Walking with God: Lessons from Enoch's Faith
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to worship and give praise to our God, recognizing His greatness and the glory due to His name. We were reminded that all honor, glory, and praise belong to Him alone. Our focus was on the life of Enoch, a man who walked with God and pleased Him. Enoch's life serves as an example of how to stay right with God, emphasizing the importance of walking in the Spirit and living a life that aligns with God's will.
Enoch lived in a time of great wickedness, yet he did not succumb to the pressures of his culture. Instead, he walked with God by faith, harmonizing his life with God's word, verbalizing God's truth, mobilizing according to God's instructions, and personalizing God's word in his daily life. This walk with God was so pleasing that God took Enoch away without experiencing death, a testament to the deep fellowship they shared.
We were encouraged to harmonize our lives with God's word, ensuring that our actions and decisions align with His will. We must also be bold in verbalizing God's truth, even when it goes against societal norms. Mobilizing according to God's word means acting on His instructions with faith, knowing that He will guide us. Finally, personalizing God's word involves meditating on it and applying it to our lives, ensuring that we live out His commands diligently.
In a world filled with evil, we are called to be like Enoch, walking with God by faith and living lives that please Him. This requires a deep commitment to God's word, a willingness to stand for His truth, and a heart fully convinced of His promises. As we strive to walk with God, we are assured that He will guide us, reward our faith, and enable us to live lives that glorify Him.
### Key Takeaways
1. Harmonize with God's Word: Walking with God requires aligning our lives with His word. Just as Enoch walked with God for 300 years, we must strive to live consistently in harmony with God's will. This means ensuring that our actions, decisions, and lifestyle reflect the teachings and principles found in Scripture. [39:53]
2. Verbalize God's Truth: Enoch was not only a man who walked with God but also one who proclaimed God's truth. In a culture that often opposes biblical morality, we must be bold in speaking God's word. This involves standing firm in our faith and declaring God's truth, even when it is unpopular or counter-cultural. [51:07]
3. Mobilize According to God's Instructions: Faith that pleases God is active and obedient. Enoch's life teaches us that we must act on God's instructions with faith, trusting that He will guide us. This means moving according to the revelation of His word and being willing to step out in faith, even when it goes against the norms of the day. [57:26]
4. Personalize God's Word: Meditating on Scripture and applying it to our lives is essential for walking with God. This involves taking God's word and thinking about it repeatedly, with the intention of living it out. Personalizing God's word means making it a part of our daily lives, ensuring that we are not just hearers but doers of the word. [01:14:25]
5. Faith that Pleases God: The kind of faith that pleases God is one that is fully convinced of His promises. Enoch's testimony was that he pleased God, and this was directly linked to his faith. We must have a faith that is unwavering, fully trusting that God will do what He has promised, regardless of our circumstances. [01:05:05]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[07:29] - Praise and Worship
[08:18] - The Importance of Giving God Praise
[09:05] - All Glory Belongs to God
[09:37] - Heart of Gratitude
[11:45] - Lift Up Your Soul
[13:59] - Singing Hallelujah
[15:03] - Worship Without Wrath or Doubt
[15:53] - Worthy is the Lamb
[27:14] - Community and Fellowship
[28:51] - Mission Support and Giving
[30:16] - Introduction to Hebrews 11:5-6
[31:45] - Walking with God
[33:36] - Enoch's Example
[35:13] - The Wickedness of Man
[36:45] - Living in a Culture of Evil
[38:10] - Enoch's Faith and Determination
[39:53] - Harmonize with God's Word
[51:07] - Verbalize God's Truth
[57:26] - Mobilize According to God's Instructions
[01:14:25] - Personalize God's Word
[01:05:05] - Faith that Pleases God
[01:20:43] - Call to Action and Prayer
[01:23:17] - Ready for God's Call
[01:24:54] - Intercession and Prayer
[01:28:13] - God's Promises and Faith
[01:31:35] - Invitation to Receive Christ
[01:33:14] - New Members Welcome
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 11:5-6 (ESV): "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 5:24 (ESV): "Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him."
3. Amos 3:3 (ESV): "Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?"
### Observation Questions
1. What does Hebrews 11:5-6 say about Enoch's faith and his relationship with God?
2. According to Genesis 5:24, what was unique about Enoch's walk with God?
3. How does Amos 3:3 relate to the concept of walking with God as discussed in the sermon? [47:12]
4. What are the four actions mentioned in the sermon that are necessary to walk with God? [39:53]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is faith essential to pleasing God, as stated in Hebrews 11:6? How does this relate to Enoch's life? [31:45]
2. How can we harmonize our lives with God's word in today's culture, similar to how Enoch did? [39:53]
3. What does it mean to verbalize God's truth, and why is it important even when it goes against societal norms? [51:07]
4. How can personalizing God's word through meditation impact our daily walk with God? [01:14:25]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily life. Are there areas where your actions and decisions do not align with God's word? How can you begin to harmonize these areas with His teachings? [39:53]
2. Think of a situation where you felt hesitant to speak God's truth. What held you back, and how can you find the courage to verbalize God's word in the future? [51:07]
3. Enoch mobilized according to God's instructions. Is there a step of faith you feel God is calling you to take? What is it, and how can you act on it this week? [57:26]
4. Personalizing God's word involves meditating on it. Choose a specific scripture to meditate on this week. How will you apply it to your life?
5. Enoch's faith pleased God. Reflect on your faith journey. Are there areas where you struggle to fully trust God's promises? How can you strengthen your faith in these areas? [01:05:05]
6. In what ways can you diligently seek God in your daily routine? Identify one practical step you can take to deepen your relationship with Him.
7. The sermon emphasized the importance of living a life that pleases God. What changes can you make in your lifestyle to ensure that your walk with God is consistent and pleasing to Him? [31:45]
Devotional
Day 1: Aligning Your Life with God's Word
Walking with God requires aligning our lives with His word. Just as Enoch walked with God for 300 years, we must strive to live consistently in harmony with God's will. This means ensuring that our actions, decisions, and lifestyle reflect the teachings and principles found in Scripture. Enoch's life serves as a powerful example of this alignment. Despite living in a time of great wickedness, he did not succumb to the pressures of his culture. Instead, he harmonized his life with God's word, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to living according to God's will. This alignment was so pleasing to God that He took Enoch away without experiencing death, a testament to the deep fellowship they shared. [39:53]
Amos 3:3 (ESV): "Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?"
Reflection: What specific actions or decisions in your life need to be realigned with God's word today? How can you take a step towards harmonizing your life with His will?
Day 2: Boldly Proclaiming God's Truth
Enoch was not only a man who walked with God but also one who proclaimed God's truth. In a culture that often opposes biblical morality, we must be bold in speaking God's word. This involves standing firm in our faith and declaring God's truth, even when it is unpopular or counter-cultural. Enoch's example teaches us the importance of verbalizing God's truth, regardless of societal pressures. By doing so, we not only honor God but also provide a witness to those around us, demonstrating the power and relevance of His word in our lives. [51:07]
2 Timothy 4:2 (ESV): "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching."
Reflection: Think of a situation where you have hesitated to speak God's truth. How can you be more courageous in verbalizing His word in that context today?
Day 3: Acting on God's Instructions with Faith
Faith that pleases God is active and obedient. Enoch's life teaches us that we must act on God's instructions with faith, trusting that He will guide us. This means moving according to the revelation of His word and being willing to step out in faith, even when it goes against the norms of the day. Enoch's faith was not passive; it was demonstrated through his actions and obedience to God's instructions. By mobilizing according to God's word, we show our trust in His guidance and our commitment to living out His will in our daily lives. [57:26]
James 2:17 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: What is one specific instruction from God that you have been hesitant to act on? How can you take a step of faith and obedience today?
Day 4: Meditating and Applying God's Word
Meditating on Scripture and applying it to our lives is essential for walking with God. This involves taking God's word and thinking about it repeatedly, with the intention of living it out. Personalizing God's word means making it a part of our daily lives, ensuring that we are not just hearers but doers of the word. Enoch's life exemplifies this practice, as he personalized God's word in his daily walk, leading to a life that was pleasing to God. By meditating on and applying Scripture, we deepen our relationship with God and align our lives more closely with His will. [01:14:25]
Joshua 1:8 (ESV): "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."
Reflection: What specific verse or passage of Scripture can you meditate on today? How can you apply its teachings to your current circumstances?
Day 5: Unwavering Faith in God's Promises
The kind of faith that pleases God is one that is fully convinced of His promises. Enoch's testimony was that he pleased God, and this was directly linked to his faith. We must have a faith that is unwavering, fully trusting that God will do what He has promised, regardless of our circumstances. Enoch's life demonstrates the power of such faith, as his unwavering trust in God led to a deep and pleasing relationship with Him. By cultivating a faith that is fully convinced of God's promises, we can experience the fullness of His guidance and blessings in our lives. [01:05:05]
Hebrews 11:6 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: What is one promise of God that you need to trust more fully today? How can you demonstrate your faith in this promise through your actions and attitude?
Quotes
1. "Come on, do I have any victorious believers in this house today that knows and can make a declaration that no matter what comes my way, I'm going to give God all the praise because it's to him. I said I'm going to give God all the praise. I'm going to give God all the praise because it's to him. Hallelujah. Hallelujah." [08:18] (23 seconds)
2. "And all the glory. And all the honor. It belongs to him. I know we like to take things for ourselves. Or we like to ascribe praise upon other people. But can I just tell you something? Let's just have a realignment check. It all belongs to him. Come on, say this with me. Say all the glory. All the honor. And all the praise. It belongs to him. Come on, one more time. Give him glory today." [09:37] (31 seconds)
3. "We are living in a day and a time where all around us is only evil continually. People are calling wrong white and right wrong. People are calling light white and right wrong. People are calling darkness and darkness light. People are calling truth a lie and the lie a truth. Y'all ain't saying nothing, but I'm going to preach anyhow. People are abusing women and killing children for entertainment purposes. They have no regard for human life. They don't even think twice about hurting or harming our elderly. It is only evil always." [36:45] (33 seconds)
4. "But Enoch did not give in to the pressures of the culture. Instead, by faith, Enoch walked with God. Boy, I feel like preaching already this morning. Let me tell you something today. Just as it was in his day, we need some Enochs to stand and arise in this present day. Today, we need a generation of Enochs that will rise up and be determined no matter what the world is doing. By faith, I'm going to walk with God." [38:10] (35 seconds)
5. "If we want to please God, we must stay, right with God. And in order to stay right with God, then you must first, or then you must walk with God. And if you want to walk with God, then you must walk in the spirit. Enoch lived in the era prior, just prior to the flood, the flood of Noah. You all know about the flood. This was right before the flood." [35:13] (33 seconds)
6. "Walking with God means that we live in harmony with God's will and with his word. We live in harmony. Amos chapter three, verse three says like this, do two, I mean, this is a rhetorical question. Do two walk together unless they have agreed to meet? In other words, this is the reason why, and I shared this Wednesday night, this is the reason why we end every service here. And this was just a page out of my grandfather's playbook. Every service, my grandfather who pastored in the city of Detroit for over 50 years, I think maybe even over 60 years, pastoring faithfully right there on Finkel, two blocks west of Schaeffer. And he would always end the service, go with God, and he will go with you." [48:51] (54 seconds)
7. "So to walk with God, you must harmonize with God's word. Number two, you must also verbalize God's word. Not only must you be in harmony, but you got to speak it. Not only did Enoch harmonize with God's word and go against the grain of the culture, he also verbalized or proclaimed the word of God. All right, watch this. Enoch did not have a Bible, but Enoch did know the ways of God because it was spoken to him, he was not ashamed to proclaim God's word." [51:07] (60 seconds)
8. "We must speak what God says. I say we must speak what God says. I say we must speak what God says. Unashamedly speak what God says. Unapologetically speak what God says. Unedited speak what God says. In love, but speak what God says. So if we want to walk with him, we got to harmonize with God's word. We got to verbalize God's word. Can I give you my next point? Well, y'all didn't say yes, but I'm gonna give it to you anyway. We got to mobilize God's word." [55:00] (35 seconds)
9. "You can't mix faith and have a little bit of doubt. Uh-oh. No, no, no, no, no, no, no. The only kind of faith that pleases God is this kind of faith. That you are fully convinced that whatever God promised, He's able to do in your life. No matter how bad it looks, no matter how bad it gets, no matter how bad it seems, I'm fully convinced that God is going to do just what He promised to do." [01:08:46] (28 seconds)
10. "So when God places a dream in your heart. When God puts a desire in you. The best thing that you can do is move according to the revelation of His revealed word to you. Did you hear what I just said? This is the part I don't want you to miss. That means that if you want to move according to the revelation of His word, that means you have to read His word. How can you get a revelation of His word if you don't read the word? You can only mobilize according to His word if you know the word. If you read the word. If you get the word down in you." [01:10:05] (52 seconds)