Build the Ark

Is there anyone out there waiting on God to do something? Has He given you a promise that has yet to come to pass? Are you saying to yourself or even others, God when is it going to happen? How long must I wait? How long? Not long. If that’s you, turn in your Bibles to the first book of the Book, , ;

If that’s you, turn in your Bibles to the first book of the Book, , ;

Turn your Bibles to the first book of the Book, , ;

NRSV - Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 And God saw that the earth was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted its ways upon the earth. 13 And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence because of them; now I am going to destroy them along with the earth. 14 Make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. 22 Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.

In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened. 12 The rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights.

Now, I have a question for you, “Have you built your ark?”

The title of today’s message is, “Build the Ark”

In the first verse of our text it describes the earth as being full of violence. Matthew Henry describes it this way;

Now, I have a question for you, “Have you built your ark?”

“There was no order nor regular government; no man was safe in the possession of that which he had the most clear and incontestable right to, no, not the most innocent life; there was nothing but murders, rapes, and rapine (which is the violent seizure of someone’s property). Note, wickedness, as it is the shame of human nature, so it is the ruin of human society. Take away conscience and the fear of God, and men become beasts and devils to one another, like the fishes of the sea, where the greater devour the less.”

The title of today’s message is, “Build the Ark”

Hmm, does any of this sound familiar? Are we seeing this behavior now? And just like then, God sees what’s going on in the earth today. He sees the injustice, the violence, the powerful taking advantage of the weak. He hears the hate being spewed out, being acted out against His children and know that we are all His children.

In the first verse of our text it describes the earth as being full of violence. Matthew Henry describes it this way;

But praise God there is still a remnant in the earth of prayer warriors, of those who still believe in the presence and the power and the goodness and the holiness and the standard of God.

Hallelujah, there are those who still believe that God exists, that He is all powerful, all knowing and ever present in the earth, and in the lives of His people.

Thank God there are still those saints who know that God said, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

God is looking for a remnant. He can do great and mighty things with just a remnant.

But praise God there is still a remnant in the earth of prayer warriors, of those who still believe in the presence and the power and the goodness and the holiness and the standard of God.

He doesn’t need a whole lot of people, He just wants a few people with a willing and obedient heart.

Hallelujah, there are those who still believe that God exists, that He is all powerful, all knowing and ever present in the earth, and in the lives of His people.

He doesn’t need a whole lot of people, He just wants a few people who are not afraid to step out on faith.

He doesn’t need a whole lot of people, He just wants a few people who will stand and boldly proclaim that God is good, that His mercy is everlasting and that His truth endures to all generations.

God is looking for a remnant. He can do great and mighty things with just a remnant.

• He doesn’t need a whole lot of people, He just wants a few people with a willing and obedient heart.

Is that you? Is it you? How about you? Who shall I send, who will go for us? Will your response be, send me Lord, I’ll go?

God saw all that was going on and in the midst of all that violence and turmoil, He saw one man, Noah. What you need to understand is God sees you.

• He doesn’t need a whole lot of people, He just wants a few people who are not afraid to step out on faith.

He sees you in your distress

• He doesn’t need a whole lot of people, He just wants a few people who will stand and boldly proclaim that God is good, that His mercy is everlasting and that His truth endures to all generations.

Is that you? Is it you? How about you? Who shall I send, who will go for us? Will your response be, send me Lord, I’ll go?

He sees you in your hurt

God saw all that was going on and in the midst of all that violence and turmoil, He saw one man, Noah. What you need to understand is God sees you.

He sees you in your pain

He sees you in your disappointment

• He sees you in your distress

He sees you in the midst of the sin and turmoil and trouble that seeks to destroy you

• He sees you in your hurt

• He sees you in your pain

But not only does he see you, He’s there with you in it, holding you up, building you up, carrying you through the fire, and when the appointed time comes, know this…He will deliver you and when you come out of the fire you’ll be as pure gold, with no impurities, ready to run the race He set before you. Are you ready to run? But wait …

• He sees you in your disappointment

First you’ll have to face the things in your life that aren’t so good

• He sees you in the midst of the sin and turmoil and trouble that seeks to destroy you

First you’ll have to face the things in your life that aren’t so good

First you’ll have to see the sin in your life and repent

• First you’ll have to face the things in your life that aren’t so good

First you’ll have to go through the refining process and there are no shortcuts

First you’ll have to lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily besets, and run with patience the race that is set before you

• First you’ll have to see the sin in your life and repent

First you’ll have to go through the fire, the refiner’s fire.

When you go through the refiner’s fire, He stays right there, watching, making sure the trials that come are appropriate for you—He knows what you can handle, even when you don’t.

• First you’ll have to go through the refining process and there are no shortcuts

He stays right there, watching, separating you from the things and the people who would contaminate you if they stayed around.

• First you’ll have to lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily besets, and run with patience the race that is set before you

The people who would attempt to use you,

the people would to take advantage of you,

the people who would speak death into your situation instead of life, because He knows that life and death are in the power of the tongue.

In the refining process God has to remove some things and you have to let them go. Everybody can’t go on the journey you’re taking, some folks will be left behind.

• First you’ll have to go through the fire, the refiner’s fire.

He stays right there, watching, making sure the flame is not too hot, making sure the trial doesn’t destroy you, instead it makes you stronger, bolder, ready to take on the things that will come before you.

When you go through the refiner’s fire, He stays right there, watching, making sure the trials that come are appropriate for you—He knows what you can handle, even when you don’t.

Saints, you have to go through the fire,

it’s going to be hard, but keep walking

He stays right there, watching, separating you from the things and the people who would contaminate you if they stayed around.

• The people who would attempt to use you,

the way may be rough, but keep moving

• The people would to take advantage of you,

you may feel like you’re being hit from every side, but keep pressing

• The people who would speak death into your situation instead of life, because He knows that life and death are in the power of the tongue.

you may get knocked down, but crawl if you have to, just don’t stop…it’s only when you stop that the fire can destroy you—build the ark.

In the refining process God has to remove some things and you have to let them go. Everybody can’t go on the journey you’re taking; some folks will be left behind.

God sees you in the midst of all that is going on around you and He’s told you to build an ark. Now of course your ark is not going to be a big boat, but the ark I’m speaking of is a representation of something God has told you to do, somewhere He has called you to go. What ark has God told you to build?

What direction has he given you? If you read the whole story, God not only told Noah to build an ark, he told him what kind of wood to use, he told to make rooms in the ark and he told him how to cover it, inside and out. He told him how long it was going to be, how wide and how tall. Put a roof on it, and a door, the ark had decks, it had different levels.

But then h told him who could come in. This is important, you have to understand and accept, not everyone and everything is going to be able to come into your ark, into your project, into your assignment, into your life.

There will be those standing on the outside, asking, begging, pleading, conniving to get in, but God has said no and so must you. He knows, not everyone who smiles in your face is there to bless you.

He hears when they bless you to your face and curse you behind your back, so they have to go.

He sees when they throw rocks and hide their hands—so they have to go

He sees in their heart that they want to destroy what He’s building in and through you, so they have to go

Not everyone can get in your ark, but you keep building.

People will laugh at you—keep building your ark

People will tell you, you don’t know what you’re doing, but they haven’t seen the blueprint God gave you and there is no need for you to show it to them—just keep building your ark

People will mock you, try to tell what and who they think you are, talk about what you used to do, where you used to go, who you used to hang with—just keep building your ark

People will tell you it’s not possible, it’s never been done—just keep building your ark

You have been approved by God, why are you still looking to affirmed by man?—build your ark

It doesn’t matter how long it takes—build your ark

It doesn’t matter who says you can’t, God said you can—now build your ark

Stop allowing the whispers and stares to affect your walk and your witness for Christ. What preparations do you have to make to fulfill your God-given mission. What do you need to do to build your ark? What’s holding you back

Is it fear - God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power of love and of a sound mind

Is it doubt - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me

Is it lack of resources - my God shall supply all my need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus

Is it lack of strength - God said my grace is sufficient, for my strength is made perfect in weakness

Is it you feel you’re unimportant - those who seem least important now will be the greatest

Is it you lack faith - Lord I believe, help my unbelief

Is it you lack hope — I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Is it you don’t want to go alone — God said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”

Is it you are being tempted to go another way — The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

Is it you think your plan is better or even that you don’t trust God — trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your on understanding in all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your path.

Is it that you don’t trust God — trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your on understanding in all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your path.

What is it that’s keeping you from building your ark? I’m here to encourage you this morning to build your ark.

Stop looking for the approval of man to build your ark

God may not give you the whole plan at one time, he may give it to in stages because you may get overwhelmed and run if he did - but whatever part he gives you start building.

Stop doubting yourself, getting in your own head and your own way and get into the Word of God for your direction and encouragement.

When Jesus came and began his ministry, there was a plan, he went through so things, he learned from his earthly father who was a carpenter, he was obedient to his father, his stepfather and his heavenly father.

For those of you out there struggling with your biological lineage,

Jesus had a stepdad,

He was conceived in an unwed teenage girl,

Saints, you have to go through the fire,

He was born in a stable with animals,

He wasn’t from a rich family

Men wanted to kill him throughout his life starting with when he was a baby

Once he began his ministry, his ordinary life of being a carpenter changed drastically. He began to walk out his reason for coming — to save a wretch like you and me.

People followed him,

because of the miracles he did

because they wanted to see

because they wanted to experience

because they wanted to receive from him

because they wanted to question him

because they wanted to challenge him

because they wanted to kill him

Don’t ever allow your beginnings to determine your ending, your history does not have to dictate your future. Your history merely prepared you for what is to come, it gave you the tools you’ll need to do what God has called you to do, not stop you—build your ark and know that the latter rain is coming and your latter will be greater than your past, what’s ahead of you is greatness.

• it’s going to be hard, but keep walking

Jesus dies so you could have access to the greatness that wants to dwell on the inside of you, so you could have access to the Holy Spirit, the Comforter he promised that would come in — “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”

It was all part of the plan.

• the way may be rough, but keep moving

What is it you’re waiting on God to do? Maybe, just perhaps He’s waiting on you to build the ark. The rain didn’t come until Noah finished building the ark, however long that took, the time it took is not what I want you to get. What I want you to get is that God didn’t send the rain until Noah finished building the ark.

• you may feel like you’re being hit from every side, but keep pressing

God is not going to give you your answer, your request, start your assignment, give you your building, until you finish building your ark.

• you may get knocked down, but crawl if you have to, just don’t stop…it’s only when you stop that the fire can destroy you—build the ark.

The foundation of your ark starts with salvation, if you’ve never received Jesus as your Lord and Savior today is the day to start building your ark—the doors of the church are open.

What direction has he given you? If you read the whole story, God not only told Noah to build an ark, he told him what kind of wood to use, he told him to make rooms in the ark and he told him how to cover it, inside and out. He told him how long it was going to be, how wide and how tall. Put a roof on it, and a door, the ark had decks, it had different levels.

But then he told him who could come in. This is important, you have to understand and accept, not everyone and everything is going to be able to come into your ark, into your project, into your assignment, into your life.

There will be those standing on the outside, asking, begging, pleading, conniving to get in, but God has said no and so must you. He knows, not everyone who smiles in your face is there to bless you.

• He hears when they bless you to your face and curse you behind your back, so they have to go.

• He sees when they throw rocks and hide their hands—so they have to go.

• He sees in their heart that they want to destroy what He’s building in and through you, so they have to go.

Not everyone can get in your ark, but you keep building.

• People will laugh at you—keep building your ark

• People will tell you, you don’t know what you’re doing, but they haven’t seen the blueprint God gave you and there is no need for you to show it to them—just keep building your ark

• People will mock you, try to tell what and who they think you are, talk about what you used to do, where you used to go, who you used to hang with—just keep building your ark

• People will tell you it’s not possible, it’s never been done—just keep building your ark

• You have been approved by God, why are you still looking to be affirmed by man?—build your ark

• It doesn’t matter how long it takes—build your ark

• It doesn’t matter who says you can’t, God said you can—now build your ark

Stop allowing the whispers and stares to affect your walk and your witness for Christ. What preparations do you have to make to fulfill your God-given mission? What do you need to do to build your ark? What’s holding you back

• Is it fear - God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power of love and of a sound mind.

• Is it doubt - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

• Is it lack of resources - my God shall supply all my need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

• Is it lack of strength - God said my grace is sufficient, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

• Is it you feel you’re unimportant - those who seem least important now will be the greatest.

• Is it you lack faith - Lord I believe, help my unbelief.

• Is it you lack hope — I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

• Is it you don’t want to go alone — God said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”

• Is it you are being tempted to go another way — The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

• Is it you think your plan is better or even that you don’t trust God — trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your on understanding in all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your path.

What is it that’s keeping you from building your ark? I’m here to encourage you this morning to build your ark.

• Stop looking for the approval of man to build your ark

• God may not give you the whole plan at one time, he may give it to in stages because you may get overwhelmed and run if he did - but whatever part he gives you start building.

• Stop doubting yourself, getting in your own head and your own way and get into the Word of God for your direction and encouragement.

When Jesus came and began his ministry, there was a plan, he went through some things, he learned from his earthly father who was a carpenter, he was obedient to his father, his stepfather and his heavenly father.

For those of you out there struggling with your biological lineage,

• Jesus had a stepdad

• He was conceived in an unwed teenage girl

• He was born in a stable with animals

• He wasn’t from a rich family

• Men wanted to kill him throughout his life starting with when he was a baby

Once he began his ministry, his ordinary life of being a carpenter changed drastically. He began to walk out his reason for coming — to save a wretch like you and me.

• People followed him,

o because of the miracles he did

o because they wanted to see

o because they wanted to experience

o because they wanted to receive from him

o because they wanted to question him

o because they wanted to challenge him

o because they wanted to kill him

Jesus died so you could have access to the greatness that wants to dwell on the inside of you, so you could have access to the Holy Spirit, the Comforter he promised that would come in — “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”

It was all part of the plan.

God is not going to give you your answer, your request, start your assignment, give you your building, until you finish building your ark.

The foundation of your ark starts with salvation, if you’ve never received Jesus as your Lord and Savior today is the day to start building your ark—the doors of the church are open.

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