Created for Clear and Constant Communion

Cape Elizabeth Church of the Nazarene

Text: Genesis 6:9-22; 7:24; 8:14-19
Date: Sunday, June 2, 2002
Author: Rev. Jeffrey T. Barker

Constant communication is the rage! Cell phone companies and long-distance providers eagerly seek our business. Not only is constant communication the rage -- constant, clear communication is of paramount concern! Several commercials make it plain that a poor cell phone connection can result in miscommunication and, because of the wonders of modern technology, we need never have static in our modern day communication. The sellers of these technological marvels go to great lengths to illustration that their product has crystal clear lines of communication. But we can really call them lines anymore, can we? Are they not, in reality, waves of communication?

In yet another telecommunications commercial a man is talking on his cell phone in an empty stadium going seat to seek all the while asking the person on the other end, “Can you hear me now?” It’s an interesting way to prove clear communication, isn’t it? But I think the question itself “Can you hear me now?” is far more intriguing!

Ever need to hear the voice of God? Ever need to know for certain that what you’re doing is what God wants you to do; that your clear on what God is calling you to do? Ever need to know for certain that it is the voice of God speaking words of purpose and meaning into distressing times and discouraging situations? Ever need that clear, constant communion with God? (I know I do!)

After the magnificent display of creative genius recorded in Genesis 1-2, sin, illustrated by disobedience, breaks the relationship between a holy God and his creation. Deceit and murder, immorality and wickedness became the operational paradigm of a very good creation run amuck. In the midst of wickedness and evil we meet Noah -- an interesting character. Indeed, the narrative of Noah offers us an interesting case study.

There are several key statements which might offer us insight into Noah’s unswerving obedience to the ludicrous command of building an ark when there are bone dry conditions. Scripture records these statements about Noah:

But Noah found favor in the sight of God (6:8).

Noah was a righteous man (6:9).

Noah walked with God (6:9).

Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him (6:22).

And Noah did all that the Lord had commanded him (7:5).

Noah was six hundred years old when the flood waters came on the earth (7:6).

Placing these statements onto a canvas yields an interesting collage of Noah’s life. In the midst of all the wickedness surrounding him, Noah remained faithful to God. He lived his life righteously, finding favor in the sight of God. Noah obeyed God. Twice in these verses we are reminded that Noah did all that God commanded him (6:22; 7:5). He did not waver. He did not fudge. He did not disobey. He built an ark according to specific specifications. He gathered the allotted number of clean and unclean animals. He entered the ark with his family. Out of all these insights about Noah, I think the most interesting statement -- better yet -- the most intriguing characteristic about Noah is that he walked with God.

Walking together opens the avenue for communication. Walking is, at times, slow and methodical. It takes time and discipline. But, you see, my problem is I like to run! I want to get to the destination faster. I watch the clock and clock the miles!

I want immediate fixes to life’s problems. We want the pain to be gone now! We want the grief to dissipate quicker. We want the dark clouds of life to give way to light rays of optimism immediately. We don’t want to walk through the valleys. We want the mountain tops now and always! Perhaps our problem is that we like to run through life!

We have more technology to “keep us connected” and yet, if the truth is told, we have never been so lonely. We are like homesick children who cannot remember where we really live or to whom we really belong. There are so many choices to make and so many voices telling us how to live. It’s easy to confuse the voices, to become disoriented by the changes and chances of life and to get ourselves lost.

In sharp contrast to the running attitude of the world in which you and I live, it is important to notice that Noah walked with God. In fact, Noah walked and walked and walked for he was six hundred years old when the flood waters came on the earth. I’m guessing old Noah saw a lot in 600 years. I’m also guessing that Noah learn to discern God’s voice over those 600 years. When other voices began competing for his allegiance; when other voices caused him to doubt the presence of God in his life; when other voices challenged his faith in God, Noah remained faithful to his walking with God.

An interesting metaphor, isn’t it that “walking with God”? Created in the image and likeness of God means that we were created for relationship with God and with one another. In fact, God made us for relationship; he made us for journeying together; he created us to walking with Him. Walking with God is our destined way of living. We were created for communion with God.

No doubt God is the guide and leader of this journeying together. He is our Creator. He entered into covenant with us. In fact, in today’s lesson we hear hopeful words in the midst of the wickedness of the world. God enters into covenant with Noah and all humanity. Covenant is about fresh starts. It’s more than a simple matter of wiping the slate clean and starting over. In fact, that probably would have been easier. Covenant is about promise; about faithfulness; about redemption; about purpose.

However, even though God entered into covenant with humanity sin has not been eliminated from the face of the earth. But because of God’s covenant with humanity, His relationship with sin-corrupted creation will always be characterized by holy love. God seals this covenant after the flood with a rainbow. Every time we see a rainbow we are remind of God’s covenant faithfulness to a sin-corrupted world!

Sin is a broken relationship with God which manifests itself in disobedience to the commands of God. In our text today we see the wickedness and evil of humanity contrasted with the righteousness of Noah. Noah, finding favor with God, stood in sharp contrast to a creation where “Every imagination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually!” (6:5).

The “heart,” according to the Old Testament, is the seat not only of the emotion, but also of the understanding and the will. Remember our study last summer entitled “Living an Alternative Lifestyle” drawn from the Sermon on the Mount? The underlying truth we discovered that what we do and how we act erupts from the center -- the heart -- of our being. That is, our choices, our behaviors, our actions, our attitudes reveal the true nature of our heart. A heart is constant, clear communion with God is right and righteous expressing itself in complete and unwavering obedience to God. A heart set against God expresses itself in disobedience and self-sovereignty.

Indeed, Noah was righteous. But “righteousness” is not really a characteristic as much as it is a position of relationship. According to the Old Testament Scriptures the saddiq (righteous person) does justice to a relationship in which he stands. If God abides by his covenant, acts according to the covenant, then he is “righteous,” i.e., gracious. If man stands in right relation to God, i.e., believes, trusts God, then he is “righteous.” Righteousness is then a right standing before God. Righteousness is the result of relating properly to God and one another.

Righteousness -- righteous living -- is being in right and reconciled relationship. Righteous living is living lives of faith. And faith is more an ongoing conversation than it is a state of being. It is an ongoing conversation in which, in response to God’s continued faithful love, you and I live out the dimensions of their trust in God, the One who has spoken and acted in their lives.

You see, clear, constant communion with God and one another is the result of a life fully consecrated to God. If you’re anything like me you want to have the intimate fellowship with God; you want to be known as one who walked with God, but you don’t feel like you measure up. The Good News is that clear, constant communion with God isn’t about what we can or cannot do. Rather, it’s about who God is and what he continues to do for us. You see, faith is more an ongoing conversation with God than it is a state of being.

It’s becoming apparent that we all long for clear, constant communion. In an age when it appears that the sense of community has broken down, in an age when the president needs to tell citizens they need to volunteer and help others, in an age when people surround their homes with large fences and security systems, it’s ironic that everyone seems to be carrying cell phones and pagers to keep in touch. It’s seems that for all our effort to be alone we long for relationship. In fact, that’s exactly what we were created for -- created for clear, constant communion with God and one another. Why not open the lines of communication completely? Why not give yourself entirely to him? Why not consecrate yourself to him completely? Don’t you want to be a “righteous” child of God?

Have you noticed the stained glass picture hanging in the window? Twin reminders of God’s covenant faithfulness to a sin-corrupted world! Twin reminders of the power of God at work in this world! Reminders that God, in the person and work of Jesus the Christ, has bridged the divide between us. God has, so to speak, given us clear lines of communion and fellowship, if we will accept the offer!

Benediction: “May the LORD bless you and keep you; may the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; and may the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace“ (Numbers 6:24-26). Let us walk with God in clear constant communion today, this week and forever. Amen.

Back to Sermons