Living Righteously: Insights from the Days of Noah
Summary
In my sermon, I discussed the importance of righteousness and the struggle against evil and compromise in the world. I emphasized the need for men to stand up and live holy lives, not just in words but in actions. I urged them to examine their lives and ask God to reveal any areas where they might be breaking His heart. I also introduced a new series called "The Days of Noah," where I plan to delve deeper into the topic of Jesus' return. I highlighted the uncertainty and anticipation that has surrounded this topic for generations, and how it has often been misinterpreted or exploited. I then began to explore the scripture in Matthew 24, where Jesus compares His return to the days of Noah, linking the future to the past.
Key Takeaways:
- Righteousness is not just about religious duties, but about living a holy life and carrying the legacy of Jesus to our generation. ( [51:59])
- Men are called to examine their lives and ask God to reveal any areas where they might be breaking His heart. ( [50:39])
- The return of Jesus has been a topic of anticipation and uncertainty for generations, often leading to fear and misunderstanding. ( [01:49])
- Jesus compares His return to the days of Noah, linking the future to the past. This suggests that understanding the past can give us insight into the future. ( [08:19])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 24:37 [05:24]
2. Genesis 6:5-8 [06:52]
Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of Jesus comparing his return to the days of Noah in Matthew 24:37?
2. How does Genesis 6:5-8 describe the state of the world during the days of Noah?
Interpretation Questions:
1. What parallels can we draw between the days of Noah and our current times based on the descriptions given in Genesis 6:5-8?
2. How does the comparison of Jesus' return to the days of Noah in Matthew 24:37 inform our understanding of the end times?
Application Questions:
1. In what ways might you be compromising your faith in the face of worldly pressures, similar to the people during the days of Noah?
2. How can you actively work towards living a righteous life amidst a generation that may be increasingly compromising on God's standards?
3. Can you identify any areas in your life where you might be breaking God's heart? What steps can you take to address these areas?
4. How can you carry the legacy of Jesus to your generation, especially in times when it seems like evil is growing?
5. How can you ensure that your faith is not just about religious duties but also about having the power of God in your life?
Devotional
Day 1: The Battle of Righteousness
In our daily lives, we often feel like we're in a constant battle, bombarded by the world's evils and temptations. As righteous individuals, we carry the message of God to the next generation, yet it seems like evil continues to grow. This is because righteous individuals have become quiet and rebellious. We must remember that we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus and we must not lose sight of this truth. [51:59]
Bible Passage: Ephesians 6:12 - "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
Reflection: How can you actively combat the evils and temptations of the world in your daily life?
Day 2: The Days of Noah
The days of Noah are often associated with the return of Jesus. However, we must not live in fear of missing His return, but rather live in anticipation and preparation for it. We must not let fear dictate our actions, but let our faith in Jesus guide us. [01:11]
Bible Passage: Matthew 24:37-39 - "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man."
Reflection: How can you live in anticipation and preparation for Jesus' return, rather than in fear of missing it?
Day 3: Breaking God's Heart
Our actions and choices can often break God's heart. We must be aware of our actions and how they affect our relationship with God. When we break His heart, we must repent and strive to live a blameless life. [43:12]
Bible Passage: Psalm 51:17 - "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
Reflection: What actions or choices have you made recently that may have broken God's heart? How can you repent and strive to live a blameless life?
Day 4: The Call to Live Holy
As men of God, we are called to live holy lives. This means standing up for what is right, not tolerating perversions or carnality, and leading our families in the ways of God. We must not compromise our faith or give ourselves too much grace, but instead strive to live higher as men of God. [49:19]
Bible Passage: 1 Peter 1:15-16 - "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'"
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you compromising your faith? How can you strive to live a higher, holier life?
Day 5: The Power of Repentance
Repentance is a powerful tool in our spiritual journey. When we come to God in repentance, we are asking Him to reveal the areas in our lives that are breaking His heart. This allows us to address these areas and make necessary changes. [51:16]
Bible Passage: Acts 3:19 - "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord."
Reflection: What areas in your life is God revealing to you that need repentance? How can you address these areas and make necessary changes?
Quotes
1. "We carry the message of God to the Next Generation and yet it seems like evil grows and grows because righteous men become quiet, righteous men have become rebellious. We as a generation of righteous people will not just be religious but we will be righteous, we will not just do the duties but we will have power, we will carry the legacy of Jesus to our generation." - 51:35
2. "When the Bible literally says you broke my heart, when was the last time any of you men ever just looked in the mirror and said did I break God's heart? No, you look in the mirror and go God I hurt my wife again and I'm stupid. I got to go to apologize to my kids. But do men do we look in the mirror and look at our soul and say is my soul breaking God's heart?" - 39:51
3. "We live in a generation they says live any way you want to God loves you. Listen to whatever you want to listen, watch whatever you want to watch, act however you want to act. Gods just don't judge us. But the beauty of God is a righteous man says I don't like breaking his heart, I don't want that to be my testimony." - 42:41
4. "I try at this church to be transparently honest with you. I don't pretend that I'm some special Guru of holiness but I also try to hear in my heart what God would want to say to us as a church. I know that Mark Evans can preach a sermon today and go home and go was it good or bad and never look at myself and go but how is my soul?" - 49:19
5. "Fellas I'm calling All of You Higher, let go of the addictions, let go of the hurts, let go of the carnality. When you come to the communion today and you take it, I encourage you to go back to your seat and pray one simple prayer: God is there anything in my life that is breaking your heart?" - 48:29
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