God's Covenant: Mercy, Obedience, and New Beginnings
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to reflect on the story of Noah and the flood, focusing on God's covenant promise to never again destroy the earth by flood. This promise, symbolized by the rainbow, serves as a reminder of God's mercy and faithfulness. We explored various aspects of the flood narrative, including Noah's obedience, the significance of the ark, and the implications of God's covenant. We also delved into the deeper meaning of the flood and how it points to the ultimate deliverance through Jesus Christ and the sacrament of baptism.
Noah's story is rich with lessons about faith, obedience, and God's provision. Despite the overwhelming task of building the ark and the challenges that came with it, Noah remained faithful to God's commands. This obedience is a powerful example for us, especially in a world that often tempts us to stray from God's instructions. The flood narrative also highlights the severity of human sin and the need for divine intervention. God's decision to cleanse the earth with a flood underscores the seriousness of sin, but His covenant promise reveals His enduring mercy.
The rainbow, as a sign of this covenant, is not just a beautiful natural phenomenon but a profound reminder of God's promise and His method of dealing with sin. While the flood was an act of divine wrath, baptism is an act of divine mercy. Through baptism, we are cleansed and brought into a new covenant with God, one that assures us of His grace and our place in His family. This connection between the flood and baptism underscores the transformative power of God's love and the importance of living a life rooted in faith and obedience.
### Key Takeaways
1. Noah's Obedience and Faith: Noah's unwavering obedience to God's commands, even when faced with the monumental task of building the ark, serves as a powerful example of faith. His story reminds us that true faith involves trusting God's instructions, even when they seem daunting or illogical. This kind of faith is essential for navigating the challenges of life and remaining steadfast in our walk with God. [39:45]
2. The Severity of Sin and Divine Mercy: The flood narrative underscores the severity of human sin and the need for divine intervention. God's decision to cleanse the earth with a flood highlights the seriousness of sin, but His covenant promise reveals His enduring mercy. This duality of justice and mercy is a central theme in our relationship with God, reminding us of the importance of repentance and the assurance of His grace. [52:26]
3. The Significance of the Rainbow: The rainbow is more than a beautiful natural phenomenon; it is a profound symbol of God's covenant promise. It serves as a reminder of His mercy and faithfulness, assuring us that He will never again destroy the earth by flood. This symbol also points to the ultimate deliverance through Jesus Christ and the sacrament of baptism, which cleanses us from sin and brings us into a new covenant with God. [55:57]
4. Baptism as a New Covenant: Baptism is not just a ritual but a profound act of divine mercy that cleanses us from sin and brings us into a new covenant with God. This sacrament, foreshadowed by the flood and other water deliverance miracles in the Bible, signifies our rebirth and transformation through Christ. It is a powerful reminder of God's grace and our place in His family. [53:50]
5. Living a Life of Faith and Obedience: The story of Noah and the flood challenges us to live a life of faith and obedience. Just as Noah trusted and followed God's commands, we are called to trust in God's word and live according to His will. This involves not only following His instructions but also offering our lives as a pleasing sacrifice, rooted in gratitude and love for all that He has done for us. [50:15]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[09:01] - Update on Pastor Winter
[09:42] - Introduction to Worship
[13:27] - Opening Hymn and Invocation
[16:51] - Old Testament Reading: Genesis 9
[19:08] - Epistle Reading: Ephesians 3
[20:10] - Gospel Reading: Mark 6
[23:29] - Recitation of the First Article
[30:33] - Introduction to the Sermon
[31:48] - The Covenant Promise
[33:18] - Reflections on the Flood
[34:42] - Noah's Family and Obedience
[38:10] - The Sinful Nature of Man
[39:45] - Noah's Faithfulness
[43:00] - God's Protection and Mercy
[50:15] - The Pleasing Aroma of Sacrifice
[52:26] - The Problem of Sin
[55:57] - The Rainbow and Baptism
[56:31] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 9:8-17: God's covenant with Noah and the sign of the rainbow.
2. Ephesians 3:14-21: Paul's prayer for spiritual strength and understanding of Christ's love.
3. Mark 6:45-56: Jesus walks on water and heals the sick.
### Observation Questions
1. What specific promise did God make to Noah and his descendants in Genesis 9:8-17?
2. How does Paul describe the love of Christ in Ephesians 3:18-19?
3. What was the reaction of the disciples when they saw Jesus walking on the sea in Mark 6:49-50? [21:04]
4. According to the sermon, what was Noah's response to God's commands regarding the ark? [39:45]
### Interpretation Questions
1. What is the significance of the rainbow as a symbol of God's covenant, and how does it relate to God's mercy? [55:57]
2. How does Noah's obedience to God's commands serve as an example for us in our daily lives? [39:45]
3. In what ways does the flood narrative highlight the severity of human sin and the need for divine intervention? [52:26]
4. How does the sacrament of baptism connect to the story of the flood and the concept of divine mercy? [53:50]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to trust God's instructions even when they seemed daunting or illogical. How did that experience strengthen your faith? [39:45]
2. How can you remind yourself of God's mercy and faithfulness in your daily life, similar to how the rainbow serves as a reminder of God's covenant? [55:57]
3. In what ways can you live a life of faith and obedience like Noah, especially when faced with challenges or temptations? [50:15]
4. How does understanding the severity of sin and the need for divine intervention impact your view of repentance and grace? [52:26]
5. Baptism is described as a profound act of divine mercy. How does this understanding influence your view of your own baptism and its significance in your life? [53:50]
6. Think of a specific area in your life where you need to trust in God's provision and guidance. What steps can you take to demonstrate your faith and obedience in that area? [39:45]
7. How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude and offer your life as a pleasing sacrifice to God, as Noah did with his offerings? [50:15]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in God's Instructions
Noah's unwavering obedience to God's commands, even when faced with the monumental task of building the ark, serves as a powerful example of faith. His story reminds us that true faith involves trusting God's instructions, even when they seem daunting or illogical. This kind of faith is essential for navigating the challenges of life and remaining steadfast in our walk with God. Noah's faithfulness in the face of overwhelming odds is a testament to the power of trusting in God's plan, even when it doesn't make sense to us. [39:45]
Hebrews 11:7 (ESV): "By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith."
Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where God's instructions seem daunting or illogical. How can you take a step of faith today to trust in His plan?
Day 2: The Duality of Justice and Mercy
The flood narrative underscores the severity of human sin and the need for divine intervention. God's decision to cleanse the earth with a flood highlights the seriousness of sin, but His covenant promise reveals His enduring mercy. This duality of justice and mercy is a central theme in our relationship with God, reminding us of the importance of repentance and the assurance of His grace. Understanding this balance helps us appreciate the depth of God's love and the lengths He goes to restore us to Himself. [52:26]
Isaiah 1:18 (ESV): "Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you need to seek God's mercy. How can you embrace both His justice and His grace in your journey of repentance?
Day 3: The Rainbow as a Covenant Symbol
The rainbow is more than a beautiful natural phenomenon; it is a profound symbol of God's covenant promise. It serves as a reminder of His mercy and faithfulness, assuring us that He will never again destroy the earth by flood. This symbol also points to the ultimate deliverance through Jesus Christ and the sacrament of baptism, which cleanses us from sin and brings us into a new covenant with God. The rainbow, therefore, is a powerful reminder of God's enduring promise and His method of dealing with sin. [55:57]
Ezekiel 1:28 (ESV): "Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking."
Reflection: Next time you see a rainbow, take a moment to reflect on God's promises in your life. How does this symbol of His covenant encourage you in your faith journey?
Day 4: Baptism as a New Beginning
Baptism is not just a ritual but a profound act of divine mercy that cleanses us from sin and brings us into a new covenant with God. This sacrament, foreshadowed by the flood and other water deliverance miracles in the Bible, signifies our rebirth and transformation through Christ. It is a powerful reminder of God's grace and our place in His family. Baptism marks the beginning of a new life in Christ, one that is rooted in His love and guided by His Spirit. [53:50]
1 Peter 3:21 (ESV): "Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ."
Reflection: Reflect on your own baptism or the concept of baptism if you haven't been baptized. How does this act of divine mercy shape your understanding of your identity in Christ?
Day 5: Living a Life of Faith and Obedience
The story of Noah and the flood challenges us to live a life of faith and obedience. Just as Noah trusted and followed God's commands, we are called to trust in God's word and live according to His will. This involves not only following His instructions but also offering our lives as a pleasing sacrifice, rooted in gratitude and love for all that He has done for us. Living a life of faith and obedience means continually seeking God's guidance and striving to align our actions with His will. [50:15]
Romans 12:1 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you can better align your actions with God's will. What practical steps can you take today to live a life of faith and obedience?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "This is the day which the Lord has, has made from the rising of the sun to its setting. Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere. Make me to know your ways, O Lord. Sanctify us in your truth. From the rising of the sun to its setting. Glory be to the Father. Amen." [13:27] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "And God said, This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you for all future generations. I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant, between me and the earth." [17:59] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Take heart, it is I. Do not be afraid. And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened." [21:04] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When you see the rainbow, it's beautiful, couldn't wait to get home. I sped out the highway about two weeks ago, beautiful rainbow all the way across from our, it was driving out of the church parking lot, and there it was. You know, they don't last very long. I got to get out there and have Nancy step out and look at this. Most of it was still all there." [55:57] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "So my goal is to go through a number of points kind of quickly. You'll just have to hang with me, and they're not necessarily related to each other, other than that they're a part of the story of the flood. But at the end, then we are going to make a major point about the flood itself and how does that actually impact us today. What does the flood have to do with us today? How does that story, what God did, impact your faith, draw you closer to him, that sort of thing?" [30:33] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "And Noah did all that the Lord had commanded him. That comes after almost a half a chapter. What God had commanded Noah was to build and to bring. So you get the section in there about 150 cubits and 300 cubits and 30 or 50 cubits tall and so forth. And God lays out blueprints for how Noah was supposed to build this ark. And then he tells them what he's supposed to bring. All the animals two by two and all the different kinds and different kinds. And it mentions that word three, four, times, probably something like species, you know. And it says, and Noah did all that the Lord had commanded him." [39:45] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "And the Lord, shut him in. Now you've heard that verse many times. The Lord closes the door to the ship. The Lord shut him, Noah and his family in the ark. Why? Easy answer to protect him, to protect them. Okay. From what? Well, I asked my practical wife again, and she kind of looked at me like, is this a trick question? And she said from death. Okay. What else? How about from the assault of the people? Possibly. And one commentator I read, and also from the temptation to want to show mercy on those who were penitent, too late." [43:00] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And 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. Now, here's a verse you know. And when the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma, the Lord said, I will never again curse the ground because of man. When the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma. So what does that mean? Is that simply face value?" [47:43] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "But let it be. Let it be a reminder of how God has finally dealt with the sin that is deep in our hearts. And of course, I'm talking about this simple thing that we call baptism. And this is not an add-on. This is not a Christian ritual that somebody invented 500 years ago. This is not I'm at the grocery store and I got my cart full, and now I'll throw in one of these things, the eye candy, the grabbers on the way out that they hope you spend more money on. Okay, we'll throw a little baptism into the Christian story." [53:50] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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