Sunday, 2/22/2026

Faith Fears God

Hebrews 11:7 (CSB) By faith Noah, after he was warned about what was not

yet seen and motivated by Godly fear, built an ark to deliver his family. By

faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that

comes by faith.

Faith fears God. From previous weeks:

• Abel → Faith Listens to God

• Enoch → Faith Walks with God

• Noah → Faith Fears God

1. By faith Noah... in godly fear constructed an ark Faith can lead to

fear: There is a fear that faith relieves, and a fear that faith brings. The

fear faith brings is a reverent, godly fear (examples: Psalm 2:11; Psalm

25:14; Acts 9:31; Isaiah 66:2 – trembles at God’s Word.

2. Godly fear is a gift from God Jeremiah 32:40 – “I will put fear of me in

their hearts so they will never again turn away from me.” This is part of the

new covenant promise.

3. Godly fear is the fruit of forgiveness Psalm 130:3-4 – “With you there

is forgiveness, that you may be feared.” Forgiveness brings awe → “How

could I sin against love like this?” The wicked have no fear: Romans 3:18 –

“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

4. Godly fear will keep you from sinning Exodus 20:20 – “The fear of

him may be before you, that you may not sin.” Joseph’s example: Genesis

39:9 – “How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” Without

it: Psalm 36:1 – “There is no fear of God before his eyes” → opens the door

to deep sin. Proverbs 16:6 – “By the fear of the LORD one turns away from

evil.”

5. Godly fear motivates pursuit of holiness 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 – “We

make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment

seat of Christ.”

6. Godly fear helps you persevere in faithful service 2 Corinthians 5:11

– “Knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others.”

7. Godly fear keeps you from abandoning the faith Hebrews 10:31 – “It

is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

8. Godly fear delivers you from other fears Psalm 112:1,8 – “Blessed is

the man who fears the LORD… His heart is steady; he will not be afraid.”

Lose the fear of God → overwhelmed by fears of health, money, future,

people’s opinions. Fear God → nothing else to fear.

What should we do? Three responses from Noah’s example:

1. Believe all that God has revealed Faith trusts God’s promises and

believes God’s warnings. Romans 11:22 – Note the kindness and the

severity of God. Faith does not pick and choose; it accepts all of

God’s Word.

2. Rest in all that Christ has accomplished Noah built an ark → a

picture (type) of Christ.

• Noah: Righteous man who walked with God → Jesus: The

beloved Son, perfectly righteous.

• Noah built the ark singlehanded → Jesus alone made the way of

escape (atonement).

• Noah saved his household (those related to him) → Jesus saves

all who are united to Him by faith. We enter salvation not by

building our own ark, but by being saved in Christ’s finished

work.

3. Receive all that God has promised Hebrews 11:7 – Noah became

an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. Jesus is the heir of

all things (Hebrews 1:2). By faith we are joined to Him → we become

heirs, righteous, and safe forever.

Closing Challenge: As you listen to God (like Abel), walk with God (like

Enoch), and fear God (like Noah), the fear of the Lord will grow in your soul.

It will keep you from sin, motivate holiness, sustain service, preserve your

faith, and steady your heart.

Final verse to remember: By faith Noah, being warned by God… in

reverent fear constructed an ark. (Hebrews 11:7) May we, by faith, live in

godly fear today.