INTRODUCTION
Consequences of sin grew Genesis 4-6. The picture in human history goes darker and darker.
GOD AS JUDGE
Teachings about Sin
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. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
Genesis 6:5-7 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/gen.6.5-7.KJV
Sin grieves God
Repentance means doing something
In fact, the only darker moment in all of the Bible are the hours of darkness before Jesus died on the cross. The flood and the cross are doing the same thing. The flood and the cross are both epics in human history where God judges sin. He judges sin at the flood, and He judges sin at the cross. Sin is always a big deal. It is always destructive and it is always punished. We must not trivialize it. Holiness always matters. That is the first half of the message of the flood. It is a dark, dark story of a grieving God and his hatred of sin.
GOD AS REDEEMER
Character of Noah
But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord . These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
Genesis 6:8-9 KJV
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.
Hebrews 11:7 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/heb.11.7.KJV,
Culture of the World
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.
Genesis 6:5 KJV
The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
Genesis 6:11-13 KJV
Covenant with God
And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee.
Genesis 6:17-18 KJV
Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.
Genesis 6:22 KJV
And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the Lord shut him in.
Genesis 7:16 KJV
And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters assuaged;
Genesis 8:1 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/gen.8.1.KJV
Chaos to recreation
the message of the flood is that not only is God the judge of sin, but God is also the God who redeems in the midst of the sin. Just as He redeemed Adam and Eve, and just as He redeemed Noah and his family, so also He will redeem you. He has done it at the cross, and He will do it for you now.
The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.
Genesis 8:21 NIV
Conclusion
When every time it rains, agree with God that sin is terrible
When we see rainbow agree with God that He is pleased with righteousness and faith.
What is God asking you to do right now that seems silly, especially to those around you, but you know that he is calling you to respond in faith?