THE WORK OF FAITH - NOAH Hebrews 11:7; Genesis chapters 6, 7 and 8) In this study we consider Noah and see in him an illustration of the work of faith; for as believers it is not only our privilege to come into fellowship with God and to walk in fellowship with Him, but also to be His co-workers - look up 2 Corinthians 6:1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. In James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. we see that wherever there is true faith in God, there is always an outward evidence of that faith. Belief affects behaviour; faith shows itself in works. It is vain to say that we have faith in God if there are no works in our lives resulting from such faith. Noah had faith, which made him well-pleasing to the Lord, and which was seen in the amazing work he did in building the ark, in proclaiming God's Word and in obeying the Lord. Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. Genesis, chapters 6, 7 and 8 1 Peter 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 2 Peter 2:5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
Then notice the following three reasons why this study of Noah is so up to date in its teaching: 1. Noah lived in a day of grace - and so do we! In Noah's case, the door of salvation was open for 120 years 1 Peter 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. We live in a day of grace, when God's offer of salvation is still being made to men and women 2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) Hebrews 3:7-8 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, 8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. 2. Noah lived and worked in a day of terrible apostasy - and so do we! Genesis 6:1-7 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, 2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. 3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. 4 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. 5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast,
and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. and see what dark days they were 1 Timothy 4:1-3 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 2 Timothy 3:1-9 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. As Noah lived and laboured for the Lord in a time of great spiritual and moral darkness and wickedness, so do we. 3. Noah lived and worked at the end of an age or dispensation - and so do we! Noah worked for God in the last days of the antediluvian dispensation; we live in the last days of the dispensation of grace - Matthew 24:37-39 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the
Son of man be. Noah lived in a world which was under condemnation; so do we - Genesis 6:7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. John 3:18-19 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. Romans 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 2 Thessalonians 2:7-9 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, Let us now look at Noah and see how faith works. What is the work of faith?
1. THE WORK OF FAITH IS TO HEAR THE VOICE OF GOD AMID THE CLAMOUR OF OTHER VOICES. What a confusion of voices there is today! Amid the babble of voices, Noah, by faith, heard God speaking to him see Genesis 6:13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. and the first work of faith for us is to do the same. If s not easy, for like Noah we are surrounded by so many confusing voices even 'religious' ones - but the work of faith is to catch God's voice amid all the other voices of earth and from Hell Hebrews 3:7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, 1 Kings 19:11-12 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: 12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
2. THE WORK OF FAITH IS TO OBEY THE VOICE OF GOD HOWEVER CONTRARY TO HUMAN REASON IT MAY SEEM TO BE Genesis 6:14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. but who had ever heard of an ark, or a flood! Surely there must be some mistake? No - God had said it, and the work of faith is to accept and act upon God's revelation, however contrary to human reason it may appear to be Genesis 6:22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he. God's people have often been called mad when they have done His bidding John 10:20 And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? Acts 26:24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. 3. THE WORK OF FAITH IS TO DO THE WILL OF GOD EVEN THOUGH YOU APPEAR TO BE THE ONLY ONE DOING IT. Are you the only Christian in your home, at college or at work? Noah was the only one, at first God's people have always been in the minority 1 Kings 19:14 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. When the Devil suggests to you that you are mistaken in being a Christian because so few are Christians, then remember it is the work of faith to call him a liar-
John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. and to go on living and working for the Lord even though you appear to be the only one in your sphere who is doing so - look up Matthew 11:2-6. 4. THE WORK OF FAITH IS TO GO ON WITH GOD'S WORK IN THE FACE OF EVERY OPPOSITION AND DISCOURAGEMENT. There is no doubt that Noah suffered opposition and must have been discouraged. How many times he must have been tempted to ask, 'Is it worthwhile?' or 'Am I mistaken after all?* What cruel taunts he would have borne from the godless crowd around him!-'surely you are mad!' they would say. How does the opposition we have to bear compare with that of Noah? 1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 5. THE WORK OF FAITH IS TO ACCEPT GOD'S JUDGMENT WITHOUT QUESTIONING HIS JUSTICE. One day God revealed to Noah that He was planning to send a flood and to destroy every living thing upon the earth - look up Genesis 6:7; and Noah said, in effect Genesis 18:25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? You see,
Psalm 19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. is always true. We must remember the severity of God as well as His goodness Romans 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. Elijah prayed for a drought, James 5:17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. Noah took sides with God in His intention to send a flood, Genesis 6:22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he. There is another judgment coming to the earth 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 2 Peter 3:9-14 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace,
without spot, and blameless. The work of faith is to live and work in the light of this solemn fact. 6. THE WORK OF FAITH IS TO PROCLAIM THE MESSAGE OF GOD HOWEVER SOLEMN AND UNACCEPTABLE IT IS. There are two sides to Noah's message: (i) (ii) 'There is salvation for all who will enter the ark; there Is judgment for all who will not enter the ark.' In New Testament language, and in the words of our Lord, Noah's message was Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. We should be continually crying out like John the Baptist Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? only by doing so can we 'condemn the world' Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. which means to 'leave the world without excuse' Ezek 33:6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand. 2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
7. THE WORK OF FATTH SECURES THE REWARD OF FAITH. In Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. we read that Noah 'in holy fear built an ark to save his family', and that he 'became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.' So, not only was Noah accepted by the Lord because of his faith, but also Noah's loved ones were saved as the result of Noah's work of faith. What a reward! 2 Chronicles 15:7 Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded. Are you exercising faith in the Lord for the salvation of your loved ones? Are you doing something for their salvation? Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Is your faith working? James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? and 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.