Stretch Pt 3

Message Text

Isaiah 54:2

“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.

Hebrews 11:7

By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

Genesis 6:18

But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall enter the ark-you and your sons and your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.

Message Notes

1. Noah’s blessing required extra work while everyone else carried on as normal.

Your preparation is going to happen while no one else is preparing. Preparing for the blessing of God should never require a consensus.

The reward for good work is oftentimes more work.

Matt 25:23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.

2. Noah’s blessing required him to stick to the plans.

The blessing required strict adherence to the plans. A poorly built boat would not be a blessing.

We have been duped into believing we can halfheartedly build an ark and make it.

Galatians 6:7-9 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Luke 6:37-38 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

3. Noah prepared for a blessing and it still rained.

We continue to believe the blessing of God is a shield from all trouble when most of the time it’s a boat to ride the trouble out on. We create our own crisis of faith by believing the favor of God means the absence of trouble.

Are you preparing for favor in the midst of trouble? Have you prepared yourself to be generous in the middle of need? Have you prepared yourself for obedience in isolation? Have we positioned ourselves to follow Gods plan every step of the way?

Connect Group Questions

  1. Do you ever associate the blessing of God with work?
  2. Discuss the statement, “The reward for good work is more work.”
  3. Describe a time in your life when you were preparing and positioning yourself for God’s blessing.
  4. Why is it important to stick to the plans God has laid out?
  5. Have you ever been in a situation where God’s plan for you meant you were doing the opposite of everyone around you?
  6. If it rains after we build a boat does that mean we are still blessed people?