Hebrews 11:6-7

Hebrews 11:7: "By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household; by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith."

Noah's Faith Produced the Correct Attitude and Actions

Noah's faith produced a correct attitude and correct actions within his life. He lived with a disposition toward God that was reverent and obedient because of the faith present in his life. This ties perfectly with the fear of God, which creates an advantage in the believer's life.

Genesis declares the evil of that day: people were violent, their lifestyles grieved God, and He was sorry He had created man—except for Noah. Noah's name means "rest," given because he would bring rest from the curse of Genesis 3, the toil and anguish of sin.

God warned Noah of coming judgment—a flood to wipe out humanity due to their iniquity. Noah was to build an ark for the salvation of his family. Had he lacked faith, rejecting the warning would mean not taking God seriously.

Noah was a preacher of righteousness, standing firm like his ancestor Enoch in a contrary world. For 100 years, from age 500 to 600, he built the ark inland, where there was no water. Neighbors might have ridiculed him, saying, "Give it up—nothing has happened." Yet Noah took God's warning seriously, even though a worldwide flood had never occurred.

His response was godly fear—reverence, exercising cautiousness in actions to avoid offending God. Noah accepted as real something unseen, showing great concern for the One who warned him. He lived in awe and respect for God's declarations, even future events.

Building the ark was not a hobby or occasional task—it was his life. He persevered diligently in obedience. Noah regarded God's word as true, though unprecedented.

This applies to unbelievers today regarding salvation. Many acknowledge Jesus' existence—even National Geographic affirms it empirically—but reject the resurrection as unseen. Faith evidences itself in an uncompromising stance on God's promises, living cautiously to honor His holiness.

In our culture denying judgment, we preach the gospel through attitudes and actions showing care for God's justice. Are our decisions made with concern for His reputation? Even neutral activities can distract from obedience, like if Noah prioritized family provision over the ark.

Yet Noah's 500 years before the ark show a faithful life of faith, producing reverence and cautiousness. You can tell what a person believes by how they live. Beliefs minimizing God's holiness, sovereignty, or reality lead to lives with no regard for consequences.

This shows in church relationships too. Before becoming a Christian, the speaker served on a worship team while living contrary to faith—demonstrating hypocrisy. Another example: a deceitful church member damaged the church's reputation. A rogue mentality treats church as a checkbox, not true commitment.

Imagine a church with a reputation as a giver of rest from sin's curse, like an ark of salvation in Christ. Noah lived a godly life by faith.

Noah's Faith Produced the Correct Sentence Upon the Wicked

Noah condemned the world. As 2 Peter notes, he was a preacher of righteousness, likely urging others into the ark. Yet his faith, godly fear, and perseverance in building led to his family's salvation—which condemned the world.

"Condemned" (katakrinō) means to pronounce a sentence after determining guilt—like a judge issuing verdict post-deliberation.

God's favor and covenant were on Noah's household. Upon the ark's completion and their entry, God no longer needed patience with the ungodly. Their salvation signaled judgment's arrival—no more delay. Similar to Lot's salvation preceding Sodom's destruction.

In 2 Peter 3, God delays judgment today in patience toward the elect's repentance, regarding His patience as salvation. We ought to live in holiness and godliness, hastening Christ's return through gospel preaching and holy lives.

Many long for Christ's return amid trials, illness, or salvation's joy. But looking forward means active holiness (Philippians 1:27), not idleness. Scripture emphasizes a qualitative, glorious day when Christ receives the redeemed—not a calculated date, as failed prophecies like Harold Camping's show.

Jesus said no one knows the day or hour, yet all the Father gives Him will come. If excited for His return, demonstrate it in godliness, devotion to Christ's work, love for justice, and brokenness for the lost.

Noah's Faith Produced an Inheritance of Justification

Noah became "heir of the righteousness which is according to faith." "Heir" (klēronomos) is used for Christ (Hebrews 1:2) and believers (Hebrews 6)—signifying beneficiaries of immense value.

Believers may lack health or wealth, but possess Christ's righteousness—the Creator's, the law-fulfiller's, pleasing to God. It shields from wrath, declares us not guilty, making us heirs of promises.

No greater relief than pardon when punishment is deserved—like Noah's day's judgment. This motivates never returning to forgiven sins, appreciating faith's gift.

Noah took God's warning seriously. Hebrews gives four warnings; we must take our relationship with God seriously—sold out for Christ, pursuing His righteousness.

All Scripture is God-breathed. Live cautiously honoring it, pursuing a "well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25). Avoid the horror of Matthew 7: "I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness"—a lifestyle of profession without reality.

Not ascetic isolation, but prioritizing Christ, decreasing so He increases, gathering with believers in passion for more of Jesus.