How It All Began: “The First Drunken Sailor”

Why Genesis?

Genesis means “beginning”. And that’s what the book of Genesis is. It is the God given real life history of the beginning of all things.

In this series, we are going to be looking at the first 11 chapters of Genesis. In these chapters we will see why the world is the way that it is, why we are they way we are, and what Go’s purpose is in it all.

We will also clearly see God’s character, get to know Him better, better learn who we are, and why all that matters.

Genesis helps us make sense of the world while also helping us know what our place is in it.

There is much you will be reminded of, and that’s good. There will be some things you will learn for the first time, and that’s great. My primary hope and prayer is that through this study all of us will grow in our understanding of God and His purpose for us so that we will better love, serve and worship Him in His creation.

Last time we waded through the flood in chapter 7. This week we will be taking a look at Genesis 8. The title of the message is “Climate Change”. The environment was very different after the flood. The atmosphere changed. The landscape changed. The weather changed. The climate of the culture had even changed. The flood brought true climate change. Let’s take a look…

[The Text]:

Genesis 9:19–29 (NASB)

19 These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the whole earth was populated. 20 Then Noah began farming and planted a vineyard. 21 He drank of the wine and became drunk, and uncovered himself inside his tent. 22 Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside. 23 But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it upon both their shoulders and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were turned away, so that they did not see their father’s nakedness. 24 When Noah awoke from his wine, he knew what his youngest son had done to him. 25 So he said, “Cursed be Canaan; A servant of servants He shall be to his brothers.” 26 He also said, “Blessed be the Lord, The God of Shem; And let Canaan be his servant. 27 “May God enlarge Japheth, And let him dwell in the tents of Shem; And let Canaan be his servant.” 28 Noah lived three hundred and fifty years after the flood. 29 So all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years, and he died.

Alcohol Deceives

20 Then Noah began farming and planted a vineyard. 21 He drank of the wine and became drunk…

Proverbs 20:1 (ESV)

1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

Alcohol Dilutes.

21 …and uncovered himself inside his tent.

Proverbs 31:4–5 (ESV)

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink, 5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

Hosea 4:11 (ESV)

11 …whoredom, wine, and new wine, which take away the understanding.

Alcohol Destroys

24 When Noah awoke from his wine, he knew what his youngest son had done to him. 25 So he said, “Cursed be Canaan; A servant of servants He shall be to his brothers.”

Proverbs 23:29–30 (ESV)

29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? 30 Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine.

When dealing with someone who struggles with alcohol.

22 Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside. 23 But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it upon both their shoulders and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were turned away, so that they did not see their father’s nakedness.

The Memory Verse of the Week:

Proverbs 20:1 (NASB)

1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.