God's Unbreakable Promise: The Noahic Covenant Explained
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the Noahic Covenant, the first covenant God established with His post-flood creation. This covenant, found in Genesis 9:8-17, is a promise from God to never again destroy all life on earth with a flood. This covenant is significant because it reveals several key aspects of God's character and His redemptive plan.
First, we see that God is a covenant-making God. He establishes a unilateral, unconditional, universal, and unending covenant with Noah, his descendants, and every living creature. This covenant is not based on any conditions that humanity must fulfill; it is solely God's promise. The sign of this covenant is the rainbow, a reminder of God's promise to preserve life on earth.
Second, God sometimes gives signs for the covenants He makes. The rainbow serves as a sign of the Noahic Covenant, just as circumcision was the sign of the Abrahamic Covenant, the Sabbath was the sign of the Mosaic Covenant, and baptism is the sign of the New Covenant. These signs are not just for God to remember His promises but also for us to be reminded of His faithfulness.
Third, God keeps His covenants. The rainbow is a testament to God's faithfulness, reminding us that He has not and will not destroy the earth by flood again. This assurance extends to all of God's promises, including the promise of salvation through Jesus Christ under the New Covenant.
As we reflect on these truths, we are encouraged to study the covenants God has made, understand the importance of the signs He gives, and trust in His promises. The Noahic Covenant, like all of God's covenants, points us to His ultimate plan of redemption through Jesus Christ. This covenant assures us of God's preservation of life, which is foundational for the continuation of His redemptive plan.
### Key Takeaways
1. God is a Covenant-Making God: The Noahic Covenant is a unilateral, unconditional, universal, and unending promise from God to never again destroy all life with a flood. This covenant highlights God's initiative and commitment to His creation, independent of human actions. It assures us that God's promises are steadfast and reliable. [01:15:10]
2. The Significance of Covenant Signs: God often provides signs to accompany His covenants, such as the rainbow for the Noahic Covenant, circumcision for the Abrahamic Covenant, and baptism for the New Covenant. These signs serve as tangible reminders of God's promises and His faithfulness. They help us remember and trust in God's unwavering commitment to His word. [01:20:44]
3. God Keeps His Covenants: The rainbow is a powerful reminder that God keeps His promises. Despite the passage of thousands of years, God has not destroyed the earth by flood again, demonstrating His faithfulness. This assurance extends to all of God's promises, including the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ. [01:29:41]
4. The Importance of Studying God's Covenants: Understanding the covenants God has made throughout the Bible helps us see the unfolding of His redemptive plan. Each covenant builds upon the previous one, culminating in the New Covenant through Jesus Christ. Studying these covenants deepens our faith and understanding of God's sovereign plan for salvation. [01:35:03]
5. Trusting in God's Promises: Just as Noah could trust God's promise to never flood the earth again, we can trust in all of God's promises, including the promise of salvation through Jesus Christ. This trust provides us with peace and assurance, knowing that God's word is true and His promises are unbreakable. [01:38:27]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:07:54] - Introduction to the Noahic Covenant
[01:09:09] - Reading Genesis 9:8-17
[01:10:29] - God's Covenant-Making Nature
[01:11:34] - The Unilateral Nature of the Covenant
[01:12:09] - God's Blessings Post-Flood
[01:13:19] - Definition and Importance of Covenants
[01:14:30] - Unilateral, Unconditional, Universal, Unending Covenant
[01:15:10] - God's Initiative in Covenant Making
[01:16:22] - Universal Preservation, Not Universal Salvation
[01:16:58] - The Everlasting Nature of the Covenant
[01:17:27] - The Global Nature of the Flood
[01:18:48] - Preservation of Life and Redemption Plan
[01:19:26] - God's Covenant-Making History
[01:20:44] - Signs of God's Covenants
[01:21:14] - The Rainbow as a Sign
[01:23:17] - The Bow as a Weapon of War
[01:24:30] - Other Covenant Signs: Circumcision, Sabbath, Baptism
[01:29:41] - God's Faithfulness in Keeping Covenants
[01:35:03] - Application: Study God's Covenants
[01:37:04] - Application: Importance of Baptism
[01:38:27] - Application: Trusting God's Promises
[01:39:25] - Assurance of Salvation in the New Covenant
[01:42:15] - Invitation to Salvation
[01:43:23] - Closing Prayer and Encouragement
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Genesis 9:8-17
### Observation Questions
1. What is the promise God makes in Genesis 9:8-17, and who are the recipients of this promise?
2. What sign does God provide as a reminder of the Noahic Covenant, and what is its significance? [01:09:09]
3. How does the Noahic Covenant demonstrate God's faithfulness according to the sermon? [01:29:41]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that the Noahic Covenant is described as unilateral, unconditional, universal, and unending? How does this reflect God's character? [01:14:30]
2. How do the signs of God's covenants (e.g., rainbow, circumcision, Sabbath, baptism) serve as reminders of His promises and faithfulness? [01:20:44]
3. In what ways does the Noahic Covenant point to God's ultimate plan of redemption through Jesus Christ? [01:18:48]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you saw a rainbow. Did it remind you of God's promises? How can you use everyday signs to remember God's faithfulness? [01:22:42]
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of studying God's covenants. How can you incorporate the study of biblical covenants into your personal Bible study routine? [01:35:03]
3. Baptism was mentioned as a sign of the New Covenant. If you have been baptized, how does it serve as a reminder of your faith? If you haven't, what steps can you take to understand its importance and consider being baptized? [01:37:04]
4. Trusting in God's promises provides peace and assurance. What specific promise of God do you find most comforting, and how can you remind yourself of this promise during challenging times? [01:38:27]
5. The sermon highlighted that God keeps His covenants. How does this truth impact your trust in God's promises in your daily life? Can you share an example where you experienced God's faithfulness? [01:29:41]
6. How can you share the significance of God's covenants and His faithfulness with someone who may not be familiar with these biblical truths? What approach would you take to make it relatable and understandable? [01:42:15]
7. The Noahic Covenant assures us of God's preservation of life. How does this assurance influence your perspective on current global challenges and your role as a believer in addressing them? [01:18:48]
Devotional
Day 1: God’s Unconditional Promise
God’s covenant with Noah, known as the Noahic Covenant, is a profound demonstration of His commitment to His creation. This covenant is unilateral, meaning it is initiated and upheld solely by God without any conditions that humanity must meet. It is also universal, applying to all of Noah's descendants and every living creature on earth. The promise is unending, assuring that God will never again destroy all life with a flood. This covenant highlights God's initiative and His steadfast love for His creation, independent of human actions. It assures us that God's promises are reliable and steadfast, providing a foundation of trust in His word. [01:15:10]
Genesis 9:11 (ESV): "I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth."
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt undeserving of God’s grace. How does understanding the unconditional nature of God’s promises change your perspective on His love for you?
Day 2: Tangible Reminders of God’s Faithfulness
God often provides signs to accompany His covenants, serving as tangible reminders of His promises and faithfulness. For the Noahic Covenant, the rainbow is the sign, a beautiful and visible reminder of God's promise to preserve life on earth. Similarly, circumcision was the sign of the Abrahamic Covenant, the Sabbath was the sign of the Mosaic Covenant, and baptism is the sign of the New Covenant. These signs are not just for God to remember His promises but also for us to be reminded of His unwavering commitment to His word. They help us remember and trust in God's faithfulness. [01:20:44]
Genesis 9:13 (ESV): "I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth."
Reflection: What are some tangible signs in your life that remind you of God’s faithfulness? How can you use these signs to strengthen your trust in His promises?
Day 3: God’s Faithfulness Through Time
The rainbow is a powerful testament to God's faithfulness. Despite the passage of thousands of years, God has not destroyed the earth by flood again, demonstrating His steadfastness. This assurance extends to all of God's promises, including the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ. The consistency of God's faithfulness over time encourages us to trust in His word and rely on His promises. It reminds us that God is unchanging and His word is true, providing a solid foundation for our faith. [01:29:41]
Isaiah 54:9 (ESV): "This is like the days of Noah to me: as I swore that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you, and will not rebuke you."
Reflection: Reflect on a promise from God that you have seen fulfilled in your life. How does this fulfillment encourage you to trust in His other promises?
Day 4: The Unfolding of God’s Redemptive Plan
Understanding the covenants God has made throughout the Bible helps us see the unfolding of His redemptive plan. Each covenant builds upon the previous one, culminating in the New Covenant through Jesus Christ. The Noahic Covenant assures us of God's preservation of life, which is foundational for the continuation of His redemptive plan. Studying these covenants deepens our faith and understanding of God's sovereign plan for salvation, showing us how each part of the Bible is interconnected and purposeful. [01:35:03]
Jeremiah 31:31-32 (ESV): "Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord."
Reflection: How does understanding the progression of God’s covenants enhance your appreciation of His redemptive plan? What steps can you take to study these covenants more deeply?
Day 5: Trusting in God’s Promises
Just as Noah could trust God's promise to never flood the earth again, we can trust in all of God's promises, including the promise of salvation through Jesus Christ. This trust provides us with peace and assurance, knowing that God's word is true and His promises are unbreakable. Trusting in God's promises means relying on His faithfulness and allowing His word to guide our lives. It encourages us to live with confidence and hope, knowing that God is always faithful to His word. [01:38:27]
2 Peter 3:9 (ESV): "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find it difficult to trust God’s promises? How can you actively choose to trust Him in this area today?
Quotes
1. "Our God's a covenant-making God, and our God is a covenant-keeping God. Help us to see even the implications of that in our lives. Help us to maybe just, if possible, look at this through even maybe the lens of being a Noah almost, and what that promise would have been like to him every time he looked up and saw the bow. And we look at the new covenant and the promise, and reminded daily, we don't fear the end, because we have a promise made by one who never breaks them. Remind us of these truths this morning. Remind us of you." [01:10:29] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "He continued to bless Noah. He continued. He continued to bless his sons and every descendant and every living creature that would ever live. He continued to pour out his gracious blessing on our post-flood world by establishing a covenant that impacts everybody. You see, we too enjoy the common grace of God that comes through the Noahic covenant. Yeah, we enjoy procreation of life, provision of life and protection of life. But we also enjoy the blessing of God's preservation of life that comes through this covenant. God made a covenant." [01:12:40] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The covenant God established with Noah is unilateral. It was made by one person. Yes, he was speaking to Noah. And essentially, he was speaking to all of humanity and all life on earth. But God is the one who's establishing this covenant. He repeats it multiple times. I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you, with every living creature that's with you. Verse 11, I establish my covenant with you. Verse 12, this is the sign of the covenant I am making. Between me and you and every living creature. So this is God alone establishing, setting in stone a covenant. It's unilateral and it's unconditional." [01:15:10] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "This is an unconditional covenant given by God to all of us. 5,000 years later, there is nothing you or I can do to make and nullify this covenant. It's unconditional. It's universal. In other words, it extends to every human, every living thing. Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood. Never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth. I am making between me and you and every living creature with you all a covenant for all generations to come." [01:15:53] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The Noahic covenant was made by God alone. It was not based on any conditions of man. It extends to all life, and it's an everlasting covenant that God will not break as long as the world remains. It's a covenant that God established with his creation, promising to never again destroy the world with a flood. Every time you see that rainbow, take a moment, if you're not driving, crack open your Bible to Genesis chapter 9, read of a promise he made thousands of years ago, and be reminded that our God keeps his promises." [01:33:38] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Our God makes covenants. Sometimes he gives signs for those covenants. And our God always keeps those covenants. That's three truths about him. Let's quickly look at three applications for us in light of those three truths. So our God makes covenants, right? Well, as his people, I encourage you to study the covenants God made and see the story of salvation unfold." [01:34:25] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Remember, we can trust all the promises of God. God keeps his promises. Therefore, we can trust every promise he ever makes. All the covenants are displayed, declared, and shown throughout scripture that God made them and then God kept them. When you get to the New Testament, we see all of God's promises find their yes and amen in one person and his name is Jesus. God kept his covenants. He keeps them. God makes them and he's a promise keeper. And you can trust all of them." [01:38:00] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Think about the beautiful blessing, the greatest blessing that you have that has come from God. No matter what's happening in this world, no matter when the end actually comes, he promises never to flood the earth again, but there is an end coming. And the Bible says that everyone who is separated from God through they have not placed their faith in Jesus, all who've rejected him, they are going to be separated from him for all eternity. They are going to step into destruction. Well, you as a Christian never have to fear any of that because you're under the new covenant." [01:40:17] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "I love looking out at a rainbow and seeing that, hey, he's never going to destroy this place with a flood again. But I love even more looking on my Jesus and realizing, you know what? I've never got to fear the destruction that is coming for those who reject God. I've never got to fear God because of my faith in Jesus Christ. A promise of that new covenant. The salvation that's come through him. I pray that is a promise you possess that you have the hope of. Christians, and rejoice. Praise God." [01:41:33] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Our God is a covenant maker. Sometimes he gives signs for those covenants that he makes. And our God always keeps his covenants. I encourage you to study them, see the importance of those signs and remember you can trust in all the covenants our Savior has ever made." [01:43:23] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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