All Aboard
ALL ABOARD
TEXT: Genesis 7:15-16 (6:5-22)
INTRODUCTION: Genesis 4 we see the birth, growth, and corruption of the ungodly line of people upon earth (Genesis 4:1-24). Then we see the descendents of Adam who continued the godly line of people upon earth (Genesis 4:25-5:32). In the first civilization and society, two streams of people were developing upon earth.
The godly stream (line) who worshipped and served God.
The ungodly stream (line) who neglected and denied God and who lived unrighteous lives.
Civilization and society were developing along two streams—two lines of people—the godly and the ungodly. The godly walked with God; the ungodly walked after the flesh and the things of this world.
I. The Corruption OF MAN
A. The godly ignored God and became worldly and immoral (v.1-2)
1. The human race began to multiply (v.1)
2. The godly fed their minds on sex (v.2a)
3. The godly ignored and rebelled against God (v.2b)
B. God became disturbed and warned man (v.3)
1. God would withdraw His Spirit (v.3a)
2. God’s grace was limited: Judgment was coming (v.3b)
C. Man became lawless as well as immoral in developing the first society upon earth (v.4)
D. God saw man’s wickedness (v.5)
1. The wickedness was great (v.5a)
2. Every imagination and thought was evil (v.5b)
E. God grieved over man and condemned man (v.6-7)
1. God regreted He ever made man (v.6)
2. God judged and condemned man to be destroyed—wiped off the face of the earth—both man and land animals (v.7)
F. God remembered His grace and saved Noah (v.8)
II. a divine provision - Genesis 6:14-16
A. The ark was not Noah’s idea
1. God gave Noah specific instructions for building the ark
a) 150 yards long (the length of one and one half football fields)
b) 25 yards wide
c) 15 yards high
2. Every detail was planned & laid out by God
B. Salvation is also a plan of divine origin
1. It was not an after thought with God
2. Long before man sinned, God had a plan of salvation - Rev. 13:8
3. Every detail was carefully planned
4. Everything that happened to Jesus was on purpose
C. The ark was perfectly designed (the dimension ratio is still used today)
1. The Hebrew word for “pitch” (kopher) is the same word for atonement. It means to cover.
a) The picture is this: The pitch sealed the ark and made it secure from the destruction and judgment that was to fall upon the earth.
b) In this the pitch is a type or picture of Christ. The blood of Christ seals the believer against the destruction and judgment that every person has to face in the future. Christ bore the judgment of sin for us; He has paid the atonement—the sacrifice—for our sins.
2. Salvation is a divine provision that cannot be improved
3. Man can add nothing to God’s plan of salvation
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
III. the ark was a shelter from God’s judgment
A. God’s judgment on a wicked world came in the form of rain
1. Those inside never felt a single drop
2. Those inside were sheltered from God’s judgment
3. The judgment fell on the ark & not those inside
B. God’s final judgment for sin is an eternity in hell
1. Those in Christ will never suffer a single moment in hell - Rom. 8:1
2. The judgment for sin fell on Christ
3. While Jesus hung on the cross, He suffered our hell (compare with rich man in hell)
a) Separated from God
b) Pain, suffering, and darkness
c) Alone
4. God treated Jesus the way He will treat every unbelieving sinner
5. If God did not treat Him the same, then our debt would not be fully paid
6. Everyone trusting in Christ is in a place of shelter from God’s judgment
a) He bore our guilt
b) He suffered our hell
c) He paid our price
IV. Noah and family were saved because they accepted the invitation - Genesis 7:1
A. The invitation was to "come"
1. God did not say, "Go into the ark"
2. God said, "Come to Me, come to were I am"
B. The invitation to "come" is found everywhere in the Bible
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
C. Jesus is still inviting everyone to come and trust Him as Lord & Savior
1. Noah & family had to make their own decision about accepting the invitation
2. Their going into the ark was a voluntary act
V. the ark had only one entrance - Genesis 6:16
A. There was only one way to escape the judgment of God: go through the one door
B. There is only one way to escape the eternal fires of hell: Jesus Christ the door - Jn. 10:9
1. Jesus is the only door to heaven
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
2. Jesus is the way, not a way
C. There was only one door for everything that entered the ark
1. The elephant, tiger, dog & cow all entered through the one door
2. To get to heaven, all men must go through Jesus Christ
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
VI. no one was born inside the ark
A. Everyone was born outside & had to go inside
1. There was not a single birth on board
2. The point is: no one is born a Christian
John 1:12-13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
3. Every person has to make a personal decision concerning Jesus Christ
B. No one is born in the family of God, but must be "born again"
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
1. No one can see or enter heaven without being "born again"
2. Little children who die will not go to hell - II Sam. 12:15-23
3. Age of accountability: when a child must decide for himself what to do with Christ
C. The only thing that stand between a sinner & salvation is the sinners will
John 5:40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
VII. everyone who went inside the ark was safe
A. No one who entered the ark lost their life
B. The person who is trusting in Christ will never lose his life either
C. Jesus Christ has provided salvation for all, through His death on the cross
D. He promises everlasting life to all that trust Him
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
E. Jesus Christ is a place of safety for all who come & trust Him completely for salvation
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.