Week 85 - Free Weekend Program for Children

Date : 29-30 March, 2025

Text : Genesis 6

Theme : Undeserved, Unmerited Favor.

Genesis chapter 6 reveals the truth about our human nature: as people multiplied on the earth, their hearts grew increasingly wicked and sinful. Just as it was then, so it is today. Every one of us is born with a sinful nature, and our thoughts, apart from God, are continually corrupt. This depravity offends God because He is HOLY; His eyes are too pure to look upon evil. He sees even our most hidden thoughts from afar (Habakkuk 1:13, Psalm 139:2).

Our inherent nature of sinfulness separates us from God; He will not allow sin to continue unhindered, so sin will ultimately be dealt with by judgment. Death is the final end of sin; death puts an end to sin.

Death, however, is a blessing to those who have faith in Christ. For believers, death marks the beginning of eternal life — a glorious life with the celestial King. For unbelievers, those who refuse to put faith in Christ, it is the beginning of eternal separation from God — a life of unceasing and unending torment. Revelation 21:8

We also see that God has limited the span of human life to 120 years (Genesis 6:3), a reminder that sin shortens our lives. The wages of sin is death, both physically and spiritually. This was not so from the beginning, when God made Adam and Eve. Ecclesiastes 7:2 encourages us to attend more funerals than weddings, so we can sit back and consider where we will spend eternity after death. We must continually think about these things.

In Christ, however, every believer is granted eternal life through the complete redemptive work of Christ. One day, we will be free from this body of sin, sorrow, and death. We will receive a new body, one that will live eternally with Christ as His bride (Revelation 21:2). Like Noah, we have found favor with the Lord, not because we did not sin — no! "All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory" (Romans 3:23) — but because God chose us regardless, paid our sin debt and set us free; we found favor with the Lord. (Romans 8:29).

To find favor with God is to be chosen by Him, to hear the gospel and believe it. It means to receive faith as a gift and to experience the forgiveness of sins. It is not building houses, buying cars, marrying wives, having children, positions etc., it is perfect redemption by the shed blood of Christ. 1 Peter 1:18-19; the former - temporal, material blessing and provisions are secondary.

In Christ, God gives us the grace to obey Him and the desire to share His love with others, even with those who hate us — our enemies. Noah, though a sinner like everyone of us, found favor with God, and through Christ, he was made righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21). This righteousness is not something he earned; it is a gift from God. This same gift (everlasting righteousness) is given to us through faith in Jesus Christ, and that faith is also a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Once Noah received God’s favor, he also received the grace to obey God’s command. God’s instructions to Noah were clear: "Build an ark, for judgment (the flood) is coming. I will bring an end to sinful flesh" (Genesis 6:14).

Today, God gives us the same command. Those of us who have found favor with the Lord are called to share the gospel with others, to pray for the lost (family and friends inclusive), and to warn them of the coming judgment (Matthew 28:19-20). We are not to do this in our own strength but by the grace of God, who equips us to fulfill His great commission.

Just as God gave Noah specific instructions regarding the dimensions of the ark, his family, and more, as well as the willingness to obey Him, so others can be saved by entering into the ark (a type of Christ). He does the same with us today. He is sovereign and has already predestined those He will call to Himself.

We are called to be faithful witnesses. He puts the desire in our hearts to pray for the salvation of our family and friends, to pray for others as well — even our enemies, to support those who preach the gospel, to share the gospel with others, and to warn them about the pending judgment at every opportunity we get — sharing the good news of salvation so that many may come to Christ and be saved.

God has given us everything we need to obey Him (2 Peter 1:3). As we share the gospel, we trust that God will call those He has chosen to Himself through the power of the Holy Spirit. In this way, we become co-laborers in God’s redemptive plan, just as Noah did in his time.

In conclusion, let us rejoice in knowing that, like Noah, we have found favor with the Lord. Let this truth spur us to live faithfully, sharing the hope of Christ with others, and trusting in His grace to empower us for the task ahead.

Next week, we will study more about Noah’s obedience by faith, even though he had never seen rain before, and what that means for us — who have never seen hellfire (eternal damnation) or heaven (paradise) — but believes the written word of God.

Please use the link below for a more in-depth exposition of Scripture by Evangelist Heshimu Colar. https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/thegospelfa/sermons/speakers/Heshimu%20K.%20Colar/