Pastor Matt reminded us that even when humanity walked away, God started walking toward us with a promise and an offer to bring us back, and to make things right again.
MY STORY
Think about some of the hard times you've experienced in your life. How did you see the hand of God in the middle of those – perhaps best after the trials were done?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO HEAR?
The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. (Genesis 6:5-6)
It's hard to imagine how bad things must have been. God's response to the wickedness of man wasn't anger – it was grief. Why does that say about His relationship to mankind?
Why did Noah find favor in God's eyes? On account of Noah, how many people did God save?
When the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma, the Lord said in his heart, "I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done. (Genesis 8:21)
God promises he will never destroy the earth again. Is that because He was confident mankind would not grieve him again?
(Notice that he doesn't take away man's free will, which would be the only way to ensure that evil didn't overtake the world again.) What does this say to you about God's character?
What does God want us to hear? Based on the passages above, what are the factual "takeaways" that are meaningful to you?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO DO?
God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. (Genesis 9:1)
These are the same words He said to Adam and Eve. Even after so much evil, God shows His great love—He wants there to be more of us! How does loving our neighbors reflect God's love?
On a practical level, what are some of the ways you can show God's love to those around you?
When you look at your community and the people God has placed in your life, are you grieved by evil? Angered? Tempted to join in?
What does God want us to do? Flowing out of our reading and interpretation, what action does this passage or the Spirit's leading, nudging us toward?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO?
Pastor Matt said, "The picture we get at the end of this story is God laying down his instrument of war. Never again shall I send a flood to destroy the earth. I lay my bow down as a sign of my grace, that no matter how evil it gets, I will not do this again. The rainbow is a seven-colored arch of beauty that decorates the heavens that serves as a reminder to us that God has laid his weapons down."
As powerful as the natural disaster – the flood – is, God is even more powerful. He determines when it ends (8:1). Do you think that Noah and his family felt like things were under control?
What are some ways you can remind yourself of God's love, steadfast character, and constant presence?
Thank God this week for the hundreds of ways he has demonstrated his mercy toward you.
What does God want ME to do? What is the personal application and action step is the Holy Spirit is calling you toward?
Message Notes
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