In 1825, on the banks of the Wabash River in Indiana, an old town called New Harmony was founded. This town was to be the perfect society. Many wonderful things happened there, but within four years, they disbanded. “What went wrong?” asks Ryan Ahlgrim, pastor of First Mennonite Church of Richmond, Virginia. “People…We human beings are flawed…We’re not perfect. We’re not really capable of creating an ideal society.” This idea is at the heart of today’s passage from Genesis 9:8-17 and the basis for the season of Lent. There’s hope in God’s covenant with Noah and there’s hope for us.

This sermon is from A Sermon for Every Sunday, a series of lectionary-based video sermons designed for use in worship, Bible study, small groups, Sunday school classes or for individual use.

For more sermon preparation help, check out Pulpit Resource, Will Willimon's weekly lectionary-based sermon resource, available online and through a print subscription.