The Ark of Safety I Peter 3:20-21 I. Introduction. A. Everyone likes to feel safe; when otherwise--seek a place of safety. B. One needs physical safety as well as spiritual safety. C. Read and comment on I Peter 3:20-21. II. Body. A. The background of Noah's salvation: Genesis 6. 1. Sons of God married daughters of men: v. 4. 2. Great wickedness followed: v. 5. 3. The attitude of God: v. 6. 4. Jehovah intends to destroy the world: v. 7. 5. However, there was one who would be safe: v. 8. a. God spares the righteous. b. Even in the wicked city of Sodom, they were safe. B. The salvation of Noah. 1. "Make an ark"--Genesis 6:14. a. Why? (1 Escape destruction. (2 Separate from evil. (3 A place of safety. b. God's appointed way of safety. (1 Jehovah was doing the saving(he is the savior). (2 God had every right to specify how he would save them. c. The test of faith: doing the Lord commands. (1 Sometimes one has "faith" that does nothing: just accepts a doctrine or position. (2 Consent is not enough! 2. Noah's part in his reaching safety(salvation): Hebrews 11:8. a. Listened to God's warnings. b. Obeyed Jehovah's instructions. c. Did exactly as God outlined. d. Had to enter the ark. e. Became heir of righteousness. C. God's part in Noah's salvation. 1. The longsuffering of God waited(offered salvation to all). a. Noah preached 120 years to the people. b. Saved eight souls! 2. Rescued Noah from destruction. 3. Separated Noah from the wicked world. 4. Protected Noah and his family by: a. Sealing the ark. b. Remembering him. c. Bringing the ark to rest. D. The church of Christ is the ark of safety for us today. 1. God did his part: John 3:16; Ephesians 5:23; I Corinthians 15:24. 2. Man must do his part: I Peter 1:22; I Peter 3:21. 3. In the ark of safety(the church) can be found: a. Salvation: Acts 2:47. b. Protection: Ephesians 5:27. c. Separation from evil population: II Corinthians 5:17. d. Victory over the forces that destroy: Revelation 21:2. E. Let us take warning in noting that: 1. God ultimately punishes all evil: Romans 2:16. a. Inevitable: II Corinthians 5:10. b. Can be closer than we think. (1 Danger of sin. (2 Quickness of death. (3 Return of Christ. 2. Consider the parable of the ten virgins: Matthew 25:1-13. F. There are lessons we need to keep in our minds: 1. God cares for His people (as he did Noah). 2. God's plan of salvation is sufficient(as was the ark). 3. It is always wise to follow God's directions. III. Conclusion. A. Are you safe in the ark of safety for today? B. There is coming a time when there will be a great separation.-jy