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Hebrews 11:37-38 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation.
Men of Whom the World was not Worthy Hebrews 11:38 Noah
Noah lived in a different world… • Lived under a cloud cover of water, Genesis 1:6 • Lived before the continental division, Genesis 10:25 • Lived in a vegetarian world, Genesis 1:29-30; 9:3 • Lived in a world of giants, Genesis 6:4 • Population formulas add to the picture
There were also similarities… Genesis 6:1-8 • Sons of God led astray by the attractive, worldly ones • Every thought was evil, continually • God was grieved in heart, sorry that he had made man
Noah found favor Genesis 6:9 These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God. Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
Why was Noah a man of Faith? • Received warning of the unseen, and heeded it
Do we listen to warnings? • Warnings about friends • About assembling • To our children • About our speech • About our attitude • About drinking • About our example • Etc., etc.
Why was Noah a man of Faith? • Received warning of the unseen, and heeded it • Built what he didn’t understand
We also are building…. • When we discipline our children • When we resist changes in the church’s organization, mission, and work • When we build the right kind of influence
Why was Noah a man of Faith? • Received warning of the unseen, and heeded it • Built what he didn’t understand • Took on a task with the end unknown
We have tasks before us also with unknown end results… • Programs of teaching • Programs of outreach • Programs of benevolence
Why was Noah a man of Faith? • Received warning of the unseen, and heeded it • Built what he didn’t understand • Took on a task with the end unknown • Lived blameless in a culture that was unacceptable
What Can I Do? • Pray hard • Build your faith • Speak up like Noah 2 Peter 2:5 …if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;… Noah preached righteousness
Why was Noah a man of Faith? • Received warning of the unseen, and heeded it • Built what he didn’t understand • Took on a task with the end unknown • Lived blameless in a culture that was unacceptable • Was subject to sin, unfortunately
Noah was a man of faith, Given as an example • Received warning of the unseen, and heeded it • Built what he didn’t understand • Took on a task with the end unknown • Lived blameless in a culture that was unacceptable • And was subject to sin, unfortunately But he was a follower of the one true God Could we be followers like Noah?