A LOOK AT THE INVITATION IN GEN 7:1-7 Come Into the Ark, You and Your Household

Introduction The first invitation we find in the Bible  The flood was about to begin  “Come into the ark, you and all your household”

An invitation to survive the flood (destruction of all living things on earth) The wickedness of Noah’s time  Gen 6:5 “Then the L ORD 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.” God’s grief over this wickedness  Gen 6:6 “And the L ORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart”

An invitation to survive the flood (destruction of all living things on earth) The judgment passed because of this wickedness  Gen 6:7 “So the L ORD said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.”  Rom 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

An invitation to survive the flood (destruction of all living things on earth) The grace offered to Noah  Gen 6:8 “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the L ORD.”  Grace contingent upon action (Gen 6:14-22)  Gen 6:22 “Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.” Grace is still offered to people today if we do, “All that God Commanded”

An invitation to take another step of faith Noah is invited to come into the ark (Gen 7:1)  This demanded another step of faith (belief that what God said would happen)  Noah had already taken a step of faith in building the ark  Heb 11:7 “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”

An invitation to take another step of faith Noah was saved by grace through faith  Our salvation is by grace through faith  Eph 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.”  Noah was saved from the wrath of God in the flood  We are saved from the wrath of God by faith in His Son Christ Jesus and remaining faithful to Him  Jn 3:36 “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”  Rev 2:10 “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Conclusion How will we respond to God’s invitations? We will accept His invitation to come to Him in faith? The thoughts of people on this earth truly are becoming on evil continually The end of all living things will come once again Will you, like Noah, receive God’s grace and survive? The choice is in you hands, the grace is available to all