Walking with God: Enoch's Example of Faith
Summary
In our journey through Hebrews 11, we explore the profound nature of faith, which is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. Faith is about believing what God has revealed and trusting in His promises. Today, we delve into the story of Enoch, a man who exemplified what it means to walk with God. Enoch's life, as recorded in Genesis 5, stands out in a lineage marked by death. Unlike others, Enoch did not experience death because God took him, offering a glimpse of hope that the reign of death can be broken.
Walking with God, as Enoch did, involves living in a constant, conscious enjoyment of God's presence. It requires peace, purpose, progress, privilege, and pleasure. Peace comes from being at harmony with God, having confessed and been forgiven of sin. Purpose is found in aligning our direction with God's will. Progress is the steady movement forward in our spiritual journey, even if it is slow. Walking with God is a privilege, as it means the Creator of the universe is intimately involved in our lives. Lastly, it is a pleasure, as it allows us to savor the richness of God's presence.
Enoch's walk with God was also marked by an awareness of the coming judgment. He lived in a world that defied God, yet he remained faithful. This awareness of judgment should encourage us to walk with God today, knowing that we too live in a world that often stands against Him. Enoch's story reminds us that it is possible to walk with God even in challenging times.
Enoch began his walk with God after becoming a father, realizing his need for divine help. This turning point in his life led him to seek God more earnestly. Similarly, life changes can prompt us to seek God more deeply. Enoch continued his walk with God until God took him home, demonstrating a lifelong commitment to faith.
The story of Enoch is not just a historical account but a call to us today. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that without faith, it is impossible to please God. We are invited to draw near to God by believing in His existence and seeking Him earnestly. This ancient story of Enoch is a timeless invitation for us to live in the constant conscious enjoyment of God's presence through faith.
Key Takeaways:
- Walking with God involves peace, purpose, progress, privilege, and pleasure. It is about living in harmony with God, aligning our lives with His will, and savoring His presence. This walk is not about perfection but about steady progress in our spiritual journey. [10:03]
- Enoch's life teaches us that it is possible to walk with God even in a world that defies Him. His awareness of the coming judgment motivated him to remain faithful. We too can walk with God, knowing that His judgment is certain and imminent. [19:09]
- Life changes, like becoming a parent, can prompt us to seek God more earnestly. Enoch began his walk with God after becoming a father, realizing his need for divine help. Such turning points can deepen our faith and reliance on God. [23:39]
- Enoch's story offers hope that the power of death can be broken. His being taken by God without experiencing death points to the victory over death that is found in Jesus Christ. This hope encourages us to live with an eternal perspective. [33:48]
- Faith is essential to pleasing God and drawing near to Him. We must believe in His existence and seek Him earnestly. This pursuit of God leads to a life of constant conscious enjoyment of His presence, just as Enoch experienced. [35:58]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:14] - Understanding Faith
[00:41] - Living by Faith
[01:14] - Abel's Example
[02:41] - Enoch's Story
[03:13] - Generations from Adam to Noah
[04:09] - Significance of Names
[06:09] - Longevity of Patriarchs
[07:59] - The Reign of Death
[08:24] - Enoch's Unique Story
[09:16] - Walking with God
[15:20] - Enoch and Judgment
[23:39] - Enoch's Turning Point
[27:03] - Enoch's Lifelong Walk
[30:52] - The First Natural Death
[33:48] - Hope Beyond Death
[35:58] - Faith and Drawing Near to God
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Walking with God Like Enoch
#### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 11:5-6 - "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. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."
2. Genesis 5:21-24 - "When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him."
3. Jude 1:14-15 - "It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, 'Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Hebrews 11:5-6 tell us about Enoch's faith and how it pleased God? How does this relate to the concept of walking with God? [35:58]
2. In Genesis 5:21-24, what significant life event prompted Enoch to begin walking with God, and how long did he continue this walk? [23:39]
3. According to Jude 1:14-15, what prophecy did Enoch make, and what does it reveal about his awareness of God's judgment? [18:16]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Enoch's walk with God, as described in Genesis 5, illustrate the key elements of peace, purpose, progress, privilege, and pleasure mentioned in the sermon? [10:03]
2. What might Enoch's awareness of the coming judgment, as seen in Jude 1:14-15, suggest about the importance of living a life of faith in a world that often defies God? [19:09]
3. How does the story of Enoch challenge contemporary believers to seek God more earnestly during significant life changes, such as becoming a parent? [23:39]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current walk with God. Which of the five elements—peace, purpose, progress, privilege, and pleasure—do you find most challenging to experience, and why? [10:03]
2. Enoch's life was marked by a profound awareness of God's judgment. How does this awareness influence your daily decisions and interactions with others? [19:09]
3. Consider a recent life change or challenge you have faced. How did it affect your relationship with God, and what steps can you take to deepen your faith during such times? [23:39]
4. Enoch's story offers hope that the power of death can be broken. How does this hope impact your perspective on life and death, and how can it shape your conversations with others about faith? [33:48]
5. Hebrews 11:6 emphasizes the necessity of faith to please God. What practical steps can you take this week to seek God more earnestly and draw nearer to Him? [35:58]
6. Enoch walked with God for 300 years. What does a lifelong commitment to faith look like for you, and how can you cultivate this commitment in your daily life? [27:03]
7. How can you create a habit of living in the constant conscious enjoyment of God's presence, as Enoch did, amidst the busyness of modern life? [37:27]
Devotional
Day 1: Walking with God: A Journey of Peace and Purpose
Walking with God involves living in a constant, conscious enjoyment of His presence. This journey is marked by peace, purpose, progress, privilege, and pleasure. Peace comes from being in harmony with God, having confessed and been forgiven of sin. Purpose is found in aligning our direction with God's will, ensuring that our lives are not aimless but directed by divine guidance. Progress, even if slow, is a steady movement forward in our spiritual journey. Walking with God is a privilege, as it means the Creator of the universe is intimately involved in our lives. Lastly, it is a pleasure, as it allows us to savor the richness of God's presence. This walk is not about perfection but about steady progress in our spiritual journey. [10:03]
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to align your daily activities with God's will, ensuring that your walk with Him is marked by peace and purpose?
Day 2: Faithfulness in a World That Defies God
Enoch's life teaches us that it is possible to walk with God even in a world that defies Him. His awareness of the coming judgment motivated him to remain faithful. Enoch lived in a world that often stood against God, yet he remained steadfast in his faith. This awareness of judgment should encourage us to walk with God today, knowing that His judgment is certain and imminent. We too can walk with God, holding onto the hope and assurance that comes from faith, even when the world around us seems to reject Him. [19:09]
"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed." (2 Peter 3:10, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you remain faithful to God today, even when faced with challenges or opposition from the world around you?
Day 3: Turning Points: Seeking God More Earnestly
Life changes, like becoming a parent, can prompt us to seek God more earnestly. Enoch began his walk with God after becoming a father, realizing his need for divine help. Such turning points can deepen our faith and reliance on God. These moments of change are opportunities to draw closer to God, seeking His guidance and strength. They remind us of our dependence on Him and the importance of nurturing our relationship with Him. As we navigate these changes, we are invited to seek God with renewed fervor and commitment. [23:39]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a recent life change or challenge. How can you use this as an opportunity to seek God more earnestly and deepen your faith?
Day 4: Hope Beyond Death: Victory in Christ
Enoch's story offers hope that the power of death can be broken. His being taken by God without experiencing death points to the victory over death that is found in Jesus Christ. This hope encourages us to live with an eternal perspective, knowing that death is not the end for those who walk with God. The story of Enoch serves as a reminder of the promise of eternal life and the assurance that comes from faith in Christ. It invites us to live with hope, looking forward to the ultimate victory over death through Jesus. [33:48]
"For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory.'" (1 Corinthians 15:53-54, ESV)
Reflection: How does the hope of victory over death through Christ influence the way you live your life today?
Day 5: Faith: The Key to Pleasing God
Faith is essential to pleasing God and drawing near to Him. We must believe in His existence and seek Him earnestly. This pursuit of God leads to a life of constant conscious enjoyment of His presence, just as Enoch experienced. Without faith, it is impossible to please God, as faith is the foundation of our relationship with Him. It is through faith that we draw near to God, trusting in His promises and seeking His presence in our lives. This call to faith is a timeless invitation to live in the assurance and conviction of things hoped for and not seen. [35:58]
"And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." (Hebrews 11:6, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take today to strengthen your faith and draw nearer to God, ensuring that your life is marked by a conscious enjoyment of His presence?
Quotes
"Faith believes what God has revealed and trusts what God has promised. Now, what does it mean for us to live by faith? Well, God teaches us in this chapter by pointing us to real-life living examples, and each of them highlights that it's a distinct aspect of what it means to live by faith." [00:37:28]
"The most important thing about you, the most important thing about any person, the thing that will matter about us forever, it's not how many people knew your name, it's not how many people follow you on social media, it is not a list of some things that you have accomplished in your life in this world. No, it is the relationship that you have with the Lord Jesus Christ." [00:323:60]
"Walking with God involves peace. God walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, but you remember that when they sinned, they hid from Him, and you can't walk with someone when you're hiding from them. To walk with God means that you're at peace with Him. It means that any known sin in your life has been confessed, it has been forgiven, and you're at peace in the presence of God because you have nothing whatever to hide from Him." [00:623:76]
"Walking with God involves progress. Walking's not sitting, and walking's not sprinting. Walking involves just a slow steady movement forward. Now that's encouraging because to walk with God doesn't mean that you're perfect, but if you're walking, you are making progress. Paul says, 'I press on, I'm straining towards the mark.' Straining, you know, sometimes walking isn't easy." [00:715:12]
"Walking with God is the greatest privilege. Think about this: walking with God, the Creator of heaven and earth, the sovereign Lord of the universe. He's your heavenly Father, and He is so interested in the daily details of your life, however ordinary they may seem to you. He's so intimately involved with everything that concerns you that He would choose to walk with you. There is no greater privilege in all of the world than that." [00:756:39]
"Walking with God is just the greatest pleasure. If you want to get someplace fast, well, get in the car. But if you want to savor a place, if you want to enjoy it, get out of the car and go for a walk because then you will see things that you wouldn't see from the car. Then you will hear things and smell things and even be able to savor things that you would never be able to enjoy if you were simply rushing past in a vehicle." [00:794:56]
"Enoch walked with God in the light of the coming judgment. There's a big theme in the story of Enoch. He walked with God, and he did it in the light of the coming judgment. Now, the early chapters of Genesis really chart the growth of sin in the world and its devastating effects. You remember that Adam and Eve broke the single commandment that they had been given by God in the garden." [00:930:16]
"Enoch walked with God after he became a father. We're told here in verse 21 that when Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah, and Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah. Now, it seems then that the responsibility of being a father caused Enoch to feel that he needed the help of God in a way that he had not really felt that before." [00:1419:44]
"Enoch walked with God until God took him home. Genesis chapter 5 and verse 22: Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah. Was this just for a little bit? No, for 300 years, the rest of his life, he walked with God. Enoch walked with God, verse 24, and he was not, for God took him, took him home." [00:1623:76]
"God gave this marvelous sign that one day the power and the reign of death would indeed be broken. Enoch was taken as a sign of it, and of course, we read this story from these ancient days. We said, well, how could that possibly be? How could the power of death be broken? This is all pointing to the answer that we find in our Lord Jesus Christ." [00:2021:84]
"Without faith, it is impossible to please Him, that is, God, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him. Here's this ancient story of a man who walked with God. What has this got to do with the realities of our lives today? Well, Hebrews tells us after speaking about Enoch, we have these wonderful words: whoever would draw near to God." [00:2158:80]
"You can live in a constant conscious enjoyment of the presence of God. You can walk with God, and how are you going to do it? Well, you're doing it by faith, and Hebrews spells out what this actually looks like in the clearest terms. If you would draw near to God, if you would consciously enjoy His presence, there are two things that you must pursue. First, you must believe that He exists." [00:2233:68]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?