Heb. 11:7 HOW TO SHINE IN THE DARK
Intro: 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 seen through 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 tonight? 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 real big, or real 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?
Conc: If we have the characteristics that Noah had:
Saved By Grace
Sanctified By God
Servant Of God
Then we too can be used of 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?
