Series: Chaos to Covenant
Title: "What's the Bible all about? God remembers his promises." Part 2
Scripture: Genesis 8:1-9:17
Luke 17:20-33; Hebrews 11:7-10
The Bible is all about God's story.
Here, Noah’s story is a snapshot of the Bible’s grand narrative—a holy God seeking to redeem, restore, and renew fallen creation by a merciful covenant through Jesus Christ.
God remembers his promises to his people.
INTRODUCTION
CONTEXT
SERMON OUTLINE
CONCLUSION
NOTES
OUTLINES
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
MAIN REFERENCES USED
My opening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him, and leading others to do the same.
INTRODUCTION
Stories of the brave, acts big and small, sacrifice and service are what we remember today. Like the story of Vietnam War hero Jimmy
G. Stewart, an Army staff sergeant from West Columbia, West Virginia - one of the 58,000 Americans who lost their lives in combat during the conflict. When five fellow Soldiers of his six-man squad were wounded near An Khe in May 1966, Stewart held his position to protect his men, crawling through heavy fire to retrieve ammunition from his comrades and tossing back enemy-thrown grenades. When reinforcements arrived, 23-year-old Stewart continued to fight and was eventually killed while holding his position. The wounded he gave his life to protect were recovered and evacuated. A year later, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. This year marks 50 years since the last combat troops left South Vietnam.
I share this story for a few reasons relevant to today.
Our veterans are potential stories like this. They willingly choose to put themselves in harms way for the sake of defending others from tyranny. On Memorial Day we remember those like Jimmy G. Stewart here for giving his life in the line of duty because he went above and beyond the call of duty to love others with his whole life. What a picture of Christ. We honor our veterans as they put themselves in a position to do that for others.
They fight of an imperfect nation that is founded on principles gleaned in part from scripture that empowers her citizens to live differently in all of life.
We remember these who have fallen and these who serve our country in this way, we see in Genesis 8:1 that God remembers his promises to Noah meaning he is moved to act mercifully on behalf of sinful people in this world.
We will see how precious human life is to the Lord. Stewart saw it as worthy of his own which is at least in part why he was willing to sacrifice his own.
At least twice in scripture, Rachel and Hannah, saw barren women be remembered by God and given a child, the desire of their heart. God sees you in your pain even if that pain is of your own making. He remembers and this moves him to act mercifully and redemptively. Redemption of sinful people is at the forefront of his loving acts.
The thief on the cross calls on Jesus to remember him when they cross over. Jesus remembers him and says today you will be with me in paradise. This is a great picture of what God remembering looks like.
His acts on our behalf are in light of our needs...our greatest needs. Needs that only He can satisfy.
CONTEXT
In the wake of God's flood of judgment is a new, redemptive creation. God judged sin and humanity and creation had to deal with the consequences. God takes sin seriously. Sin has consequences.
And Noah believed that God's word is trustworthy. So he believed and acted accordingly building an ark to save his family from God's flood of holy judgment. And that ark saved his family and a remnant of the animal kingdom.
Now we see God's judgment swing to his faithful covenant with Noah and creation. He is starting over. He is giving humanity a second chance.
SERMON
Outline modified from Bethancourt
I. GOD IS HOLY AND JUST. HE MUST PUNISH SIN. Noah and God's judgment (6:1-22) LAST WEEK
A. The purpose of God's judgment (6:1-7)
B. The patience of God's judgment (6:8-16)
C. The promise of God's judgment (6:17-22)
II. GOD IS GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL. HIS LOVE MAKES A WAY BACK. Noah and God's rescue (7:1-8:19)
A. God rescues us from the penalty of his judgment (7:1-16)
B. God rescues us from the power of his judgment (7:17-24)
C. God rescues us from the presence of his judgment (8:1-19) THIS WEEK
III. GOD IS SOVEREIGN CREATOR REDEEMING US THROUGH HIS SON'S COVENANT OF LOVE. Noah and God's covenant (8:20-9:29) THIS WEEK
A. The Lord and the covenant with creation (8:20-22)
B. The Lord and the covenant with Noah (9:1-11)
C. The Lord and the sign of the covenant (9:12-17)
D. The Lord and the lineage of the covenant (9:18-29)
Big ideas in this passage today:
Hinge point in the story: Gen 8:1 "God remembered Noah..."
Up to this point, the flood story has been one of judgment. From 8:1 on it's a story of redemption.
"God had not forgotten Noah and his family. To 'remember' in the Bible is not merely to recall to mind; it is to express concern for someone, to act with loving care for him. When God remembers his people, he does so 'with favor' (Neh 5:19; 13:31)." -NIV Study Bible, 1985
"When Genesis 8:1 says, “God remembered Noah,” it doesn’t mean that God had forgotten Noah and then recalled him suddenly. In the Bible, the phrase “God remembered” is often used to signify that God is about to act on His promises or fulfill His covenant.
In this case, God’s “remembering” Noah signifies His care and commitment to Noah and all creation, especially after the long, intense flood. This “remembrance” marks the beginning of the floodwaters receding, as God brings about a new stage in His plan for humanity and the earth. Here, God is staying true to His covenant with Noah by preserving him, his family, and the animals through the flood...it means that God is intervening in a meaningful, faithful way to fulfill His promises or enact His plans.
So in Genesis 8:1, “God remembered Noah” signifies divine care and the beginning of restoration after judgment." -ChatGPT
"Throughout the Bible, when God “remembers” someone, it signifies His attention, compassion, and faithfulness, often resulting in His direct intervention. Here are some key examples:
1. Abraham and Lot (Genesis 19:29): When God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, He “remembered Abraham” and spared Lot. God’s covenant relationship with Abraham led to His merciful action in delivering Lot from the judgment on the cities.
2. Rachel (Genesis 30:22): After a long period of barrenness, “God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and enabled her to conceive.” God’s remembrance here signifies His compassion and care for Rachel, ultimately fulfilling her longing for a child.
3. Israel in Egypt (Exodus 2:24): When the Israelites were suffering under slavery, “God heard their groaning, and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.” This remembrance prompts God to act by raising up Moses and setting in motion the liberation of His people from Egypt.
4. Hannah (1 Samuel 1:19): After Hannah prayed earnestly for a son, “the Lord remembered her,” and she conceived and gave birth to Samuel. God’s remembering here shows His response to Hannah’s heartfelt prayer and His intervention in her life.
5. God’s Promise to Israel (Psalm 105:8): The psalmist declares that God “remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations.” This indicates God’s unwavering commitment to His promises and His ongoing relationship with His people.
6. The Thief on the Cross (Luke 23:42-43): Although the word “remember” is used differently here, the thief’s request, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom,” appeals to Jesus’ mercy and faithfulness. Jesus’ reply assures him of eternal life, demonstrating the compassion inherent in divine “remembrance.”
In each case, God’s “remembering” is more than mere recollection—it signals His intention to act faithfully and mercifully on behalf of His people, often in response to their need or in fulfillment of His covenant promises." -ChatGPT
Perhaps we should ask Jesus to remember us as well...
The flood story reveals four main characteristics of God. God is...
1. Holy and Just: God judges human wickedness, showing His intolerance for sin.
2. Gracious and Merciful: He offers time for repentance and preserves Noah’s family.
3. Faithful to keep his Promises: God promises to sustain creation, never to destroy it by flood again.
4. Sovereign Creator: He controls nature, demonstrating His power to both judge and restore.
These qualities reveal a God who is just, merciful, faithful, and sovereign, committed to both righteousness and renewal.
Said another way...
The story of Noah and the flood reflects the broader story of God in the Bible by capturing key themes of Creator-God, sovereignly creating a good world where humanity sins/falls and reaps judgment. Despite this, merciful God makes a way for wicked humanity to find redemption and restoration through the covenant relationship with Creator-God through Christ Jesus, our Savior.
CONCLUSION
What do I want them to know?
God sees, remembers, and keeps his promise of mercy.
The story of God in macro and how our story fits in micro. God judges sin but remember mercy.
Why? Because his character is holy love.
What do I want them to do?
Show and tell their story in the context of God's story. Remember that God sees, remembers and keeps his promise of mercy.
Why?
This is how we rescue people close to us but far from God.
How?
By learning this macro story, seeing our story within that context, and then sharing that story with others where we live, work, learn and play.
Bottom line: Noah’s story is a snapshot of the Bible’s grand narrative—a holy God seeking to redeem, restore, and renew fallen creation by a merciful covenant through Jesus Christ. God sees and remembers his promise of mercy.
At the end of the day, my question to you is this: "Are you in the boat?" Is your life protected from God's holy wrath? Have you entered through the only door to salvation? His name is Jesus. Cf. John 14:6
Jesus spoke of Noah as well:
“Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.” Then he said to his disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. People will tell you, ‘There he is!’ or ‘Here he is!’ Do not go running off after them. For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other. But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. “It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. “It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed.”
Luke 17:20-30 NIV
Peter puts it all in perspective in his first sermon:
““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” Acts 2:36-39 NIV
Invitation
How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:
Take out a card or piece of paper right now. Write down the answer to these questions:
What is God saying to me right now?
What am I going to do about it? Write this down on a sheet of paper.
What I hear you saying, Lord, is ___________________.
[my name] is going to believe/do __________________________________________________ as a result.
Finally, share this with your Home or Mission group this week when you gather as a testimony about what God is doing in your life. You don’t have to get too specific to give him praise.
Lord's Supper, 1 Cor 11:23-26 is good passage.
Also, say something like, "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again." (past, present, and future)
Pray
NOTES
My early notes:
Genesis 8:1a "God remembered Noah..."
God "remembering" is the cue for God about to act redemptively i.e. He's about to rescue; mercy and grace are enroute. God acts with his covenant in mind because God is faithful and God is merciful.
At this point, God's story pivots from his holy, justified wrath and judgment to his extravagent mercy and redemption offered to his people by grace through faith.
His rememberance leads to merciful action on God's part. From destruction or de-creation to renewal or re-creation.
Applications that might follow from this:
Rest in God's "remembering." God "remembering" is God acting on your behalf in a redemptive, life-changing way. It's renewal replacing wrath. (8:1)
Wait patiently for God's timing. (8:6-12) Noah waited patiently for God to speak before he disembarked from the ark.
Worship God today. (8:20) Noah's first act after disembarking was to worship God. Worship is our response to God's remembering. He is always worthy whether we act like it or not.
Nurture a culture of life. (8:21-22) God is the creator and sustainer of life. He treasures all life. He calls us to as well. Animal life, but more importantly, human life. All life is precious--human life is sacred. So sacred, you forfeit yours when you take someone else's. We're called to lead the charge on protecting life and that includes nurturing a culture that values life above all else.
Respect and Protect Life. (9:1-7) Valuing life includes protecting those who cannot protect themselves (unborn, children, disabled, elderly, dying).
Live securely and confidently in the covenant relationship we enjoy in Christ. (9:8-11) A marriage rooted in God's covenant relationship with us will give us confidence and security to love when tempted to fear.
Remember and rest in God's promises. (9:12-17)
God will remember his covenant with us. He'll remind us that he remembers through his bow in the sky that he is faithful and keeps his promises.
These rest on the fact that God remembers; he acts on behalf of his people with compassion, mercy, and faithfulness. He grows our confident assurance in his trustworthiness when we are tempted to forget.
Where is Noah's ark today?
"The location of Noah’s ark remains one of the great mysteries, as no definitive archaeological evidence has been found to confirm its location. According to Genesis 8:4, the ark came to rest “on the mountains of Ararat,” traditionally associated with the region of Mount Ararat in modern-day Turkey. This has led many explorers and archaeologists over the centuries to search that area, but no conclusive evidence has been found.
There have been several claims of sightings and discoveries on or near Mount Ararat, including photographs and wooden structures reportedly found at high altitudes. However, these claims have not been substantiated with enough verifiable evidence, and most remain controversial or unconfirmed.
In the end, whether or not the ark will ever be found is uncertain. Some believe that the wood may have been repurposed by Noah’s descendants after the flood or that it has simply deteriorated over time. Others suggest that, if it exists, God may allow it to remain hidden as an enduring element of faith rather than empirical evidence.
For many, the ark serves more as a theological symbol of God’s salvation and judgment, rather than something that needs to be found physically to affirm the biblical account." -ChatGPT
It could also be in western Armenia or even northwestern Iran as those are close to Mt. Ararat in Turkey.
Summary
"You’re absolutely correct. Genesis 8:1 is indeed the hinge point in the flood narrative, marking the transition from judgment to salvation, from divine wrath to mercy. The phrase “God remembered Noah” encapsulates the shift from destruction to renewal and signals that God’s redemptive plan is at work. Given this centrality, all application points could indeed flow from or relate to this theme of God’s remembrance. Here’s a revised approach:
1. Rest in God’s Faithfulness and Care (8:1)
• Application: God’s “remembering” Noah reminds us that, even when we feel forgotten or isolated, God is actively mindful of us and our needs. His faithfulness is unwavering, especially during seasons of hardship. This calls us to trust that God’s timing is perfect and that He is present and working, even when we can’t see it.
2. Wait Patiently for God’s Timing (8:6-12)
• Application: Because God “remembers” us, we can wait with hope, just as Noah waited for the waters to recede. Waiting isn’t passive but an active faith in God’s provision and guidance. Instead of rushing ahead, we’re called to trust God’s process, knowing He will bring us through in His timing.
3. Respond to God’s Faithfulness with Worship (8:20)
• Application: When Noah leaves the ark, his first act is to worship through sacrifice. This is a fitting response to God’s faithfulness in remembering him and his family. When we recognize God’s merciful intervention in our lives, we are called to respond with gratitude, worship, and dedication to Him.
4. Trust in God’s Commitment to Life (8:21-22)
• Application: God’s promise never to curse the ground again is a direct result of His remembering Noah and His commitment to sustaining creation. We can trust that God values and sustains life. This invites us to live in hope, knowing that God’s sustaining power is over creation and our lives, even in a broken world.
5. Respect and Protect Life (9:1-7)
• Application: Because God “remembers” and values humanity, He commands respect for life and emphasizes human dignity. We are called to value life as sacred, reflecting God’s heart for His creation. This includes protecting others, acting justly, and honoring the image of God in each person.
6. Live in Covenant Relationship with God (9:8-11)
• Application: The covenant with Noah flows from God’s remembrance and commitment to humanity and all creatures. God’s remembrance invites us to respond in covenant faithfulness, living in relationship with Him, and being stewards of His world.
7. Remember God’s Promises (9:12-17)
• Application: The rainbow is a visible reminder of God’s covenant and faithfulness to remember His promises. Just as God remembers us, we are called to remember Him and His promises. By clinging to His faithfulness, we strengthen our faith and are reminded of God’s enduring mercy and love in our lives.
By centering the applications around God’s remembrance, we underscore the passage’s message of God’s mercy, faithfulness, and the invitation for us to respond in trust, gratitude, and covenantal living. This “remembrance” becomes the anchor for our faith and actions in every part of life." -ChatGPT
Key Themes
• New Beginnings: Noah and his family represent a fresh start for humanity, meant to live in obedience to God and care for creation.
• God’s Mercy: Despite humanity’s failings, God commits to sustain creation and gives humans renewed responsibility.
• Divine Justice and Human Dignity: God’s instruction against murder underscores the sanctity of life made in His image.
• The Covenant: The rainbow as a sign of the covenant is a powerful reminder of God’s promise and His ongoing relationship with humanity.
Genesis 8-9:17 highlights God’s mercy, the sanctity of life, and the importance of the covenant. It also sets the foundation for a worldview that values life and trusts in God’s promises, even amidst a broken world.
Good summary:
"The story of the flood in Genesis (chapters 6–9) tells us much about God’s character, values, and the way He engages with humanity. Here are some of the primary ways it reveals who God is:
1. God’s Justice and Holiness
• The flood is a response to human corruption and violence. Genesis 6:5-6 says that God saw the great wickedness on earth and was “grieved” in His heart. God’s decision to judge humanity with the flood shows His intolerance of sin and injustice. His holiness requires a world that aligns with His goodness, and the flood was a response to the pervasive moral decay of Noah’s time.
2. God’s Patience and Long-Suffering
• While the decision to flood the earth is swift in the biblical account, the story implies that God waited patiently while humanity had a chance to change. Noah was “a preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5), and his 120 years building the ark can be seen as a period when God gave people a chance to repent. This patience reveals God’s mercy, even in His judgment.
3. God’s Mercy and Covenant Faithfulness
• God’s decision to save Noah and his family highlights His mercy and commitment to His creation. Although humanity deserved judgment, God chose a path that preserved life. He instructed Noah to bring animals onto the ark, ensuring the survival of all living things. After the flood, God made a covenant with Noah (Genesis 9:8-17), promising never to destroy the earth with water again. The rainbow serves as a symbol of His covenant, highlighting His faithfulness to humanity despite their shortcomings.
4. God’s Sovereignty and Power Over Creation
• The flood narrative shows God’s absolute power over creation. He commands the waters to rise and fall, demonstrating His control over the natural world. The floodwaters are a reversal of the order He established at creation, where He separated waters to form dry land. By re-establishing the earth post-flood, God reaffirms His sovereignty as Creator, showing He can both judge and restore.
5. God’s Desire for a Righteous People
• God chooses Noah, “a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time” (Genesis 6:9), and establishes a covenant with him, revealing His desire for a people who walk in righteousness. God’s plan for Noah’s descendants is one of blessing, hoping they would embody a restored relationship with Him and reflect His justice and goodness on earth.
6. God’s Grace and Renewal of Creation
• After the flood, God gives Noah a mandate similar to Adam’s: to “be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth” (Genesis 9:1). This echoes the original creation mandate, suggesting that God’s intention for humanity and creation remains one of growth, flourishing, and harmony. He desires to partner with humanity in caring for and filling the earth with goodness.
7. God as a Covenant Maker
• The covenant with Noah is foundational, setting a pattern for the covenants God will establish later with Abraham, Moses, and David, and ultimately fulfilled in Christ. The Noahic covenant emphasizes God’s promise to preserve creation, foreshadowing the redemptive plan that would unfold over time.
In summary, the flood story tells the story of God as a holy and just Judge, yet also as a patient, merciful, and covenant-keeping Creator. It illustrates His commitment to renewal and restoration even in the face of human failure. Through judgment and mercy, God’s desire for a faithful, righteous humanity and His love for creation shine through. This story is foundational, pointing forward to God’s ongoing work to redeem and renew the world."
-ChatGPT
The Pattern
See D. J. A. Clines, Catholic Biblical Quarterly, No. 38 (1976), pp. 487, 488. Clines explains that Gerhard Von Rad initially observed a pattern of sin, mitigation, and punishment. Then Claus Westermann discerned another element, that of divine speech. Though he did not include it in the pattern, Clines does. Thus the following chart:
I.
II.
III.
IV.
SIN
SPEECH
GRACE
PUNISHMENT
FALL
3:6
3:14-19
3:21
3:22-24
CAIN
4:8
4:10-12
4:15
4:16
SONS OF GOD
6:2
6:3
6:8, 18ff
7:6-24
FLOOD
6:5, 11f
6:7, 13-21
6:8, 18ff
11:8
BABEL
11:4
11:6f
10:1-32
11:8
Preach the Word, Genesis, Kent Hughes, chapter 1, note 3, p. 625
Hamilton puts it this way:
"God acts and speaks; man rebels; God punishes; God protects and reconciles." P. 201
GOD ACTS & SPEAKS MAN REBELS GOD PUNISHES GOD PROTECTS & RECONCILES
OUTLINES
N/A
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
Who is God?
What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?
Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)
What do I get to do? (In light of who I am)
How do I do it?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/
Read the passage together.
Retell the story in your own words.
Discovery the story
What does this story tell me about God?
What does this story tell me about people?
If this is really true, what should I do?
What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)
What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)
Who am I going to tell about this?
Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast
Alternate Discussion Questions (by Jeff Vanderstelt): Based on this passage:
Who is God?
What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?
Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)
What do I do? (In light of who I am)
How do I do it?
Final Questions (Write this down)
What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?
MAIN REFERENCES USED
“Genesis,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes
Exalting Jesus in Genesis, by Bethancourt
The Genesis Record, by Henry Morris
The Genesis Factor, by David Helms & Jon Dennis
“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)
“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)
“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)
Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)
Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)
NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/
Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)
ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org
The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com
“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)
Claude.ai
