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Series: Old SchoolTitle: “Noah's Ark”
The Word: Genesis 6:8-22, Genesis 7:1-16, Genesis 8:20-22
Main Thought: Obedience to God pays off
Message Explanation: So far, we've covered the basics: God created everything, and our sin messed up God’s perfect plan in the Garden of Eden. Ever since Adam and Eve first ate the forbidden fruit, life went downhill. Noah pleased God and found favor because he loved and obeyed God with his whole heart. As a result, Noah's life was an example to his entire generation.
Why was God’s heart broken?
- God sees the wickedness of man on the earth (v.5) - Their actions and thoughts were evil
How big was the ark?
- 450 feet long, 45 feet high, and 75 feet wide. Volume of space was 1.4 million cubic feet.
Researchers have shown that this is the equivalent volume of 522 standard railroad stock cars (US), each of which can hold 240 sheep. By the way, only 11% of all land animals are larger than a sheep.
Noah spend 120 years building the ark. How much patience and obedience does it take to build a boat this big?!
Noah lived a lot longer than we do (950 years). People Lived HOW Long? You may remember from the first week that people were not designed to die; rather death was a result of sin. Today, the average life expectancy in the United States is estimated to be 78.11 years.
How did Noah respond to God?
1. Noah was favored by God (v.8)
“But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.”
2. Noah walked with God (v.9)
“…Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.”
- Righteous: Good relationships with his neighbors - Blameless: Jesus called this “pure in heart.” (Matthew 5) - Noah had an intimate relationship with God
A covenant relationship with God (v.18)
“But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your son’s wives with you.”
3. Noah was committed to obeying God (v.22)
Key verses:
“Noah did this; he did all that God had commanded him.” Genesis 6:22
“So Noah did everything as the Lord commanded him.” Genesis 7:5
Obedience to God pays off. What areas of life can you begin to obey with relentless passion?
Element of Fun: The high school students played the game, "Lamentations or Taylor Swift Lyric." It was funny to see if they knew the difference between the two!
Music: Sweetness of Freedom, Holy Spirit Oceans, Oh God (closing).
Favorite Moment: Talking to two students who received Christ! In the past week and a half, we have seen 9 students come to Christ!
What’s Next: We are continuing the series, "Old School" as we talk about the big stories of the Old Testament!
To watch any of the series messages, check out the vimeo page