THE ARK AND THE CHURCH

Gen. 6:13-22; Matt. 16:13-18.

INTRO:

1. Jesus taught by parables and comparisons. We too, can use such in our teaching.

2. The ark can be considered as a comparison to the church.

3. Note some of the comparisons that can be made:

I. ONE BUILDER: Noah, God's faithful servant built the ark. Gen. 6:13,14. Christ, God's beloved Son built His church. Matt. 16:16-18.

II. ONE KIND OF MATERIAL: The ark was built of gopher wood. Gen. 6:14. The church is built of living stones. 1 Pet. 2:5. Such stones are humble, submissive servants of God.

III. ONE LIGHT: The ark had one window up high. Gen. 6:16. The church has the Bible. Psa. 119:105,130; 2 Cor. 4:1-7.

IV. ONE DOOR: The ark had only one door through which Noah and the animals entered. Gen. 6:16. The church has only one entrance, Christ. Jno. 10:9, 1,2; 14:6; Matt. 7:13,14.

V. ONE FAMILY: The Noahs were the only family on the ark. Gen. 6:18. The family of God, Christians, make up the inhabitants of the church. Gal. 6:10; Eph. 3:14,15; 1 Tim. 3:15.

VI. ONE NAME: Noah was the name of the father of those in the ark. Gen. 6:13. The name Christian is given to those in the church. Acts 4:12; 11: 26; 1 Pet. 4:16; Isa. 62:1-12.

VII. ONE ARK: There were no lifeboats or any other auxillaury crafts to compliment the ark. Gen. 6:14. No other societies or organizations built by Christ. Matt. 16:18; Eph. 4:4; 1:22,23; Col. 1:18, 24.

VIII. SAVED INSIDE: All that were saved from the flood were in the ark. Gen. 6:17, 18. All that are saved from sin are in the church. Eph. 1:3,7; 5:23; Acts 2:;47; Eph. 2:16.

IX. ALL THE LOST ARE OUTSIDE: Possibly millions of people in Noah's day not in the ark, all that were outside the ark, were lost. Gen. 7:23. All that are outside the church are lost. Rev. 22: 15; 2 Thes. 1:7-9.

X. ALL THE HUMBLE WENT IN: Only Noah's family humbled themselves in obedience and entered the ark. Gen. 6:9. Only the humble and obedient enter the church today. Matt. 16:24; 18:2-4; Jas. 4:10.

XI. NEEDS SUPPLIED: All the needs of the Noah family were with them in the ark. They did not have to go outside to look for any sustenance during the days of the flood. If they had gone out, they would have been drowned. Gen. 6:21. All the needs of those that are in the church are supplied. Spiritual needs could all be found in the church. Eph. 1:3.

XII. HOPE REALIZED: The Noah family obtained a new, cleansed world beyond the flood. Gen. 8:18,19. Hopes will be attained by those who have and will serve God faithfully as children of His in the church of Christ. 1 Pet. 1:3, 4,5; Heb. 6:18,19.

CONCLUSION:

1. By this lesson we should be able to know more about the church of the NEW TESTAMENT, for which Christ died.

2. Are you sure that you are travelling life's sea in the sea-worthy ship of Zion?

3. This ship is the ship that was built by Christ and is the only sea-worthy ship afloat.

4. If you are floundering around in life's sea, how long do you think you can stay afloat?

5. Why not board that ship that has been sent from the King's Harbor Shore to rescue you from sin?

By Jim Sasser

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