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark,

Mat 24:39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept (took) them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

Mat 24:40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left.

Mat 24:41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left.

    1. This teaches me that when the Lord comes there will be a flood similar to Noah’s and 50% of the population will be taken away by it, but it does not state that the world will be destroyed by it, just that there will be a flood and half the people on earth will taken away by it, the scriptures teach that the world will be destroyed by a great earthquake (Heb 12:26-29) and by fire (2 Pet 3:10).

Heb 12:26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens."

Heb 12:27 This phrase, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain.

Heb 12:28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship (service), with reverence and awe,

Heb 12:29 for our God is a consuming fire.

    1. So we need to be prepared, through faith working through love according to the gospel of Christ, they mocked the prophecies of the Lord’s 2nd coming in the 1st century, as many mock it today (turn to 2 Pet 3:1-14)

2Pe 3:1 This already, beloved, is the second letter I write to you, in both of which I stir up your pure mind by a reminder,

2Pe 3:2 to remember the words having been previously spoken by the holy prophets, and the commandment of your apostles of the Lord and Savior;

2Pe 3:3 knowing this first: that mockers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts,

2Pe 3:4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers died, all things continue as from the beginning of creation."

2Pe 3:5 For this they willingly forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth, consisting out of water and through water,

2Pe 3:6 by which the world at that time perished, being flooded by water;

2Pe 3:7 but the present heavens and earth, having been stored up by His word, are being reserved for fire until the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

2Pe 3:8 But in this let it not escape your notice, beloved, that one day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

2Pe 3:9 The Lord does not delay concerning His promise, as some reckon slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord shall come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens shall pass away with a rushing noise, and the elements, burning with heat, shall be dissolved, both the earth and the works that are in it shall be burned up.

2Pe 3:11 Therefore, seeing that all these things shall be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,

2Pe 3:12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens, being set of fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements, burning with heat, shall melt?

2Pe 3:13 But according to His promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

2Pe 3:14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot or blemish;

  1. Therefore with these facts in view we need to realize, that like in Noah’s day, mankind cannot walk according to its own wisdom and expect to have the promise of heaven (Pro 14:12; Jer 10:23; 1 Cor 1:27-29).

Pro 14:12 There is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Jer 10:23 I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.

1Co 1:27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;

1Co 1:28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,

1Co 1:29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

    1. But only by walking in the light of the gospel (1 John 1:7), which is only found upon the pages of the New Testament of Jesus Christ, not in the creeds nor catechisms of men, and through this only can one expect to be free in this life and have hope in the next (John 8:31b-32).

Joh 8:31b "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,

Joh 8:32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

II. GOD’S DIRECTIONS FOR WALKING/LIVING (Gen 6:14-21)

A. (Gen 6:14-16)

Gen 6:14 Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch.

Gen 6:15 This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits (450 ft), its breadth (width) 50 cubits (75 ft), and its height 30 cubits (45 ft).

Gen 6:16 Make a roof (window) for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks.

Here is God giving Noah directions on how Noah and his family is going to make it through the upcoming judgment, notice that the instructions are simple and easy to understand (as God’s always are), but in these instructions are contained elements that required effort, determination and endurance on the part of Noah and those that would assist him, and this is plainly described in the New Testament as that being “by faith” (Heb 11:7).

Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God concerning things not seen as yet, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

  1. For the faith that prompts one into action, that is diligent, that works, is the faith that saves, as seen in other parts of the New Testament (2 Pet 1:5-10; Gal 5:6; Ja 2:24).

2Pe 1:5 Yea, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply virtue; and in your virtue knowledge;

2Pe 1:6 and in your knowledge self-control; and in your self-control patience; and in your patience godliness;

2Pe 1:7 and in your godliness brotherly kindness; and in your brotherly kindness love.

2Pe 1:8 For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful unto the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2Pe 1:9 For he that lacks these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins.

2Pe 1:10 Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, you shall never stumble:

Gal 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love.

Jam 2:24 You see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith.

  1. The ark is a type (a figure/symbolic) of the church (ekklesia; “the called out ones”) today, all those being saved and the unaccountable are therein (in this group), all the lost are outside.

  1. And the ark was made just the way that God stated, and when He specifically stated a certain aspect of the ark with out any other additions, that automatically excluded any such additions.

    1. He stated that the wood that it was made of was to be gopherwood; that automatically excluded pine, oak, hickory, or any other wood.

    1. He stated what size it was to be, that excluded any different size.

    1. He stated that it was to have 3 stories (decks) that excluded 1, 2, 4, or any other amount of stories (decks).

    1. This is known as “the law of exclusion” and ought to be applied everywhere throughout God’s word where specifics are mentioned.

    1. Of course we know that we are not under law but grace (Rom 6:14), but God’s laws are still there, waiting for individuals to learn them, love them, embrace them, have them written on our hearts (Heb 8:10), and do them (Mt 7:24-25; Ja 1:22),

    1. Noah built that ark according to that which was revealed to him, Moses built the tabernacle according to the pattern given him (Heb 8:5), and Christians are to hold (follow) the pattern of sound words revealed unto them (2 Tim 1:13).

2Ti 1:13 Follow (hold) the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

    1. In all our lives, whether in the worship, the work, the organization, or any other particular of the church, when God’s specifically states something, that’s the end of it, nothing is to be added or taken away from it, we ought not to go beyond what God reveals (1 Cor 4:6).

1Co 4:6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.

    1. Thus we do things in simplicity and purity, as it is written (2 Cor 11:3).

2Co 11:3 . . . lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity that is toward (“in”; YLT) Christ.

    1. And we don’t make a move where God has legislated without authority from our King of kings and Lord of lords (Col 3:17a).

Col 3:17a And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,

    1. And to go beyond this is another gospel, which is not another (Gal 1:6-9), it is a progressive, a changing, an evolving doctrine of Christ, and is evidence of the fact that one “has not God” (2 John 9).

2Jn 1:9 Everyone who goes on ahead (proago) and does not abide in the teaching (doctrine) of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching (doctrine) has both the Father and the Son.

B. (Gen 6:17)

Gen 6:17 For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath (spirit; YLT; ruach) of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die.

There is going to be a spiritual reset, everything except that which was in the ark, in which a spirit was given by God would die physically, and the spirit would go back to God Who gave it (Eccl 12:7), by the agency of angels, who would put them in their spiritual abode (Lk 16:19-31) until the final Judgment (Rev 20:11-15).

  1. This is similar to what we see today, God only puts up with so much sin before He pulls the plug on our lives (Lk 13:1-5), and puts us where we will wait for the final Judgment (Lk 16:19-31),

a. Therefore let us give diligence to be pleasing in His sight, in order that we might have all the more time on this earth to do good (Gal 6:10), as salt and light (Mt 5:13-16), to give Him the glory (1 Cor 10:31), unto eternal life (Mt 25:21, 23).

C. (Gen 6:18)

Gen 6:18 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.

This is the first usage of the word “covenant” in the Bible, it refers to “an agreement” God’s agreement was not

up for debate, “if” Noah and his family “did” what God said, they would be saved.

  1. If we today want to be saved, we in like manner are to do what God says to enter into His one sided agreement, the New Covenant (Mk 16:16; Jer 31:31; Heb 8:8, 13).

Mar 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

    1. Of course this is not the sum, the totality of God’s word on the entering of this Covenant (Ps 119:160), but it is a general starting point wherein one enters into the process of “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15), belief (faith) is the cross over point (Jn 5:24), one believes “into” Him (Jn 3:16; LITV).

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that everyone believing into Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Joh 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

    1. Then one is usually baptized “into” Christ (Rom 6:3; Gal 3:27),

Rom 6:3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

Gal 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

    1. Which is unto (for) remission of sins (Acts 2:38), it washes away our sins (Acts 22:16).

    1. One is also to repent (Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 17:30).

Act 17:30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,

    1. Repentance entails a turning away from our old life and being determined to lead a new life as a new creature according to the Holy Spirit revealed and confirmed gospel (Tit 3:5).

Tit 3:5 not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

    1. And a person must not be ashamed of, but rather confess Jesus before men (Mt 10:32-33; Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9-10; 1 Tim 6:12)

Rom 10:9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Rom 10:10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Mat 10:32 Every one therefore who shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven.

Mat 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven.

    1. Also, to deny Christ’s words, is to deny Him

Luk 9:26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he comes in his own glory, and the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels.

C. (Gen 6:19-20)

Gen 6:19 And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ark to keep them alive with you. They shall be male and female.

Gen 6:20 Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground, according to its kind, two of every sort shall come in to you to keep them alive.

God would send His creatures to Noah, he would not have to gather them up, but he would be responsible for keeping them alive.

  1. God also sent His Son and His word to us, all we have to do is respond to it (Gal 4:4-5; Tit 2:11).

Gal 4:4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,

Gal 4:5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

Tit 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,

    1. Of course it took some time and effort for us to be likened to the world, in like manner it is going to be difficult to imitate Christ (1 Cor 11:1), but it is doable (Mt 7:14; Luke 13:24) by the power of God working within us (Phili 2:12-13).

1Co 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Mat 7:14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Luk 13:24 Strive to enter in by the narrow door: for many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

Php 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,

Php 2:13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

  1. Christians as Noah are the salt of the earth (Mt 5:13), lights in a sin darkened world (Mt 5:14) keeping the world that now is spiritually and physically alive (2 Pet 3:9) by holding forth the word of truth (Phili 4:15-16), in order that we and others by the power of God may put to death the unlawful things of the flesh, and be made alive by walking after (living according to) the Spirit (Rom 8:4-9; Gal 5:19-24).

D. (Gen 6:21)

Gen 6:21 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."

Yet Noah was going to have to do his part, he was to gather food (plants; Gen 1:29-30) for he, his family and the other creatures, this would entail some hard work, anyone that was ever responsible for maintaining a number of God’s creatures knows this to be a truth, this would be quite a task, yet thus Noah did, knowing God would enable him.

  1. We in like manner are to care for those that God has entrusted in our charge, stewardship, people and animals alike, if we desire to be pleasing in the sight of God (Pro 12:10; 1 Tim 5:8).

Pro 12:10 Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.

1Ti 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

    1. And we can extend this care to others as opportunity and ability dictates (Gal 6:10).

Gal 6:10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

    1. This care is to be extended even to our enemies (Rom 12:20-21).

Rom 12:20 To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head."

Rom 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

    1. And of course this care is to be extended to ourselves (1 Tim 4:16; 1 Pet 1:14-15)

1Ti 4:16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

1Pe 1:14 Because you are children who obey God, don't live the kind of lives you once lived. Once you lived to satisfy your desires (lusts) because you didn't know any better.

1Pe 1:15 But because the God who called you is holy you must be holy in every aspect of your life.

    1. Of course it took some time and effort for us to be likened to the world, in like manner it is going to take some time and effort through God’s power, the gospel, to imitate Christ (1 Cor 11:1), separated “from” the ways of the world and separated “to” the Way of God (2 Cor 6:17), but it is doable (John 14:6; Mt 7:14; Luke 13:24), all things are possible with God, He is able to make us stand (Acts 20:32; 1 Pet 2:2)

Act 20:32 And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all them that are sanctified.

1Pe 2:2 Like newborn babies, thirst for the pure milk of the word so that by it you may grow in your salvation.

    1. These are the directions by which we are able to walk with God (turn to 1 John 1:5-7).

1Jo 1:5 And this is the message which we have heard from him and announce unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

1Jo 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

1Jo 1:7 but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

    1. The light being spoken of here is God’s word (Ps 119:105).

Psa 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And light unto my path.

    1. Simply put, these are God’s directions for walking, living with Him, in this life, and on into the next; you can read, believe, obey and know that you are in the process of being saved, for it is written (1 John 5:13) . . .

1Jn 5:13 I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

III. THE PROPER RESPONSE TO GOD’S DIRECTIONS (Gen 6:22-7:1)

A. (Gen 6:22)

Gen 6:22 Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.

Here is Noah’s response to God, is any less expected from us today? Is partial obedience approved under Christ (Mt 28:20; Acts 3:22-23; Eph 1:22-23)?

Mat 28:20 teaching them to observe (obey; NIV) ALL that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Act 3:22 Moses said, 'The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in WHATEVER (give heed to EVERYTHING) he tells you.

Act 3:23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.'

Eph 1:22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,

Eph 1:23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

  1. And what is to be our motivation? Just like Noah’s (Heb 11:7; Eph 5:21; 2 Cor 7:1)

Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God concerning things not seen as yet, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

Eph 5:21 subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ.

2Co 7:1 Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

    1. These verses are not speaking of “terror”, if it was actual terror, at the first opportunity one would attempt to escape the terror invoker never to return again, but rather it speaks of “reverential fear” as a family would exhibit towards the father of said family, they love him and want to be around him, but they don’t want to disappoint him or anger him knowing that he does have the authority to invoke punishment if necessary (Heb 12:9).

Heb 12:9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?

Heb 12:10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.

Heb 12:11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

    1. But first and foremost, we are to be motivated by love, the greatest of all attributes (1 Cor 13; John 14:15; 2 John 6; 1 John 2:3-5).

Joh 14:15 If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

2Jo 1:6 And this is love, that we should walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, even as you heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.

1Jn 2:3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.

1Jn 2:4 Whoever says "I know him" but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,

1Jn 2:5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:

    1. And where does this love sprout out of? (Rom 5:5b-8; John 12:32; 15:13; 1 Cor 1:18)

Rom 5:5b . . . God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Rom 5:6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

Rom 5:7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—

Rom 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Joh 12:32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."

Joh 12:33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.

Joh 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

1Co 1:18 For the word (message) of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

    1. This is to be a reciprocal action, (1 John 3:16a; 4:19).

1Jn 3:16a By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us,

1Jo 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

    1. This action is not only to extend to God, but to others (1 John 3:16b; 4:19-21)

1Jn 3:16b and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

1Jn 4:20 If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.

1Jn 4:21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

    1. Again we are to love not only our fellow Christians, but all, even our enemies, whose hearts have been darkened by the god of this world, Satan (Mt 5:44-48) . . .

Mat 5:44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Mat 5:45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

Mat 5:46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

Mat 5:47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?

Mat 5:48 You therefore must (shall) be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

B. (Gen 7:1)

Gen 7:1 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.

The ark is now completed, Noah manifested the obedience of faith (Rom 1:5; 16:26), he was a doer of God’s word and not a hearer only (Ja 1:22), the period of God’s grace (favor) upon the rest of the earth is about to end, thus Noah and his household are invited to take up residence in the ark.

  1. The faith was also once for all time delivered (completed) in the 1st century (Jude 3), the Final Judgment is looming on the horizon, a Day, that Day has already been appointed (Acts 17:31).

Act 17:31 inasmuch as he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained; whereof he has given assurance unto all men, in that he has raised him from the dead.

  1. This day is only known by the Father (Mt 24:35-36).

Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Mat 24:36 But of that day and hour knows no one, not even the angels of heaven, neither the Son, but the Father only.

  1. We today are invited by God through the Holy Spirit, through the gospel, through the members of the church, the bride of Christ, to take up residence in, to come to God’s ark today, the church, the kingdom, that location known as “in Christ” (Rev 22:17).

Rev 22:17 The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

    1. And one enters into the process of “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15) through belief (“faith”; the cross-over point; Jn 5:24)

Joh 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that everyone believing into Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.(LITV)

    1. At which point you receive the promised Holy Spirit (Gal 3:2; Eph 1:13),

Gal 3:2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?

Eph 1:13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

    1. Who leads you to the obedience of faith (Rom 1:5; 16:26) which is also ongoing and includes the act of baptism unto (for) the remission (forgiveness) of sins (Acts 2:38a).

Act 2:38 And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

    1. Which washes away sins (Acts 22:16).

Act 22:16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.'

    1. Which like belief/faith (Jn 3:16; LITV) also puts one “into Christ” (Rom 6:3; Gal 3:27).

Rom 6:3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

Gal 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ.

    1. Which does also save us (despite that what many state to the contrary; 2 Pet 3:20-21).

1Pe 3:20 because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.

1Pe 3:21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now (also; KJV) saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

    1. Water was the cleansing element in Noah’s day; water is the cleansing element today.

    1. This is what God says, what do you say? Isn’t it time to start walking with God?

    1. And if we are already walking with Him, let us give the more diligence to make our calling and election sure, to be more and more with each passing day like God, like Jesus (1 Cor 11:1; Eph 5:1-2) . . .

1Co 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Eph 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.