Introduction: 1. Hebrews 11 is often called "the great faith chapter of the Bible." a. It defines faith (vs.1). b. It informs us that faith is essential (vs.6). c. The remainder of the chapter tells about the faith that was demonstrated by a number of great men and women from the Old Testament. 2. (vs.7) Noah's faith is discussed. 3. In our lesson we are examining 5 statements made in this verse about Noah's faith. 4. We have 2 reasons for studying these statements about Noah's faith: a. to help us gain a better understanding of what faith is b. to supply some information that will help us to increase our faith.
Discussion:
I. NOAH WAS "WARNED OF GOD OF THINGS NOT SEEN AS YET"
A. To understand this statement we must consider several verses in Genesis 6. 1. In Noah's day, man had become very wicked (vs.5). 2. Man's wickedness affected God (vs.6). 3. God decided to destroy man and the animals He had created (vs.7). 4. However, "Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord" (vs.8). a. (vs.9) Noah found grace in God's eyes because he "was a just man," he "was perfect in his generations," and he "walked with God." b. Consequently, God decided to spare Noah from destruction. 5. (vs.13) God informed Noah that He would destroy the earth. 6. (vs.17) God had decided to destroy the earth with "a flood of waters." B. This was something new -- no one had ever seen a flood like this. C. Although Noah had never seen a flood like this before, through his faith, he believed what God had said (see Hebrews 11:1). D. What caused Noah to listen when God warned him about the coming flood?
II. NOAH WAS "MOVED WITH FEAR"
A. Fear: reverence, respect for God B. In the Bible, fear and obedience are often joined together (Ecclesiastes 12:13 -- the conclusion of the whole matter is to "fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man"). C. Noah's fear "moved" [motivated] him to do something. D. What did Noah's fear move him to do?
III. NOAH "PREPARED AN ARK TO THE SAVING OF HIS HOUSE"
A. God gave Noah specific instructions for building the ark and for placing the animals inside. B. Noah obeyed God's instructions (Genesis 6:22; 7:5). C. Noah would not have been saved if he had not obeyed God's instructions. 1. The Bible teaches that "faith without works is dead" (James 2:26). 2. Noah demonstrated his faith by his obedience.
IV. THROUGH HIS FAITH AND OBEDIENCE, NOAH "CONDEMNED THE WORLD"
A. Noah did not condemn the world in the sense that he destroyed it -- God destroyed it. 1. Noah condemned the world by refusing to be like the world. 2. (2 Peter 2:5) Noah is called a "preacher of righteousness." 3. His preaching was designed to save the world, but no one listened to him except his family. 4. Everyone else perished in the flood. B. Noah refused to be condemned with the rest of the world -- he knew that he had to obey God, even if no one else in the whole world did.
V. NOAH "BECAME HEIR OF THE RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH IS BY FAITH"
By his obedient faith, Noah received the reward God reserved for him.
VI. APPLICATION
A. Just as God warned Noah about things that had never been seen, God has warned us of things that have never been seen. 1. Warnings: a. (2 Peter 3:10-12) When Jesus returns, everything will be burned up. b. (1 Peter 4:17-18) Those who do not obey the Gospel will be punished. 2. We know that these things will occur because "we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). 3. Noah and his family listened to God's warnings, and they were saved from the flood. 4. Everyone else on the earth refused to listen, and they perished. 5. We must listen to God's warnings. B. Just as fear moved Noah to obey God, fear ought to motivate us to do what God wants us to do. C. What does God want us to do? (1 Peter 3:20-21; Mark 16:16) D. Just as Noah refused to be like the rest of the world, we must not be conformed to the world (Romans 12:1-2). E. If we remain faithful to God, we will also receive a great reward.
Conclusion:
1. Because of his faith, Noah's name is recorded in "the great faith chapter." 2. Through our faith and obedience we can have our names written in the Lamb's book of life. 3. Noah's faith ought to encourage us to "run with patience the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1-2).
