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originality are made for this material. As one man said, "I milk
a lot of cows, but I churn my own butter." Please use these sermons
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Gen. 6:12-22 THE GOSPEL IN THE SHIP
Intro: When we come to the account of Noahs Ark and the worldwide flood,
there are many who refuse to believe that it is true. But it is! I choose to
believe it just like it is written in the Bible. There are many great lessons
that can be learned from this passage. Lessons about the sinfulness of man the
grace of God and the preservation of human life. However, there is so much more
here than these things. In the story of the Ark, we can see the Lord Jesus and
His plan of salvation for fallen man. As we look at this old, old story, I want
you to see it afresh and new tonight. I want you to see Jesus and what He can
do for anyone willing to call on His name. Lets look at this together
and see The Gospel In The Ship.
I. THE PLANS FOR THE ARK
A. The Articles: (6:14)
1. Gopher Wood - A type of humanity. (Ill. The life cycle of a
tree) To build the Ark, tress had to be cut down. To provide a way of salvation, the Man,
Jesus, had to be cut down - Isa. 53:3-8
2. Pitch - A type of the atonement.
A. It Covered The Wood - Christs blood covers our sins - John
1:29
B. It Protected The Wood - (Ill. Waterproof - water a type of
judgment)The shed blood of Jesus protects us from the wrath of God - Rom. 5:9.
B. The Abodes - (6:14) Rooms - Literally, nests! Indicates a
place of resting. Jesus provides a place of rest for the weary sinner:
1. Here - Matt. 11:28 (There is room for all who will come) Ill.
The Invitation - 7:1, they were invited to come, not go! That implies that they were asked
to join God, not depart from Him. The sinner is invited to join God, not driven to
anything, Rev. 22:17!) (Ill. The size of the Ark - 450l x 75w x 45h = 1,518,750 cu. ft. Or
approx. 45 times the size of this building! Each deck contained 33,750 sq. ft. Of floor
space, or the equivalent of 21 basketball courts. It is estimated that the 35,000 known
species could fit into 150 box cars. The Ark was the size of 530 boxcars. There was room
in the ship then, there is room tonight!)
2. Hereafter - John 14:1-3 (There is room in glory for all who will
come!)
C. The Access - (6:16)
1. The Door - There was only one door into that Ark. There is only
one door into Gods salvation - John 10:1-9. Jesus is the only way - Acts 4:12; John
14:6.
2. The Window - The window allowed light to enter the Ark. It was
located above, therefore Noah would have to look up for light. The sinner must look up for
light, Jn 6:44, and salvation - Eph. 2:8-9.
II. THE PROVISION OF THE ARK (It gave:)
A. Promise - (6:18) Ill. Gods covenants. He always
keeps His Word - Heb. 6:18.So it is with salvation! The sinner who comes to Jesus need
never fear that God will change His mind, Ill. John 6:47. Ill. Rom. 4:21! (Ill. The
promise was received through obedience, 6:22. That is how the sinner comes into a saving
relationship with Almighty God, Ill. 2 Thes. 1:8; 1 Pet. 4:17. It is obedience to the call
of the Spirit that brings eternal life!)
B. Preservation - (6:18-20) The Ark promised to preserve:
1. Human Life - Jesus will preserve those who come to Him by faith
- 1 Pet. 1:5! (Ill. The doctrine of the Perseverence of the Saints.. I believe the saint
will serve God, but I believed that we are preserved - Ill. Sealed - 2 Cor. 1:22; Eph.
1:13; 4:30!) (Ill. 7:16 - God shut the door - What God does, man cannot undo - John
10:28-30!)
2. Animal life - Gods plan will ultimately rescue His
Creation - Rom. 8:20-22
C. Plenty - (6:21) There was an ample supply for every
creature on the Ark! God is able to save, keep and carry to Heaven everyone who places
their trust in Him - John 17:12. He is able to get you home and He is able to take care of
you here - Phil. 4:19. (Ill. No use to worry! God is able to do it all - Eph. 3:20)
III. THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ARK
A. It Rode Safely - (7:18-21) While the world beneath
perished, the Ark rode safely above the judgment. This world is falling apart tonight, but
if you are in the Ark, you are safe! The Old Ship Of Zion is still sailing! Not only will
the Ark of salvation ride out the storm here, it will dock on the sunny shores of sweet
deliverance some day! Neither man nor devil can stop Gods Ark from her intended
harbor! (Ill. We are safe!)
B. It Rested Securely - (8:4) (Ill. The time - 17th
day of the 7th month. Exactly 3 days after the Passover was to be killed, Ex.
12:6. The 7th month became the 1st month under the Jewish calender.
Therefore, the Ark rested on the same day that Jesus would hundreds of years later, walk
out of the tomb! Jesus died on the 14th day of the month and arose on the 17th
day! Is that a coincidence? I think not!) The point is, one day, the sailing ended and the
Ark rested. One day, our journey will end and we too will rest on Heavens shore!
(Ill. The glories of that city - Best summed up in two verses - Rev. 21:4; 22:3-4) Then,
what Noah did, we will do - 8:20. We will worship God - Ill. Revelation worship scenes!
Conc: Are you in the ship tonight? If you are not, let we warn
you that you are in terrible danger! There is no other hope for fallen man tonight,
other than the Old Ship Of Zion! If you are on board, then you are safe. If
you are outside the boat, remember, the door is still open. Wont you come
on board tonight? God is willing and waiting to receive you and save you.
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