Northpoint Church
November 28, 2021
Biblical Worship of God
Locations & Times
Northpoint Church
988 W Ontario Ave, Corona, CA 92882, USA
Saturday 9:00 AM
Saturday 10:45 AM
In-person and Virtual Services
We are honoring the guidance provided by local, regional, and national authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, we are allowed to gather in person inside our Worship Center. We do so at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings. We also live are streaming that service on Facebook and YouTube (Find links below.) While we are physically distant, we are socially and spiritually connecting through the technological platforms available to us!
Welcome to Northpoint! We are so glad you have chosen to worship with us today.
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Stay Connected with the Northpoint Family. We all ache to gather again. Being separated is tough, but during stressful times, it is even harder not to have face to face fellowship and the strength that comes from physically being together. Even so, we can still connect with each other. One way is to fill out the new confidential NP Care Card (See link below.). Once submitted, the card will be reviewed by the Northpoint Care Team. If you so indicate on the card, someone from the team will contact you.
http://tiny.cc/626rtzProgram (Resource Folder)
Download to find one document with today's resource folder, sermon notes, and song sheets.
http://tiny.cc/28zluzSermon Notes
When the Bow is in the Clouds
Genesis 9
Dr. Tony Chute, Lead Pastor
Overview: In the immediate aftermath of the flood, the sanctity of human life and the sinfulness of the human heart come to the fore once again. God affirms the sanctity of life by reissuing the cultural mandate, prohibiting the unlawful taking of life, and promising never to destroy the earth again by flood. This covenant which God establishes with Noah and all future generations, is symbolized by the presence of the rainbow in the clouds and serves as a reminder that God Himself values human life even in a sinful world. Sadly, Noah fails to capitalize on God’s goodness when instead of mastering God’s creation, he is mastered by it. Ham complicates matters further by exposing Noah’s shame, thus incurring a curse from his father that affects future generations. These twin realities—the sanctity of human life and the sinfulness of the human heart—thus prompt us to consider how we should live, as it were, with the “bow in the clouds.”
When the Bow is in the Clouds
Genesis 9
Dr. Tony Chute, Lead Pastor
Overview: In the immediate aftermath of the flood, the sanctity of human life and the sinfulness of the human heart come to the fore once again. God affirms the sanctity of life by reissuing the cultural mandate, prohibiting the unlawful taking of life, and promising never to destroy the earth again by flood. This covenant which God establishes with Noah and all future generations, is symbolized by the presence of the rainbow in the clouds and serves as a reminder that God Himself values human life even in a sinful world. Sadly, Noah fails to capitalize on God’s goodness when instead of mastering God’s creation, he is mastered by it. Ham complicates matters further by exposing Noah’s shame, thus incurring a curse from his father that affects future generations. These twin realities—the sanctity of human life and the sinfulness of the human heart—thus prompt us to consider how we should live, as it were, with the “bow in the clouds.”
01. Respecting the sanctity of life in a sinful world promotes flourishing for all people from different walks of life in every stage of life.
02. Respecting the sanctity of life in a sinful world requires a reckoning for sin regardless of past performance or current position in life.
03. Respecting the sanctity of life in a sinful world includes exercising restraint in our own lives and refusing to wreck the lives of others.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION & DISCOVERY
1. Note the parallels between Genesis 9:1-7 and Genesis 1:26-31. What does this cultural mandate indicate about God’s desire for human flourishing? What barriers (i.e., political, economic) can you think of that work against or prevent human flourishing today?
1. Note the parallels between Genesis 9:1-7 and Genesis 1:26-31. What does this cultural mandate indicate about God’s desire for human flourishing? What barriers (i.e., political, economic) can you think of that work against or prevent human flourishing today?
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION & DISCOVERY
2. How does the institution of capital punishment in Genesis 9:6 serve to enhance the value of human life? Given the concern for life in this chapter and the fact that humans are made in the image of God, why is it important to exhaust every means available to ensure that no innocent person is executed? What biblical arguments might be used to suggest capital punishment is no longer necessary to value life?
2. How does the institution of capital punishment in Genesis 9:6 serve to enhance the value of human life? Given the concern for life in this chapter and the fact that humans are made in the image of God, why is it important to exhaust every means available to ensure that no innocent person is executed? What biblical arguments might be used to suggest capital punishment is no longer necessary to value life?
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION & DISCOVERY
3. What is the content of God’s covenant in Genesis 9:8-17? What is the significance of God alone initiating this covenant? Who are the initial recipients, and who are the eventual recipients? Are there any stipulations for this covenant from a human standpoint? What other covenants are found in Scripture?
3. What is the content of God’s covenant in Genesis 9:8-17? What is the significance of God alone initiating this covenant? Who are the initial recipients, and who are the eventual recipients? Are there any stipulations for this covenant from a human standpoint? What other covenants are found in Scripture?
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION & DISCOVERY
4. How does Noah’s behavior change from Genesis 6:9 to 7:21? Do you think the trauma of the flood had any impact on Noah’s change of behavior? What does this episode suggest about people whose reputations are otherwise spotless and how they are ultimately remembered?
4. How does Noah’s behavior change from Genesis 6:9 to 7:21? Do you think the trauma of the flood had any impact on Noah’s change of behavior? What does this episode suggest about people whose reputations are otherwise spotless and how they are ultimately remembered?
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION & DISCOVERY
5. What does Ham’s response to Noah’s drunkenness suggest about his character? How does Shem and Japheth’s response indicate a natural concern for their father? Why is it important for us to guard our hearts from rejoicing in the downfall of others? What would you say to someone who suggests that covering up for the sins of others is biblical? How should we deal with the public sins of famous figures?
5. What does Ham’s response to Noah’s drunkenness suggest about his character? How does Shem and Japheth’s response indicate a natural concern for their father? Why is it important for us to guard our hearts from rejoicing in the downfall of others? What would you say to someone who suggests that covering up for the sins of others is biblical? How should we deal with the public sins of famous figures?
For Further Reading
Wayne Grudem, Christian Ethics (Crossway, 2018)
https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Ethics-Introduction-Biblical-Reasoning/dp/1433549654/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Wayne+Grudem%2C+Christian+Ethics&qid=1638076028&qsid=142-5382973-5419856&sr=8-2&sres=1433549654%2C0310517974%2C0310255996%2C0310330297%2C1433569906%2C1433552868%2C0310124301%2C1433568268%2C1433669692%2C1433568306%2C0801038790%2C143353911X%2C1581345178%2C1433569868%2C1433551144%2C1936927128&srpt=ABIS_BOOKJoin us Live on YouTube Each Sunday @ 9:00 a.m.
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OUR MISSION: Making Disciples Who Make Disciples. A disciple is a person who has been reconciled into a right relationship with God through new birth by faith in Christ and is consequently growing in love for God, love for others, and in joyful obedience to all of Christ’s commands.
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