Day: January 15, 2020

 

In this chapter, the Hall of the Faithful, we are presented with men and women who shined brightly for God in their dark world. People who against all odds were able to overcome adversity and trial, people who were able to bear a glowing testimony for the Lord when others floundered in sin. In this great line up of the faithful, there is mentioned a man by the name of Noah. Noah was a man who shined brightly in the midst of a dark world. He stood out in his day and the Lord was able to get glory from his life. It is this man Noah that I want to talk to you about this evening. He possessed certain characteristics that we all need if we are to shine as he did. God’s desire is that you and I shine brightly in a dark world. He tells us when we do, the world will take notice – Matt. 5:13; John 12:32. Let’s notice these characteristics as we talk about How To Shine In The Dark.

I. Gen. 6:8 BE SAVED BY GRACE

A. 6:8 Noah Chosen By God – Why did Noah alone find grace? (Ill. The mystery of election and free will) (Ill. 500 cokes) (Ill. John 6:44; Eph. 2:1; Eph. 1:4-5) (Acts 16:31; John 3:16)

B. 7:1 Noah Called By God – Noah is invited, not commanded, into the ark! Ill. The tenderness of the invitation – Matt. 11:28. God is the perfect gentleman, He calls, but man must answer the call! (Ill. Rev. 3:20!)

C. 7:7 Noah Coming To God – Noah took the step of faith that saved his soul! Up until that moment, he could have walked away. Had he done so, his works would have meant nothing! Ill. Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5

D. These are the steps that lead to salvation – Salvation is the first step in being usable to the Lord. He cannot use a dead sinner!

II. Gen. 6:9 BE SANCTIFIED BY GOD

A. Noah’s Positional Sanctification – Declared holy and just by the decree of God! This blessing belongs to every child of God tonight – 1 Cor. 6:9-11. (Ill. Red Coat soldiers are seen through the red glass!) We have been declared clean! Because God sees us as clean!

B. Noah’s Progressive Sanctification – Noah lived clean in the midst of a dirty world. Every Christian ought to be in a mode of continual cleansing – 2 Cor. 6:17-7:1. Ill. As you grow in the Lord, He will be constantly revealing things that need to be made right!

C. Noah’s Perpetual Sanctification – Noah walked with God. This is the key to success as a believer! Because the closer we get to Him, the more we must come to agree with and be like Him – Amos 3:3!

D. Are you walking with God? – The Lord is looking for clean, sanctified vessels that He can use for His glory – 2 Tim. 2:21. Ill. The Temple vessels – Dan. 5!

III. Heb. 11:7 BE A SERVANT OF GOD

A. He Had Faith – Noah believed God! Mark 9:17-24 Ill. Rom. 14:23; Heb. 11:6. Do you believe God? Is your God really big, or really small?

B. He Had Fear – Noah reverenced God! Noah knew that God meant what He said and that the world would be destroyed! Noah had a reverential fear of the Lord. How about you? Ill. Eccl 12:13.

C. He Had Faithfulness – Ill. Noah built and preached for 120 years and only had his family and a boat in the middle of dry land to show for it! But, the key to Noah’s success was his faithfulness to the task God had given him. How faithful are we this evening? Can God count on us? Ill. 1 Cor. 4:2! God is looking for people who He can use to move the world for His glory. But, He will only use those who can be declared faithful. Are we among that number?

If we have the characteristics that Noah had: Saved By Grace – Sanctified By God – Servant Of God

Then we too can be used by the Lord to light our world for Jesus. Listen, He isn’t going to send another flood, but we are surrounded by multitudes that are literally perishing before our eyes. Our job is to be the kind of Christian that God can light up and burn out for His glory. Are you that kind?