The Gospel BC: The Flood

Day 1: The Depth of Human Sinfulness

Summary: Sin is never content to stay contained. In Noah’s time, wickedness spread across the earth until every thought of mankind was evil. This total depravity grieved God’s heart, leading to judgment through the flood. The same sinfulness still pervades humanity today, making salvation in Christ essential.

Read:

• Genesis 6:5-6
• Romans 3:10-12
• Ephesians 2:1-3

Background: After Adam and Eve’s sin, corruption rapidly spread, culminating in a world filled with violence and rebellion. The Hebrew word for “corrupt” in Genesis 6:11 means ruined or spoiled—sin had utterly devastated creation.

Key Words:

• Depravity – Total moral corruption due to sin.
• Regret (Genesis 6:6) – Not human regret but a sorrowful response to sin.
• Corrupt – Ruined, spoiled, beyond natural restoration.

Theological Truths: John Calvin writes, “All parts of our soul are possessed by sin… we are wholly inclined toward evil.” Total depravity means no one seeks God apart from His grace (Romans 3:10-12).

Gospel Connection: As in Noah’s time, judgment is coming. But God provides salvation through Christ, just as He provided the Ark. Jesus is the greater Ark, sheltering us from divine wrath (John 10:9).

Questions for Reflection:

1. How does the description of sin in Genesis 6:5 compare to today’s world?

2. Why is it important to understand the depth of human depravity?

3. How does recognizing your own sinfulness increase your gratitude for the gospel?

Application: Pray for God to open your eyes to sin’s seriousness and your need for His grace.

Day 2: The Justice of God

Summary: God is holy and just—He cannot ignore sin. The flood demonstrates His righteous judgment, revealing that sin demands consequences. Today, judgment is still certain, but Christ bore the punishment for believers.

Read:

• Genesis 6:7, 11-13
• Deuteronomy 32:4
• Romans 6:23

Background: God’s justice means He must judge sin. The flood was not an overreaction but a necessary consequence of widespread evil. Noah, a preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5), warned people, yet they rejected God’s call.

Key Words:

• Justice – Righteous judgment in response to sin.
• Wrath – God’s holy response to evil.
• Judgment – The inevitable consequence of sin.

Theological Truths: Jonathan Edwards wrote, “The justice of God requires that sin be punished.” God cannot remain holy and overlook sin. The flood foreshadows Christ’s second coming judgment (2 Peter 3:6-7).

Gospel Connection: Just as Noah’s generation faced judgment, so will this world. The flood points forward to the final judgment, but those in Christ are safe from condemnation (Romans 8:1).

Questions for Reflection:

1. How does the flood account shape your understanding of God’s justice?

2. Why is it crucial to view sin through God’s holiness, rather than cultural norms?

3. How does the gospel provide hope in light of judgment?

Application: Examine your life for areas of compromise and confess them before God.

Day 3: God’s Grace in Salvation

Summary: Despite mankind’s wickedness, God provided a way of escape for Noah. The Ark was not just a rescue boat but a picture of divine grace. Likewise, salvation in Christ is purely by God’s mercy.

Read:

• Genesis 6:8-9, 14-16
• Ephesians 2:8-9
• Titus 3:5

Background: Noah “found favor” (grace) with God—not because of personal merit but because of God’s sovereign choice. The Ark, built over 120 years, symbolized an invitation to salvation, just as Christ calls sinners to repentance today.

Key Words:

• Grace – Unmerited favor from God.
• Blameless – Living with integrity, though still sinful.
• Salvation – Deliverance from judgment.

Theological Truths: Charles Spurgeon said, “Grace is the free favor of God… given to those who deserve the opposite.” Noah’s salvation was by grace, pointing to Christ’s work for sinners.

Gospel Connection: The Ark was the only way to escape the flood. Jesus is the only way to escape eternal judgment (John 14:6).

Questions for Reflection:

1. What does Noah’s undeserved salvation teach about grace?

2. How does God’s patience in delaying the flood reflect His mercy today?

3. In what ways do people reject God’s offer of salvation?

Application: Thank God for His grace and pray for those who need to enter the Ark of Christ.

Day 4: The Ark as a Picture of Christ

Summary: The Ark was a vessel of salvation, sheltering Noah’s family from judgment. Jesus is our greater Ark, carrying believers safely through God’s wrath.

Read:

• Genesis 7:1, 11-16
• Matthew 24:37-39
• John 10:9

Background: When the floodwaters came, only those in the Ark were saved. God Himself shut the door, securing their safety. This act points to Christ’s work of salvation.

Key Words:

• Ark – A vessel of deliverance.
• Door – The single entry point to safety.
• Covenant – God’s promise of mercy.

Theological Truths: Herman Bavinck wrote, “In Christ, we find the perfect fulfillment of all redemptive types.” The Ark was a shadow; Jesus is the substance.

Gospel Connection: Just as the Ark had one door, Jesus is the only door to salvation. The flood’s judgment foreshadows Christ’s return, urging us to enter before it’s too late.

Questions for Reflection:

1. Why is it significant that God shut the Ark’s door?

2. How does this story deepen your understanding of Christ’s salvation?

3. What does the exclusivity of Christ mean for evangelism?

Application: Share the gospel with someone today, urging them to enter Christ’s Ark.

Day 5: A New Beginning and God’s Covenant

Summary: After the flood, God made a covenant with Noah, promising never to destroy the earth by water again. This covenant reminds us of God’s faithfulness and foreshadows the new covenant in Christ.

Read:

• Genesis 8:20-22, 9:12-16
• Jeremiah 31:31-34
• 2 Corinthians 5:17

Background: The rainbow signified God’s promise of mercy. Though judgment had come, God provided hope for a new beginning, ultimately pointing to Jesus.

Key Words:

• Covenant – A divine promise.
• Mercy – God’s compassion despite sin.
• New Creation – Life in Christ.

Theological Truths: Martin Luther declared, “The rainbow is but a shadow; Christ is the substance of God’s covenant mercy.”

Gospel Connection: The Noahic covenant was a sign of God’s patience, but the new covenant in Christ secures eternal salvation.

Questions for Reflection:

1. How does God’s covenant with Noah display His faithfulness?

2. How is Christ’s covenant better than Noah’s?

3. How does living as a new creation affect your daily life?

Application: Rejoice in God’s promises and walk in newness of life today.