THE ARK AND THE CHURCH
TEXT: 1 Peter 3:19-20

Introduction: The New Testament treats the events recorded in the Old Testament not as myths, fables, legends, or fairy tales, but as actual historical occurrences. This is certainly true with the story of Noah, the flood, and the ark.
Read TEXT. At the same time, these Old Testament accounts are written in such a way as to contain moral or spiritual lessons for our learning, and the inspired New Testament writers often use them in this fashion.

Introduction
At the same time, these Old Testament accounts are written in such a way as to contain moral or spiritual lessons for our learning, and the inspired New Testament writers often use them in this fashion.
So let’s see what we can learn from a comparison of TITLE.

I. There was one builder. May have been many workers, but God didn’t tell everyone to build an ark; He “said to Noah,… ‘Make yourself an ark,’” (Gen. 6:13-14).
A. The church has one builder—not Peter, Luther, Calvin, Wesley, etc.: Matt. 16:18
B. A builder must purchase his materials: Acts 20:28
C. Because He is the Builder, Jesus Christ alone is the head of the church: Eph. 1:22-23

II. There was one material. “Make yourself an ark of” not pine, oak, cedar, maple, teak, ebony, etc., but “gopherwood” (Gen. 6:14)
A. What material did Jesus use to make up His church?: Acts 2:36-38, 41, 47
B. Paul describes the building material: Eph. 2:19-22
C. Peter refers to the building material as “living stones”: 1 Pet. 2:4-5 (Christians)

III. There was one light. “You shall make a window for the ark”—A window for light, not lots and lots of windows
A. God is the ultimate source of all spiritual light in His church: 1 Jn. 1:5-7
B. This light is made known to us by His Son Jesus Christ: Jn. 8:12, 9:5
C. And the means by which it is revealed is through the word or gospel: Ps. 119:105, 2 Cor. 4:3-4

IV. There was one door. “…And set the door of the ark in its side”—notice “the door,” singular, not many doors
A. A door signifies entry—New Testament teaches only one way to enter into fellowship with God: Matt. 7:14, Jn. 14:6
B. What is “the door” into this fellowship and newness of life?: Rom. 6:3-4
C. Thus, there can be no doubt as to what act puts us into Christ’s body or church: 1 Cor. 12:13

V. There was one name. God called it “the ark,” not a buggy, car, train, plane, rocketship, etc.
A. The name of something or someone is important (e.g. bread)—same true in religion: Acts 4:12
B. Why? Children called by parents’ name: Gal. 3:26-27
C. What name has God chosen for His children?: 1 Pet. 4:16

VI. There was one family. While anyone could have been saved, only eight souls in one family decided to enter the ark: “Noah and his sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, Noah’s wife, and the three wives of his sons” (Gen. 7:13)
A. Born again into God’s family: Jn. 3:3-5
B. Thus Christ’s body or church is God’s spiritual family: Eph. 2:16-19
C. Again, this family is named for Jesus Christ: Eph. 3:14-15

Conclusion: God hasn’t told us to go and build an ark.
But He, through His Son Jesus Christ, has Himself prepared a spiritual ark of safety called the church for all who will obey Him.
Are you part of God’s family, having entered this ark by baptism and been saved from sin?

By Wayne S. Walker

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