Theme: Integrity in a Corrupt World
Scriptures:
- Genesis 5:32-6:22
- Genesis 8:1-9:29
- Isaiah 54:9-10
- Ezekiel 14:14-20
- 2 Peter 2:5
Objectives: (From the D6 Fusion Sunday School Lesson book)
Know: Noah walked with God and demonstrated integrity while living in a corrupt world.
Think: View each day as an opportunity to walk with God and model integrity.
Do: Walk with God in obedience, but claim His grace and forgiveness when you fail, trusting and obeying Him again.
Notes and questions:
B1 Introduction
C1 There is a book titled 20 Reasons to Abandon Christianity by Chaz Bufe. This book is based on lies, misunderstandings, and delusions.
C2 These are the chapter titles:
D1 Christianity is based on fear
D2 Christianity preys on the innocent
D3 Christianity is based on dishonesty
D4 Christianity is extremely egocentric
D5 Christianity breeds arrogance, a chosen-people mentality
D6 Christianity breeds authoritarianism
D7 Christianity is cruel
D8 Christianity is anti-intellectual, anti-scientific
D9 Christianity has a morbid, unhealthy preoccupation with sex
D10 Christianity produces sexual misery
D11 Christianity has an exceedingly narrow, legalistic view of morality
D12 Christianity encourages acceptance of real evils while focusing on imaginary evils
D13 Christianity depreciates the natural world
D14 Christianity models hierarchical, authoritarian organization
D15 Christianity sanctions slavery
D16 Christianity is misogynistic
D17 Christianity is homophobic
D18 The Bible is not a reliable guide to Christ's teachings
D19 The Bible is riddled with contradictions
D20 Christianity borrowed its central myths and ceremonies from other ancient religions
C3 Or consider this site:
D2 Most of the quotes and reasons are due to a misunderstanding of Christianity.
C4 What was the world like in Noah’s day?
D1 One view:
Ten Commandments
Source: Bible
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Noah’s Day
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D2 Another view:
E1 Galatians 5:19-21 NKJV Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, (20) idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, (21) envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21, NLT) 19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
E2 This is why the Scriptures describe those living in that day as: Genesis 6:5 NKJV Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
E3 Romans 1:18-32 describes the downward state of every person.
E4 Psalms 14:1-4 NKJV To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The fool has said in his heart,"There is no God." They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good. (2) The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. (3) They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one. (4) Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, Who eat up my people as they eat bread, And do not call on the LORD?
E5 Proverbs 6:16-19 NKJV These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: (17) A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, (18) A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, (19) A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.
E6 Judges 21:25 NKJV In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
C5 This was the world then. So it is still. 1 John 5:19 NKJV We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
C6 John 3:19-21 NKJV And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (20) For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. (21) But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."
C7 How is the world today?
B2 Genesis 6:8 NKJV But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
C1 Why did Noah find grace in the Lord’s eyes?
D1 Ephesians 2:8 NKJV For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.
D2 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
C2 Can it be the same for us?
B3 Characteristics of Noah
C1 Believes God
C2 Proves it by obeying God
D1 Genesis 7:5, LEB And Noah did according to all that Yahweh commanded him.
D2 Hebrews 11:7, LEB By faith Noah, having been warned about things not yet seen, out of reverence constructed an ark for the deliverance of his family, by which he pronounced sentence on the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
C3 Preaches--2 Peter 2:4-5 LEB For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but held them captive in Tartarus with chains of darkness and handed them over to be kept for judgment, (5) and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a proclaimer of righteousness, and seven others when he brought a flood on the world of the ungodly.
C4 Builds altar and worships God. He receives a blessing and promise (covenant) from God. Genesis 8:20-22
C5 Became drunk--Genesis 9:20-27
B4 The Lord Jesus confirms that Noah was a real, living person--Luke 11:27, LEB They were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came and destroyed [them] all.
B5 How does obedience prove faith?
B6 Noah lived a godly life in an ungodly world. Why is it important to live a godly life today?
C1 Because Jesus said so.
C2 Living by His rules shows our love for Him. How does this show love for God?
D1 John 14:15 NKJV If you love Me, keep My commandments.
E1 Love is a choice. It is not an emotion or feeling.
F1 Compare John 21:15. The word the Lord Jesus uses for love is agape. Jesus asks Peter if he loves him. Peter states that he does and “Yes, Lord; You know that I love (phileo--brotherly love) You." Peter’s heart is not going pitty-pat; he is not googoo eyes, or drooling over Jesus, etc. Love is not a feeling. Infatuation and passion are feelings.
F2 Matthew 5:44 NKJV But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.
E2 Love shows it actions by…
F1 (1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV) 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. Note: not easily angered is a special type of anger as in Paul and Barnabas disagreed so sharply that they parted ways. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed to the island of Cyprus. (Acts 15:39 [GodsWord]
F2 Romans 12:9 NKJV Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
D2 How did Noah show his love for God?
C3 How are we to show love for...
D1 Our spouse?
D2 Our children?
D3 Our boss?
D4 Our enemies?
D5 The person sitting on either side of us?
B7 How do we live a blameless life? (Noah (Genesis 6:9) and Zechariah (Luke 1:6)).
B8 Isaiah 54:9-10,
C1 Isaiah 54:9-10 NRSV This is like the days of Noah to me: Just as I swore that the waters of Noah would never again go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you and will not rebuke you. (10) For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
C2 The words steadfast love (kindness, faithfulness, mercy, etc.) is the Hebrew word חסד chêsêd. It has the ideas of loyalty and faithfulness.
C3 How will showing steadfast love be a witness to the world?
B9 Ezekiel 14:13-14
C1 Ezekiel 14:13-14 GW Son of man, suppose a country sins against me by being unfaithful to me. I will use my power against it, cut off its food supply, send a famine to it, and destroy its people and animals. (14) Even if these three men-Noah, Daniel, and Job-were in that country, they would, by their righteousness, rescue only themselves," declares the Almighty LORD.
C2 God respects Noah, Daniel, and Job? Why?
C3 Does God respect us?
C4 How can we gain God’s respect?
B10 2 Peter 2:5,
C1 2 Peter 2:5 NKJV And did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly.
C2 The preacher in this verse is not an ordained man, a pastor. It is someone who speaks God’s truth. Noah spoke of God’s righteousness and the people’s sins. He preached the Gospel.
B11 Do you sometimes feel like a Noah, one of the few righteous people is a world full of evil? Take heart! God delivers! Integrity is worth it!
B12 Next week
C1 Daniel, the faithful servant whom God greatly loved
C2 Theme: Integrity Under Pressure
C3 Scriptures:
- Daniel 1:1-21
- Daniel 6:1-27
- Daniel 9:1-23
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