[5] Noahic Covenant
Steve McKenzie

Series: Story of God
Scripture: Genesis 6:5 – 9:17
Preacher: Steve McKenzie

Sermon Summary

In our journey through the story of God, we have come to the pivotal narrative of Noah, a story that transcends a mere moral lesson and delves into the profound depths of God’s heart for humanity, His judgment, mercy, and the ultimate renewal of creation. God’s care for mankind is evident, even as He prepares to cleanse the earth through the flood. His grief over humanity’s wickedness reveals His intimate involvement with His creation. Yet, in His righteousness, He cannot ignore sin.

Noah stands as a beacon of God’s grace. His righteousness is not of his own making but is attributed to his obedience to God’s commands. Noah’s life serves as a bridge between the past and the future, echoing the life of Adam and foreshadowing the coming Messiah. The flood narrative is not just about the destruction of the wicked but about the preservation and mercy extended to Noah and his family, a microcosm of God’s plan for salvation.

The flood brought about a decreation, a reversal of the order established in Genesis, but it also set the stage for recreation. As the waters receded, God remembered Noah, a phrase rich with divine care and intentionality. The emergence from the ark symbolized a new beginning, akin to the first days of creation, with a renewed command to be fruitful and multiply.

God’s covenant with Noah is a cornerstone of this story. It is a promise that extends to all of creation, a commitment that God will never again destroy the earth with a flood. The sign of this covenant, the rainbow, is a tangible reminder of God’s faithfulness and His desire for humanity to remember His words and promises.

The New Testament writers understood the flood as a prefiguration of the final judgment and salvation through Christ. Jesus is the true Ark of our salvation, and baptism is an outward expression of this inward reality. As Noah was saved through the water, so are we saved through the waters of baptism, which signify our death and resurrection with Christ.

We live in the days of Noah, where sin abounds and God’s patience is often mistaken for indifference. But God is neither indifferent nor distant; He sees, cares, and His judgment is certain. Yet, His mercy is also evident, offering salvation to those who place their trust in Jesus Christ. The final judgment awaits, and our hope lies in the provision of Christ, our Ark, who will bring about the ultimate renewal and restoration of all things.

Key Takeaways:

– Noah’s righteousness was not inherent but was a testament to his obedience to God’s commands. His life serves as a reminder that our own righteousness is found not in our actions but in our faithfulness to God’s word. This challenges us to look beyond our own abilities and to trust in God’s provision for our salvation. [49:33]

– The flood narrative is a powerful illustration of God’s judgment paired with His mercy. It teaches us that God’s patience should not be misconstrued as permissiveness towards sin. Instead, it is an opportunity for us to turn to Him in repentance and obedience, recognizing His sovereignty and our need for His grace. [34:44]

– Baptism is more than a ritual; it is a profound declaration of our identification with Christ. As Noah entered the ark for physical salvation, we enter the waters of baptism to signify our spiritual salvation through Jesus. This sacrament is a public testimony of our faith and a symbol of the new life we have in Christ. [37:09]

– The covenant with Noah is a universal promise that still holds true today. It is a reminder of God’s unchanging faithfulness and His commitment to His creation. As we witness the rainbow, we are called to remember God’s promises and to live in the assurance of His steadfast love and mercy. [26:09]

– We are living in a time akin to the days of Noah, where the reality of sin is evident, but so is the hope of salvation. This period of waiting is not a sign of God’s indifference but a demonstration of His mercy, giving us time to seek refuge in Christ, the true Ark, before the final judgment. [43:02]