Get In While You Can
Genesis 7:1-10
Intro: One of the most well-known stories in the Bible is that of Noah and the Ark.
I. The Problem
· 5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
· 11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.
· 12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
The problem was sin.
The problem is always sin.
Galatians 5
· 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
· 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
· 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
· Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Romans 1
· 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
· 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
· 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
· 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
II. The Plan
Before God decided to flood the earth, He had a plan to save Noah and his family.
· Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
God had a plan to save mankind before He ever created the world.
· Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
The ark only had one door.
The plan of salvation only has one door.
· John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
III. The Preacher
God always sends a preacher!
· 2 Peter 2:5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
Romans 10
· 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
· 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
· 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
· 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
· 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
IV. The Patience
In verse 10, the Bible says that the door stayed open for 7 days.
· 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
God is a God of mercy and patience.
He will give you more opportunities to be saved than you deserve.
V. The Punishment
God always has to punish sin.
Sin cannot go unaddressed.
· Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
· Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Conclusion: A bunch of us are already in the ark. The door is still open, but it won’t be open for long.
Judgment is coming. You’d better get in while you still can!