 The Mercy of Confusion Genesis 11:1-9 Introduction Observations from the story 1. Humans naturally reject God -they settled- not a wise choice! -God told them to scatter over all the earth -we naturally take the path of least resistance -they built a waterproof tower -they didn’t trust God -to the sky- every manmade religion involves self-elevation 2. Humans want to know they matter -let us make a name for ourselves- desire to build a legacy -Ecclesiastes 3:11 …He has also put eternity in their hearts, but no one can discover the work God has done from beginning to end. -the problem is they thought this city and tower would last- self effort and self-promotion only brings temporary remembrance! 3. Humans matter to God! -Then the Lord came down- he wants to know us! -vs 6 God cares about us! -vs 7-8 God is merciful toward us! 4. God directs human history for our good -He stopped this anti-God human effort -He confused their languages so they couldn’t cooperate -illustration: many nations/movements in history were able to pursue godless/evil endeavors when tightly united -They returned to obeying God by scattering all over the earth -Confusing our languages was an act of mercy! Lessons from this story 1. Thank God for confusion -confusion slows us down from trusting ourselves -confusion makes us start over- get back to the basics -humanity went back to scattering all over the earth -Today, we are confused by too many voices and opinions! -Is God confusing us and causing disunity? -Have we become too proud and arrogant? -Stop trusting human systems to solve our problems! 2. Enjoy human diversity! -God created the many languages in the world today -God’s plan mercifully kept us from destroying ourselves -Human selfishness promotes discrimination against diversity 3. Thank God for coming down to us! -John 3:16- place your faith in Jesus Christ -Acts 2:1-11 the Holy Spirit united all languages under Christ -The people heard the Good News in their own language -Matthew 28:19 Jesus said Go makes disciples from every People group -Revelation 7:9-10 A multitude of people from every nation will someday assemble in front of God’s throne to worship Him! Revelation 22:17 Both the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let anyone who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who desires take the water of life freely. 
God Keeps His Promise
Part 2: Genesis 9:1-17 Introduction Trust God’s Promise Keep populating the earth -God is not waiting to wipe us out with another flood! -The Family is the PRIMARY building block of humanity -reaffirms Genesis 1:28 -All other earthly authorities must affirm and support the family -Any thought or action that displaces the family is in direct Violation of this command -Fathers and Mothers are to have and raise children -current day ideologies, in their attempts to correct social injustices, are incorrectly mandating the demolishment of this definition of the family. Enjoy wildlife -God caused animals to fear humans (to protect human life) -God created the earth for our benefit, not vice versa -Eat freely! -Later restricted by The Law, then unrestricted after Christ) -Manage wildlife carefully Protect human life -God requires the life of the animal or human who takes life -Humans are responsible for administering capital punishment -The Law later expands and defines the death penalty -Christ fulfills The Law, Mosaic regulations no longer enforced -Apostle Paul refers to the government’s right to administer capital punishment (Romans 13:1-7) -note: Christians do not all agree on the death penalty Genesis 9:5-6 describes its origin -Death penalty in the Bible is about justice in front of God -God is ultimately offended when a human being (made by Him in His image) is killed by another human or animal -this is NOT about appeasing the survivors of a murder victim Remember the rainbow! -God created an enduring sign to remind himself of his promise -The “bow” in the clouds (that bring rain) reminds humankind that God made this covenant with Noah and his descendants -The rainbow testifies to the amazing grace of God! -God restrains his judgment, sends His Son Jesus Christ to Die for our sins, and waits patiently for us to respond in faith Trust God’s Promise! Trust God with the future of your family Take care of what God gave you to manage Support Human Life Let us know how we can support/pray for you -Connection Card -online contact page 
God Keeps His Promise
Part One: Genesis 8:15-22 Introduction I desire for us to trust God to keep his promise The Great Flood: Genesis 6:5-8:14 Gen 6:5-7 God judged humankind for their wickedness Gen 6:8 Noah, however, found favor with the Lord -God instructed Noah to build an ark to rescue his family and breathing animals Gen 7 God sent a flood to destroy all humankind -Noah trusted God’s word and entered the ark -God “shut him in” the ark- God is our Savior! Gen 8:1-14 The floodwaters recede Answersingenesis.org -multiple resources discussing the validity of the Flood Noah Trusts God Genesis 8:15-20 Noah trusted God by making and entering the ark God invited Noah to “come out vs 15-17 -imagine how concerned Noah must have been- was it safe? -How is God inviting you to trust Him after a “storm”? Noah came out, kept trusting God vs 18-19- -the more you trust God, the more you will trust God! -God saved Noah, not the ark! -What on earth are you holding onto instead of God! Noah worshiped God vs 20 -We are created to worship God our creator! -God’s mercy and grace should prompt spontaneous worship! -We should never get over how God saved us. -How do you devote yourself to God each day? God makes a promise Genesis 8:21-22 God enjoyed Noah’s worship vs 21 -God wants a relationship with us -How have you freely sacrificed to please God? God makes a promise to Himself vs 21 -God did not make this promise to humans God promises never to flood the earth again vs 21-22 -not based on human goodness- “even though the inclinations of the human heart is evil from youth onward” -God will not “strike down” humanity “as I have done” (flood) -the seasons of planting and harvesting will not cease -note: 2 Peter 3:10-13 predicts a total annihilation of the earth -“The Day of the Lord” is the end of this earth -God will create a new heaven and earth for all who have trusted in Him for salvation, those who have been made righteous by placing their faith in Jesus Christ God Keeps His Promise Part Two: Genesis 9:1-17 -next message Trust God to Keep His Promise! Worship God now -consider how God has spared our lives, saved us -thank God for favoring you (like He favored Noah) -openly declare your devotion and commitment to God Trust God with your whole life! --God has never flooded the earth since -every season reminds us of God’s faithfulness -Admit your sin- God knows we are “inclined to evil” -God is patiently waiting for more people to trust Him -2 Peter 3:8-9 |
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2900 North Anthony Blvd.
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46805 (260) 471-4704 www.StJoeCommunityChurch.org Sunday Worship: 8:30 AM & 10:30 AM (Live cast at 10:30 am) Sunday Kids Connection Classes (infants-5th grade): 10:30 AM Wednesday Prayer & Bible Study: 6:30 PM |
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