(Hebrews 12:1 NIV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
John Maxwell – book, what if these “giants” could personally come out of the stands and talk to you and give you one piece of advice.
Noah might say: “Don’t miss the boat”
You might say, “Why didn’t you kill those two flies while you had the chance?”
- The Bible is not in chronological order.
- Time frame since Adam has been about 6000 years. 4000 years before Christ.
- Noah is ten generations after Adam and about 1000 years. People lived much longer before and during Noah’s lifetime (950 years).
- He started building the ark at 600 years old. Took him 120 years to build the ark.
- Prior to the flood, scholars believe that the earth had no rain, but was fed through springs and the firmament.
- Sometimes you have to believe things in the Bible by faith because it says that it was so. (Little girl wrote a paper on Jonah…)
For when you wonder if your life really counts…
“One person can make a difference”
(Genesis 6:5-8 NIV) The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. So the LORD said, “I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth–men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air–for I am grieved that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE (HOW TO)
- You can make a difference for your family.
(Genesis 7:1 NIV) The LORD then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you (who found favor with God) and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.
(Acts 16:31 NIV) They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved–you and your household.”
Household – sphere of influence, those around you. (sociologists – sphere is probably around 12-17 people in your lifetime)
- You can make a difference for your generation.
We have a responsibility to have an impact on our generation.
Part of this is to also make a difference in the next generation so that the impact keeps going.
(Acts 13:36a NIV) “For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep…
- You can make a difference for God.
God is looking for someone to make a difference for Him. He is looking for those who are saying, “put me in the game coach…”
(2 Chronicles 16:9a NIV) For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him…
God is saying when you step up, He will empower you!
(Ezekiel 22:30 NIV) “I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.”
NOAH’S WORDS OF ENCOURAGMENT
- “Don’t be afraid to stand out in a crowd.”
Chances are that God will ask you to do something that will not make sense to others.
Noah took 120 years to build a boat when it had never rained.
Don’t be afraid to stand out in the crowd when your friends are doing something wrong and you should not.
Don’t be afraid to stand out in the crowd when you are at the movies and it takes a turn toward something you should not see and you need to leave.
Don’t be afraid to stand out in the crowd when your co-workers are doing something unethical and need you to participate.
(Proverbs 29:25 NIV) Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.
- “Don’t be afraid to do something for the first time.”
Chances are that God will ask you to do something that has not been done before.
Be more concerned about obeying God than looking foolish.
(Hebrews 11:7 NIV) By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
- “When you see a rainbow, remember that one person can make a difference.”
The rainbow was a reminder of the promise that God made to Noah about the flood but it also was a reminder to Noah that one person can make a difference.
During those days when you are trying to make a difference and it feels like you are all alone remember the rainbow.
(Matthew 28:20b NLT) “…And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
God speaks to us most of the time in whispers. These are things that are not loud but are persistent:
- Don’t quit.
- Step up.
- Take the risk.
- Apologize now.
- Get help.
- Get out of that unhealthy relationship.
- Slow down.
- Start today.
- Be a difference maker!