The Flood
by Admin ~ March 3rd, 2010
The Flood – God’s Early Warning System
Our reading today is taken from Matthew 24. v29-42 Our Text: Hebrews 11. 7. ‘By faith Noah when warned about events not seen before, in holy fear built an Ark to save his family. His faith condemned the World and he became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.’
Certain people dismiss the Noah/Flood event as a myth/fairy tale. But these is overwhelming evidence that ii is a fact of our history. Ezekiel mentions Noah in his prophecies. (Ezekiel 14. 14)
Christ links the Flood with His second Advent. (Matthew 24. 37-38) The apostle Peter refers to the Flood three times in his letters: (1Peter 3. 20. 2Peter 2.5 and 3.6) The rainbow in the sky is a constant reminder of God’s promise that He will not flood the Earth again.
Genesis 6. 5 Is a vivid description of the environment that Noah and his family lived in – immoral, violent, wicked. Luke informs us in his Gospel that prior to the flood disaster it was ‘Business as Usual.’
(Luke 17. 27)The population were preoccupied with their ordinary everyday lives to the total exclusion of God. Human Nature hasn’t changed much in this second decade of the 21st century!
(Genesis 6. 8.) ‘But Noah found favour in God’s eyes.’ Noah’s lifestyle was the exception to the rule. He was not a disappointment to God. Noah’s character, not his success, was Divinely commended.
The secret of Noah’s separated lifestyle is summed up thus: ‘Noah walked with God.’ (Genesis 6. 9) He spent quality time in God’s company. What kind of company do we keep? Is it stimulating, positive, encouraging, strengthening, wholesome?
As they walked together, they began to talk together. (Genesis 6. 13.) Noah was informed of coming judgement world wide. Christ not only wants our company, but to enter into conversation with us.
(John 15. 15) ‘I no longer call you slaves, now you are My friends, proved by the fact that I have told you everything the Father told Me.’ The Flood is an expression of the wages of sin – death. Each one of us is accountable to God on the way we have lived our lives on this planet.
The building of the Ark was God’s provision of an escape route for the human creation. God’s coming judgement is inevitable but not inescapable. God made elaborate plans for the preservation of one man and his family. In sending His Son to the Cross, God made sacrificial provision for our protection from coming judgement.
(Genesis 6. 17) God sent out a warning first – a flashing red light! Further warnings against the Final destruction have been issued since: The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the ten signs that liberated the Jews from Egyptian slavery.
‘Noah prepared’ Hebrews 11. 7 1Peter 3. 20) Noah’s faith wasn’t passive or academic, is was active and practical. 120 years of preparation for one year of Divine traumatic intervention. Here’s the challenge: Are we making preparation to meet our Maker on that coming Accounting Day? Quote: ‘Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.’
Noah spent over a century preparing for the Flood. The apostle Peter informs us that Noah was a preacher of righteousness. (2 Peter 2. 5) The building of the Ark was visible evidence of Noah’s trust in what God had said. Does the way we live our lives confirm and compliment our verbal witness?
120 years elapsed before disaster struck, giving spectators ample time to change their minds. (2 Peter 3. 9) ‘God is waiting for the good reason that He is not willing that any should perish.’ How long are we going to keep God waiting until we surrender to Him, take the next step of faith?
The uneventful years rolled by with no sign of the end of the World, and the voices of opposition grew loud and long. 120 years – the longest drawn out test of one man’s faith in God ever recorded in Scripture.( Genesis 7. 9) The lower creation wisely and obediently entered the Ark – a further confirmation that God meant business.
In Matthew 24. 39 and 42) Christ warns His disciples to be prepared for His unexpected return. In Noah’s day one moment it was Business as Usual, the next, total chaos. Spectators were caught off guard. Four times in Mark’s gospel Christ urges His disciples to be on the look out.(13.33-37) Remember, we are ‘Horizon People’ – ‘Look up for your redemption draws near.’ (Luke 21. 28)
(1 Peter 3. 20) After over a century of faithful witness in word and deed only eight people were saved in the Ark. But God rewards faithfulness, not success.
Noah being dead yet speaks. His example has inspired many through the centuries to find refuge in Christ, the Rock of Ages. (2 Peter 3. 6-7) The Apostle links the Flood with God’s final judgement by fire.
Christ Himself took the punishment of our sin at the Cross, providing for us an escape and protection from God’s final coming destruction. Hymnwriter: ‘Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee, Thou Blest Rock of Ages, I’m hiding in Thee!’
Have you taken refuge in Christ yet? If not, why not do so now.
