Hero's of the Faith

Noah – Obedience in Uncertainty

Faith that Acts: The Legacy of Noah

Bible Passage: Hebrews 11:7

Faith That Acts: The Legacy of Noah

Big Idea: Active faith in God's promises can transform lives and change generations, just as Noah's faith impacted not only his family but humanity’s future.

“By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.” Hebrews 11:7 (NIV)

Sermon Introduction: A WWII Faith Story

Let me take you back to 1940, in the darkest days of World War II. Hitler’s army had swept across Europe. Over 330,000 British and Allied troops were trapped on the beaches of Dunkirk, France. Defeat looked inevitable. But in a moment of desperation, King George VI declared a National Day of Prayer, and people flooded churches across the UK.

What followed is now known as the "Miracle of Dunkirk"—a ragtag fleet of civilian boats crossed the English Channel and rescued the soldiers. Historians can’t explain it. The weather shifted, the fog descended, the sea stilled, and hope arrived on waves.

The nation acted in faith, and God responded. Like Noah, they built an ark of obedience, not knowing what God would do, but trusting that He would do something.

Faith doesn't wait for the skies to open before building. It moves, it acts, it responds. Let’s walk through Noah’s legacy and let’s hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church today.

Point 1: Faith Foresees the Future

The Setup

Noah didn’t wait for the clouds to form or the storm to arrive. His faith was prophetic, not reactive. He was warned by God about what was coming, and he moved before he saw a drop of rain.

That’s not natural faith. That’s not a religious ritual. That’s Spirit-empowered foresight. It’s what Paul calls “walking by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

A. Noah Believed the Unseen

“...concerning things not yet seen…” (Hebrews 11:7)

Genesis 2:5–6 tells us that rain hadn’t even been a part of the earth’s cycle yet. “...the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the land... but a mist was going up...”

Noah had no natural reference point. He wasn’t reacting to forecasts; he was responding to revelation.

Romans 10:17 – “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Faith starts when we hear the voice of God—not when we see the proof. Noah’s first obedience came from hearing, not seeing.

Pentecostal Emphasis:

“Some of you have been hearing things in the Spirit that haven’t yet shown up in the natural—but I came to declare, don’t wait for the evidence to obey!”

B. Noah Built Under Ridicule

While others laughed, Noah built.

“The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth...” (Genesis 6:5) “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.” (Genesis 6:8)

The same rain that brought judgment on the world brought elevation to Noah.

Faith made him a minority with a mission.

The same message that saves will offend those not ready to hear.

Prophetic Challenge:

“Don’t let a mocking culture cancel your mission. You may be the only one building—but the flood is coming. Keep hammering.”

C. Faith Is Prophetic by Nature

Amos 3:7 – “Surely the Lord GOD does nothing unless He reveals His secret counsel to His servants the prophets.” John 16:13 – “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth... and He will disclose to you what is to come.”

True faith is not passive, it is prophetically aware. When you walk by faith, the Holy Spirit grants you divine perception and spiritual sensitivity to what others cannot yet see. You begin to move in alignment with heaven’s calendar, not earth’s circumstances.

What does that look like?

While others are distracted by trends, faith tunes into the voice of God.

Faith doesn’t wait for the newspaper or the government, it listens to the whisper of the Spirit.

Noah was spiritually ahead of his time, because God showed him what was coming, and he moved in fear; not fear of man, but holy reverence.

Pentecostal Implication: This is why praying in the Spirit, fasting, and spending time in the secret place matter. These disciplines keep your spiritual radar sharp. The Spirit-filled believer doesn’t just react; he or she responds to revelation.

1 Corinthians 2:9–10 – “What eye has not seen, ear not heard... God has revealed to us through the Spirit.”

Warning:

There is a temptation in every generation to wait for “proof” or “confirmation” from the natural before acting in faith. But if you wait for culture to validate what God has shown you, you’ll miss your moment. Obedience to prophetic instruction always precedes public understanding.

Prophetic Callout:

“Some of you have been sensing things in the Spirit—burdens to intercede, to shift your household, to sow financially, to move geographically—but you're waiting for signs. God says: I’ve already shown you in the Spirit what’s coming. Don’t delay. Obey!”

D. Faith Sees Differently

2 Corinthians 4:18 – “...we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Faith gives you kingdom eyesight. Noah’s natural eyes saw dry ground, clear skies, and mocking neighbors—but his spirit eyes saw storm clouds forming, judgment approaching, and salvation in the shape of a boat.

Faith vs. Sight:

Sight looks at what is.

Faith looks at what God has said.

Sight sees impossibility.

Faith sees destiny.

Sight says, “Why build?”

Faith says, “Because God said so.”

Genesis 6:22 – “Noah did everything just as God commanded him.” That’s not blind obedience, that’s prophetic obedience rooted in trust.

Faith Builds in the Dry Season

The ark wasn’t built in the storm, it was built in the sunshine. Noah’s hammer rang out under blue skies. And sometimes, you have to worship while the battle hasn’t even started, pray before the need appears, sow before the harvest, and declare before anything changes.

Romans 4:17 – “...God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.”

Encouragement to the Visionary:

“If you're seeing something in the Spirit that hasn't yet shown up in the natural, you're not crazy, you're called! God gave you eyes to see beyond what others are seeing, so you can build before others are ready. Keep building, interceding, preparing. You’re not late. You’re early, and that’s favor!”

Example from the Gospels:

Luke 2:25–30 – Simeon saw the salvation of Israel in a baby. While others saw just another infant, faith in Simeon’s heart allowed him to see a King, a Messiah, a Deliverer.

In the same way, faith lets you hold blueprints when others only see wood and nails.

Point 2: Faith Follows Instructions

Genesis 6:14–22

“Noah did everything just as God commanded him.” (v. 22, NIV)

A. Obedience Is Precision, Not Preference

God gave very specific instructions:

Wood type (gopher wood)

Dimensions (300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, 30 cubits high)

Internal structure (rooms, three levels)

Waterproofing (cover it with pitch inside and out)

Noah didn’t alter or question God’s plan. He didn’t ask, “Can I substitute cedar?” or “What if I change the design?” Faith submits even when it doesn’t understand.

1 Samuel 15:22 – “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”

Word for the Church:

“God isn’t looking for creativity where He’s called for clarity. Stop re-drawing the blueprint. He didn’t ask for edits, He asked for obedience.”

B. Obedience Is Spirit-Empowered

As believers in Christ, we don’t just believe in willpower, but Spirit-empowered obedience.

Philippians 2:13 “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”

When God commands, He also empowers:

The Spirit helps you forgive when you want to stay bitter.

The Spirit gives boldness to witness when your flesh wants to shrink back.

The Spirit empowers daily holiness (Wesley’s heart cry!); not just revival moments, but righteous living.

Holiness Call:

“Some of you are stuck not because God hasn’t spoken, but because you haven’t obeyed. But today, God’s giving you strength to take the next step.”

C. The Ark Floated on Obedience, Not Emotion

Noah didn’t float because he had a spiritual high. The ark floated because it was built with exact obedience.

James 2:26 – “Faith without works is dead.” Matthew 7:24–27 – The wise man built on the rock by hearing and doing the Word.

Encouragement:

“Emotion may move you, but only obedience will sustain you. Some of you are one act of obedience away from your breakthrough. Don’t wait for the feeling, move in faith.”

Point 3: Faith Fortifies Families

A. A Family Covered by One Person’s Righteousness

Genesis 7:1 – “Then the Lord said to Noah, ‘Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation.’”

Noah’s wife, sons, and daughters-in-law were not named for their righteousness, but Noah was. Yet because of his faith and obedience, they were invited into the ark and given a chance to be saved.

This shows that:

One person’s righteousness can create an atmosphere of grace for others.

God notices faithfulness, and often extends opportunity to those connected to the faithful.

Proverbs 20:7 – “The righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children after him.”

Clarifying the Theology:

In Wesleyan-Pentecostal theology:

We do not believe that righteousness is automatically transferred to children or family (i.e., no "salvation by association").

But we do believe that:

Obedience opens spiritual doors.

Intercession invites divine movement.

God honors the covenantal faithfulness of parents and leaders to draw others toward salvation.

Ezekiel 18:20 – “The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father... the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself.”

Salvation is always personal. Each family member must enter the ark themselves. Noah couldn’t shove them in, they had to step through the door.

🗣️ To Parents & Grandparents:

“Your righteousness can’t save your kids, but it can prepare the way. Your prayers make the pitch that keeps the boat from leaking. Your integrity builds the deck they’ll stand on when the storm hits. You can’t make their decision, but you can make their decision easier.”

The Power of Standing in the Gap

Ezekiel 22:30 – “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land...”

This applies spiritually in the home:

Parents are called to stand in the spiritual gap between culture and their children.

Grandparents can leave a legacy of intercession that outlives them.

Acts 16:31 – “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” (This is not a blanket promise of automatic salvation—but a promise that the gospel will invade the household through one believer.)

Encouragement to the Faithful:

“You might be the only believer in your family, but don’t stop praying! Don’t stop living holy! The same God who honored Noah will honor you. Your righteousness builds a witness. Your obedience builds the ark. God is using your life to beckon your family to salvation.”

1 Corinthians 7:14 – “...the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband...” (Again, not salvation by marriage, but an influence of sanctifying grace that flows through the believer.)

Application: How Do You Build the Ark for Your Family?

Live out the gospel daily – Let them see that your faith is real.

Pray and fast for their souls – God responds to intercession.

Speak truth with grace – Be bold and loving.

Model repentance – Let your humility speak louder than your rebukes.

Build spiritually even when they ignore you – Like Noah, keep building.

B. The Cost of Delay Is Catastrophic

The door shut. The rain came. Those outside perished—not because God wasn’t merciful, but because they mocked the message and delayed repentance.

Genesis 7:16 – “Then the Lord shut him in.”

There’s urgency in parenting, grandparenting, mentoring:

The window of time is short.

Obedience now creates safety later.

Don't wait to build the ark when the rain is already falling.

Challenge:

“If God’s told you to intercede, fast, talk to your kids, start devotions, be more intentional—do it today. This generation is drowning in confusion. Be the one who builds.”

C. Jesus, the Better Ark

Just as Noah’s ark had one door—Jesus is the only Way.

John 10:9 – “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved...” Acts 4:12 – “There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

The ark carried one family through judgment. Jesus carries all who enter through grace.

Point 4: Faith Faces Culture

2 Peter 2:5 – “…Noah, a preacher of righteousness…”

A. Preaching Righteousness in an Unrighteous Age

Noah was not silent in a sinful world. He was righteous in the middle of rebellion, a preacher in the middle of perversion, a builder in the middle of brokenness.

Genesis 6:5 – “The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

That was the world Noah preached to. Sound familiar?

“Culture said: ‘Live your truth.’ Noah said: ‘I’ll live God’s truth.’” “Culture said: ‘Affirm everything.’ Noah said: ‘Repent before it's too late.’”

He Wasn't a Whisperer—He Was a Watchman

Isaiah 5:20 – “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil…”

Noah didn’t whisper righteousness in a storm of wickedness. He preached it. He wasn’t popular—but he was prophetic. He wasn’t liked—but he was light. He didn’t build to blend in—he built to stand out.

Pentecostal Application:

We are called to both declare and demonstrate righteousness. We’re not cultural parrots—we’re Spirit-filled prophets. We must be a people of holy fire, not lukewarm silence.

Modern Application:

“It’s time to preach and live righteousness again, in our homes, our churches, our classrooms, our pulpits, our posts. Not in arrogance, not in condemnation, but in love, fire, urgency, and truth.”

“If we don’t speak, the flood will come with no warning.”

Ephesians 5:11 – “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” 2 Timothy 4:2 – “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”

To Parents & Grandparents:

“If you don’t disciple your children, TikTok will. If you don’t correct their worldview, the classroom or Netflix will. If you don’t teach the truth, someone else will teach lies with passion.”

B. Noah Preached for 120 Years Without a Convert

For over a century, Noah warned people while he worked. Hammer in one hand, holiness in his heart. Not one person outside his family followed him, but he didn’t stop.

Genesis 6:3 – “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.”

That means the whole time Noah was building, the Holy Spirit was striving, warning, convicting, but the people hardened their hearts.

Faithfulness > Fruitfulness (in human terms)

God doesn’t measure success by crowd size, but by obedience.

Ezekiel 3:18–19 – “If you do not warn... I will hold you accountable. But if you do warn... you have delivered your soul.”

To the Preachers, Teachers, Parents, Discipleship Leaders:

“You are not responsible for who listens, you are responsible for speaking truth in love. Keep preaching. Keep declaring. Keep warning. Keep living. Even if no one follows, let it be said that you stood in the gap.”

Practical/Prophetic Breakdown:

At home – Don’t be afraid to say, “That doesn’t honor God.”

At school/work – Let your witness and words reflect the Word.

Online – Speak truth with conviction and compassion.

At church – We need pulpits ablaze with righteousness again, not motivational talks, but prophetic truth.

Jeremiah 23:29 – “Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?”

Warning + Hope = Gospel Boldness

We are not doom prophets—we are hope carriers. But hope means nothing if people don’t know they’re in danger.

“The same God who shut the door of the ark will one day shut the door of opportunity. But while it’s still open—preach, warn, love, cry out, and build!”

2 Peter 3:9 – “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise... but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

Prophetic Word:

“Some of you are discouraged because your message has fallen on deaf ears. But God says, ‘Keep preaching. Keep warning. Keep loving. Your voice matters in this generation.’”

CONCLUSION

Christ Connection: Jesus, Our Ark of Grace

Noah

Jesus

Built with wood

Died on a wooden cross

One door to enter

“I am the Door” – John 10:9

Judgment came

Judgment fell on Christ

Family saved

“Whosoever believes...”

Obeyed in detail

“Obedient unto death” – Phil 2:8

Rose above destruction

Resurrected in glory

Declare:

“As the ark rose above the storm, so the cross rises above your shame. There is still room in the ark. Jesus is calling. Enter in before the door closes.”

Altar Call for the Lost (Salvation)

“If you’re outside the ark of grace, today is the day. The door is still open, but it won’t be forever. Jesus is your Ark. Run to Him now. Judgment is coming—but mercy is here. Step through the only Door.”

Altar Call for the Church (Sanctification, Obedience, Intercession)

Call out:

The builders who’ve grown weary.

The parents holding the line for their families.

The prophets called to preach righteousness.

The faithful who need strength to obey again.

Declare over them:

“Pick up your hammer again. Lay down another beam of obedience. Cry out again for your family. Stand up again for truth. God is raising up Noahs—obedient, Spirit-led, prophetic voices in this generation.”

“Enter into Christ, the Ark of grace.”