HCSB Promotional Videos

In my search for information about the HCSB I came across some excellent videos to support the HCSB translation.  They include interviews with Ed Blum, Tremper Longman, George Klein, Steve Green,  Richard Hess, Henry Blackaby, Michael Rydelnik, George Guthrie, Eugene Merrill, Bill Warren, and John Perry.  Here are two other promo videos found on the site here and here.

In case you didn't see my previous post, there are also two promotional videos for the forthcoming HCSB Study Bible and here.  There is also a promo video for the Apologetics Bible and the Student Bible.  Check them out.

Promotional Videos for the HCSB Study Bible

I found two videos promoting the HCSB Study Bible which will be released in 2010.  There is some humor toward the ESV Study Bible.  Check them out  at Blip.tv

Building Blocks for Believers - An Introduction to Systematic Theology

Christianity is a faith based on cognitive information.  The gospel is a cognitive message.  It is a message with content which is to be believed.  Therefore, from the outset what one believes is vitally important (Jude 3; 1 Tim. 6:13-14, 20).  The primary source of information that we possess about God is found in Scripture.  As a result of this reality, any true valuable study will begin with the Doctrine of the Bible.

I) Bibliology
    A) Nature (authorship)
Bibliology, or the study of the Bible, is foundational for born-again Christians.  It provides the basis for all other studies.  Scripture originated from God (2 Pet. 1:20-21).  We learn that the Holy Spirit moved men to write what was recorded and passed down to use in the 66 books of the Bible.  This acknowledges a human role in the process of Scripture being composed.  In fact, there are only a few sections of Scripture which were verbally dictated by God to the author (ex. Rev. 2-3).  In the majority of places God "moved" the authors to record what He wanted to communicate without overriding the individual personality of the writer (ex. Lk 1:1-4; 2 Tim. 4:9-15).  God was superintending the process of writing Scripture.

Scripture is also described as being "breathed out" by God (2 Tim. 3:16).  Again, this is an indication of the divine origin of the 66 books of the Bible.  God was speaking His truth through those who wrote the Scriptures.

      B) Inerrancy
The subject of errors in the Scripture is hotly debated even today.  The issue must be discussed first, at the level of the original manuscripts (the autographs).  This refers to the first letters written by Paul, Moses, etc...  These documents were inerrant.  The basis for this belief is the nature of the Scriptures.  The Bible is God's Word.  He is the one superintending the process of Scripture being recorded.  God authored the Bible by using men to write what He wanted communicated.  He guided them.  Scripture teaches that God cannot lie (Tit. 1:2; Heb. 6:18).  Since God was the one in charge of the process, we believe that He did not allow errors or false information to be included (Num. 23:19; 1 Sam. 15:29).

The doctrine of inerrancy is extremely important for one's understanding of Scripture.  Yet one must be honest in the process.  The original manuscripts were inerrant.  We possess none of the originals.  Today we possess translations of copies of the original manuscripts.  Over time as the originals were copied, scribal errors were introduced.  Now as scholars study copies of the original manuscripts, they discover differences between various copies.  Through careful study, comparison, and investigation they are able to discover what is likely to be the original reading.  No major doctrine is compromised by the variants found in the copies.  In fact, of the over 5,000 pieces of N.T. copies there is 99% agreement among what is recorded.  Therefore, even though you carry a translation of copies of the original manuscripts, you can be assured that you are carrying the Word of God.

God desired to communicate His Word to His people so that they would be equipped to live in a way that glorifies Him (2 Tim. 3:16-17).  This message is so important that God has preserved His Word over many thousands of years.

Logos Bible Giveaway

Logos Bible Software is awesome in its own right as a result of its high quality research software but now it is actually giving away premium text editions of Bibles to those who enter a drawing at their site.  Check it out and shop while you are there.

"You've never seen a Bible Giveaway like this before—we're talking 72 ultra premium Bibles given away in just 6 months. That's 12 winners every month! With so many Bibles to give away and the opportunity to enter up to 5 different ways each month for six months, your chances to win one of these 72 distinctive Bibles have never been better.*

Bible.Logos.com has partnered with 6 top publishers to give away over $11,500.00 of rare and ultra-premium Bibles over the next six months. We've made it even easier to win—you can enter up to five different ways every month. So what are you waiting for? Get started on your entries below and join us in celebrating the launch of the new Bible.Logos.com with the Great Bible Giveaway!

Also, don't miss a single chance to enter. Sign up to get a reminder when the next giveaway period begins and enter again!"

<a href="http://www.logos.com/" >Logos Bible Software</a> is celebrating the launch of their new <a href="http://bible.logos.com/" >online Bible</a> by giving away <a href="http://bible.logos.com/content/giveaway" >72 ultra-premium print Bibles</a> at a rate of 12 per month for six months. The <a href="http://bible.logos.com/content/giveaway" >Bible giveaway</a> is being held at <a href="http://bible.logos.com/content/giveaway" >Bible.Logos.com</a> and you can get up to five different entries each month! After you enter, be sure to check out <a href="http://www.logos.com/" >Logos</a> and see how it can revolutionize your <a href="http://www.logos.com/demo" >Bible study</a>.

NASB Large Print Ultrathin Calfskin Bible

I recently received a review copy of the NASB Large Print Ultrathin Calfskin Bible from the Lockman Foundation.  I already owned the Genuine Leather Version that I had purchased from American Bible Sales.  When I received the Bible I was immediately impressed, in fact overwhelmed, at the quality of the calfskin leather.  I previously had my NASB Study Bible rebound in goatskin by Mechling Bindery and the calfskin was softer by far.  The pages on the calfskin are smyth sewn which makes for a durable Bible and also causes the Bible to lay open flat.  The Bible pages are thicker than any other publisher provides, period.  This Bible is truly a treasure.  God's blessing be upon the Lockman Foundation for producing such a high quality set of Bibles. 

Since I have received this Bible I have not been able to bring myself to use any other to preach and teach from.  This Bible retails for $110.  I would recommend purchasing one from American Bible Sales.  They distribute the Foundation Publication NASB Bibles.  They are excellent in quality.  If you are looking for a beautifully crafted Bible I recommend you purchase the NASB Large Print Ultrathin Calfskin Bible produced by Foundation Publications.  I hope to have some pictures available soon for those who are interested in visual details. 

In the Beginning - Genesis 8:1-22

In the Beginning

Genesis 8:1-22

[Intro:]

Last week we studied Genesis 7:1-24. In that passage we learned details of God's judgment on man's sinful rebellion against Him through the floodwaters. During this judgment God wiped out all of mankind and animal life. The only people and land animals that were saved were on the ark. This is evidence of God's holiness and justice that He judged man's sinful rebellion. The ark is evidence of God's mercy and grace.

This evening we are going to study Genesis 8:1-22. This chapter will describe for us the end of the flood and also God's gracious promise which He has made. We must understand that God is not only merciful and gracious, but He is also equally holy and just. God will only allow people to rebel against Him for so long before He will deal with them. “You shall have no other gods before Me. “You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. “You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain." (Ex 20:3-7). God is entirely holy. Listen to what Moses said to Aaron, " Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took their respective firepans, and after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. And fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. Then Moses said to Aaron, “It is what the Lord spoke, saying, ‘By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy, And before all the people I will be honored.’ ” So Aaron, therefore, kept silent." (Le 10:1-3). Let's look at the results of the flood judgment.

—     The wide distribution of humankind: Even with the most literal interpretation of Scripture that the Flood occurred just 10 generations after Adam—there would have been at least 10 million people on earth, and their nomadic ways could have taken them far beyond the Middle East. Some estimate a pre-Flood population of more than 2 billion.

—     Widespread Flood traditions: The early aborigines of nearly every part of the world have preserved records of a great flood, suggesting that the entire earth was repopulated by Noah’s descendants.

—     Discoveries of marine fossils on mountaintops: How did they get there, if not by a flood that covered those mountains?

• 
  
  How could there have been room for all the animals in the ark? The ark was approximately 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. With its three decks (6:16), it would have had a total deck area of 101,250 square feet, equal to 21 basketball courts.¹
  
  
  

[Message:]

#1 - God causes the floodwaters to begin to recede (1-5)

You read in the text that God remembered Noah (1). This doesn't refer to God forgetting about Noah for a period of time. This refers to God's concern for Noah, His loving care for him. God knows they are on the ark. He is about to do something for them. The thing that God does for them is that He causes the water to stop flowing. God is the one who causes a wind to pass over the earth. God deliberately let's us know He is the one who brought the flood (cf. 7:4) and He is the one who ended the flood (1). God stops the rain and closes the springs below the ocean floor (2). The heaven rains from the sky and the water bursting forth from the springs below the ocean floor continued for 40 days (cf. 7:4, 12). The prevailing waters (which covered everything, including the mountains) were at their highest level on the 40^th day and then over a period of 110 days God caused the prevailing waters (which covered everything, including the mountains) to decrease (they had been 22.5 feet above the highest mountains – cf. 7:20). This led to the uncovering of the mountains of Ararat.

And the waters surged on the earth 150 days. God remembered Noah, as well as all the wildlife and all the livestock that were with him in the ark. God caused a wind to pass over the earth, and the water began to subside. The sources of the watery depths and the floodgates of the sky were closed, and the rain from the sky stopped. The water steadily receded from the earth, and by the end of 150 days the waters had decreased significantly. The ark came to rest in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the mountains of Ararat. Gen 7:24-8:4 (HCSB)

On the 17^th day of the 7^th month the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat (4). This was exactly 5 months after the flood began (cf. 7:11).

“Mount Ararat consists of two volcanic peaks in extreme eastern Turkey, near the border with Armenia and Iran, on which the ark rested after the Flood subsided. The name Ararat is the Hebrew form for Urartu, the Assyrian name of an Assyrian-Babylonian kingdom that flourished between the Aras and the Upper Tigris rivers from the 9th to the 7th century b.c. Ararat is a sacred place to the Armenian people. The Persian people call it Koh-i-nuh, “Noah’s Mountain,” and have a legend that refers to Ararat as the cradle of the human race.

From the lowlands of the Aras River, Ararat rises to a height of nearly 17,000 feet. It has two conical peaks: Little Ararat and Great Ararat. Except for a 7000-foot spur on the northwest that merges with a long ridge, the mountain is completely isolated by surrounding plains that rise about 2500 to 4500 feet above sea level. From an elevation of about 8800 feet, Little Ararat rises to 12,840 feet, and Great Ararat rises to 16,854 feet. (Three encyclopedias give different elevations for both mountains. They list Little Ararat from 12,782 feet [3896 meters] to 12,840 feet [3925 meters], and Great Ararat from 16,804 feet [5122 meters] to 16,854 feet [5137 meters]).

Above the 14,000-foot level, Great Ararat is covered with perpetual snow. Considering the high elevations of the areas surrounding the peaks, the region is remarkably fertile and pasturable. Some archaeologists believe that Ararat received more rainfall in biblical times than it does today. If so, the pasturable areas may have been even more productive in ancient times.

The first successful climb of Great Ararat in modern times was in 1829 by a German, Johann Jacob von Parrot. On July 2, 1840, an earthquake struck the mountain and tore off great masses that avalanched down and destroyed a village, a convent, and a chapel—the last settlements on the mountain. In the summer of 1949, an American expedition ascended Mount Ararat in an unsuccessful attempt to search for evidence of the existence of Noah’s ark. Recent expeditions, one headed by a former American astronaut, have reported finding timbers that some believe came from the ark.

Modern Mount Ararat, however, is neither excluded nor specifically identified in the Scriptures as the resting place of the ark. The phrase, “came to rest on the mountains of Ararat,” places it in the range of mountains in which Ararat is located. It’s not wrong to attempt to discover the location of the ark, or whatever remains of it, but the truth of Noah’s Flood doesn’t depend upon locating the ark or its remains. The Scriptures are sufficient evidence in themselves.”²

The water level continued to decrease and on the 1^st day of the 10^th month the tops of the mountains became visible on earth (5). So at this point at least 22.5 feet of water has receded from the earth (cf. 7:19-20).

#2 - Noah seeks to learn the level of the floodwaters (6-12)

40 days after the mountaintops became visible Noah inquires as to the level of the floodwaters (6). They have been on the ark for over 6 months (5 months 41 days). Noah sent out a raven (7). The earth was still not habitable, so the raven flew back and forth for at least 14 days (cf. 8:10, 12). Scholars say that likely the raven would land on-top of the ark or mountaintops. After Noah sent out the raven, he sent out a dove (8). In the case of the dove the text mentions that Noah sent it out to determine the level of the floodwaters. The release of the raven does not mention this as its purpose. Some attempt to spiritualize the identity of the birds. We need to be cautious about doing such things.

The dove didn't find the earth habitable (9). The dove returned to Noah because the floodwaters still covered the entire earth. Noah waited another 7 days and sent out the dove again to determine the level of the floodwaters (10). This time the dove returned with an olive leaf in its mouth (11). This revealed to Noah that high floodwaters were gone from the earth. The reason for this is that olives don't grow at high elevations. The modern symbol of peace has its origin in this biblical event. In 7 more days Noah sent the dove out of the ark again (12). This time the earth was habitable, so the dove did not return.

#3 - God causes the earth to be dry and the ark is abandoned (13-19)

In the 601^st year of Noah's life in the 1^st month on the 1^st day we are told by the text that the water had dried up from the earth (13). This informs us that there was no longer visible floodwater on the earth. Noah looks out for himself and sees that there is no visible water on the earth. We are told that in the 601^st year of Noah's life in the 2^nd month on the 17^th day that the earth is completely dry (14). So the effects of the flood lasted 1 year and 10 days (cf. 7:11).

It is at this time that God speaks to Noah (15). This is the first time that God has spoken since He instructed Noah to get onto the ark 1 week before the flood judgment came (cf. 7:4). It is possible that God spoke to Noah while he was on the ark, but it is not recorded. God instructs Noah to take his family out of the ark (16). God told Noah when to get onto the ark and He tells Noah when to get off.

God also instructs Noah to let all of the animals off the ark (17). God says that the animals would again multiply and fill the earth (cf. 1:20-26). This glorifies God as they multiply the way that He created them to do so. Noah obeys and he gets off the ark (18). Noah's wife and family accompany him as he exits the ark. The animals also exit the ark and they left according to their kind (19). God brought them to the ark and now He causes them to exit the ark (cf. 6:20).

#4 - God promises to never flood the entire earth again (20-22)

As soon as Noah gets off the ark he builds an altar (20). He builds an altar for the purpose of offering animal sacrifices to the Lord in worship. Noah offered some of each of every clean animal and clean bird. The principle of worship through sacrifice is established very early in Scripture (cf. 4:3-5). Noah is taking something that God has given and he is offering it back to God in worship. When the Mosaic Law is given it centers on sacrifice given to cover sin (Lev. 1:3-9). The burnt offering was entirely consumed by the fire and therefore, God is the only one who “benefits” from it.

The Lord smells the soothing aroma and said that He would never again bring a worldwide flood on the earth (21). God declares the inclination of man's heart to be evil from a very early age. This is God's evaluation of fallen man (cf. 6:5). God adds that the times and seasons will never cease until the New Jerusalem comes down out of heaven (cf. Rev. 21:10, 22-24). The sun and moon won't shine in the New Jerusalem because the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb (Rev. 21:23).

[Conclusion:]

#1 - God causes the floodwaters to begin to recede (1-5)

#2 - Noah seeks to learn the level of the floodwaters (6-12)

#3 - God causes the earth to be dry and the ark is abandoned (13-19)

#4 - God promises to never flood the entire earth again (20-22)

After they get off the ark life starts anew. The earth, its terrain and environment, was effected by the floodwater. It was God's grace the mankind continued to exist at all. Noah's existence continues the line of the promised Messiah (Gen. 3:15; Lk. 3:23, 36).

1Willmington, H. L.: Willmington's Bible Handbook. Wheaton, Ill. : Tyndale House Publishers, 1997, S. 11

2Freeman, James M. ; Chadwick, Harold J.: Manners & Customs of the Bible. Rev. ed.]. North Brunswick, NJ : Bridge-Logos Publishers, 1998, S. 13.

How does God grow the Church? - message #6 - God uses the preaching and teaching of His Word

How does God grow the Church?

God uses the preaching and teaching of His Word

Message #6

2 Timothy 3:10-4:5

[Intro:]

Last week in message #5 of our series How does God grow the Church? We studied the biblical truth that God is the one who saves the souls of people and changes their lives. God chose some before the world was created to be save through the Lord Jesus Christ. God made the choice based on His grace, not based on human choice or performance. God is Savior and He alone gets glory for saved souls. We as Christians are just the mirror (reflecting Christ) and the mouthpiece (sharing the gospel).

This morning in our final message in this series. We are going to study the biblical truth that God uses the preaching and teaching of His Word to grow the Church. Preaching is out of style today. Teaching straight Bible without lots of stories, jokes, and steps to recovery is not popular. This is the reason why the Church is in such terrible shape spiritually!!!! We have traded the eternal divine wisdom of Scripture for the psychological wisdom of man, which is a cheap imitation. We have done away with the preaching and teaching of straight Bible and we have/will reap terrible consequences for that in our churches and our lives!!!! We have abandoned the truth as irrelevant. The buzz-word today is relevant. Professing Christians have viewed the preaching and teaching of straight Bible as irrelevant. We have to talk about people's felt-needs, and contemporary issues! We have turned the Church into a Dr. Phil episode. Let's replace the seating with couches and start charging people an hourly rate because we have ceased being the church which Paul describes as, “the pillar and support of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15). Man we have got to get back to the teaching and preaching of the Word of God. We need straight Bible! Paul encourages Timothy to teach and preach the Word of God. Paul says, give people straight Bible!

[Message:]

#1 - Obedient Christians will be persecuted (3:10-12)

Paul speaks to Timothy and reminds him of the fact that he has followed Paul's teaching and example. Timothy has even experienced the persecution that Paul has experienced. In each case God had spared Paul's life. Now, some might read this and think well that was out of the ordinary for a Christian to suffer for Christ. Some others would foolishly say that maybe Paul was suffering because he was not in God's will (the prosperity gospel). But Paul clears all of that up for us when he makes the statement, "Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (2 Ti 3:12). I really want us to think about this biblical truth statement for a moment. God speaking through Paul says that when born-again Christians live obedient lives for Christ, they will suffer persecution. It is not a possibility, it is a guarantee!

Do you know what that does for those that are teaching from pulpits around this country that say God wants you to be healthy, happy, and wealthy? It exposes their teaching for the lie that it is. God has saved sinners from eternal judgment in Hell for the purpose of conforming them to the image of His Son Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:29). God is more concerned with us being holy, than He is with us being happy. God desires for us to choose joy. "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!" (Php 4:4).

John Piper shared the following in his book entitle Desiring God, “[Some] things have changed. But not my commitment to the message of this book. It is my life. That God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in Him continues to be a spectacular and precious truth in my mind and heart. It has sustained me into my second half-century, and I do not doubt that it will carry me Home.”

Piper writes later, “As we grow older and our bodies weaken, we must learn from the Puritan pastor Richard Baxter (who died in 1691) to redouble our efforts to find strength from spiritual joy, not natural supplies. He prayed, “May the Living God, who is the portion and rest of the saints, make these our carnal minds so spiritual, and our earthly hearts so heavenly, that loving him, and delighting in him, may be the work of our lives.”

#2 - The Word of God is all that we need to effectively minister for God (3:13-17)

As soon as Paul finishes sharing the truth that godly Christians will suffer he jumps directly into a very serious warning for Timothy. As time goes on evil men and false teachers will get worse (13). Their ministry of deception will increase as they themselves are deceived. There will always be people in the world teaching things that are contrary to the Word of God. Let us make sure that we are not one of their number.

Paul uses this as an opportunity to encourage Timothy in his ministry (14-15). Timothy is not to be like these deceivers. Instead, Timothy is to continue in the Word of God (14). He is to read it, study it, meditate on it, hold to it, and live by it. Timothy is a born-again Christian and he believes the Word of God. He is convinced of its truth. Paul tells Timothy stick to the Word of God. Paul will make it absolutely clear why Timothy should do so in the remaining verses. Even from the time of his childhood Timothy was taught the Old Testament Scriptures by his mother and grandmother (2 Tim. 1:5). A Jewish boy would begin to formally study the O.T. At the age of five. Timothy was taught by his mother and grandmother before he reached the age of five. The Old Testament Scriptures present prophecies of the coming Messiah. Paul states that Timothy's knowledge of the O.T. Scriptures would point him toward faith in Christ for the forgiveness of sins (15). The Scriptures are the means which God uses to bring about the salvation of lost sinners. The Scriptures are sufficient to bring about the salvation of souls. "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." (Ro 10:17). "For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe." (1 Th 2:13).

The next words that God speaks through Paul are huge. Paul writes that the Word of God in its entirety is inspired by God (16). It means God-breathed. The Holy Spirit communicated through the human authors of Scripture what He wanted communicated, without dictation or squelching the unique personalities of the human authors. Timothy already knew that Scripture was inspired. Paul uses that truth to launch into the sufficiency of Scripture for ministry and life. The Word of God is beneficial in four different ways:

1^st - It is profitable for teaching – Scripture is the source of all reliable knowledge of God and His will and ways. "Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil." (Heb 5:11-16). Knowledge of the Scriptures leads to a closer relationship with God and an increased level of spiritual maturity (1 Pet. 2:1- 3).

2^nd - It is profitable for reproof – Scripture is the tool to use to confront and expose sin in the life of another believer. God's Word is truth and it is to be used to expose sin/darkness. "Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light." (Eph 5:11-13).

3^rd – It is profitable for correction – The Word of God is the tool to use to help someone re-align themselves to what is right. This is the only time this Greek word is used in the N.T. It was used in Greek culture to describe the setting a fallen object upright; or of helping someone who had stumbled back to their feet. The Word of God helps to confront those in sin and also to point the way back to the right path of obedience to God's Word.

4^Th – It is profitable for training in righteousness – The Word of God is the tool to use to help train a person in how to properly live for God. This Greek word was used to describe the training that a child would receive to be able to properly and effectively live life as a productive citizen. The Word of God is essential to the proper instruction of a believer for the purpose of godliness/Christ-likeness (1 Tim. 4:6-16). The Word of God is essential in the process of a believer's mind being renewed (Rom. 12:1-2).

Paul shares this truth with Timothy all for the purpose of what he declares in verse 17. As a result of Scripture being profitable for these four things just mentioned, the man of God (the pastor-teacher, the evangelist) will be prepared for ministry (adequate). The man of God has everything that he needs to minister (equipped for every good work). Two different Greek words are used here that emphasize the truth that the Scriptures are all that the man of God needs to: evangelize (cf. 3:14-15) and to disciple believers to spiritual maturity (cf. 3:16-17). In the day in which we live there are more resources, tools, and strategies than ever before. The Word of God informs us that ultimately all we need is the Word of God preached and taught for the salvation of souls and discipling of the saints. Since that is what our mission is from Christ, the Word of God is all we need. We need to remember that now.

#3 - The Word of God must be preached (4:1-5)

Paul has just given Timothy the all-important reminder that all he needs is the Word of God to be able to effectively reach the lost and effectively disciple the saved. Now he charges Timothy and he brings God the Father and God the Son into the situation (1). Every single person will stand before Christ to answer for how they have lived. Christ will return and establish God's Kingdom on this earth. Paul presents God the Father and God the Son as witnesses in this command he gives to Timothy.

Paul commands Timothy to preach/proclaim the Word of God (2). Timothy is to preach/proclaim the Word of God when it is convenient and when it is not convenient. There are going to be times when people will want to hear/learn the Word of God and there will be times when they won't want to hear it (cf. 1 Tim. 4:6-16). The Word of God must be preached and it must be taught. There is no true Christianity without the Word of God being preached and taught!

As Timothy preaches and teaches the Word of God he is to use it to:

1^st – reprove – This is from the verb form of the Greek word that was used in verse 16. It refers to the Word of God being used to expose the darkness of sin with the light of the Scriptures. It is meant to call a believer to account for how he is living in opposition to the Word of God. You use the Word of God to show a person his sin and call him to repentance.

2^Nd – rebuke – This refers to express strong disapproval for the actions and attitudes of someone involved in sin. It has the idea of strongly warning the individual in sin. Timothy is to use the Word of God to strongly disapprove of sinful actions and warn those involved.

3^Rd – exhort – This refers to using the Word of God to urge, appeal, encourage someone to obedience. People have twisted this idea of encouragement to mean that a person encourages someone to feel better about themselves. This is not biblical encouragement. Biblical encouragement relates to a person urging, encouraging another to obey the Word of God.

Timothy is to use the Word of God to reprove, rebuke, exhort and he is to do this with great patience and instruction (2). Timothy was to be prepared to use the Word of God in any and all situations. The Word of God is sufficient, it is all we need (cf. 3:17)! Timothy was to teach and preach the Word of God with great patience. He was to continue to teach and preach, no matter how long it took for change to take place. Timothy was to endure in teaching and preaching the Word of God because it is sufficient. Timothy was to teach and preach the Word of God over and over. He was to continue to teach and preach the Word of God, no matter how long it took for things to change because it is the only thing that will bring about the salvation of the lost and the maturing of the saved!!!!

In the concluding verses of our message this morning we are going to see another important motivation and warning (3-4). Paul says that there was a time coming when people would not want to endure hearing the Word of God preached and taught (3). This is not referring to those outside of the assembled church, it is referring to those who are assembled!!!! There will be professing believers who don't want to hear the Word of God preached and taught anymore. They will find preachers and teachers who will tell them what they want to hear. Do you think it is any accident that there is more felt-needs, issues-driven preaching than ever before? This is the fulfillment of Paul's warning in Scripture. People want to have counseling sessions, instead of hearing the Word of God preached and taught. The reason why there is so much psychological counseling going on today is because people have refused to obey the Word of God and submit to the Lordship of Christ. The refusal to obey God's Word has led to a lot of depression, bad marriages, and numerous other things. People come to church desiring to feel better about themselves. Pastor-teachers have begun to teach and preach less because of unbelief! We have begun to think that the Word of God is not enough, that it isn't all we need. We are guilty of unbelief!

We need to repent of our selfishness, and our unbelief. We need to be in awe of Almighty God! We need to submit to the Word of God and the Lordship of Christ. Then you will have joy in the midst of intense sorrow and pain. Paul said this time of watered-down preaching and teaching was coming. It is here. Do you know what God says we need? Not felt-needs, issues-driven preaching and teaching. God says we need to have the Word of God preached and taught. That is all we need!!!!

As a result of listening to this felt-needs, issues-driven preaching and teaching the people will turn completely away from the truth of God's Word and they will believe myths (4). Paul calls Timothy to be clear-headed in the way that he conducts himself (5). He is to keep his eyes on Christ and not get all out-of-sorts. He is to make sure that he doesn't begin to preach and teach these watered-down things. Timothy will have to endure hardship and he must cling to God. He is to do the work of proclaiming the gospel. Remember, the Word of God is sufficient for the salvation of the lost. Paul calls Timothy to fulfill his ministry. God called Timothy to preach and teach the Word of God. Timothy is to continue preaching and teaching the Word of God when people desire it and when they don't. He is to remain faithful no matter what the desires of the world or the church.

[Conclusion:]

#1 - Obedient Christians will be persecuted - God speaking through Paul says that when born-again Christians live obedient lives for Christ, they will suffer persecution. It is not a possibility, it is a guarantee!

#2 - The Word of God is all that we need to effectively minister for God - The Word of God informs us that ultimately all we need is the Word of God preached and taught for the salvation of souls and discipling of the saints. Since that is what our mission is from Christ, the Word of God is all we need.

#3 - The Word of God must be preached and taught - Not felt-needs, issues-driven preaching and teaching. God says we need to have the Word of God preached and taught. That is all we need!!!! God called Timothy to preach and teach the Word of God. Timothy is to continue preaching and teaching the Word of God when people desire it and when they don't. He is to remain faithful no matter what the desires of the world or the church.

Spurgeon in the book Lectures to my Students said, “We have a fixed faith to preach, my brothers, and we are sent forth with a definite message from God. We are not left to fabricate the message as we go along.”

Genesis 7:1-24

In the Beginning

Genesis 7:1-24

[Intro:]

In our previous message we looked at how God spoke with Noah about how He was going to judge man for his sinful rebellion against God. Noah was found by God to be righteous and therefore would escape the coming judgment. Noah's household was also spared because of God's acceptance of Noah. Noah was to build an ark which was 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. He is instructed by God that 2 of every animal on earth would come to him and enter the ark to be saved. Noah was to build the ark and gather food for the animals and humans to eat.

Tonight we jump back into our Genesis study with the actual event of the flood coming on the earth. There is grace and mercy to be found in this account and also holiness and justice.

1-5

This chapter begins by God instructing Noah in what he is to do now that the ark has been completed (1). Noah and his household, which includes his wife, three sons and three daughters-in-law. The reason why they are entering the ark is that God sees Noah in this way, "Then the Lord said to Noah, “Enter the ark, you and all your household, for you alone I have seen to be righteous before Me in this time." (Ge 7:1). Noah and his family are being saved from the judgment of the flood because God has viewed Noah as righteous. Noah is the only human on earth at this time that was viewed by God as righteous.

God instructs Noah to take 7 pairs of every clean animal onto the ark (2). God's earlier instruction had been to take 1 pair of every animal onto the ark with him, clean and unclean (cf. 6:19-20). There is a purpose for God including 6 extra pairs of clean animals. First, extra clean animals will be needed for making sacrifice to God (cf. 8:20). Second, extra clean animals will be needed for food (cf. 9:3). After the flood is over God allows humans to eat clean animals for food. God also instructs Noah to bring 7 pairs of the clean birds, which would also be used for food and sacrifice (3). Even at this early time in human history God is distinguishing between clean and unclean (cf. Lev. 11:1-23). So before the Law was given God indicated to Noah (through how many pairs of each animal came) which animals were clean and unclean.

The Lord communicates to Noah that 7 days from that moment He will bring rain on the earth for 40 days and nights (4). He even communicates the reason for which He is bringing the rain. God is bringing this rain to kill all living things. Remember, this is judgment for sinful rebellion against God. During this period mankind is guided by their conscience. They are failing miserably. We are left with Moses' statement that Noah obeyed God (5).

6-12

In verse 6 we are given a frame of reference for the time of the flood (6). The text tells us that Noah was 600 years old when the flood hit. Remember Noah was 500 years old when he became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth (cf. 5:32). Noah and his family enter the ark because God had warned that 7 days from that time the flood was coming (7; cf. 7:4). All of the animals came to Noah to enter the ark (8-9). There were 7 pairs of the clean animals and there was 1 pair of the unclean animals (cf. 7:2). They came just as God said they would and they entered the ark (cf. 6:20).

After the 7 days were complete (cf. 7:4) the flood came upon the earth (10). Verse 11 gives us a bookend by which to date the length of the flood and its consequences (11). On the 17^th day of the 2^nd month in the year that Noah was 600 the fountains of the great deep burst open and the floodgates of the sky were opened. So this is our timing by which we are able to determine the length of the flood and its consequences. The text mentions that the fountains of the great deep burst open. James Freeman in his book on Manners and Customs in the Bible said,

“So everything in the verse indicates that there were two great sources of the flood waters: a massive downpour from above the earth, and gigantic geysers shooting up from within the earth. Rather than it being only a simple rain pouring down from above, the Flood was also a violent upheaval of the earth that undoubtedly caused extensive changes in the geographical structure of the earth.”¹

Answers in Genesis teaches that there was a great volcanic upheaval that caused this water from underground springs to shoot out of the ocean floor. This is very possible. The rain was falling heavily from the sky and the water was rising from below. The rain fell for 40 days and nights just as God said it would (cf. 7:4).

“The ark had a ratio (length x width x height) of 30 x 5 x 3. According to modern shipbuilders, this ratio represents an advanced knowledge of shipbuilding since it is the optimum design for stability in rough seas. The ark, as designed by God, was virtually impossible to capsize—to do so, it would have to be tilted over 90 degrees.”²

13-16

Verses 13-24 give us a more detailed description of the events preceding the flood judgment. The text tells us that Noah, his family, and animals entered the ark on the same day (13-14). Verse 14 mentions 4 of the 5 categories of animal life mentioned in the creation account (cf. 1:21-25). The only category of animal life not mentioned was the sea creatures, who could remain alive outside of the ark.

“With the shorter cubit the ark would have an internal volume of 1,518,750 cubic feet, or the equivalent of 569 standard railroad boxcars. If the average sized animal was the size of a sheep it means the ark could hold over 125,000 sheep. (Assuming the shape of the ark to be rectangular there would have been over 100,000 sq. ft of floor space!).”³

The animals entered the ark in pairs (15). Again, it is worth mentioning that the animals came to Noah. He didn't have to gather them. Each pair consisted of one male and one female (16). The animals entered just as God had commanded Noah. There is an interesting contrast made in this verse. God is described as commanding Noah, but the Lord is described as shutting the door. The contrast is made to highlight His role of redeemer as Lord.

17-24

The flood came and it lasted 40 days (17). The effects of the flood lasted longer than 40 days, but the flow of water ended after 40 days. The water increased to the point that it lifted the ark causing it to float. The water covered the earth (18). This was not a local flood effecting only the Middle East. It was global. The water continued to increase till covered all of the high mountains worldwide (19).

Harold J. Chadwick the editor of the work entitled Manners and Customs of the Bible wrote the following, “Some years ago during a trip to the Smoky Mountains, my family and I visited the Sequoia Caverns in northern Georgia, just across the border from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Inside the caverns, the guide pointed out fish bones of all sizes that were pressed into the ceiling of a passageway between two caverns. He said the same kind of fossils could be seen in the ceiling of the main cavern, which was about 50 feet high. Among the fish fossils in the passageway was the imprint of the bottom of a human foot. The guide, a strong Christian who used the tour to proclaim Christ, said that nothing could have pressed the fish and the human foot into the ceiling except the pressure of a tremendous flood of unprecedented depth. That flood, he said, could only have been Noah’s Flood.”⁴

After the water had covered the highest mountains it increased another 15 cubits (or 22.5 feet). The ark itself was 30 cubits high (or 45 feet; cf. 6:15). This made the water deep enough so that the ark wouldn't run aground.

The text leaves us with some important comments on the flood judgment (21-24). Every land animal, bird, and human being was killed by the flood (21-22). The only survivors were found on the ark (23). There was a movie recently created that portrayed flood survivors who weren't on the ark. This is fiction. Only 8 people survived the flood and they were inside the ark (Heb. 11:7; 1 Pet. 3:20; 2 Pet. 2:5). The water level stayed the same for 150 days (24). This means that the entire earth, including the highest mountains, were covered for this 150 period. After the 150 days the water level began to decrease (cf. 8:3).

[Conclusion:]

In the account of the flood judgment we are given understanding about how God dealt with the mankind in ancient times. They continually rebelled against Him and He eventually judged them for their sin. God being gracious and merciful provided a means a escape for Noah who was the only righteous man on earth during that time.

There is a time of judgment coming on the earth again. God is going to deal with man's sinful rebellion against Him at a future time (2 Pet. 3:1-10). As believers we need to be warning the lost of the coming judgment and how to avoid it. The gospel is man's ark in our time.

1Freeman, James M. ; Chadwick, Harold J.: Manners & Customs of the Bible. Rev. ed.]. North Brunswick, NJ : Bridge-Logos Publishers, 1998, S. 11

2Freeman, James M. ; Chadwick, Harold J.: Manners & Customs of the Bible. Rev. ed.]. North Brunswick, NJ : Bridge-Logos Publishers, 1998, S. 9

3Freeman, James M. ; Chadwick, Harold J.: Manners & Customs of the Bible. Rev. ed.]. North Brunswick, NJ : Bridge-Logos Publishers, 1998, S. 10

4Freeman, James M. ; Chadwick, Harold J.: Manners & Customs of the Bible. Rev. ed.]. North Brunswick, NJ : Bridge-Logos Publishers, 1998, S. 12