Because He Is Faithful, I Can Be Faithful
Notes on > Sunday, March 15 — Pastor Bisch‘s sermon
All right—are we ready for today?
Open up your Bibles to Genesis 6. That’s where we’re going to be today.
A couple of weeks ago, we were in Minnesota at a youth conference. It was amazing. There was a pastor there, Noah Herron. He has a church in Nashville called Way Church, and he brought a message that was so powerful.
While we were sitting there, God was speaking to me, because I had been preparing a similar message as part of this series, “Because He…” And I thought, man, our church needs to hear this.
I wanted to play the video sermon, but the Lord stirred in my heart that I should come and preach it. So some of my notes today are from Noah Herron’s message, and I encourage you to go and watch it this week.
A Story About Saying “Yes”
Before we read Genesis 6, I want to share a little story.
In 2017—yes, 2017—we got married. It was August. It was hot. There were cows. It was great. It was the 26th. I remember that day because it was one of the best days ever.
Someone said something to me that day that was really important.
At weddings, you get all the wisdom from people who’ve been married, right? Everyone wants to give you advice.
But there was one piece of advice I took to heart. Uncle Jim pulled me aside and said:
“Fish, the best advice I’m going to give you is this—whenever Haley asks you anything, this is how you respond: yes dear, yes dear, yes dear. This will change your life.”
That was the greatest advice I received on August 26, 2017—and it has changed my life.
Sometimes I reply “sure,” which also means “yes dear.” Our language changes over time. I’ll get back to saying “yes dear” more often.
Noah: A Life of Saying “Yes, God”
In Genesis 6, we find the story of Noah.
Not “yes dear”—but “yes God.”
“But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark… and of every living thing… you shall bring two of every sort… also take with you every sort of food…
Noah did this. He did all that God commanded him.”
Noah said, yes God.
On my wedding day, I said “yes dear” for life. Noah is a great example of saying “yes God” for his whole life.
So today’s message is this:
Because He is faithful, I can be faithful.
What Is Faithfulness?
The story of Noah is a story of faithfulness.
When we were kids, we learned it as a cute animal story—two by two, all the animals hopping into the ark.
But as an adult, I see something deeper.
Faithfulness.
The word comes from a root meaning steadfastness, trustworthiness, reliability—even unchangeableness.
In the Bible, we see a faithful God—and faithful men and women.
And we find ourselves in a place where we get to choose whether we will be faithful to a faithful God.
God’s faithfulness to us is the foundation of our faithfulness to Him.
We get to be faithful because He is faithful.
If you’ve ever felt like God has let you down, spend time with Him—and you’ll begin to see how faithful He has been.
We serve a faithful God—no matter what you’re going through.
Faithfulness and Covenant
Faithfulness in the Bible is always connected to covenant.
God made a covenant with Noah. Noah’s faithfulness flowed from that covenant.
A covenant is not a contract.
A contract says: if you fail, the agreement is off.
A covenant says: even when you fail, I will remain faithful.
That’s what marriage is meant to reflect.
And that’s what God does with us.
The New Covenant, fulfilled through Jesus, is how we now stand in relationship with God.
God is not a distant figure. He is relational.
Faithfulness is how we live within that relationship.
Faithfulness Beyond Feelings
Life gets tough.
Following Jesus in good seasons is easy—but what happens when things get hard?
Faithfulness is not based on your feelings.
If it is, you’ll live on a roller coaster.
Noah built the ark for about 120 years.
Think about that.
Day 1—he starts building.
Day 10—still building.
Day 100—people think he’s crazy.
Day 1,000—still swinging the hammer.
Day 10,000—still faithful.
He showed up every single day.
Faithfulness is not glamorous.
But it’s powerful.
Assignment vs Opportunity
We live in a world chasing opportunities.
But when God calls you, it’s not an opportunity—it’s an assignment.
Opportunities make you look great.
Assignments make God look great.
Opportunities satisfy a moment.
Assignments give you purpose.
Noah didn’t look glamorous—but God got the glory.
When I was asked to lead River Valley Vancouver, I said no at first.
I had other opportunities.
But God woke me up one night and said:
“I’m not asking you to go anywhere. I’m telling you to stay and be faithful.”
And here we are—seeing lives changed.
Not because of me—but because I chose to be faithful.
Stay Faithful
Galatians 6:9 says:
“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up.”
Imagine if Noah had quit.
What has God called you to that you’ve stopped being faithful in?
Stay faithful.
Keep showing up.
Keep building.
The Trap: Comparison
One of the greatest threats to faithfulness is comparison.
Do not build your neighbor’s boat.
Build the one God asked you to build.
Comparison kills faithfulness.
It kills passion.
It kills authenticity.
The grass isn’t greener somewhere else.
The grass is green where you water it.
A Life That Can Be Written About You
Genesis 6:22 says:
“Noah did everything that God commanded him.”
What a line.
Can that be written about you?
Prayer
Lord, I pray that You would speak to us.
Show us where we have stopped being faithful.
Show us where we have laid down the hammer.
We say sorry for the moments we set faithfulness aside.
Today, we choose again:
Yes, God.
We choose to be faithful.
Silence every voice that says we’re not enough.
Help us to look to You—not to others.
We are Your church, and we want to be a faithful church.
Thank You, Jesus.
Today, we choose to say:
Yes, God.
Running Down Vimy 