What Can We Learn From
Noah?
Introduction:
Throughout the ages, men have discussed the question, " How is
man saved?” Numerous opinions have been put forth. Some say man
is saved by grace alone. Others say man is saved by faith alone.
While others say works save us. Which one is it? Can we be sure?
The only answer we can be
sure of is found in God's word. While we live in the gospel age
today, we can still learn much about God's dealings with his
people. In the Old Testament, we will focus primarily on Noah's
life to see how he was saved.
1.
Noah was
saved by grace
Noah lived in a time of
gross immortality and wickedness (Genesis 6: 5- 6). But Noah
also sinned. Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short
of the glory of God.” There was a difference between Noah
and the world around him (Genesis 6: 9). His qualities caught
God's eye (Genesis 6: 8). Noah found favor in God's sight. This
meant Noah wouldn't suffer the wrath of God like the rest of
mankind. Grace did not overlook or excuse Noah’s sins, but it
was an undeserved gift. We are like Noah in many respects. We
also live in a world that is overflowing with sin. Also, we sin,
as did Noah. We can be saved from the punishment. We are due by
receiving the grace of God (Ephesians 2: 8- 9). We do not
deserve nor can we earn God's grace period, while Noah, who was
saved by grace, was not saved by grace alone. Neither are we.
2.
Noah Was
Also Saved by Faith
Consider Hebrews 11: 6-7.
Jehovah warned Noah about the coming flood (Genesis 6: 17. God's
grace is apparent here. Without it, Noah would have perished.
But grace did not build the ark. Noah believed God and trusted
God that he would do what he said. God said it, and Noah
believed it. It was this faith that moved him to build the ark.
This faith saved him. But he wasn't saved by this faith alone.
Noah was saved by grace and faith.
We today must have faith
as well. Especially we must believe that Jesus is the son of
God, who died for our sins on the cross and was raised from the
dead on the third day. Jesus said, “For if you do not believe
that I am he, you will die in your sins” John 8: 24. Then
consider Romans 10: 9- 10, which adds that we must also believe
that he arose from the dead. That faith leads us to salvation.
It is coupled with the grace we see in Ephesians 2:8. God's
grace and Noah's faith worked together.
3.
Noah Was
Also Saved by works
consider Genesis 6:22.
God's grace warned Noah about the coming flood, and he believed
God was telling the truth. But if he had not built the ark, he
would have died like everyone else. Noah's faith caused him to
build the ark- to do the work god told him to do to be saved.
God did not build the ark for Noah. Noah had to do that for
himself. So, we see grace, faith, and works. All involved in
Noah's being saved from the flood.
Analogy: my wife makes the
most delicious homemade bread. I have watched her make this
bread on many different occasions and noticed that it requires
several ingredients. She puts in flour, sugar, and eggs and
always puts in a little pinch of yeast. I confess that I do not
know my way around a kitchen, but I know little about yeast.
Yeast does not make the bread nor gives it that wonderful taste;
the other ingredients do that. Apart from the other ingredients,
it really has little use, but don't think for a minute that the
yeast is not important. The bread resembles a hard, blunt weapon
without the yeast instead of an edible delight. In a crude way,
yeast is to bread what works are to the Christian. Without the
grace of God and faith, works are useless. The opposite is true
as well.
James 2:14-17. Faith that
does not work is dead and good for nothing. Faith alone does not
save (James 2: 24- 26 ). We access God's grace through works of
obedience, not works of merit. So grace, faith, and works are
all involved in our salvation.
4.
Noah Was
Also Saved by water
consider 1 Peter 3:20. The
water destroyed All of the wicked. This sinful world was washed
away by water. But eight precious souls were saved by water. So,
Noah was saved by grace, faith, works, and water. All four were
working together!
Consider 1 Peter 3:21. God
says in his word that baptism now saves us—it washes away our
sins just like the waters of the flood washed away the sins of
the world. Our sins today are washed away by water (Acts 2:38
and Acts 22:16). Mark 16:16 shows us how faith and baptism are
tied together for our salvation.
Invitation/Conclusion:
God's word says grace,
faith, works, and water save us. But we are not saved by grace
alone, faith alone, works alone, or water alone. Any of these
alone saves no one.
God's grace made salvation
and an eternal home in heaven possible. Our faith trusts in God
and should lead us to repent, confess, and be immersed in water.
February 13, 2025
Sermon prepared by Bobby
Stafford
Prepared by Bobby Stafford
The church of Christ at
Granby, MO
Located at
516 East Pine St.
P.O. Box 664
Granby, Mo. 64844
(417) 472-7109
For more lessons and
Sermons, please visit
granbychurchofchrist.org/
granbychurchofchrist.com/
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