By Faith Noah

“By Faith Noah…”

Hebrews 11:7

This morning as we continue to through Hebrews 11:

- we keep seeing average unimpressive people

- that stepped out in faith and God used them in a big way

- And every time God shows Himself to be worthy of trust

One big thing we are to notice and learn is that…

When God speaks:

- we must be ready to follow where He leads us

- and it may not be a job we want,

- it will probably be challenging

We must say like the HYMN:

- where He leads me, I will follow

- I’ll go with Him, with Him

- ALL THE WAY

What impresses God is our TRUST and Faith in Him

A grandchild was sitting:

o on her grandfather’s lap listening

o to the Bible story of Noah’s Ark,

o asked “Were you in the Ark, grandpa?"

He chuckled and replied, “Why, no I wasn’t.”

There was a pause, and:

the child looked up at him confused and asked,

“Then why weren’t you drowned?

The text today is Hebrews 11:7

God told Noah to build an ARK:

- that would save both Noah and his family and

- two of every type of land animal.

- for 120 years Noah built the Ark and preached God’s message

The heroes of the faith:

? in Hebrews 11 are examples are for us to follow

? We are to be motivated by their faith.

? we are to duplicate this God trusting loyalty.

We can look at these people of faith:

- and recognize that what they accomplished

- was beyond their own ability and resources

- and we are supposed to notice it was God that made all the difference.

God is not looking for people who:

- are the smartest, strongest, most beautiful

- God is looking for people who will TRUST HIM

- who will be loyal to HIM and go where He leads them

We ought to include this question in our prayers:

“Lord, is there something you want me to do?

- that I am not doing, that you want me involved in?

- is there something I am doing that is outside of your will for my life?

We need to be on board with whatever:

- it is that God has in mind for us individually

- or whatever God has in mind for this local Church

Right now we are going learn from NOAH:

? about God pleasing faith and

? how stepping out in faith means trusting God

Please stand for the reading of God’s word.

“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.”

- Hebrews 11:7 (NKJV)

It is likely you know the story of Noah:

- in a short time after God created the world

- mankind became increasingly wicked

- God’s world had largely rejected and forgotten God

“Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

Genesis 6:5

God decided that He was done:

- putting up with the sin of the world.

- God would destroy all the people of earth

- but there was one man who brought God pleasure

- and it is Noah’s faith that saved him and his family

God gave Noah specific instructions:

- to build an enormous ship

- that would save two of every kind of animal

- and the Ark would also save Noah’s family….

Besides Noah’s family of 8:

- how many were killed in the flood?

- all of them.

- some say 8 million people

Noah was motivated by “godly fear”:

- it is wise to have a right fear of the Lord,

- after all “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

I don’t use my circular saw often:

- but I know what it is capable of

- it can cut a board and cut me

- so when I pick it up, I am mindful to handle it correctly

God is so much more capable than my skillsaw:

- we need to treat God with holy respect and fear

- I have not terror of God, but

- I am aware of what He is capable of

The Godless, Faithless and the lukewarm believer

have reason to be terrified of God…after all they are His enemies by there own choice.

Noah had a Godly fear of the Lord:

- and that positioned Noah and God in proper relationship

- God spoke, Noah obeyed

- Noah did not delay or disappoint