The Return of Noah
Matthew Maher
Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. — Genesis 6:5, 11-12
• The heart always writes the headlines of a nation.
But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. — Genesis 6:8
• Noah found grace because grace found Noah.
This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God. — Genesis 6:9
By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. — Hebrews 11:7
• The fear of God doesn't produce panic, it produces priorities.
But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark… — Matthew 24:37-38
• The problem was they were so consumed with the temporal; they neglected the eternal.
• What was grossly immoral had become culturally normal.
And did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. — Matthew 24:39
• God's patience should never be confused with God's permission.
So those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the Lord shut him in. — Genesis 7:16
Discussion Questions
1. Genesis 6 describes a world where "every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." The sermon points out that "the heart always writes the headlines of a nation." Looking at the world around you today, where do you see evidence of this principle at work — and how does it challenge or shape your own inner life?
2. Noah found grace not because he earned it, but because grace found him first — yet he still lived as a just man who walked with God. How do you hold together the truth that salvation is entirely God's grace with the call to live faithfully in response to it?
3. Hebrews 11:7 says Noah "moved with godly fear" when warned of things not yet seen. The sermon says "the fear of God doesn't produce panic, it produces priorities." What priorities in your own life reflect a healthy fear of God — and are there areas where the temporary has crowded out the eternal?
4. Jesus warned that in the last days people would be so consumed with everyday life — eating, drinking, marrying — that they would miss what God was doing, just as in Noah's day. Where do you find yourself most tempted to get so absorbed in the temporal that you neglect the eternal?
5. The sermon draws a sharp distinction: "God's patience should never be confused with God's permission." How does understanding God's patience as an invitation rather than an endorsement change the way you respond to Him — and how you talk about His character with others?