Leader’s Notes 28th February 2021 Recap Title: Save Your Family And Change The World Series: Hope In A Time Of Lockdown Key Text: Matthew 24:38-39

Key Message:

As we continue to live with the restrictions of COVID 19, we can learn some important lockdown lessons from the story of Noah. Noah knew all about a long time of lockdown: he was on the Ark for about a year. In the Bible we read how God sent a warning about a big Flood that was coming that would cover the earth. However, it was only Noah and his family who took action to escape the predicted disaster. Only he and they actually believed the coming judgment of God was in fact going to take place. Everybody else had plenty of time to listen to God and be saved but they chose to ignore the warnings.

Jesus totally accepted the reliability of the Genesis account and described what it was like before the whole world was changed forever by the great flood. He said in Matthew 24:38: ‘For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark…’ In other words, it was business as usual before disaster struck, just like it was before the pandemic and just like it will be before Jesus returns to earth for the second time. Jesus said in Matthew 24:39: ‘that is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.’

So in these times of lockdown and as we get nearer to the return of Jesus, let’s see how we can save ourselves and our families and preach a message of salvation and hope to the whole world:

1. Noah was a godly example to his family (Genesis 6:8) a. He set an example in his Relationship with God (Genesis 6:5, 9, 11-12) b. He set an example of declaring the word of God (2 Peter 2:5) c. He set an example of obedience to God (Genesis 6:22) d. He was an example of faith in God (Hebrews 11:7) 2. Noah received powerful promises for his family (Genesis 6:18; Genesis 9:8-9 & 12- 13; Genesis 17:7; Psalm 112:1-2; Isaiah 54:13; Acts 2:39) 3. Noah won his family (Hebrews 11:7; Genesis 7:7; Genesis 8:18) 4. Noah and his family were called to great fruitfulness (Genesis 9:1; Genesis 10:32) Leader’s Notes 28th February 2021

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Does your family see that you really act like a true disciple of Jesus and show His character? He was a man who pleased God and was favoured by God (Genesis 6:8). Noah was not perfect, but in a corrupt world he was a good and godly and faithful follower of God which is what we all need to be (Genesis 6:5,9,11-12). He set an example of declaring the word of God (2 Peter 2:5) and was not afraid to speak up for God and to say what he believed. We also today should never be ashamed of the gospel. Noah was an example of obedience to God doing everything as God commanded him (Genesis 6:22). For years Noah and his family lived with a belief and a lifestyle that was very different to the world all around them. Noah chose to obey God and not live by the standards of the evil culture around him. We too should follow the 10 commandments and love God with all our hearts and love our neighbour as ourselves. As Christians we are called to be obedient to God in the way we live, the way we give and the way we speak and serve God. Noah also set an example of faith in God (Hebrews 11:7). There didn’t seem to be any obvious need to do what God called Him to do but Noah just obeyed God and for year after year he kept on building an boat. At four storeys high and one and a half football fields long, it was a big statement of faith. He was building for the day when the great storm would come and he and his family would need shelter and safety. Right now one of the greatest things you can do is to build your life and your family home on the rock of faith and obedience to Jesus and to follow Him.

Are you confident that God’s heart is to bless you and also every member of your family? All through the Bible we see that God not only wants to bless one individual but also their whole family (Psalms 112:1-2; Isaiah 54:13). Noah received powerful promises for his family (Genesis 6:18, 9:8-9 & 12-13). Whenever you see a rainbow then remember that God not only promised not to flood the earth again but that he wants to bless all generations. God made promises of family blessing to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Genesis 17.7). On the day of Pentecost Peter announced that the power of the Holy Spirit ‘is for you and your children and for all who are far off’ (Acts 2:39). Believe and pray that your spouse, your brothers and sisters, your cousins, your children and grandchildren, their families and everyone in your family will all be saved to serve God. Leader’s Notes 28th February 2021

What kind of spiritual protection are you building for your family? Are you winning their hearts to love God? Are you praying for them and with them? Are you working hard to read the Scriptures with them and to teach them the word of God? Are you having a regular family cell? Noah tried his best to save the world with his long and faithful example and preaching but people didn’t want to know. But there was one group of people that he was determined to win: his family (Hebrews 11:7). He was on a mission to save his family from destruction. Perhaps his family would sometimes have a crisis of doubts. Probably they were mocked for being children of Noah, but Noah stood his ground and kept on building the ark and saved his family. It’s so important to make the spiritual growth of your own family your big priority. Noah successfully convinced his family to follow God and him, for all 8 of them went into the ark together and all 8 came out together (Genesis 7:7; 8:18). Because Noah’s family was saved, they brought a new future for the world and the animals of the world. If he had not won his family, that would have been the end of the world. But it was through Noah and his family that it was possible to repopulate the earth. When you win your family and unite together to serve God, there is great potential for good. Just one person in a family can make a difference: it can start with you - be inspired and encouraged by the example of Noah. Just one family can make a difference (e.g. 18th Century Wesley family; 19th Century William Booth family; 20th Century Billy Graham family; the Castellanos family today from Colombia). Your own family can also be a powerful force for God. Whatever else you achieve in life and ministry, focus on winning your family so all are serving God as their big passion and priority.

Do you believe this will be a year of great fruitfulness in your life and family? What God first declared about fruitfulness and multiplication with Adam and Eve who sinned, God now repeats to Noah’s family to fulfil His original plan (Genesis 9:1, 10:32). Today God wants each one of us to be fruitful and multiply in every area of our lives, in our families, in the church and throughout the world.