Hebrews 11:7 “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.”

I. Noah demonstrated a faith that pleased God. If we want to please God we should similarly demonstrate faith.

7:By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen,

Noah cultivated a relationship with God which aloud him to hear Gods voice. (i.e. Walked with God)

Then God told him that he was going to have it rain and flood (because of mans’ sin which grieved Him) even though nothing of the like had ever happened before. (Gen 6:13) And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

The Takeaway: People of faith hear God’s warnings. We to need to cultivate an awareness of God’s voice (which is blocked by sin) and receptivity to hearing warnings though others. (blocked by pride)

The flood shows the extent to which God will go to deal with independence from him (SIN) and try to bring about holiness and rest on the earth. If we are trying to pursue a relationship with God then it comforting to know how far he will go to bring about Goodness instead of evil.

II. Even though it seemed totally out of the norm and against society Noah remained righteous and faithful and trusted in what God said was going to happen.

Noah was the only one in that generation that was pleasing to God. Everybody else had corrupted their way.

(Gen 6:12) So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt: for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.

(Gen 6:11)The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence....(Gen 7:1)Then the Lord said to Noah, Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before me and this generation.

The Takeaway: Demonstrating faith often requires us to go against the tide of society. (Romans 12:2)  And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...

III. To demonstrate faith, Noah had to obey God and persevere in building the ark.

Noah prepared an ark (Hebrews 11:7)......Thus Noah did according to all that God commanded him, so he did.(Gen 6:22)

It’s interesting to note how deep Noah’s faith was: he was asked to build this massive structure at a healthy old age of 500 years old. I worked at a nursing home and people at the age of 80 can barely put together a puzzle. Obviously Noah got a hold of some Insure to help him along the way.   Some scholars believe that it took Noah and his family over a hundred years to build the ark. Its also interesting to note that he and his family were in the ark a year and 17 days. I wonder how many times his kids said “Are we there yet” I am going to ask you the body to please remind Justin and I of this when we start to complain of over to smallness of are apt. Noah must of had some serious ark fever. (I wonder if that’s where they get the term cabin fever.)

The Takeaway: Demonstrating faith often requires perseverance and endurance. (Heb 12:1)Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

If we fear God, we will care more about what He thinks than what others say, so we’ll persevere in doing his will.

IV. Noah was able to help others because of his strong relationship with God

The result of these things in Noah’s life (i.e. walking with God) made him able to find favor in the eyes of the Lord.

(Gen 6:8) But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.

The result of finding favor in God’s eyes was that Noah was able to help his family

(Gen 7:1) Come into the ark, you and all your  household. Because I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation.

The Takeaway: The first step to helping others is to shore up our own walk with God

Deepen your walk and God will deepen your ministry

Other lessons to be learned from the 40 days and 40 nights.  (God remembers those who are faithful)

( Gen 8:1)Then God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the animals that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters subsided.

The Takeaway:

If we are obeying and pleasing God no matter what situation we’re in God will not forget us.

(Heb 6:10) For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

(Gen 8:8-12) He also sent out for himself a dove to see if the waters had receded from the face of the ground. 9 But the dove found no resting place......10 And he waited yet another seven days, and again he sent the dove out from the ark. 11 then the dove came to him in the evening, and beholds, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth and Noah knew that the waters had abated from the earth. 12 So he waited yet another seven days............ 

The Takeaway:

Don’t give up hope if what you think should happen do not match up with Gods plans wait for Gods perfect timing.

(Ps 27:14) Wait on the Lord be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!

(Pro 27:18) Whoever keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit; so he who waits on his master will  honored. 

Discussion Questions:

1.       In demonstrating faith, what are some of the things that you can think of that required you to go against the tide?

2.       Can you think of an example when improving your walk has helped others?

3.       What are some ways we can cultivate an awareness of God’s voice?

4.       Can you share about a time when God warned you about something?