Our Ark of Safety
Notes
Transcript
Text: Genesis 7:1-10
CIT: Christ is our Ark of Safety
FCF: We will forget his cause, and therefore his security for ourselves and others.
Illustration: A group of botanists went on an expedition into a hard-to-reach location in the Alps, searching for new varieties of flowers. One day as a scientist looked through his binoculars, he saw a beautiful, rare species growing at the bottom of a deep ravine. To reach it, someone would have to be lowered into that gorge. Noticing a local youngster standing nearby, the man asked him if he would help them get the flower.
The boy was told that a rope would be tied around his waist and the men would then lower him to the floor of the canyon. Excited yet apprehensive about the adventure, the youngster peered thoughtfully into the chasm.
"Wait," he said, "I'll be back," and off he dashed. When he returned, he was accompanied by an older man. Approaching the head botanist, the boy said, "I'll go over the cliff now and get the flower for you, but this man must hold onto the rope. He's my dad!"
Opener:
Theories to attack Scripture
Denial - It never happened it was make believe. Scripture stole the idea from other mythologies.
Problem is that Scripture calls you a liar. You cannot have it both ways. Scripture treats this as a factual event. And God feels no inclination to show you what he asks you to take on faith.
Limited - Scripture paints a mans eye view. It wasn't the whole world it was actually just the fertile crescent.
Hank Hannegraff
The problem with this theory is that Scripture is clear.
This is a desire to try to appease so called science. The Christians proper model is to consult Scripture and then look at the world.
Literal - Scripture teaches that a literal flood destroyed all life on earth except eight people.
Transitional Phrase:
I. To Avoid the Wrath of God (4)
Illustration:
Leviticus 16:8 the rule of the scapegoat. was that as one faced judgment there was another set free. So with us though the world is spinning toward judgment there has been a way for one to walk free.
Transitional Phrase:
II. To Sanctify a Few (1)
Illustration:
I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people,
And they shall trust in the name of the Lord.
The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies;
Neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth:
For they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.
Explanation: Sanctification
Application:
Transitional Phrase:
III. To Offer Hope to the Repentant (6)
Explanation:
Argument:
Illustration: Two spies in Jericho
Application:
IV. To Secure a Future (7,9)
Explanation:
Argument:
Illustration: Moses in the bulrushes was planned for the exodus.
Application:
We find a better Ark - Christ
Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
I. To Avoid the Wrath of God
Argument:
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Christ became our sin. He took all of our sin as a representative to deflect the wrath of a Holy God. You and I have free access to our Father because we have been set free from destruction we were due.
I. To Sanctify a Few
Argument:
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Churches today are to be this place of sanctified people. It is a sad day when we become a country club religion. You see Jesus being here is what sets apart from all other civic gatherings in the city.
I. To Offer Hope to the Repentant
Argument:
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Jesus is the refuge for any that would come in there is not danger of eternity without him. Jesus said if you have him you have life. There is shelter in the name of Jesus this morning. If you choose to stand before God as a good person please recognize that you will meet destruction. There is not condemnation for those that are covered by the safety of Christ.
I. To Secure a Future
Argument:
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
So often the only thing that makes it possible for God’s people to continue one more day is the safety of His wings.
By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
F.B. Meyer wrote about two Germans who wanted to climb the Matterhorn. They hired three guides and began their ascent at the steepest and most slippery part. The men roped themselves together in this order: guide, traveler, guide, traveler, guide. They had gone only a little way up the side when the last man lost his footing. He was held up temporarily by the other four, because each had a toehold in the niches they had cut in the ice. But then the next man slipped, and he pulled down the two above him. The only one to stand firm was the first guide, who had driven a spike deep into the ice. Because he held his ground, all the men beneath him regained their footing. F.B. Meyer concluded his story by drawing a spiritual application. He said, "I am like one of those men who slipped, but thank God, I am bound in a living partnership to Christ. And because He stands, I will never perish."
Application:
To the Lost
Turn to him today. In just a moment I am going to give you an opportunity to turn to Christ that you can know him as your shelter and savior.
To the Disciple/Christian
1. Today you may be the one needing to remember his safety. I encourage you to come and rest in him. Your fears set aside. Your anxiety abandon. Take refuge in him.
2. There are entire Christian movements getting distracted.
I see churches getting distracted.
I look around me and I see Christians getting distracted.
They get one country club amenity after another, I see them chasing this social cause after another social cause. The doctrine of Peter is simple Christ is our ark. Christ is that which we flee to that we might avoid the destruction of the wrath to come.
Let us remember that a social agenda will last a life time but declaring Jesus as the only hope for the soul will last an eternity.