Mans Wickedness and Gods Love

The Flood

A Grieved Heart: Understanding God's Response to Human Wickedness

Bible Passage: Ge 6:1–8

The story of the great flood is recounted in Gen 6–9. When God sees that humanity has become corrupt, He brings a great flood upon the earth to wipe out every living thing—except Noah, his family, and the animals with him on the ark that God instructed him to build.

Genesis 6.8 tells us that “Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.” Noah was a man of faith who trusted God and did the work in which God commanded him to do in building the ark.

Summary: Genesis 6:1–8 depicts the escalation of human wickedness in the days before the flood.

In Genesis 6, you have the eyewitness account of God looking down upon the world and seeing His creation acting in a manner that was very displeasing to Him.

The Bible does not depict exactly what was taking place but one can only imagine the wickedness that was taking place if God found that it repented Him from ever creating mankind.

Types of Wickedness: Murder, Hatred of one another, adultery, fornication, all types of sexual immorality, worship of idols and what man saw as their god.

Jeremiah 17.9 states that a mans “heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”

Mark 7:21 tells us “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,”

So when God looked down upon man, He saw every wicked imagination being done that could be conceived out of mans heart; and God was not pleased.

highlighting God's grief over the corruption of His creation and setting the stage for His judgment and eventual salvation through Noah.

Application: This passage can help Christians grapple with the reality of human sinfulness and God's just response. It reminds believers of the importance of living righteously and the hope found in God's grace amid a broken world. In their struggles, they can find assurance that while judgment is real, God's mercy is also available.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that God’s heart is grieved by sin, demonstrating His perfect justice and deep love for humanity. It encourages believers to reflect on their own lives and the world's moral state, urging them towards repentance and righteousness.

How this passage could point to Christ: In the overarching narrative of Scripture, this passage foreshadows the coming of Christ, who represents the ultimate solution to humanity's sin. Just as Noah found favor and became a vessel of salvation, Christ transforms and redeems through His sacrifice, offering new life to all who believe.

Big Idea: God's sorrow over human wickedness leads to both judgment and the hope of salvation, reminding us of the gravity of sin and the wonder of divine grace.

Recommended Study: As you prepare your sermon, consider exploring the historical context of Genesis 6, particularly the Nephilim's role and the cultural implications of wickedness. You might find it beneficial to utilize Logos for insights into biblical Hebrew nuances that express God’s emotions. Also, examine related passages about God’s judgment and mercy in the flood narrative, as well as their implications for modern Christians.

1. Escalating Evil: Humanity's Rebellion

Ge 6:1-3

You might highlight how human sin escalated during this time, leading to a world filled with corruption and moral decay. Perhaps God’s response to limit humanity's days is a reflection of His justice. This part can suggest that believers should examine their own lives for areas of compromise and seek transformation through Christ. God's spirit striving with humanity offers hope in redemption despite judgment, reminding us that divine peace comes with living righteously.

2. Deep Defilement: Grieved God

Ge 6:4-5

Perhaps focus on how the actions of the Nephilim and humans led God to observe a world full of wickedness, signifying the depth of humanity's fallen state. You could emphasize that God sees our hearts and understands the true nature of our thoughts and intentions. This should inspire Christians to pursue purity and integrity, acknowledging the importance of heart transformation through Christ, who purifies us from within.

3. Redemptive Resolve: Noah's Favor

Ge 6:6-8

You might explore how God's grief over sin leads to His regret in creating humanity, highlighting both the severity of sin and the profound love God holds for His creation. Perhaps share how Noah's favor shows God’s mercy, paving the way for Christ’s redemptive work. Encourage the audience to seek refuge in Christ, the ultimate ark, trusting in God's grace which surpasses judgment. Remind them that divine love calls for repentance and renewal.

Consider the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15). He squanders his inheritance on wild living and then finds himself feeding pigs. While we often think of wickedness as something serious, this parable shows that sometimes we chase after foolish desires. It's like trying to catch a butterfly with your bare hands—messy and often resulting in disappointment, yet the Father welcomes us back with joy!