Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. Noah lived in a time when there was great wickedness in the earth   (Genesis 6:5, 11-12)

a) Many hearts were evil

b) Many actions were violent

c) Generally, their way of life was corrupted

2. God sought to deal with man’s wickedness   (Genesis 6:3, 7-8)

a) He had provided His Spirit to help

b) He would limit the lifespan of man so that evil would not continue for too long

c) When there was no change and wickedness continued to prevail

i. God was grieved in His heart

ii. God planned to destroy man in judgment

d) But God was gracious to Noah

3. The Bible’s description of Noah after he experienced God’s grace   (Genesis 6:9)

a) He was just (he did what was right)

b) He was perfect in his generations (as compared to those around him)

c) He walked with God (Noah had faith)

WHAT WAS NOAH’S FAITH BASED ON?

1. Noah had been divinely warned by God   (Hebrews 11:7)

2. Noah learned about

a) God

i. He is One who is gracious   (Genesis 6:8)

ii. He is One who protects and preserves   (Genesis 6:18-20)

b) His word

i. A word of warning   (Genesis 6:13, 17)

ii. Words of instruction   (Genesis 6:14-21)

iii. An assuring word that God would keep some alive   (Genesis 6:18)

HOW DID NOAH RESPOND TO THE WORD THAT GOD GAVE HIM?

1. Noah responded well to the words which he heard from God

2. Noah moved with godly fear   (Hebrews 11:7)

a) Noah did not belittle, despise, or reject God’s word

b) Noah acted and did according to all that God commanded him   (Genesis 6:22; 7:5)

c) Noah was able to respond in complete obedience because he had a healthy fear of God

3. Noah applied his faith and prepared an ark for the saving of his household   (Hebrews 11:7)

a) Noah had faith in the God whom he regarded and had deep respect for

b) Noah had faith that what God warned about would happen (the flood would take place)

c) Noah had faith that God would help an old man prepare an ark

d) Noah had faith that God would indeed save him and his immediate household

WHAT WERE THE EFFECTS OF NOAH APPLYING HIS FAITH?

1. He became an heir of the righteousness   (Hebrews 11:7)

a) God declares and makes one righteous when there is faith   (Romans 4)

b) Noah was righteous in God’s eyes when he applied his faith in God

2. God confirmed the faith which Noah had in Him   (Genesis 7:13-16)

a) The animals came to Noah

i. Noah did not need to round up the animals

ii. The unclean animals came to him in pairs just as God had commanded

iii. The clean animals came to him in sevens just as God had commanded

b) The LORD shut him in the ark

i. Salvation came from God

ii. Noah experienced the divine act of being shut in

iii. God personally ensured that everyone and everything in the ark was safe

3. His family was saved (Genesis 7:21-23)

a) Every living thing was condemned when God judged the earth

b) They all perished except for Noah and those who were with him in the ark

CONCLUSION

1. We have a very gracious God

a) We have a God who gives us His grace for salvation and for life

b) He graciously gives us His word which warns us about His judgment on sin

c) He graciously offers us hope in sending us a Saviour in the Lord Jesus Christ

2. We should exercise faith in this gracious God

a) We should learn to fear Him

i. A deep respect and regard for God

ii. A holy reverence for Him

iii. This is a fear that will cause us to practise our faith

b) We should have faith in Him

i. Listening and obeying His word

ii. Trusting that God protects and preserves us (physically and spiritually)

3. The application of faith can lead to blessings

a) We can experience such blessings on a personal level when we practise faith in God

b) Others can be blessed as well

i. Friends

ii. Family

iii. Those who hear of the examples of older ones practising their faith