This message was delivered at Hillcrest Baptist Church on the evening of August 4, 2013. This message deals with the unbiblical uses of the rainbow in today’s society, the truth about the rainbow, and a reminder that God can still judge. This post contains an audio recording of my sermon, plus the sermon notes. The sermon notes are not a full transcript of the sermon.
SERMON AUDIO:
AUDIO DOWNLOAD LINK:
SERMON NOTES:
Genesis 9:12-13
TWISTED TRUTHS: (Rainbows have become symbolic of 3 basic concepts)
- Promise: (the real truth) – God would never again destroy all flesh with a global flood
- Creation: (folklore and regional legends position the rainbow differently) – Aborigine and American Indian legends link the rainbow to creation events. The Chinese link the rainbow to the creation of their first emperor Fohi.
- Bridges: A bridge from earth to a brighter and happier place (Judy Garlands “somewhere over the Rainbow”) New age religions also use the rainbow as a bridge
- A sign of a new era and a symbol of peace, love, and freedom.
- The colors of the rainbow are even used on the flag of the gay and lesbian movement.
The things of God are often twisted and perverted by our sinful world, the rainbow is no exception. It’s simply one example that we rarely think about.
In recognizing the perverted, sinful uses of the rainbow, it is somewhat ironic that the rainbow came about precisely because of God’s judgment of man’s sinfulness.
Unnatural sexual activity before the flood.
This is what prompted the flood.
Sodom and Gomorrah were also judged because of sexual sin.
Jude 1:7
Sexual immorality is still rampant in this world today.
- Adultery
- Pre-marital sex
- Homosexuality
Homosexuality is now commonplace on TV and in movies, and taught as normal and acceptable behavior in our schools.
Those who speak out against it are considered intolerant, hateful, bigots; engaging in hate speech.
instead of homosexual activity being branded as perverse and shameful, it are the ones who speak out against it who are ostracized from society.
We are coming to a place in society that is reminiscent of the warning of Isaiah 5:20
You have to wonder how much more will God tolerate.
Thankfully, believers will be gone before His hand of judgment falls.
Judgment may be imminent, but grace is ready and waiting.
Our text tells us of a covenant of grace.
The rainbow is a symbol of the covenant between God and man, and the animal kinds that were with Noah on the ark.
A promise that God would never again destroy the world by water.
But, there are other judgments coming, the tribulation judgments, and a judgment of fire.
2 Peter 3:7
2 Peter 3:10
If you’ve trusted Christ as your Savior, you will escape those judgments. Grace awaits.
God is not a mean God for sending the flood, but rather a Merciful God for offering a way out.
God told Noah to build an ark to save representatives of the animal kind and his family.
The ark was much bigger than needed for the animals and Noah’s family.
Others could have gone through that door to be saved.
After the ark was loaded it stood for seven more days before God shut the door, and Noah probably preached from that doorway for those seven days.
The ark is a picture of salvation in Christ, He is the only door. No other way will work.
John 10:9
The rainbow is a symbol of Christ
Ezekiel 1:26-28
Revelation 4:2-3
The rainbow is a reminder of God’s judgment, as well as His grace.
A holy God is without sin, and must judge sin.
In His judgment, He shows mercy. He always offers salvation with the judgment.
Jesus has already suffered the judgment in our place, there is no need for you to have to suffer it.
The next time you see a rainbow, remember:
- God is the creator
- God judges sin
- God offers mercy and salvation
God declares redeemed, those who have trusted in Christ.
Remember to use the opportunity to tell someone about Christ.
Lets take the rainbow back from the ungodly, and use it to honor Christ.
In Defense: The Blog 
Posted on August 9, 2013
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