Faith means obeying God's word

I wonder who you listen to?

There might be all kinds of people we listen to. Different voices in our lives.

Our parents.

Our friends.

Teachers or bosses

our own voice - conscience, what we should and shouln’t do.

Which voice should we listen to the most?

In series run by faith, we are thinking about what it means to trust God. We’ve seen that means trusting Jesus and knowing Jesus.

Today we see trusting God means obeying his word.

This means to listen to his voice above all others.

To help us think about this let’s think about Noah.

PERSON SILOHETTE

Noah lived in a terrible time. Since Adam and Eve had listened to Satan instead of God, and disobeyed him, things had gone from bad to worse. All people of world around their back on God.

Genesis 6:5–8 NIV

The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

The bible says that this by nature mankinds way. We live in God’s world, but not God’s way. God decided to start again. Noah was a righteous man. Not perfect, but he trusted God. God in his goodness spoke to Noah.

(TOP SPEECH BUBBLE)

God told Noah to built a boat. A big boat. A huge boat. 150m long. This boat today would be the size of 3 olympic swimming pools!

But here is whats surprising. Even more than the big boat Noah was to built. He didnt live anywhere near the sea! He lived in desert with only rivers around.

Imagine being Noah, hearing this from God.

There would have been lots of voices too.

SPEECH BUBBLE 2:

voices around. People laughing - how ridiculous. Noah has lost the plot. But Noah knew whose voice to mattered the most.

SPEECH BUBBLE 3:

Voices of friends: Noah - we think you need help. look around, there is no water. But Noah knew whose voice mattered most.

THOUGHT BUBBLE:

Voices in side: What if they are right. am I crazy? This is so hard.

(POINT UP) But Noah knew whose voice mattered most.

Genesis 6:22 NIV

Noah did everything just as God commanded him.

Noah trusted God. And so Noah obeyed God. Even when it seemed crazy. Even when people thought he was mad.

And Noah was right to trust God - because jusr as promised God send a flood, and through the boat, God saved Noah and his family, and two of every kind of animal. God’s word always rules.

I wonder whose voice do you listen to the most? Whose word do you trust above all others?

Years after Noah, people were still failing to listen to God or live his way. But God in his kindness would make away for people to be forgiven for us to be rescued from our sin.

He sent his Son Jesus. Jesus came on a mission to rescue. A mission that he knew would lead to him dying in the place of people like me and you.

CROSS SHADOW

People who failed to listen to God and love him as they should. As Jesus knew his Father’s voice. And he listened to his Father always.

As Jesus fulfilled his mission to save, there were all kinds of voices.

SPEEHC BUBBLE 1

the voice of Satan trying to tempt him to use his power for his own glory

SPEECH BUBBLE 2

the voice of his friend Peter tempting him not to go through with his mission

THOUGHT BUBBLE

the voice inside struggling with what he had to do, knowing the pain he would suffer.

SPEECH BUBBLE

the voice of the crowds saying “Save yourself if you are the King”.

But Jesus knew whose voice mattered most. He knew his Father and shared his Fathers love for lost people.

So Jesus completed his mission. As he died on the cross he was punished in ourplace for our sin. And as he rose again he beat death, and defeated Satan, offering new life to anyone who trusts him. To anyone who will listen to his voice.

PERSON SILHOETTE

I wonder what voices do you listen to? Which voices matter most?

SPEECH BUBBLE

Maybe its friends who pressure you to do something you know is wrong.

SPEECH BUBBLE

Maybe its the voice of the world - telling you whats most important instead of God.

SPEECH BUBBLE

Maybe its that voice inside telling you that you know best, that you know what you need.

speech bubble white

Will you listen to the voice that matters most. Jesus is speaking. Through his word the bible, by his Spirit in your heart. He calls you to follow him, and promises you life forever and life to the full. Will you listen to his voice above all others? Even when its hard, even when people think you are strange. Will you trust him whatever the cost? Because he always keeps his promises. He loves you and knows whats best for you. He even laid down his life for you, so you can be friends with God forever. Will you listen to his voice above all others?