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Leadership and Covenants (Part Ten)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughNoah stands as an outstanding leader chosen by God from Seth's family line to warn humanity of impending punishment through a devastating Flood. As a preacher of righteousness, he made humanity's plight clear, leaving no excuse for their refusal to repent. When the Flood came as predicted, only Noah, his family, and the animals God ordered them to save survived, marking a new beginning for mankind under his leadership. Noah's conduct during these tumultuous times offers valuable lessons for enduring and overcoming in worsening conditions. His faithful obedience to God's commands, as seen in Genesis 6:22, highlights his character. He did not deviate from what God instructed, humbly carrying out his responsibilities despite social pressures, and accomplished his tasks with determined class. Genesis 7:1 further reveals God's recognition of Noah's righteousness, affirming his qualification to meet the spiritual challenges of his era. Noah's life exemplifies living by faith amidst unusually difficult circumstances. Selected by God to lead before, during, and after the Flood, he spent 120 years building the ark, which became the means of saving his family. Simultaneously, he preached God's truth to a violent world. Described as righteous and faithful by the Creator Himself, Noah is a figure to admire and emulate. Hebrews 11:7 notes that by faith, Noah, divinely warned of unseen events, moved with godly fear to prepare the ark, saving his household and condemning the world. Genesis 6:9 describes him as just, righteous, and walking with God, indicating he lived in step with Him despite surrounding corruption. His righteousness stemmed from finding grace, which empowered him to accomplish what God purposed. This grace, preceding his actions, enabled Noah to yield to God's guidance, providing a practical and spiritual example for navigating challenging times.
Leadership and Covenants (Part Fifteen)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Noah's obedience stands as a profound example of faithfulness in the face of overwhelming challenges. God chose Noah, an every-man, not a warrior or king, to rise to the occasion during a critical time in mankind's history. Noah did not flinch when God commanded him to build an ark, despite the enormity of the task and the potential for verbal abuse over the 120 years it took to complete. He was a humble man who followed God's orders, a quality so unique that God praised him five times for it. As a preacher of righteousness, Noah persisted even when no one repented, enduring the stress of living in a time when every intent of man's heart was only evil continually. During the Flood, Noah and his family faced grueling conditions inside the ark, tossed by churning waters and surrounded by death, yet he remained steadfast. Upon exiting the ark into a world of deathly silence and desolation, Noah's first act was to offer a thank offering for deliverance and a sin offering, acknowledging his family's need for forgiveness and atonement. This revealed the deep relationship with God that had been created in his heart. Despite the hardships of building the ark, the mocking he endured, and the violent pitching of the vessel, Noah did not complain; he simply said yes to God and did what He commanded. God placed Noah's biography early in His book by design, listing him alongside Daniel and Job in Ezekiel as men whose lives were worth more than entire nations combined. This high praise from God underscores Noah's exceptional closeness to Him through faithful, righteous character. Noah's obedience extended beyond the Flood, as he lived another 350 years, rebuilding, repopulating, resettling, and governing the earth. His unwavering commitment, even in the face of such a monumental job of faith, earned him the distinction of being the first man with whom God directly made a covenant, a significant marker of his relationship with the Creator.
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Fourteen)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Noah stands as a paramount example of obedience and faith in the face of overwhelming challenges. God chose Noah to be the father of all mankind following the devastation of the Flood, a role of immense honor and responsibility. For one hundred and twenty years, Noah and his family labored to build the ark, a monumental task that became the very means of their salvation. Throughout this time, Noah remained righteously faithful, as affirmed by God Himself. He did not deviate from God's instructions, humbly carrying out his responsibilities despite social pressures, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to God's will. God's evaluation of Noah highlights his character as humble, dependable, and trustworthy. Though not perfect, Noah's conduct during tumultuous and stressful times was exceptional, marking him as a titan of faith and a preacher of righteousness. His life serves as a superior example of living by faith, especially considering the difficult era in which he accomplished his tasks. Noah's obedience did not waver, even as he faced the daunting reality of a world disappearing under the Flood, showing that everything begins with God and flows from His purpose. As a witness to the world, Noah's actions provided a warning to those around him, leaving them without excuse for their conduct. His building of the ark and his preaching were acts of obedience that testified to God's plan. Despite the Flood not solving the deeper issues in the hearts of mankind, Noah's family was sanctified and received grace from God before the deluge, positioning them for deliverance. This grace enabled them to carry out their responsibilities, just as God equips His children today. Noah remembered God's grace throughout his trials, never forgetting the source of his strength, even during the year and ten days of tumultuous seas in the ark. Upon leaving the ark, his first act was to offer a sacrifice of thanks to God, reflecting his enduring gratitude. This steadfast remembrance and obedience underscore the lesson that God's calling and sanctification are the starting points for salvation, requiring a faithful response to the gifts and grace He provides. Noah's example encourages us to yield to God's guidance, to build our spiritual ark, and to remain faithful amidst the challenges of our own time.
Two Arks of Salvation
Sermon by Ted E. BowlingIn both the basket carrying Moses and the ark carrying Noah's family for over a year, God was in control, and guided both arks to safety.
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Thirteen)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God is at work producing leadership in an organization that will follow Him, calling people into His family, carefully crafting it into a perfect organism.
The Great Flood (Part Four)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGenesis 6 reflects a distortion of marriage. One improbable explanation of the "sons of God" is that angelic beings cohabited with human beings.
'Perfect In His Generations'
'Ready Answer' by Richard T. RitenbaughWhen God says that Noah was 'perfect in his generations,' does He imply racial purity? A study of the Hebrew words quickly clarifies its meaning.
The Great Flood (Part Three)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGenesis 6:1-4 summarize what led to God's rejection of the pre-flood civilization: men chose wives solely on the basis of sex appeal and external beauty.
Among the Few
Sermon by Mark SchindlerInitially, the primary motivation for responding to God's call may be a panicky desire to save our skin, gloming onto a place of safety like Petra.
The Continuous Testing of Our Faith
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe constant tests to which God submits His people enable them to build character by responding in faith. God perfected Abraham's faith through difficult trials.
Responding to Catastrophe
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughHow are we going to react when the next disaster strikes our area? Are we going to gripe and complain? Are we going to sit and wait for somebody to help us?
Pentecost and Time
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBecause of our 'time-bound' state, unless we sync with God's timetable, we are squandering our God-given time to become members of His family.
John (Part Twenty-Six)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughWhile the other accounts of Jesus' trial and crucifixion seem to show passivity, John shows Jesus totally in charge, purposefully and courageously moving.