Heroes Of Faith – Part 1 – Enoch

WARM-UP

The characteristics of a hero are: bravery, integrity, selflessness.  They saved the day even if they have no reward. This is why we love to watch Marvel and DC movies. We’re attracted to heroes.  Do you know that the Bible also have heroes? But they aren’t always brave, good, or selfless.  In many ways, they are ordinary people just like you and me, missing the mark and failing in some life’s endeavor.

ONE BIG  IDEA

The way we can PLEASE God is to WALK with God.

 STUDY (Hebrews 11:5-6  ESV)

“5 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. 6 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.”

LEARN

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO WALK WITH GOD?

The New Testament used the phrase “Walk by the Spirit” or “Walk in the Spirit”. Galatians 5:16 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh (ESV)”. When you walk, you’re taking a step, one after another step. Walking is not a jump or leap.  Walking is ONGOING and PROGRESSIVE. The Bible said Enoch walked with God for 300 years. In Genesis, it is mentioned that he started his walk with God when he was 65 years old. Genesis 5:21-22 – “21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. 22 Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters (ESV).” How do you walk with God?

BELIEVE THAT HE IS (Hebrews 11:6a)

It’s hard to walk with somebody if you’re not sure he is there for you. So, if you’re walking with God, you know that He is walking with you and you’re there with Him. We know people who believe God is a force.  We have people who believe God as a concept. Some think that God is an immaterial/unimportant reality that’s why they seldom read the Bible, they seldom pray, they seldom come to church.  This is why people like RELIGION, not desiring a RELATIONSHIP. Therefore, you must believe that the God who is asking you to walk with Him desires to walk with you because He wants to have relationship with you. He doesn’t want to just have a visit from you. God is not after visitation rights. He’s after full custody.

BELIEVE THAT HE IS A REWARDER (Hebrews 11:6b)

We must believe that God is REAL and that He is a REWARDER.  He is personal and He responds. We have to believe that there’s a personal God who wants me to walk with Him and He’s not going to waste my time on the journey. We must believe that He’s going to respond to my belief in Him and my walk with Him. One of the reasons why we’re not seeing more of God, even if we believe Him, is we don’t believe that there’s a response from Him. If you believe that He is a rewarder, you’ll diligently seek Him.  When we diligently seek Him, we will make sure that we are pleasing Him in every aspect of our being, thought by thought, decision by decision. When you walk with God and surrender your life to Him fully, you have a close personal relationship with Him and He’ll take care of every aspect of your life. God should be the ENVIRONMENT of your MOVEMENT. If you’re walking with CHRIST, it means that you’re walking against the CULTURE. Walking with God means that you have to walk out of the steps of the culture.

“Who Do You Want To Know Your Name?”

The New Testament talks about Enoch in a different place. (Jude 1:14-15 ESV). Enoch is the seventh generation from Adam. Jude said Enoch is seventh generation from Adam. What’s the significance of this? There were two Enochs in Adam’s family. In (Genesis 4:17 ESV).” Jude said, “I’m not talking about him. I’m talking about Seth’s descendant.” People can share the same NAME but not the same NATURE. Enoch, son of Cain, had a city named after him. So, he was recognized by men.  But Enoch, the seventh generation from Adam, was not known by men…but he’s known by God. The question is: “Who do you want to know your name – men or God?”

If you’re going to walk with God, you don’t need to apologize when people get hurt with the truth.  You don’t need to apologize when people get hurt when you share the word of God. If you’re walking with God, you have to agree with God. You can’t disagree with God and walk with God. Enoch didn’t compromise with ungodliness so that he’d become popular, in order to have a big name.

ENOCH WALKED WITH GOD. Here’s the reality: The more you walk with God, the more you will be sensitive to unrighteousness. We’re not perfect people, but when you’re close to God, you can feel it. We hurt for people when God hurts for people. The zeal of God is your passion in life. Enoch walked with God and it’s a PUBLIC walk and not a PRIVATE walk.

One day, at the age of 65, Enoch decided to walk with God. It became his lifestyle since he walked with God for 300 years.  What is the pay-off for walking with God? What is the reward? Hebrews 11:5 “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 (ESV).

Hebrews 11:5 – “By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God (NKJV).” God commended him. God testified about him. God vindicated him and validated him. There was supernatural presence, there was a supernatural witness. God answered His prayers. God showed up when He’s needed by Enoch. God guided him. God directed him.

Hebrews 11:5 – “By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him (ESV).”  How you LIVE will determine how you LEAVE. I want you to imagine how Enoch walked with God for 300 years if he’s born in our generation.  God was with him even when he was playing golf. God was with him when he’s thinking of investing in stocks. God was with him when he’s having dinner.  God was with him when someone was trying to hurt him or insult him. This is why after walking with God for 300 years, God said, “Enoch, we’ve been walking together for 300 years, why not you walk with me to heaven now.”When you walk with God, you’re not afraid to die because you know where you’re going.

GROW:

Application Questions:

1. What other characteristics would you expect to find in the life of someone who walks with God? How does this compare with your own life?
2. How would others describe your walk with God? Is your life pleasing to the Lord? Does your “public” life reflect your “private” life? (Are you “good” when you are with others OR a “hard to live with person” when you are with your family?)
3. Are there things affecting your walk with God today? If you are struggling in your walk with God, what is the cause and what steps are you taking to get close to God again?

PRAY FOR EACH OTHER IN YOUR GROUP