Noah: Building The Kingdom Series

HEROES OF FAITH #2: NOAH: BUILDING THE KINGDOM

INTRO:

Why did you come here this morning? To sing some songs and hear some stories? I hope not!

Two thousand years ago, Jesus said, “I will build my church.” Not a building, but people.

We’re here to see lives transformed, to provide hope, healing and restoration to broken lives.

Our hope is that you would encounter Jesus and taste and see that the Lord is good.

INTRO TO TOPIC:

Last week, we started a series in Hebrews chapter 11, the Hall of Faith.

We looked at Enoch who walked with God, and talked about how God wants us to walk by faith.

OPENING TEXT:

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” (Heb. 11:6-7).

• The true story of Noah is a familiar one. By faith, Noah obeyed God and built an ark.

• People thought he was crazy, building an ark when there was no rain.

• They may have mocked him and tried to discourage him.

• But Noah knew he was building something that was going to save his family.

• Everyone’s building something. What are spending your time and resources building?

THE BUILDING PARABLE:

“15 And He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." 16 Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: "The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17 And he thought within himself, saying, ’What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ 18 So he said, ’I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry." ’ 20 But God said to him, ’Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ 21 So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:15-21).

• We’re all building something. What are you spending your time and resources building?

THE BIG IDEA: The Bible suggests that we spend our lives building three things: Building the Kingdom of God, Building Broken Lives, and Building for Eternity.

I. BUILDING THE KINGDOM:

1. BY FAITHFULLY PRAYING:

“In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.” (Matt. 6:9-10).

• God wants us to pray that His Kingdom would come. Salvations, healings, deliverances!

2. BY SACRIFICALLY SERVING:

“whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:43b-45).

• Jesus said the greatest in the kingdom are those who serve. Where are you serving?

• Needs in the church right now: children’s ministry, nursery, youth ministry, praise and worship team, janitorial, ushering and greeting, sound ministry.

• When you serve, you’re building the Kingdom, and following the example of Jesus!

• But don’t just serve in the church – love and serve people in the community, too.

3. BY GENEROUSLY GIVING:

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt. 6:19-21).

• When you give to the church, you’re building the Kingdom.

• Notice Jesus contrasts worldly building and heavenly building. Where are you building?

• When you give generously, you are also investing your heart in the Kingdom.

• Don’t just give your tithes; give offerings to – to missions!

II. BUILD BROKEN LIVES:

In Isaiah 58, the Lord is rebuking Israel because they were so focused on their religious exercises – prayer, worship, fasting, etc. but they had neglected caring for people. God’s response:

“6 "Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? 8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. 9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ’Here I am.’ "If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, 10 If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday. 11 The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. 12 Those from among you Shall build the old waste places; You shall raise up the foundations of many generations; And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.” (Isaiah 58:6-12).