Title [Genesis 8:13-19] Ark of Salvation
God decided to judge the world in which sin abounded with water and had Noah, a man of faith, build a great boat (ark). Noah built the ark as God had commanded, and his family (8 people) and living creatures entered the ark to wait for the day of judgment. It took a year and 10 days for the rain to start to fall after a week, until the rain stopped and the water that covered the whole world dried up. (From February 17, in Noah's 600th year, to February 27, in Noah's 601th year). We would like to receive grace by introducing the sermon of this chapter under the title of the Ark of Salvation.
1. You must realize that God's judgment for sin is certain.
As in all religions, the doctrine of Christianity emphasizes God's judgment on sin. Even in our daily lives, we can experience the punishment for our sins, but we must have the fear and trembling of standing before God's judgment seat on the last day, and we must also prepare thoroughly for that day of judgment. Of course, some unbelievers do not believe in this judgment. We are living in reality. Jesus teaches that it was the same in the days of Noah. Matthew 24:36-39 “But that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage until that day, and they did not realize it until the flood came and destroyed them all; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.” The final judgment is the brimstone judgment. It is a judgment with eternal punishment in hell. The water judgment in Noah's day is a confirmation of the fire judgment in the last days. Let's become God's people who prepare for judgment by faith.
2. God saved Noah and his family through the ark.
This is God's will. Acts 13:22-23 “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, and he will do all my will.” And out of this man’s seed a Savior was raised up for Israel, just as God had promised, Jesus. said Let us keep in mind that only the church, which is the head of Christ and his body, is the ark of salvation in this age.
3. The benefits of salvation through the ark (church) are as follows.
① Those who have received the grace of God can enter. Genesis 6:8 says, “But Noah found favor with the Lord.” It means that he was able to become the main character of the ark not because of his righteousness, but because God gave him grace. By coming to church and hearing the word, we gain faith and receive salvation. Everything that comes to church is definitely grace. No one comes out voluntarily. There must be the moving of the Holy Spirit and there must be a preacher. Let's not forget that coming to church is God's grace in itself.
② Those who enter are protected. Those who entered the ark were protected from any rainstorm or wave. The same goes for those who join the church. The high God of the city will firmly protect and protect you. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus said, “On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” In Ruth 2:12, Boaz said to Ruth, a Moabite woman, saying, “May the Lord recompense you for what you have done, and may the Lord, the God of Israel, give you a complete reward under his wings, for your protection.” Outside the church, Satan is active everywhere. You will never be protected. Let us give thanks and glorify God for our protection in the Ark of Salvation, a place of safety, refuge and rest.
③ Everyone will receive salvation (life). In Genesis 7:21-23, it is said that “they are all dead” and that only those who were in the ark with Noah remained. Genesis 8:18-19 says they came out of the ark. There is no salvation outside the church. Theoretically, it can be said that there is salvation outside the church because personal faith is the only way to obtain salvation, but in reality there is no salvation. Therefore, the saints must remain in the church to the end.
④ The work of the members in the church is as follows. It is about worshiping God, being faithful to the work assigned to you according to the office given to you, and sharing the gospel with the Holy Spirit. Noah also preached the gospel and built the ark. But they disobeyed (1 Peter 3:19-20). We can tell you too. Obedience is a blessing, but disobedience brings anger. I hope that more people who have received grace will participate in the ark for the salvation of life (the church).