Before the Flood The Days of Noah

Before the Flood: The Days of Noah
(Genesis 6:1–8)

Introduction (Genesis 6:1–8, 2 Peter 2:5)
Genesis 6 shows why judgment came. As humanity multiplied, corruption spread. God strove with mankind through Noah, a preacher of righteousness, yet evil filled every thought. This passage explains the flood and warns our generation.

Why Believe the Account
Jesus affirmed Noah and the flood (Matthew 24:37–39). Hebrews records Noah’s faithful obedience in building the ark (Hebrews 11:7). Peter testifies that eight souls were saved through water (1 Peter 3:20) and calls Noah a preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5). Inspired witnesses ground our faith in historical truth.

Two Lines, One Mixture
Genesis 4–5 traces Cain’s descendants and Seth’s line. Over time the “sons of God” and the “daughters of men” intermarried (Genesis 6:1–2). The godly mixed with the worldly, guided by sight and desire rather than devotion. Compromise opened a door to rapid moral decay.

God Striving with Humanity
“The Lord said, My Spirit shall not strive with man forever… his days shall be 120 years” (Genesis 6:3). God extended patient striving through Noah’s long preaching and the years of ark construction. Grace gave space for repentance.

Giants and Men of Renown
“There were giants [Nephilim]… mighty men… men of renown” (Genesis 6:4). Scripture emphasizes their violence and notoriety. Power without holiness multiplies harm.

Heaven’s Verdict
“The wickedness of man was great… every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). Evil saturated imaginations, homes, and public life. God was grieved, and He announced judgment, yet one man “found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6:6–8).

Scoffers Then and Now
Peter foretold scoffers who “willfully forget” the creation and the flood (2 Peter 3:3–7). Forgetting is a choice. Faith remembers God’s works and prepares for the day of the Lord.

Grace in Dark Days
Noah believed, obeyed, and preached. In a culture saturated with sin, one family trusted God and was saved. That pattern still stands: hear God’s word, believe His warning, and obey in reverent fear.

Before the Flood: The Days of Noah Sermon Outline:

• I. Witnesses to the Truth

  • Jesus’ testimony (Matthew 24:37–39)

  • The Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11:7)

  • Peter’s testimony (1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 2:5)

• II. The Setting: Two Lines and Moral Drift

  • Cain’s descendants and Seth’s line (Genesis 4–5)

  • Intermarriage driven by sight and desire (Genesis 6:1–2)

  • Lesson: guard the heart and honor God’s design for marriage and holiness (Proverbs 4:23)

• III. God’s Patience and Striving

  • The 120-year window (Genesis 6:3)

  • Noah’s preaching of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5)

  • Application: use God’s patience for repentance, not delay (Romans 2:4)

• IV. Power Without Holiness

  • Nephilim and men of renown marked by violence (Genesis 6:4, 11)

  • Application: measure leaders by righteousness, not reputation (Psalm 15)

• V. Heaven’s Appraisal and Earth’s Condition

  • Wickedness great; thoughts fixed on evil (Genesis 6:5)

  • God’s grief and announced judgment (Genesis 6:6–7)

  • Application: renew the mind by God’s word (Psalm 119:11)

• VI. Grace Found

  • “Noah found grace” (Genesis 6:8)

  • Faith responds with obedient action (Hebrews 11:7; James 2:22)

  • Application: build what God commands even when culture mocks

• VII. Relevance for Today

  • Scoffers willfully forget the flood and the Lord’s return (2 Peter 3:3–7)

  • The call: remember, watch, and be ready (Matthew 24:42–44)

Call to Action
The Lord still strives through His word. Receive His grace today. Turn from sin, confess Christ, and obey the gospel. If your conscience is heavy, seek cleansing. Walk with God as Noah did, and prepare for the day when the door is shut.

Key Takeaways

• The flood is historical, affirmed by Christ and the apostles (Matthew 24:37–39; Hebrews 11:7; 1 Peter 3:20).

• Moral compromise begins when desire outruns devotion (Genesis 6:1–2).

• God’s patience invites repentance within a set window (Genesis 6:3; Romans 2:4).

• Power without holiness multiplies violence (Genesis 6:4, 11).

• God sees the heart and grieves over sin (Genesis 6:5–7).

• Grace is available to those who believe and obey (Genesis 6:8; 2 Peter 2:5).

Scripture Reference List

• Genesis 6:1–8 – Setting, intermarriage, God’s striving, human wickedness, Noah finds grace.

• Genesis 4–5 – Cain’s and Seth’s lines prepare the context.

• Matthew 24:37–39 – Jesus affirms Noah and the flood as a warning for His coming.

• Hebrews 11:7 – Noah’s faith moves him to build the ark.

• 1 Peter 3:20 – Eight souls saved through water.

• 2 Peter 2:5 – Noah, a preacher of righteousness.

• 2 Peter 3:1–7 – Scoffers willfully forget creation and the flood; judgment assured.

• Proverbs 4:23 – Guard the heart.

• Psalm 15; Psalm 119:11 – Righteous character and heart renewal.

• Romans 2:4 – God’s kindness leads to repentance.

• Matthew 24:42–44 – Watchfulness for the Lord’s return.

• James 2:22 – Faith working with works.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO

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