Sermon notes
If the Lord Jesus came today, would we be ready to meet Him? Technology keeps advancing, and AI is now part of our lives, yet many people are drifting further from God. "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come" (2 Timothy 3:1), when people will be "lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" (2 Timothy 3:4). Jesus said, "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). Eating, drinking and marrying are not wrong; they are normal life. What is wrong is being busy storing up treasure on earth and forgetting God. The Lord comes in two ways: personally, when He calls us home, and globally, when He returns. So the question is not "When will Jesus come?" but "If Jesus called me today, would I be ready?"
Living in the Fear of the Lord
"By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household" (Hebrews 11:7). The word for "godly fear" (eulabeomai) means carrying out God's command with reverence and the fear of the Lord. "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15). Love for God cannot be separated from obedience. Without modern machines, Noah built an ark that many theologians believe took about 120 years, and "Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did" (Genesis 6:22). Today we are also building the ark of our spiritual life through prayer, the Word, worship and obedience. True faith is not only believing what God says, but also obeying what God commands.
Walking with God
"Noah walked with God" (Genesis 6:9). Walking with God means, first, trusting Him fully: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5). Martha and Mary hoped Lazarus would be healed, but Jesus planned a resurrection. Second, agreeing with His will: "Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?" (Amos 3:3). Third, surrendering our plans: "A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps" (Proverbs 16:9). Ps. Natanael shared that the 25th wedding anniversary holiday to China, planned since April, fell through, so his family went home to Indonesia in October instead. Because of that, he could be with his mother in her critical moments in hospital and accompany her as she went home to the Lord on 2 October.
Being a Witness for God
Noah is called "a preacher of righteousness" (2 Peter 2:5). Although many people doubted and rejected him, his family believed and was saved. Don't let our children know many things about the world but not know God's Word, or let us provide for their material needs but never make time to pray with them. Salvation is not automatically inherited from parents by their children. Don't give up; keep praying for your family.
All by Grace
"But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD" (Genesis 6:8). Before the Bible tells of Noah's obedience, it first declares God's grace upon him. Noah was not a perfect man. The same is true for us: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). Obedience is the fruit of faith, not the price of salvation.
The Lord's coming is not something we need to fear; in fact, His coming is our hope. Let us live in the fear of the Lord, walk with God and be His witnesses, so that when He comes we can say, "Lord, I am ready." The Lord Jesus bless you.
