The Obedience of Noah
THE OBEDIENCE OF NOAH
TEXT: Genesis 6:22 (6:15-7:23)
INTRODUCTION: Noah as an example of obedience.
I. Noah’s obedience required that he make a start.
A. The 120 years in Genesis 6:3 is most likely a period of time that God allowed to expire prior to his sending the flood, thus allowing man an opportunity to repent
Genesis 6:3 And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
B. Noah could have procrastinated but did not.
C. Our obedience requires that we make a start.
1. Unfortunately, many procrastinate for a variety of "reasons"
a) Too young
b) Don’t know enough
c) Pressured not to from family
d) Plenty of time
2. Consider these verses
Colossians 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
3. It’s not enough to "just say no"
Matthew 25:41-43 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
II. Noah submitted to God’s plan.
A. God’s plan was as specific plan (Genesis 6:14-16). God has given us a specific plan whereby we may be saved. Noah did not have the freedom to alter God’s plan, nor do we.
B. Notice Genesis 6:22 and 7:5. We need to submit to all God has commanded. We often have no trouble emphasizing confession and baptism, but we trivialize other commandments.
1. Controlling our anger
Matthew 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Colssians 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
2. Modest dress
1 Timimothy 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
3. Pure speech
Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Colssians 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
4. Keeping our word –
Matthew 5:33-37 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
5. Fairness in business matters
Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
III. Noah shared God’s plan.
A. The scriptures describe Noah as a preacher of righteousness – I Peter 3:19-20, II Peter 2:4-5.
B. We have a responsibility to take the gospel to the lost. Consider Matthew 5:13-16, Matthew 28:18-20, II Timothy 2:2.
IV. Noah stuck to God’s plan.
A. Because of Noah’s steadfastness, God "shut him in" the ark – Genesis 7:16.
B. Christians ought to stick to God’s plan – I Corinthians 15:58, Galatians 6:9. Why do some people quit? Consider Matthew 13:20-22.
CONCLUSION:Noah started, submitted, shared, and stuck.