GOTTA HAVE FAITH PART 4

Noah’s Faith – A Reverent Faith.

Hebrews 11:7.

INTRODUCTION

We are continuing our series, “Gotta have faith,” this morning.  Last time we looked at the necessary beliefs of faith.  We saw: (1) You can’t please God apart from faith; (2) In order to have faith you must believe that God exists; (3) You also must believe that God will reward the diligent, sincere seeker.

Now we are going to look at Noah’s faith and how it was a reverent faith.

ME

As Christians, we are told not to live in fear; perfect love casts out fear; and that God has not given us a spirit of fear.  But there is a person that we do need to fear.  Oh, it is not some cowering in a corner type fear, but it is a reverent, worshipful fear – and that is God.  This fear should produce a respect for Him.

For me, this reverence and respect comes by what I focus on.  If I continually focus on my day to day needs and problems and circumstances, then my approach to God will be through those things.  But if I start out by focusing on His goodness, His love, His grace, His mercy, and His love toward me, and see that apart from Him I’m nothing, then my time in the Lord has a reverent awe about it.

COMMUNITY

I think this morning, as you are listening to this message, that it would be good to examine yourself quietly, right where you are setting.  Ask yourself, “How do I see God?”  Do you see Him as someone who is there to meet your needs?”  Or do you see Him as the awesome creator of the universe who gave you new life, and loves you, even during the times that you blow it?” 

GOD

Hebrews 11:7, though only a short verse about Noah, really shares some powerful lessons that we can apply to our lives.

Let’s look at this passage and see what the Lord would say to us this morning.

Hebrews 11:7 ISV - By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, reverently prepared an ark to save his family, and by it he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

1.  Noah’s faith prompted Him to obey God in Holy reverent fear.

v. 7a ISV – By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, reverently (ESV – in reverent fear) prepared an ark to save his family…

A.     The story of Noah can be found in the Old Testament in Genesis 6-9.

B.     Notice the progression of faith here.

1.      The text does not say, “When God warned Noah about things not yet seen, Noah put His faith in God.”

2.      But first of all, “By faith Noah.”  I feel this means that Noah already had faith in God, and then God spoke.

3.      Many times we get this progression backwards.  We think, “If God will speak or show me a sign, then I will have faith in Him.” 

4.      The right progression is:  We put our faith and trust completely in Him, and then He will speak, or even give us a sign if we need one.

5.      I will give an example from my life.  I came here as Pastor, completely trusting and believing God, and a certain circumstance came up, and I started to question some things.  To be honest, I asked for a sign, but wasn’t specific about it, but I still continued to trust in the Lord, even in the midst of some questions.  Well God gave me a sign!  It was about the biggest sign I could have received.  The Pastor of the second largest church in the United States, emailed me, stating that the Lord laid me on his heart specifically and that he and his staff is praying for me.  It wasn’t spam, it was real.  I responded back, and he responded back to me, given me some wisdom some words of encouragement that I desperately needed.

C.     Notice what Noah’s faith produced – obedience.

1.      When we believe and trust in the one true God, then we know that He is in absolute control and authority, then this faith produces obedience.

D.     Noah’s faith also produced this reverent fear.

1.      He humbled himself before a Sovereign God.

2.  Look at Noah’s reward.

v. 7b ISV – He prepared an ark to save his family…

A.     Noah obeyed God and built the ark, and put his family in it and protected them from the coming judgment.

1.      While we don’t talk like to talk about it, this is so true – judgment is coming.

2.      And there is one only safe place during the judgment, and that is the only true Ark – Jesus Christ.

3.      We must pray for, share the Gospel with, and love our family members and friends, encouraging them to come into the ark of safety – Jesus Christ – while there is still time.

B.     While Noah’s family was saved, the rest of the world was condemned.

v. 7c ISV – By it he condemned the world.

1.      Noah had the only revelation from God – the ark – that could save mankind.  Those who didn’t accept it, perished.

2.      We have the only revelation from God – Jesus Christ.  Those who believe in Him, are saved, those who do not, will perish.

C.     Finally, because of Noah’s faith, he became an heir of righteousness.

v. 7d ISV – He became an heir of righteousness that comes by faith.

1.      We too are become heir’s of righteousness, not by works of the Law, but by the work of our Ark – Jesus Christ on the cross and our faith in Him and His finished work.

Romans 1:16-17 ISV- For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God's power for the salvation of everyone who believes, of the Jew first and of the Greek as well.  (17)  For in it God's righteousness is being revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, "The righteous will live by faith."

Romans 5:17-19 ISV - For if, through one man, death ruled because of that man's offense, how much more will those who receive such overflowing grace and the gift of righteousness rule in life because of one man, Jesus Christ!  (18)  Consequently, just as one offense resulted in condemnation for everyone, so one act of righteousness results in justification and life for everyone.  (19)  For just as through one man's disobedience many people were made sinners, so also through one man's obedience many people will be made righteous.

APPLICATION

In what ways can we apply this message to our lives?

• When approaching to Lord in prayer, think about His character, Who He is, take time to praise Him, don’t just come first with a list of needs and desires.
• Submit to His rule and authority over your life.
• Ask the Lord to help you share with family members and friends who do not know Jesus.
• When God speaks to you, like Noah, be obedient. 
• But don’t wait for God to speak to be obedient, be obedient to His Word.

DECISION

As believers we can learn a lesson from Noah.  Noah simply trusted God and obeyed Him.  He did not require any physical evidence of what was coming.  He simply believed.

Maybe your hear this morning, and you want to come forward, admitting the fact that you haven’t been obedient to the Word, or maybe you don’t know Christ, or maybe you want the Lord’s help with sharing your faith.  The front is open for you to come forward and meet with Him this morning.

Next time we will look at Abraham’s faith: an obedient and hopeful faith.