FROM THE ARK TO THE ALTAR
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· 16 viewsGod gives grace to all who sincerely place their lives in His hands
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Transcript
Introduction
Last week we explored the fact that “Sin is no Good.” Nothing good comes from it — ultimately leads to death — in the meantime sin creates havoc, misery, and destruction, along with deceit and injustice. It is definitely no good
Adam and Eve’s disobedience…sin…caused them to face God judgement. They were separated from him…kicked out of the Garden
The story of Cain and Abel further demonstrates the insidious nature of sin — Cain kills Abel in a fit of pride and jealousy
God sends Cain out into the world to live a harsh life because of sin — but God spared his life and Cain’s family grew large. In fact, in Genesis 4:26, it says that “at that time people began to call upon God!”
But sin continued to increase
Sadly, sin kills people…spiritually and physically
But here’s where the light at the end of the tunnel show’s up
I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”
From this point on, regardless of anything else, there was a ray of hope for humanity…Jesus fulfilled this prophecy when He defeated satan, death, hell, and the grave
Sin always has consequences
Imagine with me — you are the victim of an unthinkable crime. While everyone is fast asleep, someone breaks into your home. You hear a noise, go to find out what’s going on, you come face to face with a burglar, catching him red-handed. Before you can say or do anything, the burglar shoots you, barely missing your heart. All you can think about is your wife and kids who are in their bedrooms. Thankfully, the burglar runs away.
After you get out of the hospital you go to the burglar’s hearing with the judge. After hearing the details of what happened, the judge says, “I’m sure you are sorry. You won’t do this again, right? Hey, I’m a nice guy — I’m in a good mood today. You know what? I’m just throwing your case out. Go home and be good. Court adjourned! Bon Voyage!”
As you watch the judge leave the room — “What? The guy is guilty! I could have easily died! What kind of judge is this? There has to be consequences! This criminal must be punished.”
Sin is like a run away train - nothing good will come of it. It requires judgement and punishment
Sin without consequences breeds more sin — you can see in our world the exponential results of rampant sin…because the world has embraced it with open arms.
Scripture
When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.” The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown. The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God. And Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
PRAYER
The wickedness of man was great…every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually
Sons of God “saw”
Sons of God “took”
Mighty men of old — no matter how mighty — God saw the evil intentions of their hearts
Sin is no Good
Sin has consequences
But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord
God gives grace to all who sincerely place their lives in His hands
Transitional: God knew Noah to be a righteous person in the midst of a deeply perverse world
SIN RENDERS US LOST AND WITHOUT HOPE
SIN RENDERS US LOST AND WITHOUT HOPE
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out.
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
SIN SEPARATES US FROM GOD
SIN SEPARATES US FROM GOD
but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
SIN REQUIRES GOD’S JUDGMENT
SIN REQUIRES GOD’S JUDGMENT
And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”
GOD’S ARK OF SAFETY RESTORES OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM
GOD’S ARK OF SAFETY RESTORES OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM
Noah, a righteous man, found favor with God
Noah obeyed God’s instructions
Noah and his family stayed in the ark…covered by God’s grace and mercy until the flood waters subsided
Jesus is our ark of safety
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Jesus is the ONLY way
There are no other options
The people in Noah’s day couldn’t catch another boat — His children had
No other way — it doesn’t matter how good you are, what you have achieved in life, how respectable you are
CHALLENGE
When Noah stepped out of the ark…he went to the altar
Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and took some of every clean animal and some of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And when the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma, the Lord said in his heart, “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done.
Because of God’s protection and grace, Noah and his family survived
He built an altar, and gave a burnt offering as an act of worship to the Lord
Do you ever go to the altar in worship?
If you are saved and walking with God, you need to regularly build an altar of worship to Him
It requires a sacrifice…time, emotion, humility, repentance
Jesus’s blood was already shed for us — God is now asking us to present our very lives to Him
If you are not sure where you stand with God — Jesus can be your ark of safety - surrender your life to Him — turn from sin and accept His grace and forgiveness