The Need for Cleansing: The Flood, Part 1

The Need for Cleansing: The Flood, Part 1

This message will explore God’s need to cleanse the earth and the importance of Noah and his family for this work. The story of the building of the ark, the gathering of the animals, and the downpour upon the earth will receive focus here. How do we still need cleansing? (Genesis 6:9-8:1)

Sermon Outline

“Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways.” (Genesis 6:11-12)

A New Generation (6:9a)

  • The story of Genesis as a story of God working across the generations
    • The ten toledot of Genesis
    • The generation of Noah and his family
    • Leads up to 10:1 with the generation of Noah’s children

The Tension Between Noah and His Generation (6:9-12)

  • Noah as righteous, blameless, and walking with God
  • Noah’s generation as corrupt and full of violence

The Tension Between God and a Disordered World (6:13-22)

  • God’s heart vexed by what God sees
  • God’s judgment on corruption, violence, disorder
  • Two asides
    • about comparable ancient stories of a flood
    • about dates, times, geography, and expansiveness of the flood

The Tension Between God’s Judgment and God’s Mercy (7:1-24)

  • The Cataclysmic Nature of God’s Judgment
  • The Generative Nature of God’s Mercy

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. What is the worst or most dramatic weather event you have ever witnessed or been in the middle of? What happened?
  2. This weekend we continue our preaching series, “Fractured,” that corresponds with the journey of Lent, by looking at the first part of the flood narrative in Genesis 6:9-8:1. Begin your study in prayer by asking God to speak to you through His Word. Then, whether you’re on your own or with a group, read that entire Scripture text aloud.
  3. What do we discover about Noah from the description of him in 6:9 and 7:1? How does this relate to what we heard about him in 5:28-29?
  4. What stands out to you about what God sees and realizes about the earth in 6:11-13? Consult 6:5-7 as a basis for what else God sees and feels about the earth.
  5. In 6:13-22 God outlines a plan for a sort of “restart” for the world through Noah. What is Noah supposed to do and does God say He will do?
  6. In 6:18 we encounter the first use of the word “covenant” in the Bible. What is significant about this word and its use here? Background: There are 4 major covenants in the Hebrew Bible, our Old Testament: 1) the covenant with Noah (Genesis 6-9), 2) the covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12 & 15), 3) the covenant with Moses at Sinai (Exodus 19 & 24), and 4) the covenant with David (2 Samuel 7).
  7. How would you describe Noah’s response to God in 6:22 and 7:5. Do you think this would have been easy or difficult, given the circumstances?
  8. In your own words, summarize the timeline of the flood as outlined in Genesis 7?
  9. In light of the covenant promise of 6:18, why is 8:1 so significant?
  10. What does it mean to you that God is faithful to His promises?
  11. What is one thing God is revealing to you through this study? If you’re on your own, write that down, pray over it, and share it with someone this week. If you are with a small group, share your answers with one another before closing in prayer.

DIG DEEPER

  • Memorize Genesis 6:18 or 8:1
  • Draw, ink, or paint this first half of the story of the Flood in Genesis 6:9-8:1. As you do that, consider what God is speaking to you about your own heart. When you finish, consider sharing your prayer reflections and/or artistry with a friend.
  • Read through other references to Noah in the Bible: 1 Chronicles 1:1-27; Isaiah 54:8-10; Ezekiel 14:12-23; Matthew 24:36-41; Luke 3:23-38; Hebrews 11:7; 1 Peter 3:19-22; 2 Peter 2:4-10.
  • Read one of the following:
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The Expansion of Evil: Before the Flood
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Healing for the Earth: The Flood, Part 2