Walking with God: Enoch's Example of Faith
Summary
In exploring the profound truths of faith and divine companionship, we delve into the lives of biblical figures like Enoch, who exemplified what it means to walk with God. The essence of our journey as believers is encapsulated in the assurance of being children of God, a status that empowers us to live triumphantly amidst a world fraught with sin and darkness. This assurance is not merely a theological concept but a lived reality, as demonstrated by Enoch, who walked with God and was ultimately translated without experiencing death. His life serves as a beacon, illustrating the transformative power of faith and the intimate relationship one can have with the Divine.
The narrative of Enoch, as presented in Genesis and expounded in Hebrews, reveals a man who lived in a time of great wickedness yet stood out as a luminary of righteousness. His secret was his unwavering faith, a faith that was not speculative but rooted in the revelation of God. Enoch's life was characterized by a diligent seeking of God, a relentless pursuit of divine presence and companionship. This pursuit was not a mere religious duty but a profound desire to be in constant fellowship with God, to walk in His light, and to be well-pleasing in His sight.
Faith, as demonstrated by Enoch, is not a passive belief but an active engagement with God. It involves a deep trust in God's promises and a commitment to live according to His commandments. Enoch's life challenges us to examine our own walk with God, to seek His presence diligently, and to live in a manner that reflects our status as His children. In doing so, we not only find personal assurance and joy but also become witnesses to the world of the transformative power of a life lived in communion with God.
Key Takeaways:
- Assurance of being God's children is foundational for living a victorious Christian life. Without this assurance, we cannot fully enjoy or function in our faith, as it empowers us to represent God in a world that desperately needs His light. [01:40]
- Enoch's life exemplifies the power of faith in a corrupt world. His unwavering belief in God's promises and his diligent seeking of God's presence set him apart as a beacon of righteousness, demonstrating that it is possible to live a godly life amidst pervasive sin. [09:46]
- Walking with God involves a conscious awareness of His presence and a commitment to live according to His commandments. It is not merely about avoiding sin but actively seeking to please God in all aspects of life, reflecting His light to the world. [41:34]
- Faith is not speculative but rooted in the revelation of God. It requires a submission to God's revealed truth and a rejection of mere human speculation about the divine. This faith is the foundation of our relationship with God and our understanding of His purposes. [25:55]
- The diligent seeking of God is a hallmark of true faith. It involves a continuous pursuit of God's presence, a desire for intimate fellowship with Him, and a life that reflects His character. This pursuit is not a duty but a delight, leading to a deeper experience of God's love and assurance. [38:49]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:40] - Assurance of Being God's Children
[02:38] - Our Responsibility in an Evil World
[03:42] - Shining as Lights
[06:02] - The Example of Abel
[07:15] - Enoch's Historical Context
[09:46] - Enoch's Faithful Walk
[10:38] - The Significance of Translation
[11:51] - Pleasing God
[13:21] - Assurance and Salvation
[15:23] - Walking with God
[20:00] - The Meaning of Coming to God
[22:48] - Believing God Is
[25:55] - Faith vs. Speculation
[28:52] - God's Revelation to Moses
[32:00] - Faith and God's Reward
[38:49] - Diligently Seeking God
[41:34] - Walking in the Light
[45:43] - Avoiding Worldliness
[47:35] - The Secret of Enoch's Walk
[49:21] - Enoch's Eternal Fellowship with God
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 5:21-24 - "And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him."
2. Hebrews 11:5-6 - "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
3. John 1:12-13 - "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Genesis 5:21-24 tell us about Enoch's relationship with God?
2. According to Hebrews 11:5-6, what was the testimony Enoch had before his translation? [11:51]
3. How does John 1:12-13 describe the process of becoming children of God?
4. What does the sermon suggest is the significance of Enoch's translation without experiencing death? [10:38]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Enoch's life challenge the notion of faith as merely a passive belief? [15:23]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Enoch's faith was rooted in the revelation of God rather than human speculation? [25:55]
3. How does the assurance of being God's children empower believers to live victoriously in a world filled with sin and darkness? [01:40]
4. What does it mean to "diligently seek" God, and how is this reflected in Enoch's life? [38:49]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own walk with God. Are there areas where you feel you are not fully living as a child of God? What steps can you take to strengthen your faith and assurance? [13:21]
2. Enoch's life was a beacon of righteousness in a corrupt world. How can you be a light in your community or workplace? What specific actions can you take this week to reflect God's light? [09:46]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of a conscious awareness of God's presence. How can you cultivate this awareness in your daily life? Are there specific practices or habits you can adopt? [41:34]
4. Consider the idea of faith being rooted in God's revelation. How can you deepen your understanding of God's promises and truth? What resources or practices might help you in this pursuit? [25:55]
5. Enoch diligently sought God and enjoyed His companionship. What are some ways you can prioritize your relationship with God amidst the busyness of life? How can you make time for intimate fellowship with Him? [38:49]
6. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. What steps did you take to seek His presence again? How can you apply those lessons to your current spiritual journey? [40:33]
7. How can the assurance of being God's child influence your interactions with others, especially those who may not share your faith? What specific actions can you take to demonstrate God's love and grace? [01:40]
Devotional
Day 1: Assurance of Divine Identity
The assurance of being God's children is foundational for living a victorious Christian life. This assurance empowers believers to represent God in a world that desperately needs His light. It is not just a theological concept but a lived reality that transforms how we engage with the world. As children of God, we are called to live triumphantly, reflecting His love and truth in our daily lives. This assurance gives us the confidence to face challenges and stand firm in our faith, knowing that we are deeply loved and valued by our Creator. [01:40]
"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:12-13, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you remind yourself of your identity as a child of God today, especially when facing challenges or doubts?
Day 2: Faithful Living in a Corrupt World
Enoch's life exemplifies the power of faith in a corrupt world. Despite living in a time of great wickedness, Enoch stood out as a beacon of righteousness. His unwavering belief in God's promises and his diligent seeking of God's presence set him apart. Enoch's life challenges us to examine our own walk with God, to seek His presence diligently, and to live in a manner that reflects our status as His children. In doing so, we not only find personal assurance and joy but also become witnesses to the world of the transformative power of a life lived in communion with God. [09:46]
"By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God." (Hebrews 11:5, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively seek God's presence in your daily routine, even when surrounded by negativity or sinfulness?
Day 3: Conscious Walking with God
Walking with God involves a conscious awareness of His presence and a commitment to live according to His commandments. It is not merely about avoiding sin but actively seeking to please God in all aspects of life. This conscious walk with God requires intentionality and a desire to reflect His light to the world. It is about living in a way that honors God and demonstrates His love and truth to those around us. By walking in the light, we become vessels of His grace and truth, shining brightly in a world that often feels dark and hopeless. [41:34]
"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true)." (Ephesians 5:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to ensure you are walking in the light and reflecting God's love to those around you?
Day 4: Faith Rooted in Revelation
Faith is not speculative but rooted in the revelation of God. It requires a submission to God's revealed truth and a rejection of mere human speculation about the divine. This faith is the foundation of our relationship with God and our understanding of His purposes. By grounding our faith in God's revelation, we can navigate life's uncertainties with confidence and hope. This kind of faith is active and transformative, shaping our thoughts, actions, and interactions with others. It calls us to trust in God's promises and live in alignment with His will. [25:55]
"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." (Romans 10:17, ESV)
Reflection: How can you deepen your understanding of God's revealed truth today, and how might this impact your faith journey?
Day 5: Diligent Pursuit of God's Presence
The diligent seeking of God is a hallmark of true faith. It involves a continuous pursuit of God's presence, a desire for intimate fellowship with Him, and a life that reflects His character. This pursuit is not a duty but a delight, leading to a deeper experience of God's love and assurance. By seeking God diligently, we open ourselves to His transformative power and guidance, allowing Him to shape our lives according to His purposes. This pursuit requires intentionality and a heart that longs to know God more deeply each day. [38:49]
"Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!" (1 Chronicles 16:11, ESV)
Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to seek God's presence more diligently and experience His transformative power in your life?
Quotes
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name, which were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of men, but of God. And I want to take with that this morning the fifth and sixth verses in the eleventh chapter of the epistle to the Hebrews." [00:00:19]
"We live in an evil world and your business and mine is to show the world a better way, the way of God. And our responsibility is therefore a very great one. We mustn't just look at ourselves and consider our own states and conditions. We must be settled about that so that we can represent God and the Lord Jesus Christ to the world that is round and about us." [00:02:53]
"I say, therefore, the first step is to be absolutely certain that we are the children of God. Now then, we've gone into the doctrine, we've looked at the doctrine of this, we've looked at it, if you like, from the theoretical standpoint, and what we are now doing is we are looking at some examples of men and women like ourselves in this same world, having the same conditions to battle with, and often times even worse, but who nevertheless lived triumphantly and gloriously, and bore their witness and their testimony to the truth of the things of God." [00:04:29]
"Now, our authorized translation here is right. It's good. The New English Bible so-called puts it that God is a rewarder, if I remember rightly, of those who search for him. It's much more than searching for him. Diligently seek him. There's something special about this. There is the whole notion of taking trouble to find him out and to be constantly doing so." [00:38:30]
"Enoch knew that he was walking with God. God gave Enoch the privilege of his companionship. Enoch knew that he was walking in the presence of God. He knew God. God was his companion. And God made it quite clear to him. That he loved him. That he was well pleased with him. And that he was a man after his own heart." [00:15:18]
"Without faith it is impossible to please him. To please God. Enoch did please God. He was given the testimony that he had. But without faith it is impossible to please him. For he that cometh to God must believe that he is. And that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Now then what were the secrets of Enoch? Well the first thing is obviously his faith. His faith. This is always vital." [00:19:23]
"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. How do we know about the things God has revealed? And you accept the revelation. Very well then, so let's go on with a positive interpretation. He must believe, faith means first then that a man believes that God is. He must believe that God is." [00:25:29]
"Enoch believed that God is going to judge the world in righteousness and punish sinners by banishment out of his sight eternally. Everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord. But he also believed the message of salvation. And he gave himself to it. He believed that God is this covenant God, this God of the promise, this God of the purpose, this God of the way of salvation. He believed the two sides, judgment and redemption. And he submitted himself to it. That's what he believed. That's what faith means." [00:37:00]
"He sought God because he enjoyed God. Because he wanted fellowship with God. He didn't dismiss God in five minutes in the morning, reading a little portion of scripture and a comment on it and a little prayer and say, I've done my daily portion. I'm right with God and then go on and think no more about God. No, no. He sought him. He wanted to realize his presence. He was diligently looking for him always, everywhere, at all times. This was the big central thing in his life. He diligently sought him." [00:40:05]
"Enoch walked with God. You see, the full life of faith is described here. You get the whole basis in faith. You get this devotional aspect, this experimental aspect in experience, experiential aspect, I should call it. And then thirdly, you get this practical outworking. Enoch walked with God. Over and above his enjoying the companionship and having the intimation, it tells us a great deal. It tells us a great deal about the life of Enoch. It tells us a great deal about the type of life he was living." [00:41:26]
"God is light and in him is no darkness at all. So if you're walking with God, you're not walking in the darkness, you're walking in the light. If you say that you are in fellowship with him and walking in darkness, you're a liar. You're deceiving yourself. You're not deceiving God, you're deceiving yourself. And if you're a true man of God, you don't want to do that." [00:44:55]
"You and I should have such an intimate knowledge of God that it really more or less comes to that. And what is death? Well, then death, you see, just becomes this. That God says to us, all right, I'm not going to leave you in this old world any longer. Come along. Come to me permanently. Come into the everlasting habitation that my beloved Son has prepared for you. Come home. Come with me." [00:50:21]
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