“Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people
of his time, and he walked faithfully with God.” Genesis 6:9 (NIV)
Righteous, blameless, and “walked faithfully”-those words described Noah in Genesis. Not many people were described like he was. He was the father of three sons and was given the huge task of building an ark. The ark was 510 feet long or 1 1/2 football fields; “The roof of Noah’s ark was more than fifty feet from the ground.” (https://arkencounter.com) Had Noah ever seen rain before the flood? That is a good question; however, the crux of the issue is that this was one big boat that Noah was to build, and it took him over eighty years to complete the task. Why is it important to learn about the ark? Pastor Clay shared four lessons that we can learn from building the ark: a) The ark was the source of salvation. b) The ark was a safe place. c) Building the ark is a lifetime effort. d) The ark is the means to a glorious end.
The first idea is the ark was a means of salvation. We want Faith Chapel to be a place where people can hear about salvation because in this darkened world, we need the Gospel-the Good News of Jesus. A healthy family has a spiritual purpose and that is to share that God’s love is infinite. John 3:16 is the heart of the message.
”For God so loved the world that He gave His only
Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish
but have everlasting life.”
God gave Jesus to the world because “God cannot wink at sin.” How can any of us think we are loving if we do not share who Jesus is and what He did for us? Jesus is the life preserver, and He talked about judgment more than salvation; all of us have fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 Nothing means more than the destiny of your soul or the soul of an unsaved loved one. Pastor Clay admonished us to “do what it takes to model Christ.Your soul matters more than anything else in your life.” Infinite love plus the LORD’s holiness intersected at the cross, and where can that fact be taught, shared, lived out, but at Faith Chapel, a modern day ark.
The second point is that the ark was a safe place. It protected Noah and his family from the flood. Faith Chapel can protect people, prepare them for Satan’s attacks, and strengthen those in the FC family as we gather together. That is part of the body life that Pastor Clay discussed last week. As you experience His love and power, you are fortified and equipped. “Men of God, it is time to stand!” stated Pastor Clay. FC is blessed to have men who lead and women who partner. May our church be centered on Jesus, based on the Word, and be filled with the Spirit.
Pastor Clay shared about how his son Billy was bullied. After seeing him stay in the house and in his room for two months, they discussed what had changed. Twelve year old Billy told his father that two teenagers, a fifteen year old and sixteen year old, were taunting and bullying him. Pastor Clay prayed with Billy for the LORD to intervene. And the LORD came through within two weeks. The boys were arrested for burglary. One found the LORD in jail, and when he was released became Billy’s friend. The other moved away. The LORD answered their prayers. Home was a safe place for Billy where they could seek the LORD together. May FC be a safe place for Christ followers, Christ seekers, and for the Christ curious.
The third lesson is that building the ark is a lifetime effort. When life gets tough, it is easy to say,”I have had enough. I give up.” However, Jesus on the cross did not give up. He who was perfect and sinless became sin because the LORD loved us so much. Jesus knew the pain, the humiliation, and the injuries He would experience. Though He asked the LORD if the cup of wrath could pass from Him in Matthew 26:39, He continued,”Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
Jesus was faithful and totally surrendered to His Father and to His purpose. My friend said,”Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching.” It is not easy to do the right thing sometimes but it is the right thing to do. To not cheat at a game or taxes; to not gossip about someone who has offended you; to give the LORD your tithes and offerings-these are all choices that take effort, Holy Spirit guidance, and surrender to the LORD. That is how being a Christ follower is a lifetime effort.
Finally, building the ark points to a glorious future. FC has a glorious future right here on earth. Pastor Clay has gotten to know Pastor Josiah, the FC Elders, and the FC Board Members, and he has been so impressed. Through the move of the Holy Spirit, miraculous break through will happen. The aisles will be packed with people who want to be in a safe place. For the LORD said in 1 John 2:17 “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” This verses encompassed the previous point of lifetime effort and this point of the glorious future as does 2 Corinthians 4:18
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,
since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Current circumstances and pressures can trap us when we take our eyes off of Jesus and stop listening to the LORD's still, small voice. Because He is always with us according to Hebrews 13:5 where Jesus says,”I will never leave you nor forsake you,” we can trust Him one decision at a time so that the temporary does not out shine the eternal.
What applicable lessons Pastor Clay shared with us concerning building the ark during this time in FC’s life:
The ark was the means of salvation.
The ark was a safe place
Building the ark was a lifetime effort.
The ark was the means to a glorious future.
When thinking about FC and this time, I am reminded of these lyrics. “When the LORD builds a house, nobody can tear it down.” May Faith Chapel be a modern ark where we as Christ followers can be salt and light in this troubled world.
Calendar:
6/21-6:30 in the Activity Center for the Next Chapter
6/23-6:00 in the Activity Center LBs potluck, worship, honor Dave Sage and hear Katie speak
6/25-6:00 in the sanctuary worship night
6/30-6:00pm CORE Men’s ministry-The Godly are as bold as lions.
By:
Larry and Annette Linthicum
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