11/27/24

If we read Hebrews 11, we will see great people of faith. We will see what faith is. Hebrews 11:1 NASB1995 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

We know from Paul's writings that God gives everyone a measure of faith and that it is by grace through faith that we are saved. You place faith given by God into the Son of God and His Gospel.

It all sounds so simple, yet so many people struggle to place true, lasting faith in God.

Our verse for today says, Hebrews 11:7 NASB1995 By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

Let's look at some characteristics of faith through Noah. Faith puts complete trust in the truth of the warning given by God. Noah had lived 480 years having never seen rain nor a flood. Yet when God said it is going to rain, and I want you to build an ark, by faith, Noah built. Our text says Noah, in reverence, prepared an ark. The purpose of the ark was for the salvation of his family. It was 120 years later that Noah and his family went into the ark and the rain started. That means for 120 years, in faith Noah lived obedient to the Lord. Yet today, most people say, God, I will live by faith. You have 120 seconds to show me the rain. That is not faith but a pause to see proof. Remember, Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. You must have true faith for salvation. Isaiah 40:31 NASB1995 Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

Faith does not diminish with time but waits on the assurance of truth. Faith is patient.

Next, we see that Faith will condemn those who refuse it. Only those who trusted in the truth of faith got on the ark the rest were destroyed. Genesis 7:21 NASB1995 All flesh that moved on the earth perished, birds and cattle and beasts and every swarming thing that swarms upon the earth, and all mankind;

When you live in faith sin will become more and more evident. As you speak of your faith in the truth, conviction will be revealed in those without faith. Last we see that faith imputes God's righteousness on the believer. Our text says, became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. All who rely on faith in Christ will receive Christ's Righteousness. Noah was patient in his faith. It took 120 years for the rain. Noah was also persistent in his faith. He never stopped building. Noah saw the blessings of his faith as his family was sealed in the ark by God. The powers of faith are amazing.

Praying you will live by faith.

Love Bro. Scott