Back To (School) Sunday: Noah's Ark | Rev. Seann Duffin

>> And let's pray. >> And let's pray. God, thank you for being with us even God, thank you for being with us even God, thank you for being with us even now. now. now. And by the power of your Holy Spirit, And by the power of your Holy Spirit, And by the power of your Holy Spirit, open our ears and our eyes, our hearts open our ears and our eyes, our hearts open our ears and our eyes, our hearts and our minds that we might truly hear and our minds that we might truly hear and our minds that we might truly hear your word and walk in your ways. your word and walk in your ways. your word and walk in your ways. And God, may the words of my mouth and And God, may the words of my mouth and And God, may the words of my mouth and the thoughts of all of our hearts be the thoughts of all of our hearts be the thoughts of all of our hearts be acceptable and pleasing to you. acceptable and pleasing to you. acceptable and pleasing to you. For you are our rock and our redeemer. For you are our rock and our redeemer. For you are our rock and our redeemer. Amen. Amen. Amen. Sadly, Sadly, Sadly, summer is over. summer is over. summer is over. Don't worry, we still have months and Don't worry, we still have months and Don't worry, we still have months and months and months to enjoy the Houston months and months to enjoy the Houston months and months to enjoy the Houston heat and humidity. heat and humidity. heat and humidity. But for anyone whose life is connected But for anyone whose life is connected But for anyone whose life is connected to the school calendar, summer's done. to the school calendar, summer's done. to the school calendar, summer's done. It's the last week. We're back to school It's the last week. We're back to school It's the last week. We're back to school in just a few days. And and as fun as in just a few days. And and as fun as in just a few days. And and as fun as summer vacations can be, as relaxed as summer vacations can be, as relaxed as summer vacations can be, as relaxed as summer schedules sometimes are, it's not summer schedules sometimes are, it's not summer schedules sometimes are, it's not all bad going back to school. Back to all bad going back to school. Back to all bad going back to school. Back to school time is a great time to reset school time is a great time to reset school time is a great time to reset your rhythms, to redefine your your rhythms, to redefine your your rhythms, to redefine your priorities, to recommit yourself to the priorities, to recommit yourself to the priorities, to recommit yourself to the things that matter.

things that matter. things that matter. Here at MDUMC in worship these next Here at MDUMC in worship these next Here at MDUMC in worship these next several weeks, we're going back to several weeks, we're going back to several weeks, we're going back to Sunday school. You see the graphic on Sunday school. You see the graphic on Sunday school. You see the graphic on the screen, it's on the front of your the screen, it's on the front of your the screen, it's on the front of your bulletin this morning. And the idea is bulletin this morning. And the idea is bulletin this morning. And the idea is to revisit some very well-known Bible to revisit some very well-known Bible to revisit some very well-known Bible stories, like Noah's Ark, David and stories, like Noah's Ark, David and stories, like Noah's Ark, David and Goliath, Daniel and the lion's den, the Goliath, Daniel and the lion's den, the Goliath, Daniel and the lion's den, the parable of the lost sheep. These are parable of the lost sheep. These are parable of the lost sheep. These are stories I remember learning as a small stories I remember learning as a small stories I remember learning as a small child on the little flannel graph boards child on the little flannel graph boards child on the little flannel graph boards in our classroom in the basement of in our classroom in the basement of in our classroom in the basement of Hinckley United Methodist Church. These Hinckley United Methodist Church. These Hinckley United Methodist Church. These are stories that we've taught to our are stories that we've taught to our are stories that we've taught to our kids, that the church has taught to our kids, that the church has taught to our kids, that the church has taught to our kids. It's These are the stories that kids. It's These are the stories that kids. It's These are the stories that generation after generation after generation after generation after generation after generation after generation of Christians keeps on generation of Christians keeps on generation of Christians keeps on teaching to their children. teaching to their children. teaching to their children. And it's not because they're easy to And it's not because they're easy to And it's not because they're easy to understand. understand. understand. And it's not because they're full of And it's not because they're full of And it's not because they're full of cute characters. It's because these cute characters. It's because these cute characters. It's because these stories communicate fundamental truths stories communicate fundamental truths stories communicate fundamental truths about God. about God.

about God. Things we really want our children to Things we really want our children to Things we really want our children to know. know. know. Like God will never hurt you Like God will never hurt you Like God will never hurt you or forget you. or forget you. or forget you. God will always love you God will always love you God will always love you and want you. and want you. and want you. God will protect you. God will protect you. God will protect you. God will provide for you in ways you God will provide for you in ways you God will provide for you in ways you could never have imagined. could never have imagined. could never have imagined. That's why we keep on teaching our kids That's why we keep on teaching our kids That's why we keep on teaching our kids these stories. That's why we're going to these stories. That's why we're going to these stories. That's why we're going to read these stories together again this read these stories together again this read these stories together again this fall. What better way to start a new fall. What better way to start a new fall. What better way to start a new season season season than to remember than to remember than to remember these fundamental truths about God, to these fundamental truths about God, to these fundamental truths about God, to remember these forever promises that God remember these forever promises that God remember these forever promises that God makes to us. makes to us. makes to us. So, our first day of back to Sunday So, our first day of back to Sunday So, our first day of back to Sunday school, we're starting the story of school, we're starting the story of school, we're starting the story of Noah. And in the Bible, Noah's story is Noah. And in the Bible, Noah's story is Noah. And in the Bible, Noah's story is in the book of Genesis, the very first in the book of Genesis, the very first in the book of Genesis, the very first book of the Bible. It occupies chapters book of the Bible. It occupies chapters book of the Bible. It occupies chapters 6 through 9. So, it's very early on in 6 through 9. So, it's very early on in 6 through 9. So, it's very early on in the story of the people of God.

the story of the people of God. the story of the people of God. And if you're like me, you were perhaps And if you're like me, you were perhaps And if you're like me, you were perhaps first introduced to the story of Noah first introduced to the story of Noah first introduced to the story of Noah with an image like this one. We'll We'll with an image like this one. We'll We'll with an image like this one. We'll We'll have it on the screen here. There it is. have it on the screen here. There it is. have it on the screen here. There it is. Uh uh Uh uh Uh uh an image like this one. It captures all an image like this one. It captures all an image like this one. It captures all the key visuals of the story. There's the key visuals of the story. There's the key visuals of the story. There's the ark, of course, Noah looking ancient the ark, of course, Noah looking ancient the ark, of course, Noah looking ancient as ever, animals going two by two by two as ever, animals going two by two by two as ever, animals going two by two by two and a rainbow in the sky. The cuteness and a rainbow in the sky. The cuteness and a rainbow in the sky. The cuteness factor is high. factor is high. factor is high. But when you consider the whole of this But when you consider the whole of this But when you consider the whole of this story, there are some much less adorable story, there are some much less adorable story, there are some much less adorable parts, too. parts, too. parts, too. Noah, of course, is best known for Noah, of course, is best known for Noah, of course, is best known for building the ark and massive wooden boat building the ark and massive wooden boat building the ark and massive wooden boat that would hold a pair of every animal that would hold a pair of every animal that would hold a pair of every animal on all the earth to keep them safe on all the earth to keep them safe on all the earth to keep them safe during a great flood. during a great flood. during a great flood. But the reason that Noah had to build But the reason that Noah had to build But the reason that Noah had to build this ark in the first place was because this ark in the first place was because this ark in the first place was because life on earth was going very poorly. life on earth was going very poorly. life on earth was going very poorly. Here's what it says in Genesis chapter 6 Here's what it says in Genesis chapter 6 Here's what it says in Genesis chapter 6 verse 5. The Lord saw that the verse 5. The Lord saw that the verse 5. The Lord saw that the wickedness of humankind was great in the wickedness of humankind was great in the wickedness of humankind was great in the earth.

earth. earth. And that every inclination of the And that every inclination of the And that every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil thoughts of their hearts was only evil thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. continually. continually. It's wholesale wickedness. Every It's wholesale wickedness. Every It's wholesale wickedness. Every inclination of their thoughts of their inclination of their thoughts of their inclination of their thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. A few hearts was only evil continually. A few hearts was only evil continually. A few verses later it doubles down. Now the verses later it doubles down. Now the verses later it doubles down. Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight. And earth was corrupt in God's sight. And earth was corrupt in God's sight. And the earth was filled with violence. And the earth was filled with violence. And the earth was filled with violence. And God saw that the earth was corrupt for God saw that the earth was corrupt for God saw that the earth was corrupt for all flesh had corrupted its ways upon all flesh had corrupted its ways upon all flesh had corrupted its ways upon the earth. Humanity's wickedness the earth. Humanity's wickedness the earth. Humanity's wickedness had corrupted God's very good creation. had corrupted God's very good creation. had corrupted God's very good creation. Violence had polluted the earth itself. Violence had polluted the earth itself. Violence had polluted the earth itself. And God wasn't mad. God was And God wasn't mad. God was And God wasn't mad. God was sad. sad. sad. Grieving over his ruined original, God Grieving over his ruined original, God Grieving over his ruined original, God resolved to resolved to resolved to destroy the destroyers. destroy the destroyers. destroy the destroyers. God would send a great flood to wipe out God would send a great flood to wipe out God would send a great flood to wipe out the earth and all its inhabitants. the earth and all its inhabitants. the earth and all its inhabitants. Scholars call it a decreational event.

Scholars call it a decreational event. Scholars call it a decreational event. The primordial waters would once again The primordial waters would once again The primordial waters would once again cover the earth returning it to the cover the earth returning it to the cover the earth returning it to the chaos that it used to be. chaos that it used to be. chaos that it used to be. Wiping it clean so that God could begin Wiping it clean so that God could begin Wiping it clean so that God could begin again. And God would begin again with again. And God would begin again with again. And God would begin again with Noah and his family and all the animals Noah and his family and all the animals Noah and his family and all the animals they had gathered. And when Noah and his they had gathered. And when Noah and his they had gathered. And when Noah and his family and all the animals they had family and all the animals they had family and all the animals they had gathered were were safely in the ark, gathered were were safely in the ark, gathered were were safely in the ark, it began to rain. it began to rain. it began to rain. 40 days and 40 nights it rained, and the 40 days and 40 nights it rained, and the 40 days and 40 nights it rained, and the waters rose and the waters raged until waters rose and the waters raged until waters rose and the waters raged until chapter 7 verse 23, only Noah was left. chapter 7 verse 23, only Noah was left. chapter 7 verse 23, only Noah was left. And those that were with them in the And those that were with them in the And those that were with them in the ark, and the waters swelled on the earth ark, and the waters swelled on the earth ark, and the waters swelled on the earth for 150 days. for 150 days. for 150 days. But God remembered Noah and all the wild But God remembered Noah and all the wild But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and all the domestic animals animals and all the domestic animals animals and all the domestic animals that were with them in the ark. that were with them in the ark. that were with them in the ark. And God made a wind blow over the earth, And God made a wind blow over the earth, And God made a wind blow over the earth, and the waters subsided. and the waters subsided. and the waters subsided. The land began to dry until finally Noah The land began to dry until finally Noah The land began to dry until finally Noah and his family and all the animals he and his family and all the animals he and his family and all the animals he had gathered left the ark.

had gathered left the ark. had gathered left the ark. And the first thing that Noah does on And the first thing that Noah does on And the first thing that Noah does on dry ground is build an altar and make an dry ground is build an altar and make an dry ground is build an altar and make an offering to the Lord. And when the Lord offering to the Lord. And when the Lord offering to the Lord. And when the Lord smelled that offering, smelled that offering, smelled that offering, the Lord just said in his heart, the Lord just said in his heart, the Lord just said in his heart, "I will never again curse the ground "I will never again curse the ground "I will never again curse the ground because of humankind, because of humankind, because of humankind, nor will I ever destroy every living nor will I ever destroy every living nor will I ever destroy every living creature as I have done." creature as I have done." creature as I have done." And then God says to Noah what God said And then God says to Noah what God said And then God says to Noah what God said to Adam in the beginning, "Be fruitful to Adam in the beginning, "Be fruitful to Adam in the beginning, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth." The and multiply and fill the earth." The and multiply and fill the earth." The decreational event begins a new decreational event begins a new decreational event begins a new creation. creation. creation. And that brings us to our story for this And that brings us to our story for this And that brings us to our story for this morning. It's from Genesis chapter 9 morning. It's from Genesis chapter 9 morning. It's from Genesis chapter 9 beginning in verse 8. Listen for the beginning in verse 8. Listen for the beginning in verse 8. Listen for the word of God. word of God. word of God. Then God said to Noah and to his sons Then God said to Noah and to his sons Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, with him, with him, "As for me, "As for me, "As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you I am establishing my covenant with you I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with and your descendants after you, and with and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, every living creature that is with you, every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and the birds, the domestic animals, and the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as every animal of the earth with you, as every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark.

many as came out of the ark. many as came out of the ark. I establish my covenant with you I establish my covenant with you I establish my covenant with you that never again shall all flesh be cut that never again shall all flesh be cut that never again shall all flesh be cut off by waters of a flood, off by waters of a flood, off by waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood and never again shall there be a flood and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth." to destroy the earth." to destroy the earth." God said, "This is the sign of the God said, "This is the sign of the God said, "This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you covenant that I make between me and you covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with and every living creature that is with and every living creature that is with you for all future generations. you for all future generations. you for all future generations. I have set my bow in the clouds, and it I have set my bow in the clouds, and it I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between shall be a sign of the covenant between shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. me and the earth. me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and When I bring clouds over the earth and When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is in the clouds, I will the bow is in the clouds, I will the bow is in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me remember my covenant that is between me remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all and you and every living creature of all and you and every living creature of all flesh, and the waters shall never again flesh, and the waters shall never again flesh, and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. become a flood to destroy all flesh. become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will When the bow is in the clouds, I will When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting see it and remember the everlasting see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living covenant between God and every living covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the creature of all flesh that is on the creature of all flesh that is on the earth." earth." earth." And God said to Noah, "This is the sign And God said to Noah, "This is the sign And God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant that I have established of the covenant that I have established of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the between me and all flesh that is on the between me and all flesh that is on the earth." This is the word of God for the earth." This is the word of God for the earth." This is the word of God for the people of God.

people of God. people of God. Thanks be to God. Thanks be to God. Thanks be to God. From this chaos of the flood From this chaos of the flood From this chaos of the flood comes a covenant of peace. comes a covenant of peace. comes a covenant of peace. "I will never again "I will never again "I will never again curse the ground because of humankind. curse the ground because of humankind. curse the ground because of humankind. Never again shall there be a flood to Never again shall there be a flood to Never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth." destroy the earth." destroy the earth." This is the first covenant that God This is the first covenant that God This is the first covenant that God makes in the scripture story. It won't makes in the scripture story. It won't makes in the scripture story. It won't be the last. There will be one with Mos- be the last. There will be one with Mos- be the last. There will be one with Mos- Abraham and then with Moses and then Abraham and then with Moses and then Abraham and then with Moses and then with David and in the New Testament with David and in the New Testament with David and in the New Testament covenant through Jesus. This is not the covenant through Jesus. This is not the covenant through Jesus. This is not the only covenant, but it is the first. only covenant, but it is the first. only covenant, but it is the first. And a covenant is a promise. And a covenant is a promise. And a covenant is a promise. A promise to be in a particular kind of A promise to be in a particular kind of A promise to be in a particular kind of relationship. relationship. relationship. To define the rules of that To define the rules of that To define the rules of that relationship. And this covenant in relationship. And this covenant in relationship. And this covenant in Genesis chapter 9, God makes it not just Genesis chapter 9, God makes it not just Genesis chapter 9, God makes it not just with Noah, but with Noah and his family with Noah, but with Noah and his family with Noah, but with Noah and his family and every living creature and even with and every living creature and even with and every living creature and even with the earth itself. And God makes this the earth itself. And God makes this the earth itself. And God makes this covenant not just for now, covenant not just for now, covenant not just for now, but for all future generations. And it's but for all future generations. And it's but for all future generations. And it's an expansive covenant. It's forever an expansive covenant. It's forever an expansive covenant. It's forever and for all.

and for all. and for all. And it's a covenant of peace. Never And it's a covenant of peace. Never And it's a covenant of peace. Never again will I destroy. again will I destroy. again will I destroy. We modern Christians have come to expect We modern Christians have come to expect We modern Christians have come to expect that from God, I think, because over a that from God, I think, because over a that from God, I think, because over a thousand generations God has proven to thousand generations God has proven to thousand generations God has proven to be loving and kind, protector and be loving and kind, protector and be loving and kind, protector and provider, slow to anger and abounding in provider, slow to anger and abounding in provider, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. steadfast love. steadfast love. But in the ancient world, in Noah's But in the ancient world, in Noah's But in the ancient world, in Noah's world, very early on in the story, this world, very early on in the story, this world, very early on in the story, this was an open question. was an open question. was an open question. What kind of God is our God? What kind of God is our God? What kind of God is our God? Because the pagan gods were fickle and Because the pagan gods were fickle and Because the pagan gods were fickle and violent and cared very little about violent and cared very little about violent and cared very little about humanity. humanity. humanity. Destruction was always an option for Destruction was always an option for Destruction was always an option for those gods. those gods. those gods. So for our God to make a covenant of So for our God to make a covenant of So for our God to make a covenant of peace, peace, peace, never again will I destroy, never again will I destroy, never again will I destroy, that was surprising. that was surprising. that was surprising. The other surprising thing in the making The other surprising thing in the making The other surprising thing in the making of this covenant is that Noah never says of this covenant is that Noah never says of this covenant is that Noah never says a word.

a word. a word. God doesn't ask Noah to do anything. God doesn't ask Noah to do anything. God doesn't ask Noah to do anything. Normally when a covenant is made, both Normally when a covenant is made, both Normally when a covenant is made, both parties make a promise. The pagan gods parties make a promise. The pagan gods parties make a promise. The pagan gods always wanted something in return. When always wanted something in return. When always wanted something in return. When people today enter into the covenant of people today enter into the covenant of people today enter into the covenant of marriage, both of them marriage, both of them marriage, both of them make a promise to have and to hold, for make a promise to have and to hold, for make a promise to have and to hold, for better for worse, in sickness and in better for worse, in sickness and in better for worse, in sickness and in health. In Genesis chapter 9 though, health. In Genesis chapter 9 though, health. In Genesis chapter 9 though, it's a unilateral, unconditional it's a unilateral, unconditional it's a unilateral, unconditional covenant. God promises, never again will covenant. God promises, never again will covenant. God promises, never again will I destroy. I destroy. I destroy. But God requires nothing of Noah or the But God requires nothing of Noah or the But God requires nothing of Noah or the animals or the earth. That's surprising. animals or the earth. That's surprising. animals or the earth. That's surprising. But it's good But it's good But it's good because it means that even when the because it means that even when the because it means that even when the human heart remains continually inclined human heart remains continually inclined human heart remains continually inclined toward only evil, toward only evil, toward only evil, God will not destroy it. God will not destroy it. God will not destroy it. Even when the earth continues to be Even when the earth continues to be Even when the earth continues to be polluted by the strong overpowering the polluted by the strong overpowering the polluted by the strong overpowering the weak, God will not destroy it. Even when weak, God will not destroy it. Even when weak, God will not destroy it. Even when we take life into our own hands and and we take life into our own hands and and we take life into our own hands and and muddy the cosmos with a violence and muddy the cosmos with a violence and muddy the cosmos with a violence and fear, God will not destroy it.

fear, God will not destroy it. fear, God will not destroy it. Instead, Instead, Instead, God will remember. God will remember. God will remember. God pledges to set in the gathering God pledges to set in the gathering God pledges to set in the gathering clouds his bow, an instrument of war, clouds his bow, an instrument of war, clouds his bow, an instrument of war, but unstrung but unstrung but unstrung and pointed away from the earth. and pointed away from the earth. and pointed away from the earth. Where God says, "I will see Where God says, "I will see Where God says, "I will see and remember." and remember." and remember." This rainbow, as we call it, it's the This rainbow, as we call it, it's the This rainbow, as we call it, it's the sign of God's covenant, the visible sign of God's covenant, the visible sign of God's covenant, the visible reminder that God will not fight reminder that God will not fight reminder that God will not fight violence with violence, violence with violence, violence with violence, that God will not repay our evil with that God will not repay our evil with that God will not repay our evil with more evil, that God will not abandon us more evil, that God will not abandon us more evil, that God will not abandon us to drown in the chaos of life. It's a to drown in the chaos of life. It's a to drown in the chaos of life. It's a visible reminder that God is willing to visible reminder that God is willing to visible reminder that God is willing to accept hurt accept hurt accept hurt because God wants to keep hope alive. because God wants to keep hope alive. because God wants to keep hope alive. Last month, our family went on a road Last month, our family went on a road Last month, our family went on a road trip. We took a a trip to Colorado. It trip. We took a a trip to Colorado. It trip. We took a a trip to Colorado. It was lovely. It was the perfect thing at was lovely. It was the perfect thing at was lovely. It was the perfect thing at the perfect time. And And on the way the perfect time. And And on the way the perfect time. And And on the way home, we were driving through West home, we were driving through West home, we were driving through West Texas. It was still daylight, but it was Texas. It was still daylight, but it was Texas. It was still daylight, but it was getting late, and up ahead there was not getting late, and up ahead there was not getting late, and up ahead there was not a rainbow, but all the colors of the a rainbow, but all the colors of the a rainbow, but all the colors of the rainbow in something like a a pillar.

rainbow in something like a a pillar. rainbow in something like a a pillar. It was really strange. I'd never seen It was really strange. I'd never seen It was really strange. I'd never seen anything quite like it before, but it anything quite like it before, but it anything quite like it before, but it was beautiful. And And in my mind, it was beautiful. And And in my mind, it was beautiful. And And in my mind, it was a mashup of biblical images because was a mashup of biblical images because was a mashup of biblical images because later on in the Bible story, when the later on in the Bible story, when the later on in the Bible story, when the Israelites are wandering through the Israelites are wandering through the Israelites are wandering through the wilderness, God leads them with a pillar wilderness, God leads them with a pillar wilderness, God leads them with a pillar of fire. of fire. of fire. And here we were driving through the And here we were driving through the And here we were driving through the wilderness of West Texas and there's God wilderness of West Texas and there's God wilderness of West Texas and there's God in a pillar of rainbow going ahead of us in a pillar of rainbow going ahead of us in a pillar of rainbow going ahead of us just like God always does. And as we just like God always does. And as we just like God always does. And as we drove though, the angle changed or the drove though, the angle changed or the drove though, the angle changed or the clouds moved and the pillar became a clouds moved and the pillar became a clouds moved and the pillar became a rainbow spreading out across the sky and rainbow spreading out across the sky and rainbow spreading out across the sky and out there the sky's so big and the out there the sky's so big and the out there the sky's so big and the land's so flat that it stayed out ahead land's so flat that it stayed out ahead land's so flat that it stayed out ahead of us. For an hour we drove toward the of us. For an hour we drove toward the of us. For an hour we drove toward the rainbow. This visible sign of God's rainbow. This visible sign of God's rainbow. This visible sign of God's peace that forever covers the earth. peace that forever covers the earth. peace that forever covers the earth. It was majestic. It was majestic. It was majestic. As I was preparing for this sermon I As I was preparing for this sermon I As I was preparing for this sermon I came across a poem and the inspiration came across a poem and the inspiration came across a poem and the inspiration for the poem came from an interaction for the poem came from an interaction for the poem came from an interaction that the author had with her young son.

that the author had with her young son. that the author had with her young son. They were out for a walk after a They were out for a walk after a They were out for a walk after a rainstorm and there in the sky they saw rainstorm and there in the sky they saw rainstorm and there in the sky they saw a rainbow. a rainbow. a rainbow. And the four-year-old looked up at the And the four-year-old looked up at the And the four-year-old looked up at the rainbow and said, "Mommy, rainbow and said, "Mommy, rainbow and said, "Mommy, can we take that home and put it in our can we take that home and put it in our can we take that home and put it in our house?" house?" house?" His awestruck question prompted the His awestruck question prompted the His awestruck question prompted the mother to write a poem, A Rainbow in My mother to write a poem, A Rainbow in My mother to write a poem, A Rainbow in My House. She took his question literally House. She took his question literally House. She took his question literally imagining what it would be like to have imagining what it would be like to have imagining what it would be like to have a rainbow in their house. The colors a rainbow in their house. The colors a rainbow in their house. The colors painted the wall. They emanated from the painted the wall. They emanated from the painted the wall. They emanated from the windows and doors. They burst out the windows and doors. They burst out the windows and doors. They burst out the top of the chimney. Their house was top of the chimney. Their house was top of the chimney. Their house was transformed. transformed. transformed. It could not contain the glory of the It could not contain the glory of the It could not contain the glory of the rainbow and its colors. rainbow and its colors. rainbow and its colors. Now the story of God's rainbow covenant Now the story of God's rainbow covenant Now the story of God's rainbow covenant here in Genesis chapter 9, it's a story here in Genesis chapter 9, it's a story here in Genesis chapter 9, it's a story that the Israelites would have told that the Israelites would have told that the Israelites would have told around the fireside for generations. around the fireside for generations. around the fireside for generations. But the people who first recorded it, But the people who first recorded it, But the people who first recorded it, the ones who wrote it down on their the ones who wrote it down on their the ones who wrote it down on their papyrus, they did so in the midst of papyrus, they did so in the midst of papyrus, they did so in the midst of exile from their homeland.

exile from their homeland. exile from their homeland. It was a time of deep chaos for their It was a time of deep chaos for their It was a time of deep chaos for their community. It was a time when you'd community. It was a time when you'd community. It was a time when you'd really hope that God remembers you. really hope that God remembers you. really hope that God remembers you. And chaos, of course, is not an ancient And chaos, of course, is not an ancient And chaos, of course, is not an ancient phenomenon. phenomenon. phenomenon. We know chaos in our modern world We know chaos in our modern world We know chaos in our modern world because we've experienced things like because we've experienced things like because we've experienced things like terrorism and war and civil unrest. It's terrorism and war and civil unrest. It's terrorism and war and civil unrest. It's chaos. chaos. chaos. We know chaos through ecological We know chaos through ecological We know chaos through ecological disasters and natural disasters. We know disasters and natural disasters. We know disasters and natural disasters. We know chaos through the grossly unequal chaos through the grossly unequal chaos through the grossly unequal distribution of resources across the distribution of resources across the distribution of resources across the world's peoples. world's peoples. world's peoples. We know chaos closer to home. Chaos We know chaos closer to home. Chaos We know chaos closer to home. Chaos comes into our own lives through comes into our own lives through comes into our own lives through relationships broken by death or relationships broken by death or relationships broken by death or divorce. Through sickness of body or divorce. Through sickness of body or divorce. Through sickness of body or mind or spirit, through addictions of mind or spirit, through addictions of mind or spirit, through addictions of all kinds. all kinds. all kinds. But in this chaos, in every chaos, God But in this chaos, in every chaos, God But in this chaos, in every chaos, God remembers us. remembers us. remembers us. Individually and corporately, God Individually and corporately, God Individually and corporately, God remembers us and God redeems us with remembers us and God redeems us with remembers us and God redeems us with love and forgiveness.

love and forgiveness. love and forgiveness. And that's why And that's why And that's why we keep teaching these stories. That's we keep teaching these stories. That's we keep teaching these stories. That's why we keep painting Noah's Ark images why we keep painting Noah's Ark images why we keep painting Noah's Ark images on church wall church nursery walls with on church wall church nursery walls with on church wall church nursery walls with the the Ark doors wide open and animals the the Ark doors wide open and animals the the Ark doors wide open and animals two by two and Noah looking ancient and two by two and Noah looking ancient and two by two and Noah looking ancient and a rainbow stretched across the sky a rainbow stretched across the sky a rainbow stretched across the sky because this is a promise of God's because this is a promise of God's because this is a promise of God's never-failing never-failing never-failing love and hope. love and hope. love and hope. At the earliest age, we want children to At the earliest age, we want children to At the earliest age, we want children to know that even in the midst of the worst know that even in the midst of the worst know that even in the midst of the worst chaos they can imagine, God will never chaos they can imagine, God will never chaos they can imagine, God will never forget them. forget them. forget them. God will always remember them. God will always remember them. God will always remember them. But it's a message that need not stay, But it's a message that need not stay, But it's a message that need not stay, that must not stay in children's Sunday that must not stay in children's Sunday that must not stay in children's Sunday school classrooms. The rainbow colors of school classrooms. The rainbow colors of school classrooms. The rainbow colors of God's covenant need to emanate through God's covenant need to emanate through God's covenant need to emanate through the halls of this place. the halls of this place. the halls of this place. They need to go into our committee They need to go into our committee They need to go into our committee meetings and our youth group and our meetings and our youth group and our meetings and our youth group and our choir rehearsals and our mission teams, choir rehearsals and our mission teams, choir rehearsals and our mission teams, even into this room. If you look, the even into this room. If you look, the even into this room. If you look, the windows the windows of this room, the windows the windows of this room, the windows the windows of this room, the colors of the rainbow are already here.

colors of the rainbow are already here. colors of the rainbow are already here. Signs of God's promise and what an Signs of God's promise and what an Signs of God's promise and what an extraordinary promise. I will remember, extraordinary promise. I will remember, extraordinary promise. I will remember, God says. God says. God says. I will never destroy. I will never destroy. I will never destroy. And if we take that promise seriously, And if we take that promise seriously, And if we take that promise seriously, it will change us. it will change us. it will change us. Not into perfect people, Not into perfect people, Not into perfect people, but into people who are willing to let but into people who are willing to let but into people who are willing to let our hearts be remade in the image of our hearts be remade in the image of our hearts be remade in the image of God's heart. God's heart. God's heart. So that we too will see So that we too will see So that we too will see and remember and remember and remember that we don't have to fight violence that we don't have to fight violence that we don't have to fight violence with violence. We don't need to repay with violence. We don't need to repay with violence. We don't need to repay evil for evil. evil for evil. evil for evil. That promise from God will change us That promise from God will change us That promise from God will change us into people who are who will let our into people who are who will let our into people who are who will let our hearts be broken open hearts be broken open hearts be broken open with grief over our own hard heartedness with grief over our own hard heartedness with grief over our own hard heartedness and that of the world. and that of the world. and that of the world. And then we'll see And then we'll see And then we'll see and we'll remember not to let anyone and we'll remember not to let anyone and we'll remember not to let anyone else drown in the chaos of life. The else drown in the chaos of life. The else drown in the chaos of life. The promise of God will change us promise of God will change us promise of God will change us into a church that's moved into a church that's moved into a church that's moved to partner with God in in patient and to partner with God in in patient and to partner with God in in patient and forgiving and loving and prophetic forgiving and loving and prophetic forgiving and loving and prophetic action that that renews the whole world.

action that that renews the whole world. action that that renews the whole world. Because we're ready Because we're ready Because we're ready to absorb hurt and keep hope alive. The to absorb hurt and keep hope alive. The to absorb hurt and keep hope alive. The colors that spill forth from hearts colors that spill forth from hearts colors that spill forth from hearts broken open by God's love broken open by God's love broken open by God's love could paint the walls of this room. could paint the walls of this room. could paint the walls of this room. Could paint them with love and Could paint them with love and Could paint them with love and forgiveness and hope and joy that bursts forgiveness and hope and joy that bursts forgiveness and hope and joy that bursts through the windows and out the doors. through the windows and out the doors. through the windows and out the doors. And this whole house will be And this whole house will be And this whole house will be transformed. transformed. transformed. It could not contain the glory of our It could not contain the glory of our It could not contain the glory of our Lord's rainbow. Lord's rainbow. Lord's rainbow. So, we need to ask the question, So, we need to ask the question, So, we need to ask the question, can we can we can we take that rainbow, take that rainbow, take that rainbow, the promise of God's unconditional, the promise of God's unconditional, the promise of God's unconditional, unwavering, undying love, will we take unwavering, undying love, will we take unwavering, undying love, will we take that rainbow that rainbow that rainbow home home home and put it in our house? and put it in our house? and put it in our house? Let's pray. God of all creation, God of all creation, when chaos surrounds us, when fear rises when chaos surrounds us, when fear rises when chaos surrounds us, when fear rises within us, remind us that you will never within us, remind us that you will never within us, remind us that you will never forget us.

forget us. forget us. When our hearts grow hard, When our hearts grow hard, When our hearts grow hard, break them open again with your patient, break them open again with your patient, break them open again with your patient, forgiving, never-ending love. forgiving, never-ending love. forgiving, never-ending love. Thank you for the promise of the Thank you for the promise of the Thank you for the promise of the rainbow, rainbow, rainbow, the promise that you will not abandon the promise that you will not abandon the promise that you will not abandon your creation, your creation, your creation, that you will not repay evil with evil, that you will not repay evil with evil, that you will not repay evil with evil, and that you will never give up on us. and that you will never give up on us. and that you will never give up on us. By your Holy Spirit, remake our hearts By your Holy Spirit, remake our hearts By your Holy Spirit, remake our hearts in the image of yours, in the image of yours, in the image of yours, so that we can lay down our weapons, so that we can lay down our weapons, so that we can lay down our weapons, and choose forgiveness over vengeance, and choose forgiveness over vengeance, and choose forgiveness over vengeance, patience over anger, love over fear. patience over anger, love over fear. patience over anger, love over fear. Send us from this place carrying the Send us from this place carrying the Send us from this place carrying the colors of your covenant into our homes, colors of your covenant into our homes, colors of your covenant into our homes, our relationships, our relationships, our relationships, and our community. and our community. and our community. May your love shine through us so May your love shine through us so May your love shine through us so brightly brightly brightly that every room we enter is transformed. that every room we enter is transformed. that every room we enter is transformed. And may our lives proclaim to a chaotic And may our lives proclaim to a chaotic And may our lives proclaim to a chaotic world that you remember, world that you remember, world that you remember, that you redeem, that you redeem, that you redeem, that your love never fails.

that your love never fails. that your love never fails. We pray all this in the name of Jesus We pray all this in the name of Jesus We pray all this in the name of Jesus Christ. Christ. Christ. Amen.