Sermon Notes 06-23-09

June 21st 2009 “Happy Father’s Day 2009”
“By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family". Hebrews 11:7

Do you remember the movie: Evan Almighty? staring Tim Carell
In many ways the movie gave an irreverent spoof of the ‘Noah’ story.
Noah was one of the best dads to ever live! He was a great example.
God said to Noah, “Build an Ark!” “What’s an Ark?”

Imagine with me the building of the ark, what would it looked like…. The shape of the ark was unusual. Although the Bible does not give enough detail to enable a full model to be made, the ark was apparently not shaped like a boat, either ancient or modern. The shape more closely approximates a giant block. The length was 300 cubits (about 450 feet), the width was 50 cubits (about 75 feet), and the height was 30 cubits (about 45 feet), overall dimensions that resemble the dimensions of a giant house (Gen. 6:15). The ark had three floors filled with rooms (Gen. 6:14, 16) and one window and one door (Gen. 6:16).

Imagine the different animals entering!Think about what it had to be like inside…and what it would have been like outside! What a storm it was that ragged all around them. But God was with them all the way, and He must’ve dispatched a lot of angels to hold it all together as well as to help calm the circus it must’ve been inside!Eventually the storm would calm. But the waters would remain for many days and many nights. Can you get a sense of what it felt like to finally come to rest on land and eventually step out onto the ground?Today we have a lot in common with Noah in these stormy days we live in, and we need to learn how to build an ark of safety for our family.
People in Noah’s day were hardened toward spiritual matters and that would be a fair assessment of our culture today.

The Bible says: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the son of man”. Matthew 24:37 The Bible says that right before the Second Coming of the Lord and end of the world, things will be like they were in the days of Noah. Get ready friend, He is coming.
The ancient world, like ours, was filled with heartache and turmoil, but there was an exception to the norm. His name was Noah.

When everyone else was swimming downstream into an abyss of sin, Noah was headed upstream, in large part because of his Godly heritage.

Noah’s family included such spiritual giants as Enoch, his great-grandfather; and Methuselah, his grandfather; …and his father, Lamech, who lived 777 years!
METHUSELAH: Methuselah means "his death shall bring".

Enoch (Noah’s Great-grandfather) had a vision that, as long as his son was alive, the flood that would destroy the world would not come. So in effect, Methuselah's death shall bring the flood. The year Methuselah died was indeed the year the flood came.
There is no substitute for a Godly heritage. It’s one of the greatest gifts you can receive or pass on to your children. Do everything within your power to pass on your faith, to raise your family in a way that honors Christ.

Poem: You got it from your father, it was all he had to give So it’s yours to use and cherish for as long as you may liveIf you lose the watch he gave you, it can always be replacedBut a black mark on your name, son, can never be erased

It was clean the day you took it and a worthy name to bearWhen he got it from his father there was no dishonor there.So be sure you guard it wisely; after all is said and doneYou’ll be glad the name is spotless when you give it to your son.Prov.22:1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.

Three Ways to Pass on a Godly Heritage:
1st Faith means: Getting Right With God!
A. “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family.” Hebrews 11:7
Noah had a relationship with God; a FAITH in God!
Noah’s family followed his example!

Pastor Phil says: “Have you noticed that God was able to pull off His plan with just one man and one family?”
Noah and his family were amateurs…not professionals (like the Titanic!)
Dads: take the lead and claim your kids for the kingdom. (lead ‘em to church, lead ‘em in prayer, to know the Lord!)
God told Noah, “It’s going to rain!” Noah said to God: “What’s rain?”
By faith Noah--…it wasn’t because such an event had happened before.
No, It was simply because God had warned him of something to come, and he put his trust in God’s warnings.
Noah operated on faith! He did what he was told.

Noah had an ear for God. Faith cometh by hearing... If you want to have the faith that can protect your children, you have to be a man / woman of the Word.Three Ways to Pass on a Godly Heritage:

1st Faith means: Getting Right With God!
2nd Fear Moved Noah!
A. Hebrews 11:7 “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house”
Fear is a good thing. It will put smoke detectors in your house, and a diligence about taking care of candles.
“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark...” If Noah had no fear of God, he would not have been motivated to build the ark that saved their lives.
Year by year, Noah built the ark for the saving of his family. There is nothing more important that the saving of our homes.
Dad, can your fear protect your family? Noah’s did!
In the day in which we live -- we need spiritual dikes built that can withstand the greatest storms of all time…like the storms of life and eternity!

Three Ways to Pass on a Godly Heritage:
3rd Follow: Noah Followed God!

Hebrews 11:7“By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family.”
Noah’s stock was riding high while the rest of the world was in liquidation!

There’s no better thrill than to know your family is following the Lord!3John 1:4 - I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Some family won’t follow: Remember Lot’s wife, she looked back and was left behind! But what a thrill when those who WILL follow get on board!

Noah practiced: Three Ways of Passing on a Godly Heritage:
His faith saved him
His fear moved him
His family followed him

Dads, you’re not almighty, but are you trusting in the God Who is?
Have you looked to the eyes of the Lord for grace?
Are you constructing your house by God’s design plans?

The Storms of life don’t upset us, they reveal us!