Faith That Pleases God Series

FAITH: The Greatest Power in The World p.3

Faith that Pleases God

Hebrews 11:5-6, Genesis 5:21-24 & Jude 14, 15

INTRODUCTION

A Television commercial sometime ago reminded us that "walking makes the good life better.

"According to medical authorities, walking is one of the most profitable forms of physical exercise.

At my most recent medical appointment, my doctor gave me good news and not so good news. HE said that by blood sugar count was at the normal stage for a diabetic. That means at this point I am what could be called successfully progressing.

However, he added that this is not enough. Now the next stage of my program needs to take place. I was told to now aggressivily pursue Diet and exercise.

What was the number one form of exercise he recommended? You guessed it, WALKING.

Walking stimulates the heart and lungs, strengthens the bones and muscles, increases the blood flow throughout the body, and reportedly contributes to the loss of excess weight.

Did you know that the average pair of feet take 7000 to 8000 steps a day; about two and one-half million steps a year. It makes you tired just thinking about it, doesn’t it? That means that in a lifetime, you will walk approximately 115,000 miles.

From God’s word we understand that the Christian life Is a dynamic walk of faith-a journey which requires dedication, courage, and persistence.

The successful completion of this walk Is dependent not upon one’s natural or physical resources but upon the strength, leadership, and controlling influence of the Holy Spirit.

Enoch is one of the most striking personalities of the Old Testament. He Is one of but two men of whom it is said "he walked with God." He Is one of but two men who lived on this earth and went to heaven without passing through the portals of death.

He is the only one, except our blessed Lord, of whom it is written that "he pleased God." The reason for the remarkable qualities and successes of this man Is recorded In Genesis 5:24: "He walked with God."

Who was Enoch anyway? Enoch is a fascinating biblical character. All we know about enouch is found in three passages of scripture, that total about 9 verses.

There are three primary passages which give us insight into Encochs life.

First of all we learn that Enoch walked with God FAITHFULLY. The first time we read

About Enoch is in Genesis 5:21-24, where we learn after he became the father of Methuselah,

Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether,

Enoch lived a total of 365 years. Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more

because God took him away.

Enoch lived in one of the darkest period of the history of the world. Enoch lived just

before God had to destroy the earth because of man’s evil, yet Enoch managed to keep

himself pure.

The Hebrew form of the verb means he walked closely and continually with God. The

walk that Enoch experienced was on of deepening intimacy with God. He lived every

day in the presence of the Lord and in constant communion with Him. His faith and his

obedience, as well as his worship, were outstanding.

The Bible says that at 65, when his son Methuselah was born, he began his journey of

faith. His walk never waivered. For three hundred years he faithfully walked with God.

So many Christians are discoraged because they cannot see any rapid growth. Listen,

Enochs walk is a reminder to us that our faith walk is not a 100 yard dash, it is a life

long marathon. Furthermore, what the Lord looks for most is not the instant results,,

but faithfulness to His word and will.

What was Enoch doing for these 300 years? He served God MISSIONALLY. In another

Small passage from Jude reveals how 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 tha

they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly

sinners have spoken against him."( Jude 15-16)

If you are like me I have the picture of a wild eyed, TV preacher waving a bible in one

hand and a finger pointing with the other. But what this tells us that Enoch not only

lived out his faith, he talked about it as well. He lived Peters instruction to be ready to

give an answer for when people ask questions concerning your hope.

Enoch lived his life with mission. It was his reason for getting up in the morning. He

did not live his faith for himself, he wanted others to experience the same grace and