Hines outlines lessons from Noah in chapel message

In a Sept. 2 chapel message at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Cory Hines, president of Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, encouraged Christians to be people who listen to the Lord, act on His Word, and trust God’s timing drawing on the example of Noah.

In his introduction of Hines, Southwestern Seminary President Adam W. Greenway acknowledged the “special bond” they share as two institutional presidents who assumed their roles in the spring of 2019.

“He has done an outstanding job in this time of helping Howard Payne University continue to grow and flourish even in the midst of adversity that neither of us could have predicted in terms of COVID-19,” Greenway said.

“I want you to know, Dr. Hines, how thrilled we are for what the Lord is doing through your leadership at Howard Payne University,” Greenway added. “Over the years your institution has blessed ours and I pray that we have blessed yours. I pray that for as long as we have a chance to serve together in these roles that the ties that bind between Howard Payne and Southwestern Seminary will continue to grow ever stronger. We welcome you home to the dome, my fellow Southwesterner.”

Preaching on the story of Noah and his obedient response to God’s instructions to build an ark as outlined in Genesis 6:5-22, Hines, who earned a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Southwestern Seminary in 2000, reflected on Noah’s character and the lessons they offer Christians today.

Referring to the detailed instructions given to Noah in preparation for the flood in verses 14-21, Hines noted Noah’s willingness to simply listen to the Lord, rather than offer his own thoughts or ideas.

“I think we can learn from Noah that he was a man who listened to the Lord,” Hines said.

Christians today, Hines continued, can still hear from God, but often face the problem of constant noise and distraction.

“There is this problem in our world, and in my own existence, that sometimes there is so much noise around me that I don’t stop and get quiet so God can speak to me,” Hines said. “We have got to take advantage of opportunities to be men and women who quietly reserve time for God to speak to us.”

Hines reflected on a season in his own life when he spent his long morning and evening commute listening to worship music in his car. Even with the noise of the music, he explained, became a time during which he could pause and hear from the Lord.

The second lesson learned from Noah, Hines said, is that “he was a man who acted on what God told him.”

Hines noted the importance of men and women who have come to Southwestern Seminary to learn how to study God’s Word and prepare for ministry. However, he added, that knowledge and academic discipline must not be the end of one’s experience.

“We need to hold high the importance of study in academic rigor when it comes to the understanding of God’s Word,” Hines said. “But if we only listen to God’s Word and do not act and do not respond to God’s Word, then, friends, we are nothing but a clanging symbol.”

In whatever God has called each man and woman to, Hines recognized there will always be challenges and a desire to have all the answers.

Hines also acknowledged the unique time he and Greenway both came into new leadership roles, not anticipating the challenges they face as they lead institutions during a pandemic. However, Hines said, God can still be trusted.

“All you can do is trust that God has spoken to you and act on what He tells you to do,” Hines said. “We have the power of the Holy Spirit available to us to accomplish all and everything he has told us to do.”

Finally, Hines outlined that “Noah was a man who trusted God’s timing.”

Whether at the start of one’s ministry, or further along in ministry experience, Hines called on Southwestern Seminary students to set aside their uncertainties and trust in the Lord’s timing for their lives.

“God’s timing can always be trusted,” Hines said, adding that he believes it is an exercise in trust to obey the Lord, listen to the Lord, and believe in the Lord’s perfect timing.

“As His people,” Hines concluded, “we need to stop being so consumed with ourselves and our journey that we don’t take advantage of the opportunities to hear from Him, to act on it, and to trust His timing.”

The entire sermon can viewed here.

Chapel is held every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 10 a.m. (CT) in MacGorman Chapel on the campus of Southwestern Seminary. Chapel may be viewed live at swbts.edu/live.