BELIEF THAT OBEYS

Jan 15

We trust today’s message encouraged and guided you in your journey of following Jesus. These notes are meant to help you remember and reflect on the message, help you go deeper into study on the subject, or be used for a sermon group discussion.

Sermon Title: BELIEF THAT OBEYS

Main Scripture: Hebrews 11:7; Genesis 6:5-22

If you’re going through this discussion with a community group this week consider taking the time to read the provided scripture to catch everyone up!

Summary:

Pastor Ryan taught about the faith of Noah and what his journey can teach us, today. In Noah’s world, wickedness was out of control and God had decided to judge the earth with a flood. God called upon Noah to do something no one had done for an event no one had seen. Noah’s response is one of complete faith and immediate obedience. The result was the salvation of his family, the condemnation of the world, and Noah received righteousness. We learn from Noah that belief obeys God. Belief responds with obedience. Noah’s story points to the end of this world in the future and compels us to build the kingdom of God so as many people as possible will believe in the new Ark, Jesus Christ.

Notes:

RECAP: Definition of faith

The dominant New Testament term for faith is the Koine Greek word pistis, usually translated “faith.” It conveys the idea of trust, a firm internal conviction regarding the truthfulness of someone or some claim. -Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (p. 549).
In Hebrews 11, faith is man’s response to what God has said. It takes seriously the message of God’s revealed truth in holy Scripture. It does not merely agree with God’s word, but acts upon it. Brown, R.

Hebrews 11:7

NLT: It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith, Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.
NIV: By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith, he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.

Context: Genesis 6:5-22 NLT

The world was completely evil. God is sorrowful about what He is seeing.
He vows to wipe humanity and living creatures off the face of the earth.
But Noah, He chose to graciously spare. Through Noah’s family, there would be a second chance.
The method of this judgment would be a flood. The salvation for Noah’s family would be a large boat they would need to build. God gave Noah specific plans for the Ark.
Noah believed God and obeyed everything God commanded him.
God delivers on His promise to flood the world and to bring Noah’s family through judgment. BY FAITH, Noah and his family live to see the truth and faithfulness of God.
377 days later the boat rested and they rested, finding relief from wickedness (for a brief time) and preservation through God’s judgment.

Noah’s Faith - Hebrews 11:7

What can we learn from Noah's example?

1. Noah Believed God

“It was by faith that Noah built a large boat”
By faith means Noah believed God was going to do what He said he would do.
Belief precedes obedience.
Faith is taking God at His Word, and believing God to be truthful.
God gave Noah specific plans for the Ark. God has given us specific commands in His Word. Noah believed in God and acted accordingly. Do we believe in God’s Word and act accordingly?
I’ve learned over the years that our obedience “tells on us” and what we believe about God. We obey God in the things we believe God will do, but those things we don’t believe in God, we don’t obey. In other words, my obedience shows I believe certain commands from God but the other commands I'm not fully believing, in yet.

2. Noah Obeyed God.

“He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before.” NIV: “when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family.”
It’s hard to believe something that has never happened. That’s the situation Noah is in. It’s hard for me to believe something I have never seen before. There is no frame of reference or idea to look back on. But…you have to give props to Noah…
Faith is trusting God even when you don’t fully understand.
“God requires our obedience before our understanding.” -Christine Caine
That’s what this chapter is all about. These heroes of faith obeyed God without seeing what was to come in full. They didn’t understand everything but they trusted and obeyed.
It’s essential to know how to apply this today, because some people will say that God told them to do something, certain things, but some of those things are not glorifying God, they are not consistent with scripture, or they can be out of order. Let me give us all a suggestion: Practice faith in obeying the commands God has already given us in scripture before creating “new things” that God hasn’t truly commanded you to do. It’s better to live your life trusting and obeying God’s written Word than seeking to hear God whisper what you are supposed to do all the time. We know what we are supposed to do (the Word of God). Jesus gave us plenty of commands like building the kingdom of God. Follow God’s written commands then let Him direct you specifically in those.
Let me give us an example: 1 John 3:16-18 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” Obey the written command to love one another and if God whispers to you a specific way or amount of what to do then do it. (This scripture has inspired food pantries.)
Genesis says Noah was righteous and walked closely with God. This means Noah was already living a life that obeyed God. Faithfully obey the basics of God’s Word so when God calls you to do something you’ve never done before (like build an orphanage or start an outreach) you will know it’s God and you’ll have the faith to obey.
If faith is trust in God, then obedience is the proof.

3. Noah saved his family.

Let’s not miss the fatherly leadership of this story. Noah’s faith in God led his family to safety and salvation from the flood. Noah demonstrated to his family what it looks like to put your trust in God. Noah’s faith resulted in the salvation of his family. May your faith point your kids and family to believe and obey Christ.

4. Noah was declared righteous

“By his faith, Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.”
Noah wasn’t condemning people, His faith and actions proved there is righteousness.
The world condemns itself when they don’t believe. John 3:18-21 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
Noah’s life shined the righteousness and truth of God. Noah’s salvation proves that God does reward those who put their faith in Him.
By Faith, Noah receives the righteousness that comes from God. This means to be declared righteous in God’s eyes.
Faith with works is true righteousness. Faith without works is dead (not real).

Application for today:

Jesus is our “Ark”

Faith in Christ is our salvation through the coming judgment.
Jesus came to build a relationship with you, build a relationship with Him.
You don’t have to understand everything before you believe and you don’t have to understand everything before you obey.

Noah’s story points to God’s future judgment

Mark 16:16; John 3:36; Matthew 24:37-39; 2 Timothy 3:1-5
There is rest in the future for God's faithful people.

We are called to build the kingdom of God

Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 2:19-22
God has given us specific plans to build the church through disciple-making.
This can also mean building ministries to effectively reach the lost, including literal structures and churches around the world. (Community center, food pantry).
This is how we get people in Christ (the “Ark”), so they are ready for His return.

We are called to trust and obey God

The more we trust and obey, the deeper our love for God and faith grows. Do you trust God? Take a step of obedience.
St. Ignatius once said, “It’s not hard to obey when we love the one whom we obey.”
It’s a joy to obey when we believe and know how much God loves us.

Discussion:

What stands out to you about Noah’s faith?
Pastor Ryan said, “our obedience ‘tells on us’ and what we really believe about God.” What did he mean by that?
How does faith require obedience before fully understanding?
We’re not building boats but what has God called us to build and what could He call us to build for His glory?
What notes did you write down or what did you take away from this message?

The most important decision you will ever make!

Are you ready to experience salvation and be transformed? We encourage you to process this decision with a strong believer and when you’re ready say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I acknowledge and admit I have sinned. I see my need for Jesus Christ. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I believe I am forgiven and cleansed of my sin by His death. I also believe I have eternal life because of His resurrection from the dead. I repent, I turn away from my old ways and I choose to live my life to worship you and follow Jesus, amen!

We would love to know if you made the decision to accept this wonderful gift from God. Let us know here.

Pray Together

We hoped you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!

Ryan Coon