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

Sermon Series

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—10 Reasons I Am Grateful to God for OBC.

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

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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?

More from Genesis 4-11: Salvation & Judgment

Finding a Faithful Older Brother: What Shem, Ham, and Japheth Reveal about Christ and the Cosmos (Ge

June 30, 2024 • David Schrock • Genesis 9:18–29

Remembering the Rainbow: 6 Parts of God's Covenant with Noah... And Us

June 9, 2024 • David Schrock • Genesis 9:8–17

Dear OBC Family, When was the last time you saw a rainbow? And what did you think when you saw it? What did you remember? On Sunday, we will see what God has to say about rainbows and what the meaning of the rainbow is. Indeed, the rainbow is a sign of God’s grace and we should remember the covenant with Noah that is still in effect today. To prepare for Sunday, read Genesis 9, as well as Isaiah 54. We will be reminded of God’s promise of grace this Sunday and how that promise encourages us to continue to walk confidently with God. As the Lord allows, I look forward to seeing you Sunday as we worship God together. For His Glory and your joy, Pastor David -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Discussion & Response Questions (Genesis 9:8 – 17) 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?