Getting It Done By Faith

Heb. 11:6-7; 1Pet. 3:19-20; 2Pet. 2:5

Serving by faith pleases God; in Noah we find the faithful servant of God who satisfied God’s plan for his life in spite of the challenges he faced (Heb. 11:7). Faith will evidence itself through our commitment to serve our Lord’s plans and purpose for our lives; faith enables us to finish what we start. This does not suggest that we will not have periods of discouragement and perplexity, and it also does not imply we must become flawless in some way either. It does mean that faith in the heart and mind of genuine believers is productive—fruitful. It moves us to actions commensurate with confidence in God’s guidance, and we preserver until we are finish.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. ⁷ By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, ^wmoved 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. (Hebrews 11:6-7)
 
By which also he [Jesus Christ] went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 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. (1 Peter 3:19-20)

 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 (2 Peter 2:5)

Noah was obedient to God’s plan all the way through to completion! Obedience to God’s requirements can lead us down fairly lonely roads though…. Noah must have experience intense loneliness as he tried to execute God’s plan for him. Faith enables us to continue in His will though the path is challenging. We are not to fear being alone, standing alone, or having to serve God alone. Beware though…loneliness can become a means of frustrating God’s prescribed will for you and me if we fail to respect its power. We are not to value the perspectives and opinions of people—to fit in—more than we appreciate the statements of God's Word either. Sometimes we must stand alone on the principles of God’s Word. Being alone while serving God is not the worst thing! Failing to believe His clear statements, the Scriptures, is far worst and can be catastrophic. Believing God and continuing to execute His plans honors Him and enables us to get the serious stuff done.

There will be occasions when we must stand alone, believe God by ourselves, and serve the Lord consistently without much support from our extended family or society. Some of us may have to face such challenges for prolong periods of time. No doubt as we live godly, we will feel isolated while associates largely misunderstand us. Others may even ridicule us and our commitment to Christ. It helps to know we are not really alone; the Lord is with us and we can continue to live for His honor by resting in His Word. By taking His warnings seriously we can avoid the worst and experience God's best. Noah and His family did and so can we. What can we learn from his example?

Noah Was Admonished by God's Word

God does reward those who diligently seek Him (Heb. 11:6), and this truth is illustrated in the ministry and life of Noah. God was pleased with this OT saint because he believed the Lord. The faith of Noah was based on God’s warning that He was going to destroy the world with a flood (Gen. 6:17). Faith is always based on something God actually stated, promised, instructed, prescribed, or predicted. You may recall there had never been a flood in human experience; in fact, there is good reason to believe that there had never been rainfall up to that time (Gen. 2:5, 6).

I believe the “things not seen as yet” refers (at least in part) to the flood which was still a distant future event. Sometimes God’s message or warning contains elements beyond our experience or a clear point of reference. His message may involve unique or first time in human history components. In these instances we will not have the luxury of other people we can talk with on the matter. There is no one else to tell you about how they handled this situation because none of them have ever had the opportunity. We may be the only one thus far to face these challenges, cross this terrain, or walk this mile. This is the life of the pioneer, entrepreneur, and missionary! This is also the experience of serious Bible students; they may see the implications of simple truths far more deeply and precisely. Through it all we still have God’s Word, promises, predictions, or instructions to cling to. This really is all you need to remain steadfast and true to Him.

In addition, there were no visible signs of Noah’s anticipated flood; there was nothing to provide a basis of calculation that the flood would actually occur. He could not explain what God had said in purely rational or logical terms. All he could cling to was “thus saith the LORD.” Faith sometimes requires that we believe stuff we are unable to explain fully. We may have to choose between pleasing God and satisfying the inquiries of purely rational thinking friends. Believe God even when you are unable to explain His will in logical terms. Remember, faith transcends rational explanations and scientific parameters to comprehend the divine. God works supernaturally and we cannot confine a relationship with Him to terms unregenerate minds can appreciate. God initially gave great granddaddy Noah this admonition 120 years before the deluge, and long before there could have been any natural indications that it would indeed happen. 

Still all those years he preached righteousness and believed the warning from God. Faith certainly has this enduring characteristic; a person moved by faith can go on and on trusting and looking to God for years without realizing what God promised. Without any other basis (except God’s Word) Noah respected the divine weather forecast and made preparation by faith. He took the warning from God seriously. We did not simply dismiss it as having no real consequence. He made the sober adjustments in his priorities to build the Ark because he fully respected/believed God’s warning. He did not brush it off or dismiss it as fanciful or ridiculous. No, Noah is honored in Hebrews chapter eleven because he fully believed God and acted on what he knew God had said. What about us? Are we taking God seriously when He warns us about judgment, Hell and the consequences of sin? Beloved, events proved that Noah was right to heed God’s warning!     

Noah Was Animated by God’s Warning

God warned Noah He was planning to destroy the entire world's population with a flood judgment. Instead of debating the impossibilities or discrediting the message Noah believed it entirely. Instead of questioning whether or not God had the right to judge all humanity Noah took Him completely seriously. Noah did not waste time calling God unmerciful, unfair, tyrannical, murderous, or genocidal. No, he counted God's statements as credible and immediately took action. The letter of Hebrews is filled with warnings and these believers needed to take heed as Noah did! Wiersbe observed, “Noah’s faith involved the whole person: his mind was warned of God; his heart was “moved with fear”; and his will acted on what God told him.” He sprang into action in an incredible way. It is also evident that fear and faith work together in harmony in this passage!

Noah believed God and “prepared an ark,” even though he was probably very far from navigable waters. Yet, Noah having never built an ark before undertook to do so obediently. Evidently Noah's character qualified him for this assignment and not his experience or skills. He carefully followed God’s blueprint for the ark without deviation. He trusted God’s instructions implicitly. Since nobody at that time had ever seen a flood (or perhaps even a rainstorm), Noah’s actions must have generated a great deal of interest and probably ridicule as well.  Doubtless he was the butt of many jokes. I can easily imagine people visiting the construction site to make fun of ‘crazy old Noah.’ No doubt his children had to defend their father’s honor and reputation whenever they went into town for supplies or to run errands. Never-the-less Noah kept building and preaching righteousness to that generation. He was not deterred by the opinions of mere men; he did not give up because people did not support him or made fun of him. I can only imagine that at times he grew weary and tired under the stress of such a gigantic task, but still he persevered in faith. In spite of the loneliness and ache in his heart he remained focused on the goal of completing God’s plan. He clanged to what God had so certainly said to him as the decades rolled on. He was sustained by the Spirit of Christ for decades as he obeyed the Lord. In the work and service of God we will likewise be sustained by God's presence, God’s Spirit, and promises. Look to Him for sustaining grace as you need it. He is able. 

Noah’s faith also condemned the whole world. That is he condemned the human race by his faith; his faith revealed their unbelief. If one human being can respond favorably to God then all can, but they have refused to do so. Therefore, they stand utterly liable before a holy and righteous God because of their sinful unbelief. Beloved, unbelief—rejecting God's expectations—condemns a soul to God's judgment! Unbelief is a far more serious matter than we tend to think it is. Whenever an honest God communicates anything, we are obligated to believe Him. To reject any statement from God’s Word is tantamount to calling Him a liar! The entire world was condemned by Noah’s faithful life, admonishing preaching, steadfast service and God-focused testimony. Remember, faith without works is dead. 

Noah Was Approved by God's Witness

That is correct; Noah is among the many believers in this chapter (Hebrews 11) whom God approved. God stands as the supreme Witness to their faith! Why? Well, because they believed the Lord and acted on His statements. Faith in God, Jesus Christ, the Spirit of God, or the Holy Scriptures is pleasing to God. Hebrews eleven testifies to the fact that faithful responses to God’s guidance are pleasing to Him and highly honorable for the believer. Recall that God accepts and justifies us on the basis of our faith in the gospel of Christ. God's approval upon our person begins when He justified us before Himself by giving us the righteousness of the Lord Jesus. We are justified purely by faith in Christ and not our efforts.

In addition, our daily expressions and experiences are pleasing to God when we live by faith as well. You see God honors faith because faith honors Him. Though we may feel we have multiple reasons to doubt God or fear the circumstances thereby deleting a faith-filled response, God is never pleased with such actions. This is because they reveal a lack of confidence in Him. Noah’s faith was rewarded: his house was saved, and he became heir of the righteousness which is received on the basis of faith. The entire family was physically delivered from the certain death and destruction of the flood.

Noah’s faith influenced his whole family and they were rescued in the ark as well. It is not by hiding our faith and trust in God that we influence others for Christ, but by demonstrating a conscious awareness and trust in the various situations of life. It is correct to humbly show others our trust is really in the Lord God! God is still interested in household salvation regarding our spiritual needs also. This is why Jesus Christ came into the world and died at Calvary! He provides the Ark of Salvation and deliverance from the floods of judgment that will come upon all who reside in sin. He wants the entire family saved by His grace. Now note this insightful statement by Walvoord,

The reference here to Noah saving his household recalls the writer’s stress on a Christian’s salvation-inheritance. It further suggests that a man’s personal faith can be fruitful in his family, as they share it together. 

We need more men who will tenaciously believe God and influence their families with a powerful faith. Too many men take a backseat concerning the things of the Lord. Too many men leave the spiritual concerns of the family with their wives. This is not God's order and this is not the correct way ahead. Fathers and husbands must lead their families to know and trust God in daily experiences. Women are frustrated with men who are zealous about sports, professional endeavors, and political matters, but they are clueless, weak, and unengaged in spiritual pursuits. Our country needs men of faith with burning hot passion for God and His glory. We need men who inspire their families to go deeper, higher, and farther in the Lord Jesus Christ. Men who lead the way modeling courage, commitment, humility, determination, and steadfastness as did Noah. Noah was not only credited with preparing the Ark thus saving his family through the flood, but he is the heir of righteousness. Wuest says,

He “became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” The words “became heir” … mean merely “became owner” or “became partaker,” although there is underneath the word the idea familiar to the Jewish mind, that spiritual blessings are a heritage bestowed by God. We must be careful to note here that this righteousness is not justifying righteousness, but experimental righteousness, righteousness in conduct. In Genesis the warning of God was given Noah because he was righteous. In Hebrews we are told that Noah wrought righteousness in his life by faith. 

He is one of those who as in Hebrews 11:33 “wrought righteousness.” Noah “wrought righteousness”…he accomplished the weighty things. In affect Noah could humbly say to the Lord, “Lord, that big boat you ordered me to build is finished. Mission Accomplished!”

So, Noah lived and served in righteousness by faith during one of the more wicked generations on earth. He did not enjoy the luxury of talking with friends about the blessings and benefits of living godly and apart from sin. There was no peer he could visit and consult with to find encouragement to persevere in righteous living. Noah pressed on with his family trusting God’s warning! When it seems that the entire world could not possibly be wrong, it indeed was extremely wrong. A life of devoted service to God is a righteous and fruitful life. It may be true that we will never be rich or famous, but we can be righteous by faith in the warnings of God. This is still true today when it seems believers are clearly in the minority population. We do not need to justify living in wickedness simply because everyone else is. We need the spiritual “backbone” real faith provides to get important things done regardless.  

Now what Noah actually inherited was the new world after the Flood like these Hebrew readers might inherit “the world to come” (see Heb. 2:5). Surely there will be another universal judgment of the earth, but the righteous will inherit the kingdom of Christ afterwards!

Jesus used Noah’s experience to warn people to be ready for His return (Matt. 24:36–42). In Noah’s day, the people were involved in wickedness, but also innocent everyday activities completely ignoring Noah’s witness and solemn warnings (2 Peter 2:5). Yes, Noah preached for decades with no conversions beyond his family. He convinced no one with his preaching and longevity. He invested everything he had in building that giant boat in the middle of a forest! No doubt most people thought him crazy…still he persevered based on God’s certain and plain warning of judgment. This was all he had to go on…I am certain he felt intense loneliness at times. Still he pressed on based on something God communicated to him. He really and truly believed God.

Perhaps many of the early Jewish Christians to whom this Letter of Hebrews was written often wondered why, if they were right, they were such a small minority. Noah steps out from the pages of the OT to remind them and us that in his day only eight people were right and all the rest of the world perished!  Refocus and keep serving in spite of the ridicule (Heb. 10:24, 25, 33, 34). (Wiersbe) Continue in Christ even though the path is lonely at times. You are not wrong for believing God’s Word and because you are in the minority. The Lord God is pleased when we believe Him instead of our culture, conditions, or circumstances also.

God has issued many warnings in His Word to steer His people away from the worst that we might know His best instead. He has warned about the reality of Hell, the dangers of liquor, the seductive nature of sin, the regret of recreational sex, the poison of pornography, and the destructive power of drugs. In Hebrews chapter 11 God warns against the dangers of unbelief!

Just as faith in God pleases Him greatly, unbelief displeases Him extremely! The best way to get on the wrong side of God Almighty is to fail to trust/believe Him. His record and character are absolutely impeccable. The Lord affords us every reason in the world to trust Him and respond positively to His warnings. To not believe Him is to question His integrity and is the same as calling Him a liar. Our Lord cannot lie! Beloved, we must respond like Noah and spring into action with deeply rooted respect for God’s warnings and judgments. Such faith will sustain us even though the years of challenges may be long, lonely and formidable. Faith will enable us to survive the floods of fear, doubt and unbelief threatening to drown our confidence in the Lord. Believe God and His Word and this will enable you to continue until you finish.  

Once again living by Faith is one of the uppermost principles for real Christian living and expression. In doing so, we are sure to please God, sustain a distinctively Christian confession, secure eternal rewards, and effectively face the hazards of a righteous lifestyle.  Though formidable obstacles will fall across our way, faith in Christ will prove to be adequate. We are made equal to any problem when we live by faith in God's clear Word. Trusting the Lord enables us to sustain obedient service to ultimately triumph in ALL situations. Through faith we can even become victorious over intense loneliness that may accompany devoted service of God.  Remember, by faith we can get the important things done. Mission accomplished, Lord!