The Covenant Through Water

September 13th 2026

Summary and Transcript

Sermon Info

• Speaker / Pastor: Rev. Douglas Dill

Scripture References

• Genesis (Noah narrative) – read as the core example of God’s judgment, cleansing by water, and the establishment of a covenant after the flood.

• Genesis (covenant with Noah / rainbow) – used to show God’s promise: “I will never again wipe out the earth with a flood”, and the rainbow as the sign of that covenant.

• Book of Enoch, chapter 10 – referenced as an extra-biblical witness that echoes the warning and instruction to Noah to prepare for the coming destruction.

• Matthew (Gospel reading — calming the storm) – used to show Jesus’ authority over wind and waves and to illustrate trust in Jesus.

• John 13 (Jesus washing the disciples’ feet) – referenced as the model of humble service and reliance on Jesus for cleansing.

Central Message

• God cleanses a corrupt world but establishes a covenant of mercy (the rainbow); ultimately God provides a different, ongoing means of cleansing through Jesus — calling believers to be baptized, rely on Christ, serve one another humbly, and remember Christ regularly through communion.

Key Points

• 1. The Noah story shows God’s righteous judgment (cleansing by flood) and His mercy in saving Noah and creation, then making a never-ending covenant marked by a rainbow.

• 2. God is powerful and can “wipe things out,” which can be both awe-inspiring and frightening — but God is righteous and keeps His promises.

• 3. The Book of Enoch (ch. 10) reiterates warnings and God’s instructions to Noah — preparation and escape for the righteous.

•4. God chose a different, lasting way to cleanse humanity: Jesus — through His coming, baptism, death on the cross, and the ongoing ministry of the Spirit.

• 5. Spiritual practices: baptism as cleansing and commission (we are commanded to baptize nations), communion as repeated remembrance and ongoing cleansing, and foot washing as humble service to one another.

• 6. Christians need continual cleansing and confession; baptism is important but life still requires regular repentance and reliance on Christ.

Notable Quotes

• > “I am going to make a covenant with you.” (God — promise after the flood)

• > “I’ve got another plan now… I’m coming down as my Son… to give you a commandment… baptize the nations.” (God/Jesus as the different way of cleansing)

• > “You need Jesus to be clean.”

• > “We need to rely upon Jesus.”

Application

• Respond to God’s command: consider baptism (speaker invited anyone not baptized to come forward).

• Practice regular confession and spiritual cleansing (before communion, after, and as life demands).

• Participate in communion intentionally to remember and receive Christ’s cleansing work.

• Embrace humble service (foot washing) as an expression of love and care for one another.

• Teach and baptize others: obey the call to share and enact the Gospel practically among the nations.

Prayer Points

• Thanking God for the rainbow and His covenant of mercy.

• Gratitude that God remembers His covenant and sent His Son, Jesus.

• Requests for help to rely on Jesus for cleansing and to live out humble service.

Reflection Questions

• 1. When you think of God’s power (as in the flood), does it lead you to worry or to trust? Why?

• 2. How do you personally remember and live out your baptism and the cleansing it signifies?

• 3. In what practical ways can you humble yourself to serve and “wash the feet” of others in your community?

• 4. Are there habits of regular confession and communion in your life that keep you dependent on Jesus?