Character Studies - ElectronicGospel

a. that, I think, is the great majesty of the rainbow (as we marvel at its beauty from below,God gazes down upon it simultaneously and sees not only the rainbow but his children and theiradmirationb. never ignore a rainbow (there is just too much going on beyond itII. Lessons From the Rainbow (Hebrews 11:1-2, 7)A. Divine Warning and Reward1. Noah would have never lived to see that rainbow, indeed there never would have been arainbow at all, if he hadn’t heeded the warning from God2. Noah was told that God was preparing to destroy the earth by flood and his only hope ofsalvation was construction of an arka. he was given explicit instructions on design and contentsb. and “Thus Noah did, according to all that God commanded him, so he did” (Genesis 6:22).3. when a tornado warning is issued, we protect ourselves; when a fire alarm sounds, we head tosafety; when Noah was warned of impending unnatural disaster, he did the same thing (sought protectionand safety4. God has likewise warned us that the wages of sin is still death and that the Lord will return as athief in the night to take us to judgment (Matthew 25:1-13)B. Moved With Godly Fear1. our current text in the Hebrews is the catalog of faithful elders of Hebrew historya. we know that we are saved by God’s grace through the faith that is a trust and discipleshipaccording to our Master, Jesusb. we learn that it was by faith that Noah saved his family in the ark2. Noah’s faith led him to understand that surely the creator and possessor of the world had boththe authority and ability to destroy ita. while this sermon was being written, I, as its creator and owner, could have destroyed itb. though my paper could have no fear, Noah did fear the Lord’s great power, taking hispromise seriously3. the text says he was moved with godly fear (cf. it affected him and caused him to act)4. in his obedience, there was no crime, but instead glory in submitting to the conditions of hissalvation; to inspire human reverence of Jehovah, He had his word taught to them and their children(Deuteronomy 10:12, 20-21)a. fear of the Lord causes man to depart from evil and seek life in righteousness instead (cf.Proverbs 8:13, 13:13, 19:23)b. it causes a man to seek to be like Jesus (Luke 6:40, 46-49)C. Preparation for Salvation1. it is axiomatic, says the Hebrew writer, that a man of faith prepares himself for salvationa. like the virgins in the parable, we must be prepared to meet the bridegroom when we shallbe judged according the deeds done in our bodies (cf. Second Corinthians 5:10) and receive reward ortorment based on whether or not we have walked by faith or did not trust that muchb. because of “the terror of the Lord” (Second Corinthians 5:11), the Bibles pleads with mento receive the grace of God today with purpose and preparation (Second Corinthians 6:1-22. in preparing for judgment, we test ourselves to see if we are really in the faith (cf. SecondCorinthians 13:5), if we are calling Jesus, Lord, Lord and doing the things he has saida. when he commands conversion, are we converted?b. when he prescribes confession, have we confessed him?c. when he demands repentance, do we truly repent?d. when he requires belief, do we really believe in Him?e. and when he demands immersion, are we willing to obey?ConclusionWithout preparation, godly fear and attention to warning, we will never see the other side of the rainbowin heaven.30! Jeff S. Smith