More Than a Life Jacket // Embrace Grace (Part 1)

Pastor Vlad begins our new sermon series Embrace Grace, outlining the true reason for the season. In this message he dives into how being saved is more than wearing a life jacket, it’s being in the ark and how salvation is more than just a rescue, it’s a refuge. Matthew 1:21 Being saved is more than wearing a life jacket. It’s being in the ark. Salvation is more than just a rescue, it’s a refuge. Three Arks: - Ark of Noah - saved from wrath of God - Ark of Moses - saved from work of the enemy - Ark of God - saved from wages of sin 1. ONE ARK (Gen.6:14) Speaks of Grace - Ark was shelter from the flood. God will PASSOVER when He sees the blood. (Ex.12:13) - Ark was covered with asphalt (means to “cover” “make an atonement”). (Gen.6:14) - Noah was righteous yet he needed the ark to be saved from the flood. Having the ark is not enough to avoid the flood, you must be inside the ark. 2. ONE DOOR (Gen.6:16) Speaks of Jesus. - Many paths led to the ark but only one door into the ark. (John 10:9-16). - All roads lead to God but only one road leads to heaven, through Jesus Christ. - Door to the ark wasn’t open forever. (Gen.7:16; Matt.25:10) 3. ONE WINDOW (Gen.6:16) Speaks of the Bible. - Ark had only one window through which air and light came. The door is me. The window is for the dove. - When you open your heart, Jesus brings salvation. When you open your Bible, Holy Spirit brings transformation. - Someone who engages the Bible 4 or more times a week is: 228% more likely to share faith with others. 407% more likely to memorize scripture. 59% less likely to view pornography. 30% less likely to struggle with loneliness - When you’re in the ark, you see the world through the window. 4. ONE FAMILY (Gen.7:1) Speaks of Church. - Everyone in the ark is family. (John 1:12) - Don’t leave your family to the flood. 5. ONE ASSIGNMENT (Gen.8:15-19) - Speaks of Community.