Faithful Obedience: Building Arks in Uncertain Times

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, we often find ourselves in situations that challenge our understanding and comfort. Like Noah, we are called to exercise faith even when it seems inconvenient or irrational. Noah had never seen rain, yet he was instructed to build an ark, an act that seemed foolish to those around him. This story teaches us that faith often requires us to go against the grain of societal norms and expectations. It can make us feel isolated or misunderstood, but it is in these moments that our faith is truly tested and refined.

Walking with God may make us appear odd or out of place in our culture, but obedience to God is paramount, even when it defies our experiences or expectations. God is not confined to our limited understanding; He operates beyond our comprehension and often surprises us with His plans. When we step out in faith, we open ourselves to the miraculous and ensure protection and provision for ourselves and our loved ones, even amidst chaos and destruction in the world around us.

Obedience by faith is not about conforming to the world's standards but about aligning ourselves with God's will, even when it seems foolish. It is about trusting that God's plans are greater than our own and that His ways, though mysterious, are always for our good. Let us be encouraged to build our "arks" on dry land, to take bold steps of faith, and to trust in God's promises, knowing that He will never lead us astray.

Key Takeaways:

1. Faith often requires us to act against societal norms, much like Noah, who built an ark despite never having seen rain. This teaches us that true faith may isolate us from the world, but it aligns us with God's will, which is ultimately more important. [00:41]

2. Obedience to God can make us appear foolish to others, but it is through this obedience that we witness God's miraculous works. Trusting in God's plan, even when it defies logic, sets us up for divine intervention and protection. [01:13]

3. God's ways are beyond our understanding, and He often surprises us with His plans. By stepping out in faith, we allow God to work in unexpected ways, leading to blessings and miracles that we could never have imagined. [01:13]

4. Building our "arks" on dry land symbolizes taking bold steps of faith, even when the outcome is uncertain. This act of faith not only brings about personal miracles but also ensures the safety and well-being of our families amidst cultural chaos. [01:45]

5. Trusting in God's promises requires us to let go of our limited understanding and embrace His infinite wisdom. By doing so, we align ourselves with His purpose and experience the fullness of His blessings, even when the world around us is in turmoil. [01:45]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:41] - Faith Against the Grain
[01:13] - Obedience Beyond Understanding
[01:45] - Building Arks on Dry Land
[02:00] - Trusting in God's Promises

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 6:9-22 - The story of Noah building the ark.
2. Hebrews 11:7 - By faith, Noah built an ark to save his family.

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Observation Questions:

1. What specific instructions did God give Noah regarding the ark, and how did Noah respond? (Genesis 6:9-22)
2. How does the sermon describe the cultural environment Noah was living in, and how did it contrast with his actions? [00:41]
3. According to Hebrews 11:7, what was the result of Noah's faith and obedience?

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How might Noah's actions have appeared to his contemporaries, and what does this suggest about the nature of faith? [00:41]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that faith can lead to isolation or misunderstanding from others? [01:13]
3. How does the concept of building an "ark on dry land" serve as a metaphor for taking bold steps of faith in our own lives? [01:45]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to act in faith despite societal norms. How did you handle the situation, and what was the outcome? [00:41]
2. Have you ever felt isolated or misunderstood because of your faith? How did you navigate those feelings, and what did you learn from the experience? [01:13]
3. What are some "arks" you feel called to build in your life right now, even if the outcome is uncertain? How can you take the first step this week? [01:45]
4. Consider a situation where you need to trust in God's promises despite not understanding His plan. What steps can you take to strengthen your trust in Him? [01:45]
5. How can you encourage others in your community to act in faith, even when it seems foolish to the world? What role can you play in supporting them?
6. Identify an area in your life where you need to let go of your limited understanding and embrace God's infinite wisdom. What practical steps can you take to do this?
7. Think of a time when you witnessed God's miraculous work as a result of obedience. How can this experience inspire you to continue walking in faith? [01:13]

Devotional

Day 1: Faith Against Societal Norms
Faith often calls us to act in ways that defy societal expectations, much like Noah, who built an ark despite never having seen rain. This act of faith may isolate us from the world, but it aligns us with God's will, which is ultimately more important. When we choose to follow God's direction, even when it seems irrational, we demonstrate a trust that transcends human understanding. This trust is not about blind faith but about a deep conviction that God's plans are greater than our own. [00:41]

Hebrews 11:7 (ESV): "By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith."

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you feel called to act against societal norms? How can you take a step of faith in that area today?


Day 2: Obedience Beyond Understanding
Obedience to God can make us appear foolish to others, but it is through this obedience that we witness God's miraculous works. Trusting in God's plan, even when it defies logic, sets us up for divine intervention and protection. This obedience is not about conforming to the world's standards but about aligning ourselves with God's will. It requires a willingness to let go of our limited understanding and embrace God's infinite wisdom. [01:13]

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to obey God because it seems illogical? How can you begin to trust His plan over your own understanding?


Day 3: Embracing God's Surprises
God's ways are beyond our understanding, and He often surprises us with His plans. By stepping out in faith, we allow God to work in unexpected ways, leading to blessings and miracles that we could never have imagined. This requires us to be open to the unknown and to trust that God's surprises are always for our good. When we embrace these surprises, we experience the fullness of His blessings. [01:13]

Ephesians 3:20 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us."

Reflection: Can you recall a time when God surprised you with His plans? How can you remain open to His surprises in your current circumstances?


Day 4: Building Arks on Dry Land
Building our "arks" on dry land symbolizes taking bold steps of faith, even when the outcome is uncertain. This act of faith not only brings about personal miracles but also ensures the safety and well-being of our families amidst cultural chaos. It is a testament to our trust in God's promises and His ability to provide and protect, even when the world around us is in turmoil. [01:45]

Genesis 6:22 (ESV): "Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him."

Reflection: What is a bold step of faith you feel called to take, even if the outcome is uncertain? How can you begin to build your "ark" today?


Day 5: Trusting in God's Promises
Trusting in God's promises requires us to let go of our limited understanding and embrace His infinite wisdom. By doing so, we align ourselves with His purpose and experience the fullness of His blessings, even when the world around us is in turmoil. This trust is not passive but active, requiring us to continually seek God's guidance and remain steadfast in our faith. [01:45]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: What promise of God do you need to trust in today? How can you actively seek His guidance and align yourself with His purpose?

Quotes

"Like Noah, we're all called upon to exercise faith in the most inconvenient times. Noah had never seen rain, and yet, he was to act based on what God said even though it made him look very foolish. Not only that, but faith is often anti-culture. He had to go against the whole community in which he lived and the world in which he existed." [00:00:18]

"Faith will make you seem like a loner sometimes. It'll make you make others think that you're a fool, but we see at the end of Noah's story that he was not the foolish one. Those who rejected him were actually the foolish ones. So, you walk with God, even if it makes you odd in the culture." [00:00:50]

"As long as you're obeying God—even if it's something you've never experienced before, seen before, expected before, because God cannot be put in a box—He will blow your mind. Let him blow your mind. And if you have to build an ark on dry land, if you have to do something you've never seen, heard of or you've seen anyone else do before, it's okay." [00:01:09]

"Because, when you obey God by faith, you set yourself up for not only a miracle but the covering of your own family even when there's destruction in the culture taking place all around you. Obey by faith, even when it makes you seem like you're being foolish." [00:01:34]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?