Title [Text: Hebrews 11:7] Noah's Faith
Today, I would like to receive grace by introducing the faith of Noah among the forefathers of faith. As we well know, the Bible testifies that Noah was the only man who lived by faith in the world where sin was rampant at that time, and thus escaped the judgment of the flood and the race would flourish again through his descendants. Now, by introducing this Noah, I hope that it will be a precious time for our spiritual condition to be restored.
1. Noah was a saint who did not get caught up in the currents of the times and kept his righteousness silently.
Genesis 6:9 says, “These were the days of Noah: Noah was a righteous man, perfect in his time, and he walked with God.” In Noah's day, the world was so full of sin that they lamented that God had created him. Since the things they did were always evil, the outward acts were unquestionably evil, especially since the sons of God were drunk with the beauty of the daughters of men, and it became a situation that could no longer be expected. Regardless, Noah kept his faith thoroughly and lived a righteously perfect man. God valued this Noah and saved him from the judgment of the flood.
The age in which we live is as pervasive in sin as in the days of Noah. A sin that you can't see with your eyes open is catching your tail. Moral and ethical, as well as all kinds of injustice and injustice are rife. Also, it is very sad that spiritual turmoil is clouding our values and even our faith is being reduced to a tool for the glory of wealth and wealth in the world. Many Christians are blaming this world and are secretly getting caught up in the tide of the world. The words of the Lord, “Will the world find faith when the Son of Man comes?” (Luke 18:8) What the Lord requires of us living in this age is the faith of Noah. Do not get caught up in the tide of this age. Let's keep in mind that God is looking for saints who live as perfect people who silently keep righteousness and live in perfection. I hope that they will become people of this kind of faith.
2. Noah is a saint who values God's warning.
It says, “By faith Noah was warned of things not yet seen, and with awe he prepared an ark.” God warned that the world would be judged by a flood in which sin abounded. Noah did not neglect this warning and took it seriously. So the ark was prepared, and this is faith.
I don't think this warning was given only to Noah. This warning was also given to those around them. But they did not heed the warning. They ate, drank, married, and given in marriage without realizing it until they were destroyed by the flood. (Mt 24:38-39) Noah and his family were indifferent to the way of salvation that Noah and his family shouted out loudly, but rather, they treated the Noah family as a maniac who built the ark on the top of the mountain. because of unbelief. It is by no means easy to trust and prepare for the events that will happen 120 years later. Therefore, it must be even greater that Noah trusted and prepared the ark.
Countless times we hear the Lord's warnings. Nevertheless, there is no change in life. There is no passion for the Lord. No love for the church. There is no preparation especially for the day of the Lord. There is no realization at all. It can't be a sad thing. Like Noah, let's pay attention to God's words of warning. Let's clean up our old life and become saints who live by the Word. I hope that we will become saints who listen to even the gentle voices, engrave them in our hearts, and practice them as they are. Just as Noah emphasized the warning about things that we cannot see (the judgment of the flood), even if we do not see it yet, it is God's warning. God blesses those who believe without seeing.
3. Noah was a saint who thoroughly obeyed God's commands.
In Genesis 6:22 (7:5), it is said, “Noah did like this, and he did all that God commanded him.” God's command was to build an ark in preparation for the flood. He gave detailed instructions on the size, structure, and method, and Noah followed everything as it was. This is faith.
① Noah was a flood that would occur 120 years later, but he prepared faithfully according to God's command. Most are insincere about what will happen later. I don't prepare. Like the five virgins who did not prepare oil, they live in the world foolishly. The Bible calls an ant prepared for winter a wise animal. (Proverbs 6:6-8, Proverbs 30:25) We told him to see and learn wisdom from him.
② Noah built a large ark with all his heart. poured everything. It was only a command from God and was for his own salvation. It is not an easy task to cut down a cypress tree to build a large ship 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high. But Noah did this great thing with the help of his family. This is faith.
③ Noah did this great work without wavering in spite of the slander of the people around him. There are times when we are so conscious of the people around us that we neglect the Lord's work. Because your faith is weak. A person of true faith listens only to the voice of God, not the voice of men. I hope that we too have the faith to obey everything God commands us to do.
God gave this Noah a great blessing. All 8 members of his family were saved. It is a double blessing. When we live by faith, all of our families can be saved. condemned the world. Because God justifies him, the world cannot but be condemned. We often argue who is right. If God raises our hand, the other person is naturally wrong. made him an heir of righteousness. I have earned honor. We hope that this blessing will come to us only through faith.