Welcome back to the series called Sunday School Stories! We ventured into the realm of Noah's Ark and the worldwide flood! I personally was so convicted and challenged in preparing this message! I pray it impacts you. And as always is included our doctrinal points from the account, points and questions.
IF you would like to reach out my email is: mitchel_vandenbroeck@indianrocks.org
Doctrines:
Doctrine of perseverance of the saints – This Doctrine is also known as the eternal security! We see a typology and image of this in the Genesis 7 verse where God closes the ark. This doctrine teaches that when we surrender our lives to Jesus and are born again we are a new creation and we are sealed in the Holy Spirit. This means that you and I cannot and will never save ourselves, so if we have no part in the saving we can not do enough to become unsaved! Just as Noah was the one who walked on the ark, it was God who sealed Him in. just as we surrender to Christ, it is the trinity’s work that justifies, sanctifies and glorifies us! (Roman 9) God promises those who are in the faith that He will carry them through and that we are His forever (Roman 8)
Doctrine of Covenants – This one is a little less known or truly understood. Yet it is the simple reality of the inner workings of how a Holy God can be in relationship with a sinful people! The story of redemption is progressive just like the story of humanity is. As we have seen from Adam and Eve to now with the flood and ultimately with Jesus, it has always been by grace through faith that we are saved! This starts with the original covenantal promise given in the garden (Genesis 3:15). And then we see worked out through the ages via God’s justice and faithfulness overpowering humanities stupidity and sin. God’s grace in Adam and eve with their kids, Abel’s blood crying out, Noah’s faith was counted as righteous and by grace he was sealed in the ark and brought along. It has never been that God ordained multiple means of salvation or works versus faith, rather God’s sovereign will and intimate relation to His creation is displayed in His providence that leads us ultimately to the cross, the ultimate ark for our souls which is Jesus Christ!
Points:
1. Focus on God working in and through you, instead of sin that all around you!
2. Rest in the fact that God is in control!
3. Our sins have effects on more than ourselves, beware of abusing grace!
Questions:
1. Seeing how God’s sovereignty and our responsibility is so perfectly balanced in scripture. How does this affect our mindsets towards living and serving Him daily?
2. Which seems easier: focusing on the drama and negativity of this world? Or on what God is doing in and through you?
3. Do you have the peace beyond understanding that comes from knowing that your soul is eternal secure in Him?
