Or Giants: Enlarging Our Vision of God's World, God's Son, and God's Salvation (Gen. 6:1-8)

Sermon Series

May 5, 2024 • David Schrock • Genesis 6:1–8

Dear OBC Family,

On Sunday, we take the first step toward understanding the history of the flood—its causes, its characters, and its covenant.

In particular, we will spend time looking at the strange statements found in Genesis 6:1–4. Who were the sons of God? Who were the daughters of man? Who were the Nephilim? How do they relate to one another? And how do they relate to us today? Those questions require care and attention, and we should pray for wisdom as we come to worship on Sunday.

Indeed, it is easy to gloss over these verses as strange relics of a by-gone era, but as we will see there are important aspects of this story that we need to know. To prepare for Sunday, take time to read Genesis 6. You may also find help reading 2 Peter 2 and Jude. These two books look back at Genesis 6 and help us better understand how to read the Old Testament.

Additionally, if you are interested in thinking more about how the New Testament reads the Old and how we should engage with extra-biblical passages, you may find this article helpful.

For all of us, let us pray that the Lord who rules over all creation will pour out his mercy upon us as we gather in his name on Sunday. I look forward to seeing you there, as the Lord allows.

For His Glory and your joy in Christ,

Pastor David

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Discussion & Response Questions (Genesis 6:1-8)

What questions do you have after reading this text?

The following questions are largely related to the “sons of God” and giants:

What are the predominant views of the identity of the “sons of God”?

How does the Old Testament use this phrase? (Consider who is in view in Deuteronomy 32:8; Job 1:6; Job 2:1; Job 38:7).

As we look to Scripture to interpret Scripture, how does Jude 1:5-7 compare angels that sinned with Sodom and Gomorrah?

What does Mark 12:25 teach us about angels and the saints in heaven?

How does this apply (or nor apply) to Genesis 6?

What giants do you see in Scripture? Consider the Nephilim (Genesis 6:4; Numbers 13:33) and the “sons of Anak” (Deuteronomy 1:28; 2:10; 9:2; Joshua 14:12-15; 15:13), and the Rephaim or Emim (Deuteronomy 3:11-13). Consider also Goliath (1 Samuel 17), his relatives, and their descendants (1 Chron 20:4-6; 2 Samuel 21:5-17). What repeated themes do you see?

What do you find challenging about these texts, and why?

As we read Genesis 6:1-8, what are the ways in which we observe God’s judgment? Looking at the text, what provokes these judgments?

How do these judgements change humanity?

What characterizes man’s heart, and why?

What is the Bible’s consistent message when it comes to mankind’s condition?

How should we understand the language of God seeing (Gen 6:5) and having regret (Gen 6:6)?

How do we rightly interpret this text without denying the omniscience (Ps 139; Heb 4:12-13; 1 John 3:20) and immutability of God (Num 23:19; Mal 3:6; James 1:17)?

How is Noah distinct from the rest of mankind?

How can one find favor with God? Consider Noah (Heb 11:7; 2 Pet 2:5).

What does this passage teach about God’s world? God’s son? Our salvation?

What questions are left unresolved?

More from Genesis 4-11: Salvation & Judgment

In the Beginning... Again: 5 Puzzles to Put the World Back Together (Gen. 8:20-9:7)

June 2, 2024 • David Schrock • Genesis 8:20—9:7

Dear OBC Family, What is the world like? Is it like the beginning? Or is it completely different after the flood? And what does it matter? While we are often tempted to simply think about what comes next in our own lives, families, careers, or ministries, we need to slow down and consider the stage on which we live, move, and have our being. We are creatures made in the image of God, and that means we need to know who God is and what he has made. And also, that means we need to know what he has remade after the flood. This Sunday we will continue to look at Noah. Only now we move from his ark to his altar. And from his salvation to the creation of a new society. In Genesis 8:20–9:7 we will see at least five building blocks to civilization and also a particular order to arrange them. To prepare, take time to read Genesis 9. Pray that God would give us insight and interest into the world he has made, so that we might see where we fit in his creation and how his salvation in Christ is the only way to see the world put to rights. As the Lord allows, I look forward to seeing you Sunday. And this week, I am especially thankful for many of the graces God has given to our church. I wrote them down in a blogpost and I would encourage you to read them—https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3a%2f%2fobc.us14.list-manage.com%2ftrack%2fclick%3fu%3ddd23918991ea6f542a8065bed%26id%3d56e9a176ad%26e%3df5b57025e0&data=05%7c02%7c%7c8a61cdea383047090d9b08dc81b49df9%7c84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7c1%7c0%7c638527859953431581%7cunknown%7ctwfpbgzsb3d8eyjwijoimc4wljawmdailcjqijoiv2lumziilcjbtii6ik1hawwilcjxvci6mn0%3d%7c0%7c%7c%7c&sdata=ytlqc6brvt0gakoljgx1yp6blogmf0qgta5tgx2s8h8%3d&reserved=0 I bless God for the work of grace he has done at our church and I look forward to singing his praises with you, his saints, on Sunday. For His Glory and your joy, Pastor David ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Discussion & Response Questions (Genesis 8:20-9:7) Consider the text for this week. What stands out to you? How do you think about the flood? The world that came after it? Is Genesis 1–11 more like a galaxy far, far away? Or does it influence how you think about the world? How does the rest of the Bible pick up and apply this new beginning? What are the parts of the world that Genesis 8:20–9:7 describe? What is the pattern of “world building” that is found here? How does that support your views of the world? How does that invite change? How is this new beginning after the Flood distinct from the first beginning in Genesis 1-2? What change did the exaltation of Christ bring to the world? And does that mean for us? How ought we to respond to this text?

But God Remembered: The Gospel According to Noah

May 26, 2024 • David Schrock • Genesis 8

Dear OBC Family, As we come to Memorial Day weekend, we will take our time remembering that God remembered (Gen. 8:1). Indeed, in a world awash with sin, sorrow, loss, and longing, we sometimes wonder—aloud or in quiet desperation—does God remember? If God is for us, why does it seem like he is so long in coming, answering prayer, or changing circumstances? Equally, if our sin has resulted in consequences that we cannot fix, we might wonder –will God come and repair the damage? To all these questions and more, we cannot deny the fact that life in a fallen world is hard. And when we come to God’s Word, we need to remember that God does not forget his promises or his people. Instead, he always comes to save, repair, and restore at just the right time. This Sunday, we will see just that, as 8 image-bearers on the ark are brought safely through the flood. After nearly a year, God brings Noah, his family, and the animals out of the ark and into a new world. And in this context, God begins again. To prepare for Sunday, take time to read Genesis 8–9. This will be our third trip through the story of Noah and this time we will focus on God’s renewal of creation. Please pray for our time together, that we might delight in the God who remembers and who makes all things new. We also invite you to return in the evening for our screening of https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3a%2f%2fobc.us14.list-manage.com%2ftrack%2fclick%3fu%3ddd23918991ea6f542a8065bed%26id%3d8b045d957d%26e%3df5b57025e0&data=05%7c02%7c%7cb05092237f354d0c225808dc7c3036a6%7c84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7c1%7c0%7c638521793728348023%7cunknown%7ctwfpbgzsb3d8eyjwijoimc4wljawmdailcjqijoiv2lumziilcjbtii6ik1hawwilcjxvci6mn0%3d%7c0%7c%7c%7c&sdata=pxtshaduuccq2tf4edrzpvr1errjlm0btgzumjkokj4%3d&reserved=0 at 6:00pm. As the Lord allows, I look forward to seeing you on Sunday. For His Glory and your joy, Pastor David ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Discussion & Response Questions (Genesis 8:1-9:7) Consider the text for this week. What stands out to you? How long was the ark occupied? Consider the time from the beginning of the flood until they disembarked. What is Noah’s first action after disembarking? How does relate to Genesis 4? And what does that teach us? Consider the parallels between Genesis 1 and this morning’s text. What is repeated or modified when you compare God’s blessing and instructions to Adam and then to Noah? Consider the promise of God (8:21–22). What kind of assurance does this provide? What is revealed about mankind’s condition? What is affirmed about the image of God? How is mankind’s relationship with creatures changed? Where do you see judgment followed by renewal in the Scriptures? What does renewal for the saints look like today? What does the Scripture promise about judgment and New Creation in the future? How ought we to respond to this text?

The Baptism of Noah: What the Waters of Judgement Have to Do with the Waters of Baptism

May 19, 2024 • David Schrock • Genesis 7

Dear OBC Family, What does baptism have to do with the flood? Or to reverse it, what does the flood have to do with baptism? This Sunday, we will discover that baptism is not simply an ordinance that divides churches—do we baptize infants, or only believers? (The answer is believers 😀). In answer to the question, baptism is actually the way God has decided to destroy sin and bring new life. Baptism is something that every generation of God’s people have experienced. Baptism is also something that Christ himself does today, as he gives the waters of life from heaven when he ‘baptizes’ someone with the Holy Spirit. Churches follow suit with water baptism as they baptize on earth those who have been baptized from heaven. Indeed, baptism is a major theme that runs through the whole Bible. And on Sunday, we will see how the waters of judgment in Genesis 7 serve as the headwaters for baptism in the Bible and even today. To prepare for Sunday, take time to read Genesis 7-8, as well as 1 Peter 3. Notice how Peter looks to Noah to explain salvation with the baptism of Noah’s ark. And pray for God to pour out on us his living water. As the Lord allows, I look forward to seeing you Sunday and worshiping the One who sits above the floods! For His Glory and your joy in Christ, Pastor David ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Discussion & Response Questions (Genesis 7:1–24) What stands out to you after reading this text and listening to Sunday’s sermon? What questions do you have? As you read this text, remember that God is the primary actor here. What is God doing? Consider the use of “God” (Elohim) and “LORD” (YHWH) in this passage. What do you notice? What repetition do you notice? What does this repetition highlight and emphasize in this history of the Flood? What is the significance of the LORD shutting them into the ark? Read 1 Peter 3:18–22. Consider the relationship between baptism and the Flood. What is Peter teaching? Read 2 Peter 3:1–7. What are implications of the Flood for us today? How ought we to respond to this text?