Dear members and friends of IBC,

Yesterday we studied the life of the patriarch Noah as part of our series on the Old Testament. We saw that he stood firm for God despite his morally challenging surroundings and the opposition and ridicule he experienced. 

As I prepared this sermon, I was encouraged by the fact that Noah was one lone individual, yet God used him to save mankind. Please don’t think that God did this because Noah was someone extraordinary. If we think this way, it then becomes easy for us to relegate his obedience and faith to the "that's-not-attainable-for-me" status. The truth is that he was an ordinary man, but one who was willing to follow the Lord: “Noah walked with God” (Genesis 6:9). 

Often we feel powerless and even intimidated because of the opposition of those around us. We are promised, however, that “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8;37). I like the way the Living Bible puts it: “Overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us enough to die for us.”

As we walk with God, we are able to stand firm and stand up for His cause. In the process He gives us insight into the reality of the resources we possess for making a distinct “dent”—and much more—in our society. 

If you are willing, God will use you to do what you never dreamed possible. You don’t have to be perfect or particularly talented. If you’re willing to walk with God and have Him transform your character, you will have the strength to do what is right and live for Jesus, even if this brings ridicule. God will use you to make a difference! Isn’t that what we all desire deep-down? 

I shared a story of our oldest daughter when she was in 11th grade here in Hamburg. It was the first day and all were new in the class. The teacher had each one stand up, give his/her name, and say something about him/herself. When it was a particular young man’s turn, he stood up and said, “My name is so and so, and I am a believing Christian” (gläubiger Christ). That took a lot of courage. We don’t know how much that impacted the others. It certainly impacted our daughter! Would you have done that? What about today with your peers or colleagues? Are you willing to be the person who makes a difference? Simply walk with God!

Joining ranks with you to make a difference,

Pastor Dan