Genesis 6 Sermon

Genesis 6:1-22
Sermon Notes
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God Keeps Covenant

April 22, 2018

Lynchburg, Virginia

EXHORDIUM

         In just a few chapters of the opening of the Bible, we have seen God’s amazing work in speaking the world into existence. He created everything that we see. He is the ruler over all things. And He created mankind to rule the earth under Him. But in very short order, man failed to obey God and fell into rebellion.

         But God chose Seth to replace the murdered Abel so that the promise of God would prevail. But even here, mankind was not able to obey God. They rebelled and the righteous line of Seth mixed with the rebellious line of Cain and the result was horrible violence and wickedness on the Earth. 

         It did not take long for this rebellion to fill the whole earth. Once the righteous line had been infected, it spread to all men. It is difficult for us to imagine how horrible that old world was. Think of some of the horrible places of the Bible. Sodom, where there was grotesque wickedness. Jericho, where the enemies of God persecuted God’s people. Even in Benjamin, where God’s people had been decayed to the point of vileness. Throughout the old testament, God’s people mixed with various pagans who worshipped false gods and sacrificed their own children by burning them in the fire. 

         So, even many years after the flood, when God had established His laws and worship in the land of Canaan, His people were horribly wicked. Now, imagine a world that was all of that all the time, no end in sight and no clear laws, lawgiver, or law keeper to police the land. That was the antediluvian world. That is a world without

Doing God's Commands

This do ye. This is something we can do. God said to do it and we do. Noah did God’s command. Our task is much easier than his. This do, as oft as you eat this bread and drink this cup in remembrance of Me.

Remember Jesus. Remember His perfect work. Remember that He was innocent. Remember that He took your place. Remember that He fulfilled God’s will for you. Remember that your sins are forgiven in Him. Remember that He rose from the dead so that you can be made alive by His Spirit. This meal reveals both your weakness and His strength, both good things to remember. At least remember these things once a week but you can do even better than that.

         We break bread on the Lord’s day and remember His death. You break bread every day. So, remember every day. Remember the Lord’s broken body for you. Remember the Lord in your libations, that He was poured out for you. And rest in Him.

Grieving the Spirit

Eph. 4:30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

As Calvinists, who believe in the absolute sovereignty of God, we ought not make the mistake of being stoics. Yes, God knows the end from the beginning. Yes, His decree has gone out before the foundation of the world. Yes, the Lord works all things for the good of those that love Him and are called according to His purposes. These are comforting doctrines. 

But we must not become indifferent to sin, either in our own lives or the lives of others. We know that Jesus is in Heaven ruling Heaven and Earth. He is not ringing His hands in panic about His next option. But this does not mean that He is in anyway indifferent to rebellion on the earth or sin in the lives of His people.

The Father is grieved by sin. The Holy Spirit is grieved when His people turn away from Him committing sins. Jesus marveled at unbelief. He was angry with sinners in the Temple. He made a chord of whips and whipped them out of the courtyard. And we should do the same thing to the sins in our lives. Mortify them. Put them to death. Nail them to the cross and walk away.

And then seek the mercy and grace of Jesus who is faithful and just to forgive all your sins. 

Sustenance in Jesus

God has promised to provide for your every need. If you have been a Christian for any length of time, then you have known God’s provision, both to you personally and to others, who in extreme circumstances had the grace sufficient to make it through.

         This meal represents God’s promise of sustenance to you. In Christ, we possess all things. And this meal is God’s way of telling you that you are in Christ and Christ is in you. If that is the case, then He will provide for your needs in everything. And if that is the case, then this meal should be a great source of peace and comfort to you.

Patient and Kind

Love is patient. Love is kind. Love is also many other things but let’s start at the beginning. Patient and kind. How are you doing there? Are you patient with your husband? Patient with your wife? Moms, are you patient with the kids?

         Or, do you treat others with your own sense of urgency. Let’s get it done, now! 

         Love is also kind. Do you speak kindly with your spouse, with your children, to your parents? Why not? Is impatience making it difficult.

         Folks, let’s love one another by being patient and kind. If you have not been doing this, then confess and repent. Ask to grow in the Holy Spirit so that you learn to love the way a Christian should. You may also need to make restitution if you have been egregiously impatient or unkind.