40 John Sung Revival Sermons
VIII. NOAH AND THE BUILDING OF THE ARK
(Genesis 6-7:1 5)
Ch. 6:1-4. In these verses are described two kinds of people. The first are the sons of God. The second are the people of the world. Believers may be called God's children. They belong to the first kind. Unbelievers are called the people of the world. They belong to the latter kind. Is it good or not that God should be our Father? Someone asked me, “Who is your father?” I said, "God!" I remember while my earthly father was a pastor and I a pastor's son, how proud I was to go in and out with him! Some who didn't know my father asked me, “Who is he?” I said, “He's my father!” Glorious! Now God is our Father. How blessed! We have self-respect.
Here it says that the sons of God had intercourse with the people of the world. For this reason the Spirit of God would not remain always in their hearts. The sons of God inter-married with the people of the world. How awful! The children of the world love gambling, smoking and drinking. We must be separated from them in holiness. If you do not keep separate in holiness from them, you will surely become worldly and carnal.
Vs. 5-8. Because of the increase of wickedness of the people of the world, God repented. For what the worldly people thought about day in and day out was wickedness. God was deeply saddened at the sight of all this. Man should listen to God's Word. Having changed into carnality, he is separated from God. God is very saddened at this. I remember when I was a boy I used to argue with my dad and he thrashed me for this. When he went into the room I peeped to see what he was up to. O! My dad was in tears! When God saw the people of the World sinning, he was also very sorrowful. He would not destroy them from off the earth if He could help it.
Nevertheless, Noah found grace in God's eyes. All had sinned, but only Noah found grace, This was no small matter. The world might disregard me. If God takes notice of me, that is enough. A woman said to me, “My husband and in-laws all disregard me.” She was heart-broken. I said, “Does God regard you?" She said, “He regards me!" I said, “That's enough!" Was not Noah one individual who found grace before God?
Vs. 9-13. Why did God love Noah? For his wealth? Education? No, but for three good points. 1) Noah by faith was a righteous man and born again. 2) Noah was a perfect man. 3) Noah walked with God, i.e., he was obedient to the Holy Spirit. God loved him for these three things. Are you like Noah? Born again, in holiness and obedience.
Noah had three sons. Shem, Ham, Japheth. Eight in the family. Now, the character “Hsin" i.e. “Believe" includes eight mouths in its composition. All the eight of them had faith. They believed God. This is no small matter. In many families we do not see such oneness of faith. Where the husband believes, the wife does not. Where the mother-in-law believes, the daughter-in-law does not. Where the father believes, the son does not. And where the elder brother believes the younger does not. O the quarrels and heartaches that upset so many families today! But Noah's was a happy family, a peaceful house.
I found our family a delight for we believed God with one heart. My mother used to lead in family worship. My mother at first had no education. She came from a Buddhist home. But my father taught her to read, and she became a zealous believer. Our family worship was most interesting. We prayed and read. the Bible by turns. My dad told us many stories. After worship we continued with a musical session. Each played his own instrument. The family was filled with joy. Now we all have our families. Let us hold family worship. Yes, let us practise family worship. I believe Noah's family had family worship. So God called Noah to prepare the Ark to save himself and his family.
Vs. 14-22. God told Noah to do this on a mountain. Now, the boat belongs to the sea, but God told Noah to make it on a mountain. The boat Noah made was rectangular: length 300 cubits, width 50 cubits and height 30 cubits. It looked rather like a Bible. And the Ark is a type of the Bible. There are three storeys with a window on top. The Bible is divided into three sections: 1) the Old Testament, 2) the Four Gospels and 3) the Epistles. Revelation is the window on top. The boat has only one door. To enter the Kingdom of Heaven there is also only one narrow door. The whole Ark is made of one type of wood. The whole Bible is written by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The Ark's length is 300 cubits inasmuch as Jesus' life span on earth was thirty years. Three storeys also stand for Jesus' three years of preaching. The window on top stands for the last year of Jesus' work, and it also typifies the Cross.
The people of the world seek worldly wisdom in marriage. They go into worldly enterprises. But, Noah remains on the mountain to build the big boat. Now it takes united effort to build the boat. Should Noah's family be disunited, the Ark would not be completed. This was Noah's first good point. Secondly, Noah stored up treasure in heaven. He had sold away all his property. To the years put into building the Ark, he would not mind further sacrifice of selling all he had. He was concerned only with the Ark's completion.
I have also told my wife, “Nothing matters as much as preparing the Ark.” To build the Ark is to give onself to fulltime preaching. In preparing the Ark, we should not regard the present, but rather the future. To look at the present we would be discouraged. Perhaps one of Noah's daughters-in-law got discouraged, when she saw others with permed hair, gold ring, gold watch, leading a leisurely and pleasurable life while she herself had to slog in the kitchen. Noah comforted her. Perhaps one of Noah's sons said, “Other sons have returned from abroad with a university education. They come back necktie-in-collar, and they eat with fork and spoon, but I have to slog on like this! Noah comforted his son, “Don't look at the present, but the future!" Perhaps Mrs. Noah said, “I'm old. Still I have to do all the cooking. Other wives go to the park, and how relaxed! Noah also comforted her, “Look to the future and not the present.” Perhaps Noah had to hold a revival meeting at home each day.
When I returned home a few years ago, I remembered how my wife burst into temper, “What, I, a doctor's wife, have got nothing? And to do cooking everyday? Others can relax. My classmates take it easy and I suffer thus? I comforted her, “Look to the future and not just at the present." Not only we are to look to the future, but also hold back every present ridicule. All laughed at Noah's foolishness in building the Ark. Some said he was crazy. But Noah called on all to repent, for The Flood was coming. He was no madman. Though the people assailed Noah, he kept his peace. He carried his cross daily, building the Ark. He laboured everyday on the mountain. He preached 120 years. No one listened. Noah was not discouraged. He plodded on.
Ch. 7:1-5. The Ark being completed, Noah took all his in. Besides himself there were seven others. These seven are a type of the seven churches. There were also seven pairs of animals. Some tall, some short. The birds, and there were seven pairs of them too, represent the victorious Christians. Noah organised a Gospel team and he was its captain. They all entered the Ark. On the 10th day of the 2nd month, the big door of the Ark was shut. On the 17th of the 2nd month the Flood came and covered the earth. The people escaped to the mountain tops. Now they began to call for help. Now there are many who come to Church as “rice" Christians who shall never enter the Ark. The whole world was covered by the Flood, but only Noah's Ark was on top of the waters.
Beloved brothers and sisters! Many there are who weep, but only Noah's tears remain. Noah preached 120 years and no one listened, but his preaching remains. Outside the Ark all perished, but all inside the Ark, men and beasts, remained. I tell you, there are those who labour ceaselessly for nothing. Noah's work remains through our Lord Jesus Christ. Many study hard to make money, become corrupt officials and are finished. But if while you study you prepare yourself to be an instrument for the Lord's use, the Lord will preserve your study. Doctors who make a lot of money and build big mansions for their own glory end up nothing, except those who practise for the Lord. Teachers lead a hard life everyday, but if while they teach they are doing it for the Lord, theirs will remain.
Beloved brothers and sisters! Is it vain to be born again and lead a holy life? Is it vain for us to hold this fortnight's meetings? I believe it is not in vain. Many mothers bring up sons who make a lot of money, but in vain. If it is for the Lord to bring up sons, it will remain. Is it vain that our preaching be ridiculed! To carry the Cross for the Lord remains. To bleed and sweat for the Lord --- is it vain? It remains,
One day the whole world will be burnt up. But to witness for Christ, to preach to bear fruit, remains forever. Only the Cross shall stand firm in this mundane world. Should I have 1,000 sons, I would that they all be preachers. For all is vanity. To preach the Gospel to save souls is not in vain. I hope all of you will preach and witness, even while you're a teacher or merchant. We can witness in any profession. Who'll do this? Noah's building of the Ark was not in vain.
THEME SONG
Never fear! He is near!
Look to no man,
Care not what the world may plan.
Only trust in the Lord,
All the way to Beulah Land.
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约翰·宋的40篇复兴布道
第八章：挪亚和方舟的建造
（创世记6-7:1-5）
创世记6:1-4。这些经文描述了两种人。第一种是神的儿子。第二种是世人。信徒可以被称为神的儿女，他们属于第一种。不信的人被称为世人，他们属于第二种。神作我们的父，这好不好呢？有人问我：“你的父亲是谁？”我说：“神！”我记得我的父亲是牧师，我是牧师的儿子，那时我多么自豪能和他一起进出教堂！有些不认识我父亲的人问我：“他是谁？”我说：“他是我的父亲！”多么荣耀！如今神是我们的父。多么蒙福！我们拥有自尊。
这里说，神的儿女与世人通婚。因此，神的灵无法常住在他们心里。神的儿女与世人通婚。多么可怕！世人喜爱赌博、吸烟和饮酒。我们必须在圣洁中与他们分别出来。如果你不在圣洁中与他们分别出来，你必将变得世俗和肉体。
第5-8节。因为世人的罪恶日益增长，神就后悔了。因为世人终日所想的都是罪恶。神看到这一切，就极其悲伤。人应当听从神的话语。他们既已变为肉体，就与神隔绝了。神为此非常悲伤。我记得小时候，我常常和爸爸争吵，他为此打了我。他进房间的时候，我偷偷地往里看。哦！爸爸竟然哭了！ 当上帝看到世人犯罪时，祂也极其悲伤。祂本可以不将他们从地上除灭。
然而，挪亚却蒙了上帝的恩典。世人都犯了罪，唯有挪亚蒙了恩典。这绝非小事。世人或许会忽视我，但若上帝眷顾我，这就足够了。一位妇人对我说：“我的丈夫和公婆都厌弃我。”她伤心欲绝。我问她：“上帝眷顾你吗？”她说：“祂眷顾我！”我说：“这就足够了！”挪亚岂不是一位蒙上帝恩典的人吗？
第9-13节。上帝为何爱挪亚？是因为他的财富？教育？都不是，而是因为他身上有三点优点：1）挪亚因信称义，重生得救；2）挪亚是一个完全人；3）挪亚与上帝同行，即他顺服圣灵的引导。上帝因这三点爱他。 你像挪亚一样吗？重生，拥有圣洁和顺服。
挪亚有三个儿子：闪、含、雅弗。他们家共有八个孩子。“信”字（希伯来语为“信”）由八个字母组成。他们八口都信，都相信上帝。这意义非凡。在许多家庭中，我们看不到如此合一的信仰。丈夫信，妻子不信；婆婆信，儿媳不信；父亲信，儿子不信；哥哥信，弟弟不信。如今，许多家庭因此充满了争吵和伤痛！但挪亚家却是一个幸福的家庭，一个和平安宁的家。
我发现我们家很喜乐，因为我们同心合意地信上帝。我的母亲过去常常带领全家敬拜。我的母亲起初没有受过教育，她来自一个佛教家庭。但我的父亲教她识字，她也成为了一位虔诚的信徒。 我们家的敬拜非常有趣。我们轮流祷告和读圣经。爸爸给我们讲了很多故事。敬拜结束后，我们继续进行音乐环节。每个人都演奏自己的乐器。全家人都充满了喜乐。现在我们都有了自己的家庭。让我们也举行家庭敬拜吧。是的，让我们实践家庭敬拜。我相信挪亚一家也有家庭敬拜。所以上帝呼召挪亚建造方舟，拯救他自己和他的家人。
（第14-22节）上帝吩咐挪亚在山上建造方舟。船原本是为海而造的，但上帝吩咐挪亚在山上建造。挪亚建造的方舟是长方形的：长300肘，宽50肘，高30肘。它看起来很像一本圣经。方舟也是圣经的预表。它有三层，顶层有一个窗户。圣经分为三个部分：1）旧约，2）四福音书，3）书信。 启示录是方舟顶部的窗户。方舟只有一扇门。进入天国也只有一扇窄门。整个方舟由一种木材制成。整本圣经都是圣灵默示写成的。方舟长300肘，象征耶稣在世的三十年。三层也代表耶稣三年的传道生涯。顶部的窗户象征耶稣事工的最后一年，也预表十字架。
世人追求婚姻中的世俗智慧，投身世俗事业。然而，诺亚却留在山上建造方舟。建造方舟需要全家人齐心协力。如果诺亚一家不团结，方舟就无法建成。这是诺亚的第一个优点。其次，诺亚变卖了所有家产，积攒财宝在天上。为了建造方舟所付出的岁月，他甘愿再变卖所有。他一心只想建造方舟。
我也曾对妻子说：“没有什么比建造方舟更重要。”建造方舟就是全身心投入传道。在建造方舟的过程中，我们不应只关注当下，而应着眼于未来。只顾眼前只会让我们灰心丧气。 也许诺亚的某个儿媳妇看到别人烫着卷发，戴着金戒指、金表，过着悠闲惬意的生活，而自己却要在厨房里辛勤劳作，感到沮丧。诺亚安慰了她。也许诺亚的某个儿子说：“其他儿子都从国外受过大学教育回来了，他们打着领带，用刀叉吃饭，而我却要这样辛苦劳作！”诺亚安慰儿子说：“不要只盯着现在，要着眼未来！”也许诺亚的妻子说：“我年纪大了，还要做饭。其他太太去公园玩，多轻松啊！”诺亚也安慰她说：“要着眼未来，不要只盯着现在。”也许诺亚每天都要在家里举行复兴会。
几年前我回到家时，我记得妻子当时大发雷霆：“什么？我，一个医生的妻子，就什么都没有吗？还要每天做饭？别人都能轻松自在，我的同学们都过得很惬意，而我却要受这么多苦？”我安慰她说：“要着眼未来，不要只盯着现在。”我们不仅要展望未来，还要克制住当下的嘲讽。所有人都嘲笑诺亚建造方舟的愚蠢行为。有些人说他疯了。但诺亚呼吁所有人悔改，因为洪水即将到来。他并非疯子。尽管人们攻击诺亚，他却保持沉默。他每天背负着自己的十字架，建造方舟。他每天在山上辛勤劳作。他传道一百二十年。无人理会。诺亚没有气馁。他坚持不懈。
第7章1-5节。方舟建成后，诺亚把所有的人都带了进去。除了他自己，还有七个人。这七个人预表了七个教会。 还有七对动物，有的高，有的矮。鸟儿也有七对，象征着得胜的基督徒。诺亚组织了一支福音团队，他自己担任队长。他们都进入了方舟。二月十日，方舟的大门关闭了。二月十七日，洪水来袭，淹没了大地。人们逃到山顶。现在他们开始呼求帮助。如今，许多人来到教会，自称是“稻米基督徒”，却永远无法进入方舟。整个世界都被洪水淹没，只有诺亚方舟漂浮在水面上。
亲爱的弟兄姐妹们！许多人都在哭泣，但只有诺亚的眼泪留存下来。诺亚传道一百二十年，无人听从，但他的教导却流传至今。方舟外的人都死了，但方舟内的人和牲畜都活了下来。我告诉你们，还有…… 那些辛勤劳作却一无所获的人。挪亚的工作藉着我们的主耶稣基督得以延续。许多人努力学习是为了赚钱，最终沦为贪官污吏，人生就此终结。但如果你学习的同时预备自己成为主的工具，主必保守你的学习。那些赚了很多钱、建造豪宅只为炫耀自己荣耀的医生，最终一无所有，唯有那些为主而行医的医生才能如此。教师们每天辛勤劳作，但若他们在教书的同时为主而教，他们的生命必将长存。
亲爱的弟兄姐妹们！重生并过圣洁的生活是徒劳的吗？我们举行这两周的聚会是徒劳的吗？我相信并非徒劳。许多母亲养育出赚了很多钱的儿子，但这又是徒劳的。如果养育儿子是为了主，那么这使命必将长存。我们的讲道被人嘲笑是徒劳的吗？为主背负十字架的使命永存。为主流血流汗——难道是徒劳的吗？ 徒劳？它依然存在，
终有一天，整个世界将被焚毁。但为基督作见证，传讲福音结出果实，却永存。唯有十字架在这世俗世界中屹立不倒。即便我有千子，我愿他们都成为传道人。因为一切都是虚空。传讲福音拯救灵魂绝非徒劳。我希望你们都能传道作见证，即便你们是教师或商人。我们可以在任何职业中作见证。谁愿意这样做？挪亚建造方舟并非徒劳。
主题曲
不要害怕！祂就在身边！
不要仰望任何人，
不要在意世人的计划。
只信靠主，
直到得救之地。
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