Dear friends and fellow seekers,
As many of you know, several weeks ago, I launched a Bible study called "Blood, Sweat, and Scripture." Many of you have joined me on this epic journey through the Bible - a quest as monumental as the Lord of the Rings, where each lesson is a new chapter in our spiritual adventure.
Teaching this in person at our church and translating it into weekly PDF lessons has been both challenging and exhilarating. There's so much to convey, especially in light of recent world events that seem to echo the very Scriptures we're studying.
This week's lesson on Noah and the Flood has taken on a painfully personal significance. As some of you may know, my wife and I hail from Asheville, NC, a city nearly wiped away by the recent flooding from Hurricane Helene. The town of Chimney Rock, where I spent countless days hiking and reliving scenes from "The Last of the Mohicans," is literally gone. Many of our friends and family have lost cars, homes, and in some heartbreaking cases, loved ones. The hospital where our two oldest children were born has become a morgue for the flood's victims.
The devastation we're witnessing - the aftermath of a flood, just like in Genesis - is life-altering. It's a stark reminder of the power of nature and the fragility of human life.
In times like these, I'm reminded of the words of Corrie ten Boom, a woman who faced her own flood of tribulations during the Holocaust:
"When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer."
As we delve into the story of Noah this week, let's remember that while the waters may rise around us, our faith in God can keep us afloat. Just as Noah trusted in God's plan during the flood, we too can find strength and guidance in His Word during our own storms.
Join me as we explore the depths of this ancient narrative, finding in it not just historical facts, but eternal truths that can anchor us in these turbulent times.
May God's Word be our ark in these stormy seas.
This is an abbreviated version of this week’s lesson if you would like access to the full study a link will be provided at the end.
I. THE FLOOD: GOD'S WRATH UNLEASHED
A. WORLD GONE WILD (Genesis 6:1-13)
WORLD STATUS: MAXIMUM CORRUPTION
GOD'S REACTION: DIVINE REGRET
YOUR LESSON: REJECT GOD'S WORD, EMBRACE HELL ON EARTH
"And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." - Genesis 6:5 (KJV)
This isn't just bad behavior. This is TOTAL DEPRAVITY.
• Every thought? CORRUPTED.
• Every action? VIOLENCE.
• God's creation? A DUMPSTER FIRE OF SIN.
B. NOAH: THE LAST MAN STANDING (Genesis 6:9-12, 22)
WORLD STATUS: CESSPOOL OF SIN
NOAH'S RESPONSE: WALK WITH GOD
YOUR CHOICE: RIGHTEOUS OUTLIER OR DROWNED REBEL?
"Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he." - Genesis 6:22 (KJV)
This is the atomic bomb of obedience, soldiers. When God said "BUILD," Noah didn't argue. He BUILT.
II. THE NOAHIC COVENANT: GOD'S PROMISE, YOUR LIFELINE
A. THE AFTERMATH: A NEW WORLD ORDER (Genesis 8:20-22, 9:1-7)
WORLD STATUS: RESET
GOD'S RESPONSE: COVENANT ESTABLISHED
YOUR MISSION: UNDERSTAND AND LIVE THE NEW NORMAL
"And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth." - Genesis 9:1 (KJV)
God's giving humanity a SECOND CHANCE. Your job: FILL THE EARTH. Not just with people, but with GOD'S GLORY.
III. THE RAINBOW: GOD'S WAR BANNER IN THE SKY
"And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth." - Genesis 9:12-13 (KJV)
This isn't just pretty colors, soldiers. It's a DIVINE WAR BOW.
• God's weapon of judgment? Now a sign of PEACE.
• Not aimed at earth, but AT THE HEAVENS.
• God's saying: "I'll take the hit before I flood the earth again."
AS YOU STUDY, ASK YOURSELF:
• Am I building an ark of obedience or a raft of compromise?
• Do I truly grasp the weight of sin and the necessity of judgment?
• How does God's mercy in the flood narrative challenge my view of Him?
REMEMBER:
This isn't just history. It's HIS STORY. And you're either part of it or against it.
The flood waters have receded, but the battle rages on. Where do you stand?
Don't miss this chance to transform your understanding of Scripture and your walk with God. Our hardcore Bible study is normally priced at $120, but until Monday, you can enlist for just $60 - that's HALF OFF!
Join now and stand with the righteous!
This is week 3???? Where are weeks 1 & 2?
God bless you and your family. The chastisements have begun.