Even though Noah had to build his ark, Jesus Christ is the ark of our salvation.
Genesis 7:1 - Then the LORD said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.
Noah getting on the boat was a demonstration of his faith in God.
Noah’s wife and sons got on the boat also. This shows that they believed in what their husband and father believed
You should do all you can to reach your household for Christ
Matthew 24:37 - But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
The same temptations and pressures that were in Noah’s generation is also in ours. In those days, men's hearts were turned towards wickedness continually.
How do we compare to Noah’s generation?
2 Timothy 3:5 - having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
God looks at our generation and sees a generation that knows what the Bible says but we don’t want to behave like we believe it He sees a generation that is serving none but ourselves
He sees a generation that is exchanging truth for a lie
2 Timothy 3:1-5 - But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
The characteristics of people in the end times
Noah saved his household!
When it comes to family, faith makes all the difference. Money doesn’t make the difference. Education doesn’t make a difference. In the end, finances will fail, education will fail, and culture will fail.
Noah had faith in his life before he had anything else.
Genesis 6:8 - But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
When an entire generation of people lived as they wanted to and chose to be wicked, Noah said “I still believe”. When the rest of the world thumbed their nose at God, Noah behaved as if God was still on the throne.
Genesis 1:1 - In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 2:7 - And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being
Noah believed all these truths
Noah had faith and because of that God saw him in the wicked generation and gave him grace.
What causes God to pour out His grace on you?
It’s not your work, education, resources, or influence. It is your faith.
Hebrews 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
If you don’t have faith, then God is not content with you.
When others mocked him for building the ark, Noah still believed.
When they scorned him for his faithfulness to continue, Noah still believed.
Noah believed when others did not.
Mark 11:22 - So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.
Have faith in God
Everyone has a measure of faith. The only thing that you can put your faith in that will never fail is God Almighty.
Finances, natural strength, and other men will fail.
Do you run from your faith or press into it?
Noah behaved as he believed
When the world, the flesh, and the devil try to discourage you, press into your faith and let God arise so that His enemies may be scattered
How do people interpret your conviction for Christ?
What do people see you do on a regular basis that shows that you stand up for the truth of His word?
Mark 11:22 - So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.
Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Noah had faith and put work into it.
Noah had never seen a flood and there was no evidence that the waters would rise.
The substance of his faith was that he built the ark.
1 Thessalonians 4:16,17 - For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 5:2 - For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
We’ve never seen a rapture, but scripture says that it will happen.
We don’t have evidence of it.
Our substance is by reading the Word, praying, and praising God.
Everytime you open up the Word of God, you are given guidance and direction that takes you through the path that God has for you.
When you are feeling the pressure, don’t run away from your faith. Run into your faith, because it is the ark of your salvation.
Noah had faith, but also had action with his faith. This showed his sons that their dad behaved as he believed. Noah isn’t celebrated because of his naval genius, but because he saved his household.
Genesis 7:1 - Then the LORD said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.
Genesis 7:13 - On the very same day Noah and Noah’s sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with them, entered the ark -
Hebrews 11:7 - By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
2 Peter 2:5 - and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly;
Preacher of righteousness - Noah was one of 8, the other 7 were his household.
He never stood behind a pulpit, but the actions of his life preached a message to his children
For 500 years, Noah’s children watched him faithfully serve God.
For 100 years, they walked with Noah building the ark.
They might not have understood why they were doing it, but they trusted Noah, so they followed through.
As parents, what you show your children is what they will learn.
Noah set the right example that was so consistent that his children never questioned him.
The kind of example you set for your children will determine if they get on the ark of salvation.
How do we know that Noah’s wife had faith?
For 100 years, when Noah was being ridiculed by everyone else in the world, he still preserved.
You don’t keep going without having someone to cheer you on.
Noah’s sons also got on the boat because the wife was in support of the husband.
When you are working in faith and in agreement with your spouse, your children will follow you.
Do not let a Sunday go by without letting your children know and understand what a mighty God we serve.
Children, do you follow the example your parents have set?
Proverbs 18:22 - He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD.
Noah’s sons got married.
They would not have wanted to get married if their parents didn’t have a good relationship with each other.
Ephesians 6:1 - Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Child, it is your responsibility to obey your parents.
When God says it’s right, you should do it.
Ephesians 6:3 - that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth
If obedience to your parents guarantees a long and prosperous life, how many of you think that it’s worth the effort?
James 2:17 - Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Faith without works is dead
Noah heard the warning and did what God said. He got up and built the ark.
God is not a socialist! If you want it, God says work for it.
His promise does not entitle you to a blessing.
You have to put effort into what you believe in. Noah wasn’t perfect, but he was faithful.
When the flood comes, you need the Ark of Salvation
You will need the promise of His word. You’ll need a way of escape.
Run to the refuge of healing grace that is Christ. Call out to God as being your provider.
I understand that my God sits on the throne and everything will be alright.
When we fail, He does not.
When we can’t, He can.
When we don’t know, He does.
When we’re out of answers, He is the answer.
Have faith in God because all things are possible to him that believes.
You can’t start building your ark when the rain comes. You have to have faith today.
