God's Promise In The Rainbow
Genesis 9:11-17
Introduction:
A. The rainbow is one of the prettiest sights in God's creation.
1. Each of the seven colours composing the bow stands out in its individuality.
2. Yet, each mereges with the colour next to it.
B. The rainbow is a sermon in nature --- it's messages includes:
I. The Rainbow Speaks To Us of The Power of God.
A. We are living in a crazy mixed-up world --- A world in which man is constantly boasting of his power ...
B. It behooves us to be reminded of the power and sovereignty of God.
1. The rainbow reminds us of His power --- Who made the rainbow --- God did.
2. "But", is not the rainbow a natural phenomenon which is produced by the refraction of the rays of light from the drops of water --- It is part of the process of nature.
3. Yes, that is true, but our God is the God of nature and He produces the bow.
C. Psalms 19:1-3, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork. {2} Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. {3} <There is> no speech nor language, <where> their voice is not heard."
D. Isaiah 40:22, "<It is> he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof <are> as grasshoppers;"
E. The Rainbow speaks of God's greatness and His majesty, so:
Isaiah 40:26, "Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these <things>, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that <he is> strong in power; not one faileth."
II. The Rainbow Speaks To Us of The Perfection of God.
A. The perfection of God's handiwork delares to us the perfection of His character.
1. The rainbow is not only flawless but it is indescribably beautiful and majestic in its splendour.
2. If God's handiwork is so perfect, what must God Himself be like?
B. He is perfect in purity.
Habakkuk 1:13, "<Thou art> of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity:"
C. He is perfect in the synmetry of His character.
Psalms 145:3-12, "Great <is> the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness <is> unsearchable. {4} One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. {5} I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. {6} And <men> shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness. {7} They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness. {8} The LORD <is> gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. {9} The LORD <is> good to all: and his tender mercies <are> over all his works. {10} All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee. {11} They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; {12} To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom."
D. He is perfect in beauty and loveliness.
Psalms 27:4, "One <thing> have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple."
E. Our God is not only powerful --- He is perfect,
F. He is not only unerring in His wisdom --- He is loving,
G. He is not only just, holy and righteous --- He is gracious and full of tender compassion.
III. The Rainbow Speak To Us of The Promises of God.
A. The rainbow is God's guarantee that He will never again destroy the whole earth with a flood.
1. It is a visible token given by God Himself that He will fulfil His promise.
2. The rainbow is God's signature upon His covenant between Himself and the earth.
3. Matthew 24:35, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
B. God will fulfil every promise He has ever made:
1. He will complete His Church and will rapture it into His presence.
2. He will restore His ancient people Israel to their own land.
3. He will establish again the Throne of David.
4. He will overthrow all His enemies and exalt the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord of Lords and King of Kings.
5. There will be a thousand years of peace upon the earth and then a final endless reign of everlasting bliss for the rerdeemed of the Lord.
C. The promises of God are cedrtain, they are varied, and there is a promise for every need, every circumstance and every situation.
D. Are you standing on the promises of God?
IV. The Rainbow Speaks To Us of The Purpose of God.
A. God's purpose is two-fold --- of judgment --- and of grace.
1. The rainbow, which speaks of God's grace --- is set in the cloud, which speaks of God's judgment.
2. God must punish sin, for He is a holy God and He is altogether righteous.
3. However, He loves the sinner and longs for His salvation.
Romans 3:26, "To declare, <I say>, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."
B. Have you seen the bow in the cloud that hung over Calvary?
1. While the dreadful cloud of God's wrath against sin hung over Christ --- The bow of His love and mercy was there for all mankind.
2. This was the bow of His love and mercy, which offers to all men redemption, forgiveness, justification, cleansing, adoption, life and Heaven.
3. Romans 11:22, "Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in <his> goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off."
C. 2 Corinthians 5:21, "For he hath made him <to be> sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
D. To the believer, there is a rainbow in every cloud!
Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to <his> purpose."
E. For the sinner, there is the cloud of the wrath of God resting upon him.
John 3:36, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."
F. However, there is a bow even in the cloud over-hanging the sinner.
Isaiah 55:6-7, "Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: {7} Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."
A Search For The Truth
