Ingredients of Integrity

Struggled with biblical response when society is spiraling into further moral decay. I will wear to the following question how the world is an individual. How can we as a family survive the immorality of this generation and not just survive, how can you what I impact our generation for Jesus Christ. The solution is found in the story the Bible begins in Genesis chapter 6 the story of Noah and his family.

How was the Christian supposed to respond well. One of the keys to a biblical response is to understand that the situation we face now isn't new.

In the Old Testament we encounter a man named no who face the situation so desperate that there was no one apart from his family, who followed the ways of God. How did Noah act.

This is wisdom for the heart, and today we have a lesson from our vintage wisdom archives entitled ingredients of integrity here. Stephen dating with today's lesson we live in a world of violence and corruption, immorality, adultery, homosexuality, nudity and profanity are all considered acceptable in portrayed by the media as legitimate lifestyle. The unwed pregnancy rate among girls under the age of 16 has increased 80% last 10 years in America. There are 10 million alcoholics and 1 million of them are your high kids white-collar crime is also risen dramatically in the last 10 years isn't surprising. What a hero Baker financial investment group some investor or even religious leader being indicted for fraud, tax evasion, manipulation of interest downright embezzlement. I really want to answer the following question. It comes as a result of hearing just a few of the things that is happening in this country that is the question how the world can I as an individual. How can we as a family survive the immorality of this generation and not just survive, how can you and I impact our generation for Jesus Christ.

The solution is found in the story the Bible begins in Genesis chapter 6 and it is the story of Noah and his family. Now it came about, when men began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them that the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful and they took wives for themselves whomever they chose. Now there may be something here. Perhaps one or two that would like me to state the position from the debates raised whether or not these were angels fallen or whether they were humans. Perhaps you have heard or been involved in the discussion, and I do not want to preach a sermon on that debate.

Let me at least give you a couple of reasons why don't believe this is the demonic world. First of all, if they were demons, they wouldn't of been referred to as the sons of God. Furthermore, they were good angels who had not yet fallen they would not be looking or on the prowl for women I think.

Of course the context here would indicate that God is a problem not with fallen angels, but men would you notice verse three then the Lord said my spiritual not always strive with man forever, because he also is flesh.

Nevertheless his days shall be 120 years. I think this is a reference to the sons of God, the Binet Elohim being the godly line of Seth is a godly line that is now becoming weak. Why because they are intermarrying with the ungodly women of the flesh, the ungodly lidocaine Genesis chapter 4. So now you have the intermingling of these two races that will bring about necessity of judgment. Verse five then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

The Lord was sorry to be made mentally or he was grieved in his heart, and the Lord said, I will blot out man whom I've created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things, and the birds of the sky, for I am sorry that I have made them blot underline that word but in verse eight. However, no.

Found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

These are the records of the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless it is time Noah walked with God. The word blameless to be translated a person of integrity. Integrity is defined as uprightness of character. Noah had but that doesn't really tell us much about no other then he was a man of great character. I want to give you four ingredients that I want to pull from the stack four ingredients of integrity. These ingredients are essential in your life and in my life. If we will ever survive galore if we will ever survive the Paul and the temptation and the obstacle to living a godly life in 20th-century America.

The first ingredient is this taking notes, integrity is purity in the midst of immorality is purity in the midst of immorality. Would you look back at verse five.

Again, I want to get your pet out and underline a few characteristic words of this generation. The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually left sandlot they never had a good thought about that every thought continually was only evil.

This was the record of the generation and right in the middle of this corrupt sinful world is a flickering light.

Noah and his little family, who were godly and his godliness was an indictment. In fact, I'm convinced the person of integrity will follow God, even when it is unpopular, Noah discovered, in effect, which we God was going to move and he decided when God came to him that he would move with it. Hebrews 11 would you turn over there he was 11 Hebrews chapter 11 verse seven by faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen in reverent prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world. You see, there he was an indictment upon his ungodly society when I see the word world.

He condemned the world, that really doesn't mean anything to you and me and yet we use the phrase all the time. Well you fight the war against the world was that mean that the reference to the world system. What is the world system engineered by the desires of well same, perhaps even help popularity pleasure. All of these things drying the wheels of this world system in the phone here and when you are an indictment on your world you're living in such a way that you are not after the thing or after these pleasures, it says here that he rebuked her, condemned the world became an air of righteousness which is according to faith, why is Noah willing to consider the approval of God more important than blog, and how did he do that well. We know that he did it through the chapters in Genesis by what he did. That is building our and what he said. The New Testament refers to Noah as a preacher of righteousness. So we not only live the life ungodly light, but he spoke the word. That is a great debate today with the best kind of evangelism is a lifestyle evangelism or the confrontational evangelism. You know the you just limit and no people get saved or you found people yelling in the corner on asked them all the questions.

Which do you appreciate most men I respect with SI question one time and he said well let me ask you this question ever flown. You have when you're 35,000 feet up. Which do you appreciate most left-wing or the right wing you appreciate both and Noah did both. As seen in his life. Let me give you a second reading of integrity that is this obedience in the midst of ridicule obedience in the midst of ridicule back to Genesis chapter 6 let's begin reading with verse 13 redound to the end of the chapter. Well start with verse 13 and God said to Noah, the end of all flesh is come before me for the earth is filled with violence.

Behold, I'm about to destroy them with the earth make for yourself an ark of gopher wood or cedar wood. You shall make the ark with rooms that could be translated nests, and shall cover it inside and outside with pitch and this is how you're going to make it not the length of the ark 300 cubits that we do know that the team perhaps 26 or 24 nobody's really sure but it's it's long enough that it will now measure longer than one football field. When he gets finished with whether you take the 12 or the 18th, 24, 26 measure. You shall make a window. Verse 16 for the ark, and finish it to a cubit from the top and set the door of the ark in the sight of it and you make it with lower, second, and third decks. Now this boat looks a little bit different from the kind you and I've seen our Sunday school material this boat when it was finished look more like a floating barge. It was almost square it was three stories high, like a box that floated and they discovered when they put these measurements to the test that this was an almost impossible vessel. The Size that was important because the tidal wave. The torrential rains the hurricane like weather will come this boat is going to remain upright whiskey back to the text, verse 18. But I will establish my covenant with you and you letter the art you and your sons and your wife and your sons wives with you.

Perhaps an indication that they will believe as well, and of every living thing of all flesh shall bring two of every kind and that the art to keep them alive with you by now know was scratching his head, they shall be male and female of the birds after their kind, and of the animals after their kind, of every creeping thing of the ground after its kind, or species, two of every species shall come to you and to keep them alive. But as for you, take for yourself some of all food which is edible, and gather it to yourself and it shall be for food for you and for them.

Then Noah said you must be joking. Are you serious work using Noah has just been asked to build the boat longer than a football field 45 feet high, three stories is going the way 18,000 ton in his backyard somewhere. This is what God said to do but would you notice is obedience with comprehensive future pet out again and circle verse 22. Voss know what did according to all underline the word all according to all that God had commanded him, so he did look at chapter 7 verse five and Noah did according to all that the Lord had commanded him.

The last part of verse nine in chapter 7 as God had commanded Noah comprehensive obedience. In fact, the word bill is the same word used by the Septuagint in the New Testament that same Greek word shows up and is called or translated prepared in fact wanted to turn over the Hebrews chapter 9 Hebrews chapter 9 is pretty close to revelations ahead right run into Hebrews chapter 9 verse one. Now even the first covenant had regulations of divine worship in the earthly sanctuary for there was a tabernacle. Here's the word prepared same word used no notice how this is prepared. The other one which were the lampstand of the table and the sacred bread which is called the holy place behind the second veil there was a tabernacle which is called the holy of holies, having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold in which was a golden jar holding the manna in Aaron's rod which butted in the tables of the covenant, and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat would be things we cannot now speak in detail. In other words, there was such comprehensive detail. When they came to making Zach would not specify they did it with such care.

That's the idea of Noah building in 18,000 ton boat you think he just gets in scrap. No, just put the thing together stapled scotch date wearing an American. God will take care of us.

Absolutely not.

He built that ark in such a way that the same word is used it needs. He comprehensively obey every detail.

Nothing was lost. We can go back in your imagination I can just hear a neighbor now coming along and I'm sure you have them coming all the time. This was the eighth wonder of the ancient world. This was on the torments of all the people in that area. They had to see this thing always building.

I just hear the neighbors what your melanoma billing and art R will know till I finish.

I've never seen one before. Why you building it know it's going to write which we know let her know I haven't seen it yet. What's in ark do not will you know that it floats on water floats on water.

Noah, the nearest body of water, the Mediterranean Sea is 500 miles away.

You missed it by a few miles did you say it was like a boat placing the specs to that thing.

I can just seek another neighbor well no road or down on the clay tablet didn't want to miss a thing. This guy probably picks it up. Who gave you these things.did a lot God knows about building boats he's left some things out.

He did like what. Well, there's no mention here of sales or any or I move this thing never thought about that and also you're missing probably the most important thing to about the rudder. No mention of a runner here stearate where the pilots will navigate this thing well I guess God: I suppose you've seen him to know the procedure see the reason I emphasize that particular point because Hebrews 11 mentions that Noah believe things yet on never seen in our never seen rain never seen God, but a man of integrity, a woman of integrity is more interested in obeying the voice of God that at times the voice of reason ladies just imagine with me for a moment. How would you like to be very tall man who is considered the most eccentric foolish man in the community think I imagine Mrs. Noah going to the marketplace and all the ladies coming up here parcel. I'm sure you know go all in a basket case of you poor thing. Can you like it if your dad was not a loser in the community wanted to so no right and last and they did because chapter 7 verse one says then the Lord said to Noah enter the art you and all your household for you. I am seem to be righteous before me in this time. Well the ark is finished. I know your for me with a story they had finished, perhaps even bringing the animals they become into the ark and get off. I have been know I just now this is when I really get my digs in.

I've been preaching for 120 years. Nobodies responded.

I've been called a fool in every name in the block for 120th. My kids have been reticule made fun of my wife the same now and yet I would imagine Noah responding somewhat differently.

I would imagine Noah before he enters the ark turning around. I'm sure crowds gathered, they come to see this day. They've been hauling the luggage from their home. You know into the ark become the why. I would imagine that Noah would turn around now he's a suntanned man with deep lines in his face from hard labor. His hands are callused.

I would imagine for one more time, he extended them gave the invitation to enter the ark, he might say something like, don't you understand judgments coming. Haven't you heard Methuselah dying. We know from scientists and mathematicians that the ark was only half full in their estimation half full room hundreds if not thousands. Now, many people responded to this preaching is invitation to his wife. You know your living zero colossal your why he only had seven converts his family members. That's one convert every 17 years whets exciting, and yet God considered him a man of integrity because people responded, his voice, but because he had responded to God's voice. The third integrity is patience in the midst of uncertainty would you read with me chapter 7 the first 10 verses in the Lord said to Noah, enter the argument all your household for you alone. I seem to be righteous before me in the technology of every clean animal by seven male and female of the animals that are not going to need to understand all the animals are going into like to clean animals are going by seven the unclean by two reason for that is, there would need to be animals for sacrifice. Also, the birds of the sky. Verse three by sevens male and female, to keep offspring alive on the face of the earth forever. Seven.

Note the word after underlining for after seven more days. I will send rain on the earth 40 days and 40 nights. I will blot out from the face of the land.

Every living thing that I've made in Noah did according to all of the Lord commanded, and now Noah was 600 years old when the flood of water came upon the earth than Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons wives with them enter the ark because of the water.

The flood of clean animals and animals that are not clean and birds and everything that creeps on the ground there went into the ark to Noah by two male and female is God had commanded him. Now note verse 10 and it came about during the ark. After the seven days that the water of the flood came upon the earth. That's why I call this patient's in the midst of uncertainty. I just want to say on the second here. I cannot believe the obedience of Noah.

The patients of Noah and his family.

They got everybody in that they are in there and there surrounded by animals. And guess what happens for seven days.

Absolutely nothing in the door shut down all the equipment the right of the float. No right I met Jeanette rodeo to the neighbors you lose their uncertainty to get a little bit more bold. They wondered know is judgment coming now it's two days nothing happening now they're out of the ark barbecuing.

One man said the plane bed, you know, using the ark of the net thereafter. Have a great time. How are you still know is I just imagine scratching his head. Lord is this some kind of sham rain. If there is no record of that although he was confused and uncertain.

No record of her question God, my friends, integrity believes God even when it seems ridiculous. You and I want integrity as long as it makes us look respectable. Noah was willing to follow integrity even when it made him look ridiculous now read with me chapter 7 verse 17 to the end and the flood came for seven days and I think it's probably God's way. Just saying look to give mankind seven more days to repent, because when all the generations read of my judgment, there is no then I was so patient with me and I gave him every opportunity, and he would not. So after the seven days, the floods came, and covered the earth for 40 days in the water increase with the ark so that arose above your the water prevailed and increased greatly upon the earth and the ark floated on the surface of the water in the water prevailed more and more upon the earth, so that all the high mountains everywhere.

This is a universal, not a local flood everywhere under the heavens were covered. The waters prevailed 15 cubits higher in the mountains were covered with water and all the flesh that moved on the earth, parish, bird, cattle, beast swarming thing that swarms upon the earth and all mankind and all that was on the dry land, all in his nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, died. Thus he blotted out every living thing that was upon the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things, and the birds of the sky and there were blotted out from the earth and only Noah was left, together with those that were with him in the art water prevailed upon the earth.

160 days, we need to understand that Noah and his family will float in this thing for over a year. This is in a weekend trip. This is a year plus and when the ark finally grounds on top of one of the ridges and the mountain ranges of error.

God didn't tell Noah right now. Here's all the details of how you begin. God never told Noah what life would be like after the flood. He never even told Noah how long he float no sending out a dove to look for some kind of dry land.

Noah so patient. He said that a dominant whites seven days I would've been sending out does every 30 minutes. When a patient man in the midst of uncertainty. He was a man of integrity Melanie to be the fourth. Integrity is worship in the midst of difficulty worship in the midst of difficulty would you notice chapter 8 verse 14 and then the second month, on the 27th day of the month. Your was finally brought then God spoke to know and up until now it's been so then God spoke to know a single light of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and your sons wives with you bring out with you every living thing of all flesh that is with you birds, animals, creeping thing that creeps on the earth, that they may breed abundantly on the earth and be fruitful and multiply on the earth, so Noah went out in his sons and his wife and his sons wives with them every beast and creeping thing and thought that I threw his arms out and said file. This is our Lord put me through that again.

Note says in verse 20 then Noah built an altar to the Lord and took of every clean animal with every clean bird and offered burnt offerings.

The first thing Noah did leave his family for what a confusing year for the year of silence from God year of uncertainty. Your tremendous difficulty in getting worships God and God responds in chapter 9 by establishing the Noya covenant covenant that will change some of the things on planet Earth. One of the things will be that animals now will be in terror, fear of mankind man and beast will now be carnivorous, but the beautiful thing about the new way of confident that you and I will know is the establishment of the rainbow side of the company whereby God says every time you look up in the heavens, and you and I by the way, see the evidence of the Noya covenant as well. The earth will never be covered again by water. The unbeliever says well you know that's great because wonderful man and he lived in a wicked world, but there isn't any need for now is the day God's judgment is not coming today you turn with me quickly to second Peter chapter 3 get beyond Hebrews where you were to second Peter second Peter chapter 3 verse three. Sinful man refuses talk of judgment but I want you to know what the Scriptures clearly state second Peter 33 know this first of all, that in the last days in our generation our day range of grace in the last days of that aid mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts and saying where's the promise of his coming for ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation. For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. The present heaven and the present earth by his word are being reserved for what kind of judgment. Fire For the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

See verse 12 down there looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, on account of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat.

Just as certainly as God kept his word and the flood came, and he gave mankind centuries to believe through the preaching of unit canola so he is given us a damn grace to believe, but judgment is also coming coming this time fire house not gonna happen. Who knows. They asked the same thing about the water and get it came.

The me give you two obvious parallels between Noah's Ark in Christ. This is a sermon in itself, a wonderful illustration and picture of salvation. The first thing is this God designed the ark men didn't design it got. It was his plan of salvation to all those who would enter in what is the ark of salvation today all those who are in Christ Jesus. There is no no condemnation to them who are separate. The second thing.

Obvious parallel is that the ark only had one door swung the Jesus would say in John chapter 10 verse nine all by your if any man will enter through me. He shall say, if you're a believer it's possible this corrupt generation to be a person of integrity, but it'll take a pursuit of Jesus Christ as Lord and that person will develop and you. In the midst of immorality, obedience in the midst of ridicule patients in the midst of uncertainty worship in the midst of difficulty know how we need men, women and young people today of integrity principles we learned were true and they are just as true today. I'm glad you've joined us here on wisdom for the hearts were working our way through a series from our vintage wisdom archives called origins. It's Stephen's exposition of Genesis chapters 1 through 11 we have one more lesson to go in this series and that will be tomorrow. In the meantime, I want to make sure you know that we have a Bible study guide that goes along with this series a book that's also called origins.

If you would like to dive a little deeper into this study, you'll find this book in our online store@wisdomonline.org the number here in the office is 86 648 Bible. That's 866-482-4253 when you call, be sure and ask how you can receive heart-to-heart magazine.

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