Lessons from Noah's Life: Genesis 6-9
FOUR CHOICES I MUST MAKE IN ORDER
TO FULFILL GOD'S PURPOSE & PLAN FOR MY LIFE
1. I MUST DARE TO BE DIFFERENT FROM MY CULTURE
"This is the account of Noah and his descendants. Noah had God's approval and was a man of integrity among the people of his time." Genesis 6:9a (GW)
"Now the earth had become corrupt in God's sight, and it was filled with violence. And God observed all the evil done in the world, and he noticed cruelty and depravity everywhere." Genesis 6:11-12
"When God saw the extent of human wickedness, and that the trend and direction of men's lives were only towards evil, he was sorry he had made them. It broke his heart." Genesis 6:5-6 (LB)
Jesus said, "When the Son of Man comes again, it will be just like it was when Noah lived." Luke 17:26 (NCV)
"But Noah was different. God liked what he saw in Noah." Genesis 6:8 (Message)
"Noah was a pleasure to the Lord." (LB)
"God told Noah, 'Out of everyone living in this generation, you are the only righteous person on earth!'" Genesis 7:1 (Message)
2. I MUST LISTEN TO GOD, NOT THE VOICES OF DOUBT
"It was by faith that Noah heard God's warnings about things he could not yet see." Hebrews 11:7a (NCV)
"Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1
"We don't look at the troubles we can see right now; instead we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the unseen joys to come will last forever." 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NLT)
"Noah's belief in God was in direct contrast to the disbelief of the rest of the world . . ." Hebrews 11:7b (LB)
" Noah walked with God." Genesis 6:9c (NIV)
"Noah enjoyed a close relationship with God." (NLT)
"Noah lived in fellowship with God." (TEV)
God told Noah, "I'm going to send a flood that will destroy everything that breathes. Nothing will be left alive. But I solemnly promise that you, your wife, your sons, and your daughters-in-law will be kept safe in the boat." Genesis 6:17-18 (CEV)
Action Plan: List your dreams or goals. By each one write down what steps you have taken to reach them. Are there steps that you know you should take but haven't? Are there people in your life that are causing you to doubt? Are you doubting yourself? Pray through this.
3. I MUST DO EXACTLY WHAT GOD TELLS ME TO DO
"Noah obeyed God and built a large boat to save his family." Heb. 11:7a
"God told Noah, 'Build a boat from cypress wood and seal it with tar, inside and out. Then build decks and stalls throughout its interior. Make it 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. Leave an 18-inch opening all the way around the boat just below the roof. Then put three decks inside the boat—and put one door on the side . . . Then include a male and female pair of every kind of animal that I bring into your boat to keep alive during the worldwide flood. And remember, take enough food for your family and for all the animals.' Then Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him." Genesis 6:14-22 (NLT)
"Finally, the day came when the Lord said to Noah, 'Now get into the boat with all your family . . . And now take along seven pairs of each animal that I've approved for eating and sacrifice, along with one pair of each of the others. And take seven male and female pairs of every kind of bird . . . Again Noah did exactly as the Lord had commanded him." Genesis 7:1-5
"Noah consistently followed God's will." Genesis 6:9 (NLT)
"Noah always tried to conduct his affairs according to God's will." (LB)
Action Plan: How often do you talk with God about the dreams you listed above? Talk with him about whether or not these are dreams are part of God's will. Ask him for direction and discernment.
4. I MUST NEVER GIVE UP ON THE DREAM GOD GIVES ME
"Noah trusted God. When he heard God's warning about the future,Noah believeD him even though there was no sign of a flood." Hebrews11:7a (LB)
". . . By his faith, Noah showed that the world was wrong, and he became one of those who are made right with God through faith." Hebrews 11:7b (NCV)
"Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord." Genesis 6:8 (KJV)
Doable Discipleship: This week's episode of Doable Discipleship talks about the spiritual practice of Silence & Solitude. New episodes release every Tuesday. To watch or listen,click here.
Talk It Over: Have you ever discussed the weekend message in your small group? Talk It Over provides weekly small group discussion questions as a way to bring the weekend message into your small group. To view this week's Talk It Over,click here.
