Under Clear Blue Sky | Part 3 | Joel Thomas

Well, good morning, North Point. If we Well, good morning, North Point. If we haven't had the chance to meet yet, my haven't had the chance to meet yet, my haven't had the chance to meet yet, my name is Holly. I'm the executive pastor name is Holly. I'm the executive pastor name is Holly. I'm the executive pastor here. And if it's your first time with here. And if it's your first time with here. And if it's your first time with us today, well, let me be the first to us today, well, let me be the first to us today, well, let me be the first to say we are so glad that you joined us say we are so glad that you joined us say we are so glad that you joined us this morning. And if you drove in and this morning. And if you drove in and this morning. And if you drove in and you saw the tents and the trucks and the you saw the tents and the trucks and the you saw the tents and the trucks and the volunteers, you thought, what's going on volunteers, you thought, what's going on volunteers, you thought, what's going on here? Today is summer food drive. So, here? Today is summer food drive. So, here? Today is summer food drive. So, thanks to those of you who brought in thanks to those of you who brought in thanks to those of you who brought in the cans and brought in the donations the cans and brought in the donations the cans and brought in the donations and it's not too late to participate. We and it's not too late to participate. We and it's not too late to participate. We have a top three website. You go to have a top three website. You go to have a top three website. You go to north.org/top3 north.org/top3 north.org/top3 and we've made it really, really easy to and we've made it really, really easy to and we've made it really, really easy to participate right from your seat. We've participate right from your seat. We've participate right from your seat. We've got an Amazon wishlist. So, you just got an Amazon wishlist. So, you just got an Amazon wishlist. So, you just click on that, fill up your cart, send click on that, fill up your cart, send click on that, fill up your cart, send it to it's going to send it to us and we it to it's going to send it to us and we it to it's going to send it to us and we will make sure that our nonprofit will make sure that our nonprofit will make sure that our nonprofit friends get all the food this summer. friends get all the food this summer. friends get all the food this summer. And here's why we do stuff like summer And here's why we do stuff like summer And here's why we do stuff like summer food drive because we're on a mission food drive because we're on a mission food drive because we're on a mission around here and that's to inspire people around here and that's to inspire people around here and that's to inspire people to follow Jesus. because we want to be a to follow Jesus. because we want to be a to follow Jesus. because we want to be a community of people that don't just community of people that don't just community of people that don't just believe a certain set of things, but we believe a certain set of things, but we believe a certain set of things, but we want to put our faith into action. And want to put our faith into action. And want to put our faith into action. And so during the summer months, many of you so during the summer months, many of you so during the summer months, many of you probably already know this, but there's probably already know this, but there's probably already know this, but there's kids in our community and they just kids in our community and they just kids in our community and they just don't have access to food. They count on don't have access to food. They count on don't have access to food. They count on the school system to be fed during the the school system to be fed during the the school system to be fed during the year. And so when our part nonprofit our year. And so when our part nonprofit our year. And so when our part nonprofit our nonprofit partner friends, hey, they nonprofit partner friends, hey, they nonprofit partner friends, hey, they told us about this and we said, we got told us about this and we said, we got told us about this and we said, we got the group of people that want to step up the group of people that want to step up the group of people that want to step up and meet that need. So, thank you, thank and meet that need. So, thank you, thank and meet that need. So, thank you, thank you, thank you for those of you that you, thank you for those of you that you, thank you for those of you that just stepped up and gave to that. You just stepped up and gave to that. You just stepped up and gave to that. You guys are so good at giving and serving guys are so good at giving and serving guys are so good at giving and serving and loving our community. Well, speaking

and loving our community. Well, speaking and loving our community. Well, speaking of the top three, if you're a high of the top three, if you're a high of the top three, if you're a high school parent, we got something on the school parent, we got something on the school parent, we got something on the top three for you today. We're going to top three for you today. We're going to top three for you today. We're going to send our kids to camp this summer. send our kids to camp this summer. send our kids to camp this summer. Nothing better than a summer camp. We Nothing better than a summer camp. We Nothing better than a summer camp. We send all of our uh high school students send all of our uh high school students send all of our uh high school students there. We call it Inside Out Daytona. there. We call it Inside Out Daytona. there. We call it Inside Out Daytona. And here's what's so incredible about And here's what's so incredible about And here's what's so incredible about that week. It's five days. is at the that week. It's five days. is at the that week. It's five days. is at the beach. You can't beat the beach when beach. You can't beat the beach when beach. You can't beat the beach when you're a teenager. And we have worship. you're a teenager. And we have worship. you're a teenager. And we have worship. We have speaker sessions. And our We have speaker sessions. And our We have speaker sessions. And our students, they have incredible students, they have incredible students, they have incredible conversations with small group leaders. conversations with small group leaders. conversations with small group leaders. And here's what our small group leaders And here's what our small group leaders And here's what our small group leaders always tell us. They say, "A week of always tell us. They say, "A week of always tell us. They say, "A week of camp, it is like a year's worth of camp, it is like a year's worth of camp, it is like a year's worth of Sundays. They really get to know your Sundays. They really get to know your Sundays. They really get to know your kids. They get to walk alongside them kids. They get to walk alongside them kids. They get to walk alongside them and help them process their faith. And and help them process their faith. And and help them process their faith. And so, it's just one of the best things we so, it's just one of the best things we so, it's just one of the best things we So, if you're on the fence, you're like, So, if you're on the fence, you're like, So, if you're on the fence, you're like, I don't know, it's a lot of kids. It's a I don't know, it's a lot of kids. It's a I don't know, it's a lot of kids. It's a lot going on down there. It is. It's a lot going on down there. It is. It's a lot going on down there. It is. It's a lot of kids. We send a lot of leaders lot of kids. We send a lot of leaders lot of kids. We send a lot of leaders down there with them. And it is such a down there with them. And it is such a down there with them. And it is such a good time. And good news is registration good time. And good news is registration good time. And good news is registration is open right now, but the price is is open right now, but the price is is open right now, but the price is going to increase tomorrow. So, after going to increase tomorrow. So, after going to increase tomorrow. So, after church, hit the top three, sign up your church, hit the top three, sign up your church, hit the top three, sign up your student. You will be so glad that you student. You will be so glad that you student. You will be so glad that you did. Well, next week, Andy's going to be did. Well, next week, Andy's going to be did. Well, next week, Andy's going to be back with us. He's going to be bringing back with us. He's going to be bringing back with us. He's going to be bringing us a brand new series. And also next us a brand new series. And also next us a brand new series. And also next week is Father's Day. You dads ready?

week is Father's Day. You dads ready? week is Father's Day. You dads ready? Golf clap. Okay. Okay. Well, listen Golf clap. Okay. Okay. Well, listen Golf clap. Okay. Okay. Well, listen moms, while you're filling up your moms, while you're filling up your moms, while you're filling up your Amazon cart today with the food, just Amazon cart today with the food, just Amazon cart today with the food, just toss a little something extra in there toss a little something extra in there toss a little something extra in there for the dads for next week so that they for the dads for next week so that they for the dads for next week so that they get a treat. But we're going to treat get a treat. But we're going to treat get a treat. But we're going to treat them here real nice next week, okay? them here real nice next week, okay? them here real nice next week, okay? We're going to take care of our dads. We're going to take care of our dads. We're going to take care of our dads. So, make sure that you join us next So, make sure that you join us next So, make sure that you join us next Sunday. But that's everything that's Sunday. But that's everything that's Sunday. But that's everything that's coming up today. We got a great service coming up today. We got a great service coming up today. We got a great service for you. Joel is going to wrap up our for you. Joel is going to wrap up our for you. Joel is going to wrap up our series entitled Under Clear Blue Skies. series entitled Under Clear Blue Skies. series entitled Under Clear Blue Skies. But first, we're going to sing with Mike But first, we're going to sing with Mike But first, we're going to sing with Mike Tan, Andy Alammani, April, and Joy. And Tan, Andy Alammani, April, and Joy. And Tan, Andy Alammani, April, and Joy. And this first song, there's a lyric that this first song, there's a lyric that this first song, there's a lyric that says, "He's been my fourth man in the says, "He's been my fourth man in the says, "He's been my fourth man in the fire time after time." This is a call fire time after time." This is a call fire time after time." This is a call back to a Bible story that maybe you back to a Bible story that maybe you back to a Bible story that maybe you heard as a kid. It's the one where heard as a kid. It's the one where heard as a kid. It's the one where Shadrach and Meshach and Abedneo, they Shadrach and Meshach and Abedneo, they Shadrach and Meshach and Abedneo, they get thrown into a fire simply because get thrown into a fire simply because get thrown into a fire simply because they're following God. But here's the they're following God. But here's the they're following God. But here's the thing. When they found themselves in the thing. When they found themselves in the thing. When they found themselves in the fire, they were not afraid because they fire, they were not afraid because they fire, they were not afraid because they knew their God was with them. So if knew their God was with them. So if knew their God was with them. So if you're walking through a fire today, you're walking through a fire today, you're walking through a fire today, here's what you need to know. That same here's what you need to know. That same here's what you need to know. That same assurance is available to you. He is assurance is available to you. He is assurance is available to you. He is with you, too. Let's stand and worship with you, too. Let's stand and worship with you, too. Let's stand and worship together and we'll get started.

He's been my fourth man in the fire time He's been my fourth man in the fire time after time, And what he did for me on Calvary is And what he did for me on Calvary is more than enough. I trust in God, I trust in God, my savior, my savior, my savior, the one the one the one who will So this is my story. Heat.

So this is my story. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.

You call me out upon the waters. You call me out upon the waters. The great unknown. Stand with me. Fear The great unknown. Stand with me. Fear The great unknown. Stand with me. Fear may fail. And there I find you in the mystery. And there I find you in the mystery. In oceans deep, In oceans deep, In oceans deep, my faith will stand. and keep my eyes above the waves. and keep my eyes above the waves. When oceans arise, my soul rests in your When oceans arise, my soul rests in your When oceans arise, my soul rests in your embrace. embrace. embrace. For I am yours For I am yours For I am yours and you are Spirit lead me where my trust is Spirit lead me where my trust is without.

without. without. Let me walk upon the waters Let me walk upon the waters Let me walk upon the waters wherever you would call me. wherever you would call me. wherever you would call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever Take me deeper than my feet could ever Take me deeper than my feet could ever ask for wonder. And my faith will be ask for wonder. And my faith will be ask for wonder. And my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my made stronger in the presence of my made stronger in the presence of my savior. savior. savior. Spirit lead me where my justice without Spirit lead me where my justice without Spirit lead me where my justice without you wherever you are. wherever you are. Heat. Heat. And I will call upon your name, the only

And I will call upon your name, the only name that saves Jesus. And keep my eyes name that saves Jesus. And keep my eyes name that saves Jesus. And keep my eyes above the waves. above the waves. above the waves. When oceans arise, my soul will rest in When oceans arise, my soul will rest in When oceans arise, my soul will rest in your embrace. your embrace. your embrace. For I am yours. I'm your daughter and For I am yours. I'm your daughter and For I am yours. I'm your daughter and you. You are my Lord. Yeah. You are my Lord. Yeah. Oh, There's a grace when the heart is There's a grace when the heart is undefiled.

Another way when the walls are closing Another way when the walls are closing in. When I look at the space between where I When I look at the space between where I used to be and this reckoning, used to be and this reckoning, used to be and this reckoning, I know I will never be alone. There was I know I will never be alone. There was I know I will never be alone. There was another in the fight another in the fight another in the fight standing next to me. standing next to me. standing next to me. There was another in the There was another in the There was another in the holding back the seas. holding back the seas. holding back the seas. Should I ever need I've been set free. There is a cross I've been set free. There is a cross that bears that bears that bears where another died for me. where another died for me. where another died for me. There is another in the Should I fall in space between what Should I fall in space between what remains of me and the strength of me?

remains of me and the strength of me? remains of me and the strength of me? Either way, I will. I know I will never be alone. I know I will never be alone. There is another in the fire to me. There is another in the waters to me. There is another in the waters holding back sea. holding back sea. holding back sea. Should I ever need Should I ever need Should I ever need the power set me free. There is a great the power set me free. There is a great the power set me free. There is a great hold. hold. hold. Now the power is me. There is another in Now the power is me. There is another in Now the power is me. There is another in the fire. Nothing can stand between the father and

Nothing can stand between the father and I. No, no, no, no. I want you to lean I. No, no, no, no. I want you to lean I. No, no, no, no. I want you to lean into this part. into this part. into this part. There is no other name but the name that There is no other name but the name that There is no other name but the name that is Jesus. He was and still is and will be through He was and still is and will be through it all. it all. it all. Oh, so come with me. In this space Oh, so come with me. In this space Oh, so come with me. In this space between all the things unseen and this between all the things unseen and this between all the things unseen and this fragity, fragity, fragity, I know I will never be alone. I know I will never be alone. I know I will never be alone. Heat. Heat. Heat. I'll count the joy come every battle cuz

I'll count the joy come every battle cuz I know that's where you'll be. I'll I know that's where you'll be. I'll I know that's where you'll be. I'll count the joy come every battle cuz I count the joy come every battle cuz I count the joy come every battle cuz I know that's where you'll be. know that's where you'll be. know that's where you'll be. I'll consider and I'll draw every battle I'll consider and I'll draw every battle I'll consider and I'll draw every battle cuz I know that's where you'll be. Father, we will consider it all joy Father, we will consider it all joy every time we encounter a trial because every time we encounter a trial because every time we encounter a trial because we know that the trying of our faith we know that the trying of our faith we know that the trying of our faith workketh patience. And you desire workketh patience. And you desire workketh patience. And you desire nothing more than to let that patience nothing more than to let that patience nothing more than to let that patience have its perfect work in us so that we have its perfect work in us so that we have its perfect work in us so that we can be made perfect and complete, can be made perfect and complete, can be made perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. And God, I know lacking in nothing. And God, I know lacking in nothing. And God, I know going through the fire is not easy. going through the fire is not easy. going through the fire is not easy. But I pray today that for every person But I pray today that for every person But I pray today that for every person under the sound of my voice that is in a under the sound of my voice that is in a under the sound of my voice that is in a fire, whether it be a small fire or a fire, whether it be a small fire or a fire, whether it be a small fire or a large fire, that we would remember that large fire, that we would remember that large fire, that we would remember that you are there in the midst with us. That you are there in the midst with us. That you are there in the midst with us. That you feel every tinge, that you feel you feel every tinge, that you feel you feel every tinge, that you feel every pain, that you feel every sorrow, every pain, that you feel every sorrow, every pain, that you feel every sorrow, that you feel every fear. And despite that you feel every fear. And despite that you feel every fear. And despite all of that, your presence remains, your all of that, your presence remains, your all of that, your presence remains, your goodness remains, your faithfulness goodness remains, your faithfulness goodness remains, your faithfulness remains. and we are going to make it remains. and we are going to make it remains. and we are going to make it through because you are with us. So yes, through because you are with us. So yes, through because you are with us. So yes, God, we consider it all joy God, we consider it all joy God, we consider it all joy knowing that the end is where you are.

knowing that the end is where you are. knowing that the end is where you are. So today we bless you in the fire. We So today we bless you in the fire. We So today we bless you in the fire. We bless you no matter where we are. And we bless you no matter where we are. And we bless you no matter where we are. And we count it all joy and we give you praise count it all joy and we give you praise count it all joy and we give you praise and glory and honor because you deserve and glory and honor because you deserve and glory and honor because you deserve it. It's in Jesus name we pray. Amen. it. It's in Jesus name we pray. Amen. it. It's in Jesus name we pray. Amen. And amen. Thank you so much for singing And amen. Thank you so much for singing And amen. Thank you so much for singing with us. You may be seated. Well, I want to say welcome whether it's

Well, I want to say welcome whether it's your first time, your first time in a your first time, your first time in a your first time, your first time in a long time, or you come all the time. long time, or you come all the time. long time, or you come all the time. Whether you're joining us online or in Whether you're joining us online or in Whether you're joining us online or in person at one of our locations, uh we're person at one of our locations, uh we're person at one of our locations, uh we're thrilled to have you with us today. thrilled to have you with us today. thrilled to have you with us today. We're concluding our series on Noah and We're concluding our series on Noah and We're concluding our series on Noah and the flood called Under Clear Blue Sky. the flood called Under Clear Blue Sky. the flood called Under Clear Blue Sky. And uh if you haven't been here for any And uh if you haven't been here for any And uh if you haven't been here for any of it, I'll catch you up a little bit as of it, I'll catch you up a little bit as of it, I'll catch you up a little bit as I can uh in just a minute. Um but today, I can uh in just a minute. Um but today, I can uh in just a minute. Um but today, what I want you to know is we're finally what I want you to know is we're finally what I want you to know is we're finally going to make it to the flood. Some of going to make it to the flood. Some of going to make it to the flood. Some of you are like, "Okay, we're actually you are like, "Okay, we're actually you are like, "Okay, we're actually going to talk about the flood." We are going to talk about the flood." We are going to talk about the flood." We are going to actually make it to the flood going to actually make it to the flood going to actually make it to the flood today. Um but we're not going to make it today. Um but we're not going to make it today. Um but we're not going to make it all the way through the story. I just all the way through the story. I just all the way through the story. I just want you to know up front. I I'm going want you to know up front. I I'm going want you to know up front. I I'm going to disappoint you on the front end. to disappoint you on the front end. to disappoint you on the front end. Hopefully, you're not disappointed at Hopefully, you're not disappointed at Hopefully, you're not disappointed at the end, but on the front, we're not the end, but on the front, we're not the end, but on the front, we're not going to make it all the way. We're not going to make it all the way. We're not going to make it all the way. We're not going to make it to the dry land. We're going to make it to the dry land. We're going to make it to the dry land. We're not going to make it to the rainbow. And not going to make it to the rainbow. And not going to make it to the rainbow. And there's so much more. And you should there's so much more. And you should there's so much more. And you should explore this. I hope um some of what explore this. I hope um some of what explore this. I hope um some of what this series has done is cause you to this series has done is cause you to this series has done is cause you to want to dig into these really rich uh want to dig into these really rich uh want to dig into these really rich uh brilliant Old Testament narratives uh brilliant Old Testament narratives uh brilliant Old Testament narratives uh that we have. And um today, uh we're that we have. And um today, uh we're that we have. And um today, uh we're going to talk about the flood. But going to talk about the flood. But going to talk about the flood. But here's what I want you to know right up here's what I want you to know right up here's what I want you to know right up front, and I and this is like this is front, and I and this is like this is front, and I and this is like this is sort of the spoiler alert. Um the flood sort of the spoiler alert. Um the flood sort of the spoiler alert. Um the flood is not the point of the story. Now, we is not the point of the story. Now, we is not the point of the story. Now, we talked a lot about the ark last week.

talked a lot about the ark last week. talked a lot about the ark last week. And and there's way more verses about And and there's way more verses about And and there's way more verses about the construction of the ark than there the construction of the ark than there the construction of the ark than there is about the flood. The flood is not the is about the flood. The flood is not the is about the flood. The flood is not the point of the story. Just as, by the way, point of the story. Just as, by the way, point of the story. Just as, by the way, in in the story of Jonah, the fish is in in the story of Jonah, the fish is in in the story of Jonah, the fish is not the point of the story. We get so not the point of the story. We get so not the point of the story. We get so hung up on some of these things hung up on some of these things hung up on some of these things sometimes. And the fish and the flood, sometimes. And the fish and the flood, sometimes. And the fish and the flood, they have meaning. And the authors want they have meaning. And the authors want they have meaning. And the authors want us to understand what that meaning is, us to understand what that meaning is, us to understand what that meaning is, which is um their their goal for them which is um their their goal for them which is um their their goal for them was was not to to create a playbyplay of was was not to to create a playbyplay of was was not to to create a playbyplay of what actually happened uh in these what actually happened uh in these what actually happened uh in these circumstances. Matter of fact, as it circumstances. Matter of fact, as it circumstances. Matter of fact, as it relates to the the the story of Noah and relates to the the the story of Noah and relates to the the the story of Noah and the flood, I think the author would be the flood, I think the author would be the flood, I think the author would be so disappointed to know we spent so much so disappointed to know we spent so much so disappointed to know we spent so much time I mean, people have spent so much time I mean, people have spent so much time I mean, people have spent so much time proving and disproving debating the time proving and disproving debating the time proving and disproving debating the scale or the scope of the flood. And I scale or the scope of the flood. And I scale or the scope of the flood. And I think the author would go, "Wait, stop. think the author would go, "Wait, stop. think the author would go, "Wait, stop. Stop. Stop." That's not the point, which Stop. Stop." That's not the point, which Stop. Stop." That's not the point, which is why we're not debating, did it is why we're not debating, did it is why we're not debating, did it happen? Now, I've told some of you, I'm happen? Now, I've told some of you, I'm happen? Now, I've told some of you, I'm willing to have that debate with you, willing to have that debate with you, willing to have that debate with you, and we'll just do it online. And several and we'll just do it online. And several and we'll just do it online. And several of you took me up. You emailed me. We've of you took me up. You emailed me. We've of you took me up. You emailed me. We've had some great discourse. We I've sent had some great discourse. We I've sent had some great discourse. We I've sent you some resources, which has been you some resources, which has been you some resources, which has been awesome. I love that. And I'm happy to awesome. I love that. And I'm happy to awesome. I love that. And I'm happy to have this conversation. It's not that I have this conversation. It's not that I have this conversation. It's not that I want to sidestep it. It's not that I want to sidestep it. It's not that I want to sidestep it. It's not that I don't think it's important. It's just don't think it's important. It's just don't think it's important. It's just not important for our purposes. What I not important for our purposes. What I not important for our purposes. What I want to talk about is not that it want to talk about is not that it want to talk about is not that it happened, but what does it mean? And happened, but what does it mean? And happened, but what does it mean? And that's what we've been talking about the that's what we've been talking about the that's what we've been talking about the last couple of weeks. And I got one last couple of weeks. And I got one last couple of weeks. And I got one person email me that said, "Well, if it person email me that said, "Well, if it person email me that said, "Well, if it didn't happen, who cares what it means?

didn't happen, who cares what it means? didn't happen, who cares what it means? It doesn't matter." It doesn't matter." It doesn't matter." Except if you're going to throw that Except if you're going to throw that Except if you're going to throw that out, you're going to throw out every out, you're going to throw out every out, you're going to throw out every parable of Jesus and every other story parable of Jesus and every other story parable of Jesus and every other story that you're not sure if they really that you're not sure if they really that you're not sure if they really happened or not. In the real world, some happened or not. In the real world, some happened or not. In the real world, some of you, you may be skeptical. This is of you, you may be skeptical. This is of you, you may be skeptical. This is the story of the tortoise and the hair. the story of the tortoise and the hair. the story of the tortoise and the hair. Nobody debates who won the race or how, Nobody debates who won the race or how, Nobody debates who won the race or how, right? Nobody believes the point of the right? Nobody believes the point of the right? Nobody believes the point of the story because they believe there was story because they believe there was story because they believe there was actually a turtle that beat a bunny in a actually a turtle that beat a bunny in a actually a turtle that beat a bunny in a race. That's not why you believe it. race. That's not why you believe it. race. That's not why you believe it. It's because life bears out the fact It's because life bears out the fact It's because life bears out the fact that it's true. Our life experience that it's true. Our life experience that it's true. Our life experience teaches us that slow and steady wins the teaches us that slow and steady wins the teaches us that slow and steady wins the race. And these these stories are now race. And these these stories are now race. And these these stories are now here's what you need to hear from me. here's what you need to hear from me. here's what you need to hear from me. People have this question. I believe the People have this question. I believe the People have this question. I believe the flood happened. Both Jesus and the flood happened. Both Jesus and the flood happened. Both Jesus and the Apostle Paul and four extra biblical Apostle Paul and four extra biblical Apostle Paul and four extra biblical ancient narratives talk about the flood. ancient narratives talk about the flood. ancient narratives talk about the flood. Now, the size and the scope and how it Now, the size and the scope and how it Now, the size and the scope and how it all happened and what was preserved. I all happened and what was preserved. I all happened and what was preserved. I don't I don't know the answers to all of don't I don't know the answers to all of don't I don't know the answers to all of those things. I don't think anybody those things. I don't think anybody those things. I don't think anybody does. But there's a massive difference does. But there's a massive difference does. But there's a massive difference between debating details and excavating between debating details and excavating between debating details and excavating meaning. And with these really old meaning. And with these really old meaning. And with these really old stories, that's the that's the goal is stories, that's the that's the goal is stories, that's the that's the goal is to excavate meaning from this for our to excavate meaning from this for our to excavate meaning from this for our lives, which is what we did in week one.

lives, which is what we did in week one. lives, which is what we did in week one. we kind of put on our literary ancient we kind of put on our literary ancient we kind of put on our literary ancient literary glasses to understand the literary glasses to understand the literary glasses to understand the context for the flood before we even got context for the flood before we even got context for the flood before we even got to the ark or the the idea of the flood. to the ark or the the idea of the flood. to the ark or the the idea of the flood. What was the context? And what we What was the context? And what we What was the context? And what we realized was we had to go back to the realized was we had to go back to the realized was we had to go back to the very beginning of Genesis. And what we very beginning of Genesis. And what we very beginning of Genesis. And what we saw is that that God created the world saw is that that God created the world saw is that that God created the world and he separated the waters. And when he and he separated the waters. And when he and he separated the waters. And when he separated the waters, he created the separated the waters, he created the separated the waters, he created the world. And he looked at everything he world. And he looked at everything he world. And he looked at everything he created through separation and through created through separation and through created through separation and through expansion in the world. At the end of expansion in the world. At the end of expansion in the world. At the end of that, he says seven times that that, he says seven times that that, he says seven times that everything he saw was good. And then he everything he saw was good. And then he everything he saw was good. And then he told them to be fruitful and multiply. told them to be fruitful and multiply. told them to be fruitful and multiply. But what happened after that is man But what happened after that is man But what happened after that is man decided not to do what God instructed decided not to do what God instructed decided not to do what God instructed him to do. Man decided that they were him to do. Man decided that they were him to do. Man decided that they were going to see for themselves. And they going to see for themselves. And they going to see for themselves. And they saw what seemed good to them. And even saw what seemed good to them. And even saw what seemed good to them. And even though God saw what he had created and though God saw what he had created and though God saw what he had created and it was all good and he gave it to the it was all good and he gave it to the it was all good and he gave it to the man, man saw what he saw what what he man, man saw what he saw what what he man, man saw what he saw what what he thought was good or what seemed good to thought was good or what seemed good to thought was good or what seemed good to him and he decided to take it. And this him and he decided to take it. And this him and he decided to take it. And this is this is a story this is the fourth is this is a story this is the fourth is this is a story this is the fourth story in the series of stories. And what story in the series of stories. And what story in the series of stories. And what was result was not tove the good that was result was not tove the good that was result was not tove the good that that that God uh designed in the that that God uh designed in the that that God uh designed in the beginning. It resulted in raw or evil.

beginning. It resulted in raw or evil. beginning. It resulted in raw or evil. And this is the fourth time. Now it's And this is the fourth time. Now it's And this is the fourth time. Now it's the story of Eve and the story of Cain the story of Eve and the story of Cain the story of Eve and the story of Cain and the story of Lemch. Now the story of and the story of Lemch. Now the story of and the story of Lemch. Now the story of Noah and it's it's cosmic because Noah and it's it's cosmic because Noah and it's it's cosmic because there's other beings involved. You have there's other beings involved. You have there's other beings involved. You have to go back to week one to find all that. to go back to week one to find all that. to go back to week one to find all that. But the author is describing and we said But the author is describing and we said But the author is describing and we said this. I'm going to keep I'm going to for this. I'm going to keep I'm going to for this. I'm going to keep I'm going to for the last time this week, I'm going to the last time this week, I'm going to the last time this week, I'm going to keep drawing this. Uh God separated the keep drawing this. Uh God separated the keep drawing this. Uh God separated the waters in the beginning and what's being waters in the beginning and what's being waters in the beginning and what's being described in the flood stories is these described in the flood stories is these described in the flood stories is these waters that were above and below. And we waters that were above and below. And we waters that were above and below. And we actually don't have all the time in the actually don't have all the time in the actually don't have all the time in the world. I wish we had to talk about some world. I wish we had to talk about some world. I wish we had to talk about some of that because this is an interesting of that because this is an interesting of that because this is an interesting metaphor and an interesting idea in metaphor and an interesting idea in metaphor and an interesting idea in itself. But what what the author of itself. But what what the author of itself. But what what the author of Genesis is describing the flood story is Genesis is describing the flood story is Genesis is describing the flood story is that because of man's choices, the flood that because of man's choices, the flood that because of man's choices, the flood waters that God separated when he waters that God separated when he waters that God separated when he created order out of chaos, which is created order out of chaos, which is created order out of chaos, which is what the water represents. It represents what the water represents. It represents what the water represents. It represents chaos, is collapsing back in on itself. chaos, is collapsing back in on itself. chaos, is collapsing back in on itself. Not because God's angry and he said Not because God's angry and he said Not because God's angry and he said something to to uh destroy the world, something to to uh destroy the world, something to to uh destroy the world, but because God's grieved. And God in but because God's grieved. And God in but because God's grieved. And God in his goodness, he gave us free will. And his goodness, he gave us free will. And his goodness, he gave us free will. And one of the things that God will do is he one of the things that God will do is he one of the things that God will do is he will hand us over to our desires. And will hand us over to our desires. And will hand us over to our desires. And he's handing humanity over to their he's handing humanity over to their he's handing humanity over to their desires. And catastrophe is inevitable.

desires. And catastrophe is inevitable. desires. And catastrophe is inevitable. That's what's happening in the context That's what's happening in the context That's what's happening in the context of the flood story. And this has been of the flood story. And this has been of the flood story. And this has been going on. This is again it's it's a going on. This is again it's it's a going on. This is again it's it's a series when you read it right together. series when you read it right together. series when you read it right together. It's you see this pattern. The same It's you see this pattern. The same It's you see this pattern. The same thing happens over and over. This is the thing happens over and over. This is the thing happens over and over. This is the fourth story. And every time it fourth story. And every time it fourth story. And every time it intensifies. intensifies. intensifies. So the very first qu question we ask the So the very first qu question we ask the So the very first qu question we ask the the narrative is asking of us is who the narrative is asking of us is who the narrative is asking of us is who gets to define what is good and who gets gets to define what is good and who gets gets to define what is good and who gets to define what is good for you because to define what is good for you because to define what is good for you because you think see things that that seem good you think see things that that seem good you think see things that that seem good to you in the same way the people in the to you in the same way the people in the to you in the same way the people in the patterns of these stories did but who patterns of these stories did but who patterns of these stories did but who has decision rights when it comes to has decision rights when it comes to has decision rights when it comes to what is good for you then last week we what is good for you then last week we what is good for you then last week we looked at all all about the ark if you looked at all all about the ark if you looked at all all about the ark if you weren't here I cannot possibly catch you weren't here I cannot possibly catch you weren't here I cannot possibly catch you up on that but here's here's something up on that but here's here's something up on that but here's here's something to peique your interest if you weren't to peique your interest if you weren't to peique your interest if you weren't weren't here last week. Here's what I weren't here last week. Here's what I weren't here last week. Here's what I want you to know. The ark is not a boat. want you to know. The ark is not a boat. want you to know. The ark is not a boat. It's not a boat. There's no sails. It's not a boat. There's no sails. It's not a boat. There's no sails. There's no rudder. There's no oresman. There's no rudder. There's no oresman. There's no rudder. There's no oresman. Uh no, noah wasn't asked to be a Uh no, noah wasn't asked to be a Uh no, noah wasn't asked to be a captain. In fact, the word ark is a captain. In fact, the word ark is a captain. In fact, the word ark is a ancient Hebrew word, the word tabah. And ancient Hebrew word, the word tabah. And ancient Hebrew word, the word tabah. And and it means box or chest is a and it means box or chest is a and it means box or chest is a preservation box. We unpacked all the preservation box. We unpacked all the preservation box. We unpacked all the instructions and I drew it and it was instructions and I drew it and it was instructions and I drew it and it was not impressive because you're like, I not impressive because you're like, I not impressive because you're like, I could draw that. It's a big box. Who could draw that. It's a big box. Who could draw that. It's a big box. Who could who couldn't draw the box? That's could who couldn't draw the box? That's could who couldn't draw the box? That's the instructions we got. And and God the instructions we got. And and God the instructions we got. And and God gave the instructions for the gave the instructions for the gave the instructions for the preservation, this box, this preservation, this box, this preservation, this box, this preservation box for the preservation of preservation box for the preservation of preservation box for the preservation of life in the midst of the storm that was life in the midst of the storm that was life in the midst of the storm that was coming. And part of what we said, the coming. And part of what we said, the coming. And part of what we said, the application or the meaning of the story application or the meaning of the story application or the meaning of the story for us is that when we construct our

for us is that when we construct our for us is that when we construct our lives according to God's instructions, lives according to God's instructions, lives according to God's instructions, it it it can preserve our lives, it it it can preserve our lives, it it it can preserve our lives, preserve relationships, preserve our preserve relationships, preserve our preserve relationships, preserve our families in the midst of the storms that families in the midst of the storms that families in the midst of the storms that we're not even sure are coming yet, that we're not even sure are coming yet, that we're not even sure are coming yet, that we don't know are coming. And the the we don't know are coming. And the the we don't know are coming. And the the second question that we we pulled out of second question that we we pulled out of second question that we we pulled out of the narrative is whose instructions are the narrative is whose instructions are the narrative is whose instructions are constructing your life? Who's constructing your life? Who's constructing your life? Who's instructing what you're constructing in instructing what you're constructing in instructing what you're constructing in your life inside and out on the inside your life inside and out on the inside your life inside and out on the inside your mind and your will and your your mind and your will and your your mind and your will and your emotions? Who's instructing the shaping emotions? Who's instructing the shaping emotions? Who's instructing the shaping of you on the inside and on the outside, of you on the inside and on the outside, of you on the inside and on the outside, which is sort of the the idea of the which is sort of the the idea of the which is sort of the the idea of the ark, this preservation box. I want to ark, this preservation box. I want to ark, this preservation box. I want to pick up where we left off last week. We pick up where we left off last week. We pick up where we left off last week. We didn't make it all the way in to the end didn't make it all the way in to the end didn't make it all the way in to the end of chapter 6. We spent the last two of chapter 6. We spent the last two of chapter 6. We spent the last two weeks in chapter 6. We didn't make it weeks in chapter 6. We didn't make it weeks in chapter 6. We didn't make it quite all the way to the end. And the quite all the way to the end. And the quite all the way to the end. And the very last verse is important for the very last verse is important for the very last verse is important for the context of chapter 7 in which we're context of chapter 7 in which we're context of chapter 7 in which we're going to look at today. The very last going to look at today. The very last going to look at today. The very last verse in chapter 6 says this. Noah did verse in chapter 6 says this. Noah did verse in chapter 6 says this. Noah did everything just as God commanded him. So everything just as God commanded him. So everything just as God commanded him. So all the instructions were given and Noah all the instructions were given and Noah all the instructions were given and Noah did everything just as God commanded did everything just as God commanded did everything just as God commanded him. And this is really important him. And this is really important him. And this is really important because Genesis chapter 7 starts this because Genesis chapter 7 starts this because Genesis chapter 7 starts this way. Then the Lord God said to Noah, way. Then the Lord God said to Noah, way. Then the Lord God said to Noah, "Enter the box. Enter the ark, you and "Enter the box. Enter the ark, you and "Enter the box. Enter the ark, you and all your household, for you alone I have all your household, for you alone I have all your household, for you alone I have seen to be righteous before me in this seen to be righteous before me in this seen to be righteous before me in this generation. Now, there's so much going generation. Now, there's so much going generation. Now, there's so much going on. We can't I I just encourage you, on. We can't I I just encourage you, on. We can't I I just encourage you, just a quick note, when you're reading just a quick note, when you're reading just a quick note, when you're reading the Bible, read it slowly the Bible, read it slowly the Bible, read it slowly and observe what's going on. There's so

and observe what's going on. There's so and observe what's going on. There's so much there's more than we could possibly much there's more than we could possibly much there's more than we could possibly have time for today. I I know that have time for today. I I know that have time for today. I I know that sounds really nerdy, but there is. Back sounds really nerdy, but there is. Back sounds really nerdy, but there is. Back in chapter 6, if we were to compare this in chapter 6, if we were to compare this in chapter 6, if we were to compare this back to chapter 6, the author is the one back to chapter 6, the author is the one back to chapter 6, the author is the one who told us that God's eyes rested on who told us that God's eyes rested on who told us that God's eyes rested on Noah. Remember Noah's name means comfort Noah. Remember Noah's name means comfort Noah. Remember Noah's name means comfort or to console. God who's grieving, his or to console. God who's grieving, his or to console. God who's grieving, his eyes rest on Noah. The author tells us eyes rest on Noah. The author tells us eyes rest on Noah. The author tells us that. But now, after Noah has done that. But now, after Noah has done that. But now, after Noah has done everything God instructed him to do, now everything God instructed him to do, now everything God instructed him to do, now the Lord is speaking here and God says, the Lord is speaking here and God says, the Lord is speaking here and God says, "I have seen you to be righteous." And "I have seen you to be righteous." And "I have seen you to be righteous." And this is after the construction of the this is after the construction of the this is after the construction of the ark. That's that's exactly what the ark. That's that's exactly what the ark. That's that's exactly what the author is referring to is what just author is referring to is what just author is referring to is what just happened in the previous verses. And happened in the previous verses. And happened in the previous verses. And then I want you to tuck this away then I want you to tuck this away then I want you to tuck this away because we're going to come back to it because we're going to come back to it because we're going to come back to it later. He says, "You alone I have seen later. He says, "You alone I have seen later. He says, "You alone I have seen to be righteous. There's nobody else. to be righteous. There's nobody else. to be righteous. There's nobody else. You alone I've seen to be righteous." You alone I've seen to be righteous." You alone I've seen to be righteous." Yet, it's interesting. He permits Noah, Yet, it's interesting. He permits Noah, Yet, it's interesting. He permits Noah, in fact, he instructs Noah to take with in fact, he instructs Noah to take with in fact, he instructs Noah to take with him his entire family, his entire him his entire family, his entire him his entire family, his entire household. And that's not it. It's not household. And that's not it. It's not household. And that's not it. It's not just his family. He goes on, "Take with just his family. He goes on, "Take with just his family. He goes on, "Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals." I you seven pairs of all clean animals." I you seven pairs of all clean animals." I want you to observe with me. Seven pairs want you to observe with me. Seven pairs want you to observe with me. Seven pairs of all clean animals, the male and his of all clean animals, the male and his of all clean animals, the male and his mate, which actually means the the man mate, which actually means the the man mate, which actually means the the man and his wife or the the man and his and his wife or the the man and his and his wife or the the man and his woman. A and a pair of the animals that woman. A and a pair of the animals that woman. A and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and his mate, are not clean, the male and his mate, are not clean, the male and his mate, and seven pairs of the birds of the and seven pairs of the birds of the and seven pairs of the birds of the heavens, also male and female, to keep heavens, also male and female, to keep heavens, also male and female, to keep their offspring alive on the face of all

their offspring alive on the face of all their offspring alive on the face of all the earth. For in seven days, I will the earth. For in seven days, I will the earth. For in seven days, I will send rain on the earth 40 days and 40 send rain on the earth 40 days and 40 send rain on the earth 40 days and 40 nights, and every living thing that I nights, and every living thing that I nights, and every living thing that I have made, I will blot out from the face have made, I will blot out from the face have made, I will blot out from the face of the ground. Now, just really quick, of the ground. Now, just really quick, of the ground. Now, just really quick, what stands out? I I I kind of what stands out? I I I kind of what stands out? I I I kind of highlighted it for you, so I'm not going highlighted it for you, so I'm not going highlighted it for you, so I'm not going to call on you and make you say it out to call on you and make you say it out to call on you and make you say it out loud or make you look like you didn't loud or make you look like you didn't loud or make you look like you didn't have your homework done for class, but have your homework done for class, but have your homework done for class, but here's the very first thing that we here's the very first thing that we here's the very first thing that we recognize is this number. Did anybody recognize is this number. Did anybody recognize is this number. Did anybody recognize? I highlighted it several recognize? I highlighted it several recognize? I highlighted it several times. I hope you recognized it. But times. I hope you recognized it. But times. I hope you recognized it. But this number seven, this number seven, we this number seven, this number seven, we this number seven, this number seven, we see throughout the scriptures. He talks see throughout the scriptures. He talks see throughout the scriptures. He talks here about the seven pairs of clean here about the seven pairs of clean here about the seven pairs of clean animals and the seven pairs of birds and animals and the seven pairs of birds and animals and the seven pairs of birds and the seven days in which the flood is the seven days in which the flood is the seven days in which the flood is going to come. The the the the word going to come. The the the the word going to come. The the the the word seven I mentioned earlier uh God said seven I mentioned earlier uh God said seven I mentioned earlier uh God said seven times that everything he created seven times that everything he created seven times that everything he created was good. The creation of the world was was good. The creation of the world was was good. The creation of the world was in seven days. The word or the the in seven days. The word or the the in seven days. The word or the the number seven is the number of number seven is the number of number seven is the number of completion.

completion. completion. The number of completion or the number The number of completion or the number The number of completion or the number of perfection. These are the two ideas of perfection. These are the two ideas of perfection. These are the two ideas that are put forth when we see the that are put forth when we see the that are put forth when we see the number seven. You can think perfection number seven. You can think perfection number seven. You can think perfection or completion. This is what we're or completion. This is what we're or completion. This is what we're seeing. And so when you when you when seeing. And so when you when you when seeing. And so when you when you when you look at the the animals first, the you look at the the animals first, the you look at the the animals first, the animals represent something and the animals represent something and the animals represent something and the animals represent the land and then the animals represent the land and then the animals represent the land and then the birds the birds represent the sky. This birds the birds represent the sky. This birds the birds represent the sky. This is this is all right here in this text. is this is all right here in this text. is this is all right here in this text. And then the days, the seven days, those And then the days, the seven days, those And then the days, the seven days, those seven days represent time or and seven days represent time or and seven days represent time or and specifically they were the time of specifically they were the time of specifically they were the time of creation. And the author is trying to creation. And the author is trying to creation. And the author is trying to leave breadcrumbs for us. He's trying to leave breadcrumbs for us. He's trying to leave breadcrumbs for us. He's trying to drop hints to us. And this is all drop hints to us. And this is all drop hints to us. And this is all pointing towards something. This is pointing towards something. This is pointing towards something. This is pointing towards an idea that or a pointing towards an idea that or a pointing towards an idea that or a foreshadowing of what is about to come. foreshadowing of what is about to come. foreshadowing of what is about to come. And it ends up being a theme that And it ends up being a theme that And it ends up being a theme that happens throughout the scriptures. We happens throughout the scriptures. We happens throughout the scriptures. We see this and it's the idea that God, see this and it's the idea that God, see this and it's the idea that God, he's not done with the world. He's just he's not done with the world. He's just he's not done with the world. He's just about to bring new creation. And this is about to bring new creation. And this is about to bring new creation. And this is the preservation of what's needed in the preservation of what's needed in the preservation of what's needed in order to create new creation. And so order to create new creation. And so order to create new creation. And so it's it's as we talked about last week, it's it's as we talked about last week, it's it's as we talked about last week, it's new creation by preservation.

it's new creation by preservation. it's new creation by preservation. New creation by preservation. God could New creation by preservation. God could New creation by preservation. God could have just wiped everything out and have just wiped everything out and have just wiped everything out and started over. But if you remember, seven started over. But if you remember, seven started over. But if you remember, seven times God said over and over the things times God said over and over the things times God said over and over the things that he created, they were good. So God that he created, they were good. So God that he created, they were good. So God gathers the things that were the genesis gathers the things that were the genesis gathers the things that were the genesis of what he created. The the the the all of what he created. The the the the all of what he created. The the the the all the things. This is this is the story of the things. This is this is the story of the things. This is this is the story of of Genesis 1. the things that God of Genesis 1. the things that God of Genesis 1. the things that God created when he separated the waters and created when he separated the waters and created when he separated the waters and he created the sky and the land and he created the sky and the land and he created the sky and the land and every creature that was on in the world. every creature that was on in the world. every creature that was on in the world. And then he tells them to take pairs. And then he tells them to take pairs. And then he tells them to take pairs. This is this is on purpose. The male and This is this is on purpose. The male and This is this is on purpose. The male and his mate or the male and his wife. This his mate or the male and his wife. This his mate or the male and his wife. This is setting up new creation. This is is setting up new creation. This is is setting up new creation. This is setting up a fresh start. This is so setting up a fresh start. This is so setting up a fresh start. This is so they can again be fruitful and multiply they can again be fruitful and multiply they can again be fruitful and multiply but multiplying only what is good. And but multiplying only what is good. And but multiplying only what is good. And they're in proximity to who? They're they're in proximity to who? They're they're in proximity to who? They're coming. All of them, the family that are coming. All of them, the family that are coming. All of them, the family that are not righteous, the animals, they're all not righteous, the animals, they're all not righteous, the animals, they're all coming with the righteous one. They're coming with the righteous one. They're coming with the righteous one. They're coming with Noah into the ark. Now, God coming with Noah into the ark. Now, God coming with Noah into the ark. Now, God is entrusting is entrusting is entrusting this process. He's entrusting a massive this process. He's entrusting a massive this process. He's entrusting a massive responsibility to Noah. And it's one responsibility to Noah. And it's one responsibility to Noah. And it's one that Noah didn't ask for. And it's no that Noah didn't ask for. And it's no that Noah didn't ask for. And it's no small task. But there was no time to ask small task. But there was no time to ask small task. But there was no time to ask for questions. I mean, imagine he's got for questions. I mean, imagine he's got for questions. I mean, imagine he's got to get all these animals and get his to get all these animals and get his to get all these animals and get his whole family. This is controlled chaos.

whole family. This is controlled chaos. whole family. This is controlled chaos. And get it into the ark. Talk about And get it into the ark. Talk about And get it into the ark. Talk about trying to take chaos and put it into trying to take chaos and put it into trying to take chaos and put it into order. It's why there's rooms in the order. It's why there's rooms in the order. It's why there's rooms in the ark. And he's he's he's he's tasked with ark. And he's he's he's he's tasked with ark. And he's he's he's he's tasked with bringing them all into this big bringing them all into this big bringing them all into this big preservation box. So, we need to preservation box. So, we need to preservation box. So, we need to actually get on the story. So, and Noah, actually get on the story. So, and Noah, actually get on the story. So, and Noah, we see, did all that the Lord had we see, did all that the Lord had we see, did all that the Lord had commanded him. Again, it's repetition. commanded him. Again, it's repetition. commanded him. Again, it's repetition. This is this is valuable. this and and This is this is valuable. this and and This is this is valuable. this and and this is a validation um of Noah's faith this is a validation um of Noah's faith this is a validation um of Noah's faith and trust in God. He God instructs him and trust in God. He God instructs him and trust in God. He God instructs him and Noah does exactly as he's commanded. and Noah does exactly as he's commanded. and Noah does exactly as he's commanded. Now, in these verses, all this stuff Now, in these verses, all this stuff Now, in these verses, all this stuff that God just commanded him to do, we're that God just commanded him to do, we're that God just commanded him to do, we're going to see two more times. Now, as we going to see two more times. Now, as we going to see two more times. Now, as we read it, you're going to be like, read it, you're going to be like, read it, you're going to be like, "Didn't we already read that verse?" And "Didn't we already read that verse?" And "Didn't we already read that verse?" And so, these verses are going to sound so, these verses are going to sound so, these verses are going to sound similar, but what we're actually given similar, but what we're actually given similar, but what we're actually given is two camera angles. We're going to be is two camera angles. We're going to be is two camera angles. We're going to be given two different cam camera angles of given two different cam camera angles of given two different cam camera angles of what happened next. And they're the what happened next. And they're the what happened next. And they're the reason they're similar to God's reason they're similar to God's reason they're similar to God's instructions because Noah did everything instructions because Noah did everything instructions because Noah did everything that God commanded him. And so we're that God commanded him. And so we're that God commanded him. And so we're going to see it from two different going to see it from two different going to see it from two different perspectives what actually happened in perspectives what actually happened in perspectives what actually happened in the flood. And they mirror God's the flood. And they mirror God's the flood. And they mirror God's instructions because Noah followed what instructions because Noah followed what instructions because Noah followed what God said. The these two different camera God said. The these two different camera God said. The these two different camera angles uh are are verses six in case angles uh are are verses six in case angles uh are are verses six in case you're taking notes and you want to come you're taking notes and you want to come you're taking notes and you want to come back this later. Uh verses 6-10 back this later. Uh verses 6-10 back this later. Uh verses 6-10 and then verses 11- 16. These are the and then verses 11- 16. These are the and then verses 11- 16. These are the two the two different c camera camera two the two different c camera camera two the two different c camera camera angles that we're going to look at uh angles that we're going to look at uh angles that we're going to look at uh when when it comes to the story of of when when it comes to the story of of when when it comes to the story of of what Noah did to prepare for the flood.

what Noah did to prepare for the flood. what Noah did to prepare for the flood. So uh uh verse six and and by the way So uh uh verse six and and by the way So uh uh verse six and and by the way they start the same way. You you'll see they start the same way. You you'll see they start the same way. You you'll see the parallel coming these two panels. the parallel coming these two panels. the parallel coming these two panels. Hang with me by the way. This is a lot Hang with me by the way. This is a lot Hang with me by the way. This is a lot but it's really important and you're but it's really important and you're but it's really important and you're going to find um this story is really going to find um this story is really going to find um this story is really unlike any other of these Old Testament unlike any other of these Old Testament unlike any other of these Old Testament narratives. In fact it's a first in all narratives. In fact it's a first in all narratives. In fact it's a first in all of the Bible at this point. So Noah was of the Bible at this point. So Noah was of the Bible at this point. So Noah was 600 years old when the flood of the 600 years old when the flood of the 600 years old when the flood of the waters came upon the earth. The next waters came upon the earth. The next waters came upon the earth. The next you'll see in a minute the parallel you'll see in a minute the parallel you'll see in a minute the parallel version of this this second angle, it version of this this second angle, it version of this this second angle, it starts the same way. And Noah and his starts the same way. And Noah and his starts the same way. And Noah and his sons and his wife and his son's wives sons and his wife and his son's wives sons and his wife and his son's wives with him went into the box. I'm going to with him went into the box. I'm going to with him went into the box. I'm going to keep saying it because I love it. went keep saying it because I love it. went keep saying it because I love it. went into the box to escape the waters of the into the box to escape the waters of the into the box to escape the waters of the flood. And and of clean animals, and of flood. And and of clean animals, and of flood. And and of clean animals, and of animals that are not clean, and of animals that are not clean, and of animals that are not clean, and of birds, and of everything that creeps on birds, and of everything that creeps on birds, and of everything that creeps on the ground, the ground, the ground, two and two, meaning a pair of each, two and two, meaning a pair of each, two and two, meaning a pair of each, male and female, went into the ark with male and female, went into the ark with male and female, went into the ark with Noah, as God commanded Noah. And then Noah, as God commanded Noah. And then Noah, as God commanded Noah. And then after seven days, the waters of the after seven days, the waters of the after seven days, the waters of the flood came upon the earth. So, our first flood came upon the earth. So, our first flood came upon the earth. So, our first camera angle, and we can't talk about camera angle, and we can't talk about camera angle, and we can't talk about camera angles without having a camera.

camera angles without having a camera. camera angles without having a camera. So, let's let's get our camera here real So, let's let's get our camera here real So, let's let's get our camera here real quick. The first the first of our two quick. The first the first of our two quick. The first the first of our two camera angles is from the perspective of camera angles is from the perspective of camera angles is from the perspective of humanity. So, if you notice uh as we as humanity. So, if you notice uh as we as humanity. So, if you notice uh as we as I was reading, all of this stuff is what I was reading, all of this stuff is what I was reading, all of this stuff is what Noah did. It's where he went, how he Noah did. It's where he went, how he Noah did. It's where he went, how he operated, how um how Noah what Noah did operated, how um how Noah what Noah did operated, how um how Noah what Noah did in terms of what he took. So this this in terms of what he took. So this this in terms of what he took. So this this whole first perspective is what Noah whole first perspective is what Noah whole first perspective is what Noah does. And now we're going to see it does. And now we're going to see it does. And now we're going to see it again in a minute from the divine again in a minute from the divine again in a minute from the divine perspective. But this first camera angle perspective. But this first camera angle perspective. But this first camera angle that we're going to get here is all from that we're going to get here is all from that we're going to get here is all from the the perspective of humanity. It's the the perspective of humanity. It's the the perspective of humanity. It's it's from the perspective of what what it's from the perspective of what what it's from the perspective of what what Noah can control and what Noah did. And Noah can control and what Noah did. And Noah can control and what Noah did. And I if you think about it, this is what I if you think about it, this is what I if you think about it, this is what Noah did. The first thing that Noah does Noah did. The first thing that Noah does Noah did. The first thing that Noah does is he believes God. God says, "Hey, in is he believes God. God says, "Hey, in is he believes God. God says, "Hey, in seven days, in seven days, a flood is seven days, in seven days, a flood is seven days, in seven days, a flood is coming and here's what you need to do. coming and here's what you need to do. coming and here's what you need to do. Prepare. You need to get your whole Prepare. You need to get your whole Prepare. You need to get your whole family. You need to get all these family. You need to get all these family. You need to get all these animals and you get in the ark." And animals and you get in the ark." And animals and you get in the ark." And Noah believed him. Now, this isn't Noah believed him. Now, this isn't Noah believed him. Now, this isn't believe like he thinks God is right believe like he thinks God is right believe like he thinks God is right because people will tell you what they because people will tell you what they because people will tell you what they think, but they do what they believe.

think, but they do what they believe. think, but they do what they believe. And Noah believes God. And so, he jumps And Noah believes God. And so, he jumps And Noah believes God. And so, he jumps into action. He not only believes, but into action. He not only believes, but into action. He not only believes, but we see that Noah, he obeys. He does we see that Noah, he obeys. He does we see that Noah, he obeys. He does exactly what God tells him to do. He exactly what God tells him to do. He exactly what God tells him to do. He follows the instructions. And even the follows the instructions. And even the follows the instructions. And even the ones that didn't make sense. We don't ones that didn't make sense. We don't ones that didn't make sense. We don't have time to get this to it makes sense. have time to get this to it makes sense. have time to get this to it makes sense. The the male and female, why why you The the male and female, why why you The the male and female, why why you bring two se a pair of of all the bring two se a pair of of all the bring two se a pair of of all the animals, but what about the clean and animals, but what about the clean and animals, but what about the clean and unclean? Some of you have questions for unclean? Some of you have questions for unclean? Some of you have questions for that. You should dig into that. It's that. You should dig into that. It's that. You should dig into that. It's fascinating. Has to do with the fascinating. Has to do with the fascinating. Has to do with the sacrificial system later. If you want to sacrificial system later. If you want to sacrificial system later. If you want to understand your faith and the roots of understand your faith and the roots of understand your faith and the roots of your faith, like these are these are your faith, like these are these are your faith, like these are these are important things about how we make important things about how we make important things about how we make sacrifices and what kind of sacrifices sacrifices and what kind of sacrifices sacrifices and what kind of sacrifices are pleasing to God. We don't have time are pleasing to God. We don't have time are pleasing to God. We don't have time to talk about that today. Okay, I got to to talk about that today. Okay, I got to to talk about that today. Okay, I got to keep going. So Noah, he believes he keep going. So Noah, he believes he keep going. So Noah, he believes he obeys. And then Noah waits. obeys. And then Noah waits. obeys. And then Noah waits. Anybody bad at waiting? I'm terrible. I Anybody bad at waiting? I'm terrible. I Anybody bad at waiting? I'm terrible. I am I am probably the worst at waiting. am I am probably the worst at waiting. am I am probably the worst at waiting. I'm just not good at it. and and he Noah I'm just not good at it. and and he Noah I'm just not good at it. and and he Noah imagine he gets into the ark, gets imagine he gets into the ark, gets imagine he gets into the ark, gets everybody in the ark and I don't know everybody in the ark and I don't know everybody in the ark and I don't know how how long it took him to do that but how how long it took him to do that but how how long it took him to do that but he knew in seven days the flood's coming he knew in seven days the flood's coming he knew in seven days the flood's coming and here he is in this big box with and here he is in this big box with and here he is in this big box with chaos and he's like chaos and he's like chaos and he's like I just see blue skies God what are we I just see blue skies God what are we I just see blue skies God what are we doing here like I'm waiting and I'm doing here like I'm waiting and I'm doing here like I'm waiting and I'm waiting and just imagine the doubting waiting and just imagine the doubting waiting and just imagine the doubting imagine the questioning imagine the imagine the questioning imagine the imagine the questioning imagine the dissension amongst dissension amongst dissension amongst family members in the box. Some of you, family members in the box. Some of you, family members in the box. Some of you, this is my own personal hell, being this is my own personal hell, being this is my own personal hell, being stuck in a box with all all of these

stuck in a box with all all of these stuck in a box with all all of these people and all these animals. But this people and all these animals. But this people and all these animals. But this is where this is where Noah is is where this is where Noah is is where this is where Noah is because he followed God's instructions. because he followed God's instructions. because he followed God's instructions. Now, the second camera angle, we're Now, the second camera angle, we're Now, the second camera angle, we're going to come back to that. Verse 11, in going to come back to that. Verse 11, in going to come back to that. Verse 11, in the 600th uh year of Noah's life. So, the 600th uh year of Noah's life. So, the 600th uh year of Noah's life. So, it's it's a little different it's it's a little different it's it's a little different perspective. It feels like it's more perspective. It feels like it's more perspective. It feels like it's more like somebody's telling the story about like somebody's telling the story about like somebody's telling the story about Noah. It's like more than a third Noah. It's like more than a third Noah. It's like more than a third perspective. This is like a a divine perspective. This is like a a divine perspective. This is like a a divine perspective because it gets more perspective because it gets more perspective because it gets more specific. God is very specific about his specific. God is very specific about his specific. God is very specific about his timing. In the 600th year of Noah's timing. In the 600th year of Noah's timing. In the 600th year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the 17th life, in the second month, on the 17th life, in the second month, on the 17th day of the month, on that day, all the day of the month, on that day, all the day of the month, on that day, all the fountains of the great deep burst forth. fountains of the great deep burst forth. fountains of the great deep burst forth. Remember I told you all the fountains of Remember I told you all the fountains of Remember I told you all the fountains of the deep burst forth. And he tells us, the deep burst forth. And he tells us, the deep burst forth. And he tells us, "And the windows of the heavens were "And the windows of the heavens were "And the windows of the heavens were opened, and the rain fell upon the earth opened, and the rain fell upon the earth opened, and the rain fell upon the earth 40 days and 40 nights. On that very day, 40 days and 40 nights. On that very day, 40 days and 40 nights. On that very day, Noah and his sons," he named them Noah and his sons," he named them Noah and his sons," he named them specifically, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, specifically, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, specifically, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, together with his wife and the wives of together with his wife and the wives of together with his wife and the wives of his three sons, entered the ark. They his three sons, entered the ark. They his three sons, entered the ark. They had with them every wild animal had with them every wild animal had with them every wild animal according to its kind. This is how God according to its kind. This is how God according to its kind. This is how God created them according to their kind in created them according to their kind in created them according to their kind in the Genesis account. All livestock the Genesis account. All livestock the Genesis account. All livestock according to their kinds. Every creature according to their kinds. Every creature according to their kinds. Every creature that moves along the ground according to that moves along the ground according to that moves along the ground according to its kind and every bird according to its its kind and every bird according to its its kind and every bird according to its kind. Everything with wings.

kind. Everything with wings. kind. Everything with wings. Maybe even the pterodactyls. I don't Maybe even the pterodactyls. I don't Maybe even the pterodactyls. I don't know. But everything with wings. And know. But everything with wings. And know. But everything with wings. And then we're told, then the Lord shut him then we're told, then the Lord shut him then we're told, then the Lord shut him in. He shut him in. This is the second in. He shut him in. This is the second in. He shut him in. This is the second angle of the perspective of what's going angle of the perspective of what's going angle of the perspective of what's going on in the story. Now, on in the story. Now, on in the story. Now, we need another camera because we had a we need another camera because we had a we need another camera because we had a sec second angle. So, I'll try to do sec second angle. So, I'll try to do sec second angle. So, I'll try to do this quickly. I know the the camera this quickly. I know the the camera this quickly. I know the the camera isn't the most important part, but it is isn't the most important part, but it is isn't the most important part, but it is kind of interesting. It looks it looks kind of interesting. It looks it looks kind of interesting. It looks it looks kind of interesting to me. Um I'm a kind of interesting to me. Um I'm a kind of interesting to me. Um I'm a visual learner, so it'll remind me. I'm visual learner, so it'll remind me. I'm visual learner, so it'll remind me. I'm looking from a different angle. So this looking from a different angle. So this looking from a different angle. So this is this is our second angle and this is is this is our second angle and this is is this is our second angle and this is not from the perspective of what Noah not from the perspective of what Noah not from the perspective of what Noah does. This is the perspective of what does. This is the perspective of what does. This is the perspective of what God does. So what does God do in the God does. So what does God do in the God does. So what does God do in the story? The first thing that God does and story? The first thing that God does and story? The first thing that God does and the first thing that God is always doing the first thing that God is always doing the first thing that God is always doing is God governs. is God governs. is God governs. He's governing and nothing gets by him. He's governing and nothing gets by him. He's governing and nothing gets by him. 600 in the 600th year, the second month, 600 in the 600th year, the second month, 600 in the 600th year, the second month, the 17th day, probably the 3rd hour, the the 17th day, probably the 3rd hour, the the 17th day, probably the 3rd hour, the 41st uh minute, and the 9th second. I 41st uh minute, and the 9th second. I 41st uh minute, and the 9th second. I don't know. God knows exactly when this don't know. God knows exactly when this don't know. God knows exactly when this happened because God's governing what's happened because God's governing what's happened because God's governing what's going on. And at that moment, right, going on. And at that moment, right, going on. And at that moment, right, when God allowed it, when God he was not when God allowed it, when God he was not when God allowed it, when God he was not only governing, only governing, only governing, he relented.

he relented. he relented. In that moment, at just the right time, In that moment, at just the right time, In that moment, at just the right time, when God said it was going to happen, he when God said it was going to happen, he when God said it was going to happen, he allowed allowed allowed the great deep to burst open and the the great deep to burst open and the the great deep to burst open and the windows of heaven to open up. And it windows of heaven to open up. And it windows of heaven to open up. And it began to rain for 40 days and 40 nights. began to rain for 40 days and 40 nights. began to rain for 40 days and 40 nights. And the the earth began to flood. But I And the the earth began to flood. But I And the the earth began to flood. But I love this last verse. love this last verse. love this last verse. Then the Lord shut him in. Then the Lord shut him in. Then the Lord shut him in. Then God secures. Then God secures. Then God secures. He governs. He relents. He hands them He governs. He relents. He hands them He governs. He relents. He hands them over to. And then God secures. This is over to. And then God secures. This is over to. And then God secures. This is this is what's amazing about the this is what's amazing about the this is what's amazing about the original languages is this Hebrew word. original languages is this Hebrew word. original languages is this Hebrew word. It actually can mean very similar to It actually can mean very similar to It actually can mean very similar to this idea. God gives them. He entrusts this idea. God gives them. He entrusts this idea. God gives them. He entrusts them. He gives them over into the box to them. He gives them over into the box to them. He gives them over into the box to the safety of the box and he closes them the safety of the box and he closes them the safety of the box and he closes them in it. It's the same idea but a very in it. It's the same idea but a very in it. It's the same idea but a very different idea. He's handing humanity different idea. He's handing humanity different idea. He's handing humanity over to their desires. He's handing Noah over to their desires. He's handing Noah over to their desires. He's handing Noah over to the safety of the box that he over to the safety of the box that he over to the safety of the box that he instructed him to create. It's it's instructed him to create. It's it's instructed him to create. It's it's brilliant literature. And for 40 days, brilliant literature. And for 40 days, brilliant literature. And for 40 days, the flood kept coming on the earth. And the flood kept coming on the earth. And the flood kept coming on the earth. And as the waters increased, they lifted the as the waters increased, they lifted the as the waters increased, they lifted the box. They lifted the ark high above the box. They lifted the ark high above the box. They lifted the ark high above the earth and the waters rose and they earth and the waters rose and they earth and the waters rose and they increased greatly on the earth. And the increased greatly on the earth. And the increased greatly on the earth. And the ark floated on the surface of the water.

ark floated on the surface of the water. ark floated on the surface of the water. Then two final things that that that are Then two final things that that that are Then two final things that that that are not really part of these perspective, not really part of these perspective, not really part of these perspective, but a result of what Noah did and a but a result of what Noah did and a but a result of what Noah did and a result of what God did. This is I mean, result of what God did. This is I mean, result of what God did. This is I mean, you can't make this up. This is what you can't make this up. This is what you can't make this up. This is what Noah does Noah does Noah does once the once the waters start to flood. once the once the waters start to flood. once the once the waters start to flood. Noah rests. Noah rests. Noah rests. And what day does Noah rest on? And what day does Noah rest on? And what day does Noah rest on? You can't make it up. He rests on the You can't make it up. He rests on the You can't make it up. He rests on the seventh day. seventh day. seventh day. And he's trusting God who is good, who's And he's trusting God who is good, who's And he's trusting God who is good, who's recreating good in his life and in the recreating good in his life and in the recreating good in his life and in the world, and has entrusted him world, and has entrusted him world, and has entrusted him responsibility. This is out of Noah's responsibility. This is out of Noah's responsibility. This is out of Noah's hands. The waters are rising. He's done hands. The waters are rising. He's done hands. The waters are rising. He's done his part. He's done what God's his part. He's done what God's his part. He's done what God's instructed him to do. And now he's instructed him to do. And now he's instructed him to do. And now he's resting in God's governance of the resting in God's governance of the resting in God's governance of the world. And what what does God do? What world. And what what does God do? What world. And what what does God do? What happens as a result of Noah following happens as a result of Noah following happens as a result of Noah following God's instructions? God rescues Noah and God's instructions? God rescues Noah and God's instructions? God rescues Noah and his family and all the animals. This is his family and all the animals. This is his family and all the animals. This is important. Noah did a lot. But in the important. Noah did a lot. But in the important. Noah did a lot. But in the end, Noah rests and God is the one who end, Noah rests and God is the one who end, Noah rests and God is the one who rescues. He's the one who provides the rescues. He's the one who provides the rescues. He's the one who provides the refuge. This is another theme in the Old refuge. This is another theme in the Old refuge. This is another theme in the Old Testament. A a refuge, an everpresent Testament. A a refuge, an everpresent Testament. A a refuge, an everpresent help in the time of trouble or in the help in the time of trouble or in the help in the time of trouble or in the midst of chaos. I want you to notice midst of chaos. I want you to notice midst of chaos. I want you to notice what's happening here. That uh uh what what's happening here. That uh uh what what's happening here. That uh uh what what's happening here is Noah's faith is what's happening here is Noah's faith is what's happening here is Noah's faith is activating something in the world around

activating something in the world around activating something in the world around him. Noah's faith in the midst of the him. Noah's faith in the midst of the him. Noah's faith in the midst of the chaos, in the midst of the the windows chaos, in the midst of the the windows chaos, in the midst of the the windows of heaven open up and the the the floods of heaven open up and the the the floods of heaven open up and the the the floods bursting forth, the world is collapsing bursting forth, the world is collapsing bursting forth, the world is collapsing into chaos. And Noah by God's into chaos. And Noah by God's into chaos. And Noah by God's instructions instructions instructions is leading a movement of order and of is leading a movement of order and of is leading a movement of order and of safe refuge. safe refuge. safe refuge. A and he's leading his family and he's A and he's leading his family and he's A and he's leading his family and he's leading God's creation that God wanted leading God's creation that God wanted leading God's creation that God wanted to preserve in this box away from to preserve in this box away from to preserve in this box away from catastrophe. They still got to go catastrophe. They still got to go catastrophe. They still got to go through the storm. They didn't evade the through the storm. They didn't evade the through the storm. They didn't evade the storm, but they're evading catast storm, but they're evading catast storm, but they're evading catast catastrophe. catastrophe. catastrophe. What Noah's doing is he's bearing the What Noah's doing is he's bearing the What Noah's doing is he's bearing the weight of responsibility. And he's weight of responsibility. And he's weight of responsibility. And he's bearing the weight of the responsibility bearing the weight of the responsibility bearing the weight of the responsibility of something that's beyond his of something that's beyond his of something that's beyond his responsibility. The truth is is Noah was responsibility. The truth is is Noah was responsibility. The truth is is Noah was the one who was found righteous in God's the one who was found righteous in God's the one who was found righteous in God's eyes. Yet Noah is bearing responsibility eyes. Yet Noah is bearing responsibility eyes. Yet Noah is bearing responsibility for humanity's irresponsibility. for humanity's irresponsibility. for humanity's irresponsibility. Humanity's Humanity's Humanity's irresponsibility has led to Noah's irresponsibility has led to Noah's irresponsibility has led to Noah's responsibility. Noah is tasked with responsibility. Noah is tasked with responsibility. Noah is tasked with preserving life itself. His family, the preserving life itself. His family, the preserving life itself. His family, the animals, the future of of creation. This animals, the future of of creation. This animals, the future of of creation. This is this is no small task on no small is this is no small task on no small is this is no small task on no small scale. He builds this impossible scale. He builds this impossible scale. He builds this impossible structure first. Then he's got to go get structure first. Then he's got to go get structure first. Then he's got to go get all these different pairs of every all these different pairs of every all these different pairs of every living creature that God created. and living creature that God created. and living creature that God created. and and and and what actually happened is and and and what actually happened is and and and what actually happened is God brought them. It's it's and when you

God brought them. It's it's and when you God brought them. It's it's and when you read it, we skipped over a few verses, read it, we skipped over a few verses, read it, we skipped over a few verses, but when you read them, it actually says but when you read them, it actually says but when you read them, it actually says that they came to Noah, it's the same that they came to Noah, it's the same that they came to Noah, it's the same language of when God brought the animals language of when God brought the animals language of when God brought the animals to Adam and Eve to name them in the to Adam and Eve to name them in the to Adam and Eve to name them in the beginning. He brings the animals to to beginning. He brings the animals to to beginning. He brings the animals to to Noah and they go into the ark and God Noah and they go into the ark and God Noah and they go into the ark and God through Noah, he's recreating order from through Noah, he's recreating order from through Noah, he's recreating order from the chaos that is happening all around the chaos that is happening all around the chaos that is happening all around him. He's leading this movement o of him. He's leading this movement o of him. He's leading this movement o of order that is in the midst of this order that is in the midst of this order that is in the midst of this chaos. And some of you have experienced chaos. And some of you have experienced chaos. And some of you have experienced this, but this, but this, but this is this is really important in in this is this is really important in in this is this is really important in in the Genesis narrative. Um we've only so the Genesis narrative. Um we've only so the Genesis narrative. Um we've only so to this point, we've only seen the to this point, we've only seen the to this point, we've only seen the effects of sin being passed from one effects of sin being passed from one effects of sin being passed from one generation to the next. It it happened generation to the next. It it happened generation to the next. It it happened in Genesis chapter 3, 4, 5, and six. And in Genesis chapter 3, 4, 5, and six. And in Genesis chapter 3, 4, 5, and six. And now in for the first time now in for the first time now in for the first time in Genesis chapter 7, that's not by the in Genesis chapter 7, that's not by the in Genesis chapter 7, that's not by the author's design because he didn't name author's design because he didn't name author's design because he didn't name the chapters, but I think it's amazing. the chapters, but I think it's amazing. the chapters, but I think it's amazing. In chapter 7, this is the first time we In chapter 7, this is the first time we In chapter 7, this is the first time we see the effects of one person's see the effects of one person's see the effects of one person's righteousness being passed on or passed righteousness being passed on or passed righteousness being passed on or passed down from generation to the next. Noah down from generation to the next. Noah down from generation to the next. Noah accepts an overwhelming burden and that accepts an overwhelming burden and that accepts an overwhelming burden and that burden becomes his purpose. Now this is burden becomes his purpose. Now this is burden becomes his purpose. Now this is so important. Purpose and meaning often so important. Purpose and meaning often so important. Purpose and meaning often comes on the other side of comes on the other side of comes on the other side of responsibility. It's found in the responsibility. It's found in the responsibility. It's found in the adoption of responsibility. You know

adoption of responsibility. You know adoption of responsibility. You know this, you've seen this. When you when this, you've seen this. When you when this, you've seen this. When you when you accept greater responsibility, you accept greater responsibility, you accept greater responsibility, that's where leadership comes from. that's where leadership comes from. that's where leadership comes from. Greater responsibility means providing Greater responsibility means providing Greater responsibility means providing for others and caring for others. And for others and caring for others. And for others and caring for others. And and when we accept greater and when we accept greater and when we accept greater responsibility, we find greater meaning responsibility, we find greater meaning responsibility, we find greater meaning and purpose in life. And so the final and purpose in life. And so the final and purpose in life. And so the final question I think this narrative is question I think this narrative is question I think this narrative is asking of us is where might you have the asking of us is where might you have the asking of us is where might you have the ability to take on greater ability to take on greater ability to take on greater responsibility. responsibility. responsibility. Noah didn't have to take on this Noah didn't have to take on this Noah didn't have to take on this responsibility. It's not what he wanted responsibility. It's not what he wanted responsibility. It's not what he wanted to do necessarily, to do necessarily, to do necessarily, but he was chosen for it. God invited but he was chosen for it. God invited but he was chosen for it. God invited him into something extraordinary. him into something extraordinary. him into something extraordinary. And I wonder for you, where are things And I wonder for you, where are things And I wonder for you, where are things collapsing around you? collapsing around you? collapsing around you? Where are you experiencing chaos? Where are you experiencing chaos? Where are you experiencing chaos? Maybe it's of your doing, maybe it's of Maybe it's of your doing, maybe it's of Maybe it's of your doing, maybe it's of somebody else's doing. somebody else's doing. somebody else's doing. Where is Where is Where is their proximity for you to chaos? And their proximity for you to chaos? And their proximity for you to chaos? And what if your proximity to that chaos is what if your proximity to that chaos is what if your proximity to that chaos is an invitation for you to take on greater an invitation for you to take on greater an invitation for you to take on greater responsibility? It might just be that responsibility? It might just be that responsibility? It might just be that the greater purpose and meaning that the greater purpose and meaning that the greater purpose and meaning that you're looking for is waiting just on you're looking for is waiting just on you're looking for is waiting just on the other side of that burden or that the other side of that burden or that the other side of that burden or that chaos that you've been avoiding.

chaos that you've been avoiding. chaos that you've been avoiding. And maybe it's not your fault. Maybe And maybe it's not your fault. Maybe And maybe it's not your fault. Maybe it's not your fight. Maybe it wasn't it's not your fight. Maybe it wasn't it's not your fight. Maybe it wasn't your failure. It wasn't your your failure. It wasn't your your failure. It wasn't your irresponsibility. And so in your mind, irresponsibility. And so in your mind, irresponsibility. And so in your mind, you're thinking, "It's not my you're thinking, "It's not my you're thinking, "It's not my responsibility." But I want you to think about for a But I want you to think about for a second what's at stake for the people second what's at stake for the people second what's at stake for the people around you and for the people that are around you and for the people that are around you and for the people that are coming behind you. coming behind you. coming behind you. What if the salvation of a marriage is What if the salvation of a marriage is What if the salvation of a marriage is at stake? at stake? at stake? If you would just do the thing that If you would just do the thing that If you would just do the thing that God's asking you to do, to step in and God's asking you to do, to step in and God's asking you to do, to step in and take some responsibility. take some responsibility. take some responsibility. Maybe it's your marriage to go first and Maybe it's your marriage to go first and Maybe it's your marriage to go first and and to apologize and to take to own and to apologize and to take to own and to apologize and to take to own what's yours. Not to own what's not what's yours. Not to own what's not what's yours. Not to own what's not yours, but to take responsibility yours, but to take responsibility yours, but to take responsibility even though maybe you were the one that even though maybe you were the one that even though maybe you were the one that was wronged or betrayed. What if the was wronged or betrayed. What if the was wronged or betrayed. What if the salvation of a family is at stake, yours salvation of a family is at stake, yours salvation of a family is at stake, yours or somebody else's, your greater family? or somebody else's, your greater family? or somebody else's, your greater family? What if the salvation of somebody's What if the salvation of somebody's What if the salvation of somebody's future, future, future, your kids' future, your kids' future, your kids' future, the next generation, finding salvation the next generation, finding salvation the next generation, finding salvation through God. Make no mistake, I'm not through God. Make no mistake, I'm not through God. Make no mistake, I'm not saying you're going to save anybody. God saying you're going to save anybody. God saying you're going to save anybody. God does the rescuing, does the rescuing, does the rescuing, but he might be providing instructions but he might be providing instructions but he might be providing instructions for you. He might be inviting you to for you. He might be inviting you to for you. He might be inviting you to step into take on a responsibility or a step into take on a responsibility or a step into take on a responsibility or a burden or chaos that it isn't yours.

burden or chaos that it isn't yours. burden or chaos that it isn't yours. What what if somebody's soul around you What what if somebody's soul around you What what if somebody's soul around you is at stake? Come on. Our churches, our collection Come on. Our churches, our collection churches, our network, what if our churches, our network, what if our churches, our network, what if our community community community and our culture is at stake? and our culture is at stake? and our culture is at stake? What if the salvation of our world is at What if the salvation of our world is at What if the salvation of our world is at stake? stake? stake? I believe it is. What if God's inviting us to take on What if God's inviting us to take on greater responsibility, greater responsibility, greater responsibility, to do the right thing, to do right by to do the right thing, to do right by to do the right thing, to do right by God, to follow his instructions, to live God, to follow his instructions, to live God, to follow his instructions, to live as righteous in our generation as righteous in our generation as righteous in our generation for the salvation of people that are in for the salvation of people that are in for the salvation of people that are in proximity to us. Years ago, I was having proximity to us. Years ago, I was having proximity to us. Years ago, I was having a conversation with one of the elders of a conversation with one of the elders of a conversation with one of the elders of our church, and we were just having a our church, and we were just having a our church, and we were just having a conversation. He said, "Hey, just really conversation. He said, "Hey, just really conversation. He said, "Hey, just really kind, caring conversation." And he said, kind, caring conversation." And he said, kind, caring conversation." And he said, "Hey, what keeps you awake at night?" "Hey, what keeps you awake at night?" "Hey, what keeps you awake at night?" That's a great question. What keeps me That's a great question. What keeps me That's a great question. What keeps me awake at night? And thought about it for awake at night? And thought about it for awake at night? And thought about it for a minute and I I answered. I don't think a minute and I I answered. I don't think a minute and I I answered. I don't think I had a great answer to that. I I I had a great answer to that. I I I had a great answer to that. I I probably need to think about it some probably need to think about it some probably need to think about it some more. But I turned it back on him. I more. But I turned it back on him. I more. But I turned it back on him. I said, "What about you? What do you What said, "What about you? What do you What said, "What about you? What do you What keeps you awake at night?"

keeps you awake at night?" keeps you awake at night?" And his answer to this question has And his answer to this question has And his answer to this question has marked me for years. marked me for years. marked me for years. He said, "You know what I worry about? He said, "You know what I worry about? He said, "You know what I worry about? I worry that I might run into somebody I worry that I might run into somebody I worry that I might run into somebody that I know and that I care about on the that I know and that I care about on the that I know and that I care about on the other side of heaven that I didn't share other side of heaven that I didn't share other side of heaven that I didn't share my faith with. my faith with. my faith with. That I didn't take responsibility for That I didn't take responsibility for That I didn't take responsibility for helping them find salvation in Jesus. helping them find salvation in Jesus. helping them find salvation in Jesus. And I imagine they look me in the eye And I imagine they look me in the eye And I imagine they look me in the eye with tears in their eyes. They say, "Why with tears in their eyes. They say, "Why with tears in their eyes. They say, "Why didn't you tell me? didn't you tell me? didn't you tell me? You knew. You knew. You knew. You knew this is what was coming. You You knew this is what was coming. You You knew this is what was coming. You knew this is where things were headed. knew this is where things were headed. knew this is where things were headed. And you were too busy. And you were too busy. And you were too busy. You were too afraid. You were too afraid. You were too afraid. You were too shy. You were too shy. You were too shy. You were too worried I'd be offended You were too worried I'd be offended You were too worried I'd be offended or think you were weird. Why? Why didn't you tell me?

Why? Why didn't you tell me? Imagine if Noah Imagine if Noah Imagine if Noah had decided this was not his had decided this was not his had decided this was not his responsibility. He was righteous. He responsibility. He was righteous. He responsibility. He was righteous. He built the box. And he got in and God built the box. And he got in and God built the box. And he got in and God shut the door and the floodwaters came. shut the door and the floodwaters came. shut the door and the floodwaters came. And his family's on the outside and And his family's on the outside and And his family's on the outside and they're shouting, "Noah, they're shouting, "Noah, they're shouting, "Noah, you knew. you knew. you knew. Why didn't you tell us? Why didn't you tell us? Why didn't you tell us? Why didn't you warn us? Why didn't you Why didn't you warn us? Why didn't you Why didn't you warn us? Why didn't you step in and help us? That would have been the right thing to That would have been the right thing to do, right? Let me go back to the very beginning. Let me go back to the very beginning. This is the context for the whole flood This is the context for the whole flood This is the context for the whole flood story. The part the part about the story. The part the part about the story. The part the part about the flood. flood. flood. Lord said to Noah, "Enter the ark, you Lord said to Noah, "Enter the ark, you Lord said to Noah, "Enter the ark, you and all your household, for you alone I and all your household, for you alone I and all your household, for you alone I have seen to be righteous before me in have seen to be righteous before me in have seen to be righteous before me in this generation." this generation." this generation." It is true that one can and should be It is true that one can and should be It is true that one can and should be righteous on behalf of others and others righteous on behalf of others and others righteous on behalf of others and others can be saved because of the can be saved because of the can be saved because of the righteousness of one.

righteousness of one. righteousness of one. It's on page seven of our Bible of your It's on page seven of our Bible of your It's on page seven of our Bible of your Bible. Bible. Bible. This is a theme. This is a central theme This is a theme. This is a central theme This is a theme. This is a central theme of the one cohesive story the Bible is of the one cohesive story the Bible is of the one cohesive story the Bible is telling from beginning to end. the telling from beginning to end. the telling from beginning to end. the Hebrew scriptures and the New Testament Hebrew scriptures and the New Testament Hebrew scriptures and the New Testament scriptures. And this scriptures. And this scriptures. And this I'm sorry for my emotion. It's it's so I'm sorry for my emotion. It's it's so I'm sorry for my emotion. It's it's so brilliant. brilliant. brilliant. When we dismiss stories like this, it's When we dismiss stories like this, it's When we dismiss stories like this, it's it's unimaginably naive. it's unimaginably naive. it's unimaginably naive. This is right here. It's This is right here. It's This is right here. It's it's the righteousness. Of course, I'm going to mess it up. The Of course, I'm going to mess it up. The righteousness of the one. You get the righteousness of the one. You get the righteousness of the one. You get the idea. That leads to salvation for the many. The righteousness of the for the many. The righteousness of the one that leads to the salvation of the one that leads to the salvation of the one that leads to the salvation of the many. This is the story of the New many. This is the story of the New many. This is the story of the New Testament. Hear me right. God has Testament. Hear me right. God has Testament. Hear me right. God has invited you and me into acts of invited you and me into acts of invited you and me into acts of righteousness to live rightly before him righteousness to live rightly before him righteousness to live rightly before him to live as he's instructed us. You save to live as he's instructed us. You save to live as he's instructed us. You save nobody. That's God's job. God's the one nobody. That's God's job. God's the one nobody. That's God's job. God's the one that's rescuing.

that's rescuing. that's rescuing. But the truth is is he's invited you to But the truth is is he's invited you to But the truth is is he's invited you to do your part and to rest in his do your part and to rest in his do your part and to rest in his instructions knowing that it matters. instructions knowing that it matters. instructions knowing that it matters. And it doesn't just matter for you. You And it doesn't just matter for you. You And it doesn't just matter for you. You never act independently. You don't. When never act independently. You don't. When never act independently. You don't. When you say it's my life, it's not just your you say it's my life, it's not just your you say it's my life, it's not just your life. Your life has so much more meaning life. Your life has so much more meaning life. Your life has so much more meaning than just your little existence. than just your little existence. than just your little existence. And God wants to expand that meaning, And God wants to expand that meaning, And God wants to expand that meaning, expand that purpose. It happens through expand that purpose. It happens through expand that purpose. It happens through the adoption of greater responsibility. the adoption of greater responsibility. the adoption of greater responsibility. You never act independently. You never act independently. You never act independently. Your decisions of faith have a cascading Your decisions of faith have a cascading Your decisions of faith have a cascading effect into your future. Your future effect into your future. Your future effect into your future. Your future self will thank you for it. It has a self will thank you for it. It has a self will thank you for it. It has a cascading effect relationally, cascading effect relationally, cascading effect relationally, culturally, generationally, your decisions, your decisions, your adoption of responsibility. It your adoption of responsibility. It your adoption of responsibility. It matters. Let me ask you, I'm going to matters. Let me ask you, I'm going to matters. Let me ask you, I'm going to adjust the question just a little bit. adjust the question just a little bit. adjust the question just a little bit. Where has God entrusted you with ability Where has God entrusted you with ability Where has God entrusted you with ability to take on greater responsibility?

to take on greater responsibility? to take on greater responsibility? It could mean the salvation from It could mean the salvation from It could mean the salvation from catastrophe for somebody in proximity to catastrophe for somebody in proximity to catastrophe for somebody in proximity to you. you. you. Somebody Somebody Somebody who has a storm coming their way in who has a storm coming their way in who has a storm coming their way in their life. What if God What if God wants you to be part of his grand wants you to be part of his grand wants you to be part of his grand salvation plan, his new creation in your salvation plan, his new creation in your salvation plan, his new creation in your life and in the life of people around life and in the life of people around life and in the life of people around you? his restart for people who need a you? his restart for people who need a you? his restart for people who need a restart in some area of their life restart in some area of their life restart in some area of their life because you were willing to take on a because you were willing to take on a because you were willing to take on a burden or a responsibility burden or a responsibility burden or a responsibility that wasn't necessarily yours, but it that wasn't necessarily yours, but it that wasn't necessarily yours, but it was one that empowered by God, he could was one that empowered by God, he could was one that empowered by God, he could do something that only he could do do something that only he could do do something that only he could do through your life. I believe he is. If through your life. I believe he is. If through your life. I believe he is. If you're here today, I'll just tell you you're here today, I'll just tell you you're here today, I'll just tell you this. somebody brought you for the first this. somebody brought you for the first this. somebody brought you for the first time or you're in any one of our time or you're in any one of our time or you're in any one of our locations or somebody sent you a link to locations or somebody sent you a link to locations or somebody sent you a link to this. It's likely somebody who cares a lot It's likely somebody who cares a lot about you. They love you about you. They love you about you. They love you and they're trying to do right, not just and they're trying to do right, not just and they're trying to do right, not just by God, but by you. And they want you to by God, but by you. And they want you to by God, but by you. And they want you to know what's coming. And they want you to know what's coming. And they want you to know what's coming. And they want you to avoid catastrophe.

You know, you could be that for You know, you could be that for somebody. somebody. somebody. You could be that for somebody's life, You could be that for somebody's life, You could be that for somebody's life, maybe today, for their marriage, for maybe today, for their marriage, for maybe today, for their marriage, for their family, for their financial their family, for their financial their family, for their financial future, future, future, for their own personal well-being. And for their own personal well-being. And for their own personal well-being. And my prayer is that you would say yes to my prayer is that you would say yes to my prayer is that you would say yes to God as Noah did and do everything as the God as Noah did and do everything as the God as Noah did and do everything as the Lord is instructing you, as he's Lord is instructing you, as he's Lord is instructing you, as he's commanding you, commanding you, commanding you, so he so he so he can bring about the salvation of many can bring about the salvation of many can bring about the salvation of many through the righteousness of some. Let through the righteousness of some. Let through the righteousness of some. Let me pray for you. me pray for you. me pray for you. If you're here today and you're somebody If you're here today and you're somebody If you're here today and you're somebody and you just go, "Wow, and you just go, "Wow, and you just go, "Wow, I need that. I need rescuing. I need that. I need rescuing. I need that. I need rescuing. There's one named Jesus There's one named Jesus There's one named Jesus whose act of righteousness once and for whose act of righteousness once and for whose act of righteousness once and for all time cancelled the sin debt of all all time cancelled the sin debt of all all time cancelled the sin debt of all humanity to make us right with God. humanity to make us right with God. humanity to make us right with God. And you today could place your faith in And you today could place your faith in And you today could place your faith in him just by saying a simple prayer. You him just by saying a simple prayer. You him just by saying a simple prayer. You could pray along and you could say, could pray along and you could say, could pray along and you could say, "God, I I know I have gone the wrong "God, I I know I have gone the wrong "God, I I know I have gone the wrong way. I've not followed your way. I've not followed your way. I've not followed your instructions.

instructions. instructions. I've led my life into chaos I've led my life into chaos I've led my life into chaos and I need a restart. I need a new and I need a restart. I need a new and I need a restart. I need a new start. start. start. Bring about new creation in me. Recreate Bring about new creation in me. Recreate Bring about new creation in me. Recreate my life. Recreate my relationships. my life. Recreate my relationships. my life. Recreate my relationships. Recreate my future. I put my faith and Recreate my future. I put my faith and Recreate my future. I put my faith and trust in the righteousness of Jesus. The trust in the righteousness of Jesus. The trust in the righteousness of Jesus. The penalty he paid for me on the cross to penalty he paid for me on the cross to penalty he paid for me on the cross to put me in right relationship with you. put me in right relationship with you. put me in right relationship with you. and the way he conquered both sin and and the way he conquered both sin and and the way he conquered both sin and death through the cross and through his death through the cross and through his death through the cross and through his resurrection to give me new life resurrection to give me new life resurrection to give me new life so that I could be a new creation in so that I could be a new creation in so that I could be a new creation in you. Just by confessing that with your you. Just by confessing that with your you. Just by confessing that with your mouth and believing that Jesus was mouth and believing that Jesus was mouth and believing that Jesus was raised from the dead, the the scripture raised from the dead, the the scripture raised from the dead, the the scripture says it brings you to new life. You says it brings you to new life. You says it brings you to new life. You become a new creation. God, I pray for become a new creation. God, I pray for become a new creation. God, I pray for people who in the sound of my voice people who in the sound of my voice people who in the sound of my voice decided to make that decision today. I decided to make that decision today. I decided to make that decision today. I pray people would come around them to pray people would come around them to pray people would come around them to help them walk in that way. God, I pray help them walk in that way. God, I pray help them walk in that way. God, I pray for somebody who's here today and for somebody who's here today and for somebody who's here today and they're listening to this and they know they're listening to this and they know they're listening to this and they know exactly what they've been avoiding, the exactly what they've been avoiding, the exactly what they've been avoiding, the thing they've been pushing back against, thing they've been pushing back against, thing they've been pushing back against, the thing that they need to take the thing that they need to take the thing that they need to take responsibility for. I just pray you give responsibility for. I just pray you give responsibility for. I just pray you give them courage to trust you, that they them courage to trust you, that they them courage to trust you, that they would do all that they sense you would do all that they sense you would do all that they sense you instructing them to do, instructing them to do, instructing them to do, and then they would just rest and trust and then they would just rest and trust and then they would just rest and trust you to do the rescuing.

you to do the rescuing. you to do the rescuing. That's all that all of us can do. That's all that all of us can do. That's all that all of us can do. We thank you for the preservation of We thank you for the preservation of We thank you for the preservation of these stories and this instruction that these stories and this instruction that these stories and this instruction that helps us and reminds us and inspires us helps us and reminds us and inspires us helps us and reminds us and inspires us to partner with you and what you're up to partner with you and what you're up to partner with you and what you're up to in the world. We pray it in Jesus to in the world. We pray it in Jesus to in the world. We pray it in Jesus name. Amen. The Lord bless you The Lord bless you and keep you. and keep you. and keep you. Make his face shine upon and be gracious Make his face shine upon and be gracious Make his face shine upon and be gracious to the Lord. turn his to the Lord. turn his to the Lord. turn his face toward you face toward you face toward you and give you peace.

We believe say We believe say amen. May his favor be upon you and a thousand May his favor be upon you and a thousand generations generations generations and your family and your children and and your family and your children and and your family and your children and their children and their children. May their children and their children. May their children and their children. May his favor be upon his favor be upon his favor be upon and a thousand generations and a thousand generations and a thousand generations and your family and your children and and your family and your children and and your family and your children and their children and their children. May their children and their children. May their children and their children. May his favor be upon you and a thousand his favor be upon you and a thousand his favor be upon you and a thousand generations generations generations and your family and your children and and your family and your children and and your family and your children and their children their children. May his their children their children. May his their children their children. May his favor be upon you and a thousand favor be upon you and a thousand favor be upon you and a thousand generations generations generations and your family, your children, your and your family, your children, your and your family, your children, your children, your children, his friends, children, your children, his friends, children, your children, his friends, all before you and behind you and beside all before you and behind you and beside all before you and behind you and beside you, all around you. with you. He's with

you, all around you. with you. He's with you, all around you. with you. He's with you. He's with you in the morning. rejoicing. rejoicing. He is for you. He is for you. He is for He is for you. He is for you. He is for He is for you. He is for you. He is for you. He is for you. He is for you. He is you. He is for you. He is for you. He is you. He is for you. He is for you. He is for you. He is for you. Heat Amen. Amen.

Amen. Amen. The righteousness of one The righteousness of one The righteousness of one made space for the salvation of many. made space for the salvation of many. made space for the salvation of many. Hey, that's the invitation of mine and Hey, that's the invitation of mine and Hey, that's the invitation of mine and your life to align our lives with God's your life to align our lives with God's your life to align our lives with God's instruction and follow him and leave the instruction and follow him and leave the instruction and follow him and leave the rescuing to him. And so this morning, if rescuing to him. And so this morning, if rescuing to him. And so this morning, if you were sitting here and you felt a you were sitting here and you felt a you were sitting here and you felt a nudge and you thought, I want to be that nudge and you thought, I want to be that nudge and you thought, I want to be that pivot point in my family, in my pivot point in my family, in my pivot point in my family, in my workplace, in my neighborhood, workplace, in my neighborhood, workplace, in my neighborhood, if you're wondering what it looks like if you're wondering what it looks like if you're wondering what it looks like to follow Jesus closer, we'd love to to follow Jesus closer, we'd love to to follow Jesus closer, we'd love to chat with you after the service. We'd chat with you after the service. We'd chat with you after the service. We'd love to meet you in connections. We have love to meet you in connections. We have love to meet you in connections. We have plenty of responsibility around here, plenty of responsibility around here, plenty of responsibility around here, and we'd love for you to be part of the and we'd love for you to be part of the and we'd love for you to be part of the church and bringing Jesus to others. church and bringing Jesus to others. church and bringing Jesus to others. So, if that hits something with you So, if that hits something with you So, if that hits something with you today, stop by. Let's talk about it. today, stop by. Let's talk about it. today, stop by. Let's talk about it. Well, hey, thank you so much for being Well, hey, thank you so much for being Well, hey, thank you so much for being here today. It was a great service. Next here today. It was a great service. Next here today. It was a great service. Next week's Father's Day. Men, don't you hit week's Father's Day. Men, don't you hit week's Father's Day. Men, don't you hit that golf course. You be back here.

that golf course. You be back here. that golf course. You be back here. Let's We want to celebrate you. Hey, Let's We want to celebrate you. Hey, Let's We want to celebrate you. Hey, we'll have a great week. Thanks so much we'll have a great week. Thanks so much we'll have a great week. Thanks so much for being here. You guys are dismissed.