THE INCREDIBLES:
WHEN ORDINARY PEOPLE TRUST AN EXTRAORDINARY GOD
Brad Kellum
September 14, 2008
“Enoch: The Incredible Invisible Man”
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Today we’re looking at the incredible invisible man.
“By faith, Enoch was taken away so that he did not experience death, and he was not to be found because God took him away. For prior to his transformation he was approved, having pleased God. Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him.” – Hebrews 11:5 (CSB)
“Enoch was 65 years old when he fathered Methuselah. And after the birth of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and fathered sons and daughters. So Enoch’s life lasted 365 years. Enoch walked with God, and he was not there, because God took him.” – Genesis 5:21-24 (CSB)
3 STATEMENTS AS WE LOOK AT ENOCH’S LIFE AND THE LESSONS HE TEACHES US.
If there’s one thing Enoch’s life teaches us it’s this:
HAVING FAITH IS more important THAN YOU THINK.
Faith is to our spirits what oxygen is to our bodies.
Without oxygen our bodies shut down and stop functioning.
Without faith our spirits shut down and stop functioning.
“Now without faith it is impossible to please God…” – Hebrews 11:6a
It doesn’t say that without faith it’s just incredibly difficult to please God.
It says without faith your relationship with God isn’t just sick, it’s dead.
It’s non-fuctioning. There’s no way a person can please God unless they believe certain things.
Enoch demonstrates what God does for us when we have faith.
What are the benefits of having faith in God?
There are two major benefits to having faith in God.
WITH FAITH…
• God will bring me to heaven.
“By faith, Enoch was taken away so that he did not experience death, and he was not to be found because God took him away.” – Hebrews 11:5a (CSB)
“For prior to his transformation he was approved, having pleased God.” – Hebrews 11:5 (CSB)
• God will make me a better person.
“For prior to his transformation…” – Hebrews 11:5b (CSB)
The other side of the coin is what happens when we don’t have faith in God?
Enoch also shows us what happens to us when we don’t exercise faith in God.
WITHOUT FAITH…
• My life will disappoint God.
“Now without faith it is impossible to please God.” – Hebrews 11:6a (CSB)
The word ‘impossible’ is a strong word.
You’re more likely to be struck by lightening today than you are to please God without faith.
The probability that you might be struck by lightening is around 3,000,000 to 1.
The probability that you might one day die by flesh eating worms is about 1 million to 1.
The probability of dying from a snakebite or bee sting is a little better, about 100,000 to 1.]
Still, the writer of Hebrews says, “You’re more likely to have some statistical oddity happen to you than you are to make God happy any other way than by putting your faith in Him.”
There’s just no getting around that word ‘impossible’.
• I will fail to reach my potential .
It takes belief, strong belief to reach one’s potential.
In the first place, you have to believe that reaching your potential is possible.
In the second place, you have to believe in yourself when others don’t; when you’re getting criticized. When others are telling you that you don’t have what it takes. In those times you have to have faith in yourself and the Lord that HE will help you make the improvements you’re seeking.
Not everybody is going to be happy for you when you start reaching your potential. That’s a myth.
Have you ever started making some real changes, some real improvements in your life and you excitedly share with someone the good things that are happening to you and they act less than enthused for you?
You know you say, ‘I’m so pumped about the weight I’m losing.’ And you can tell they’re not really that happy for you.
You have to have faith in God to get you through those times and keep reaching for your potential.
PLEASING GOD IS easier THAN YOU THINK.
“…for the one who draws near to God must believe that He exists…” – Hebrews 11:6b
Why is believing in God easy?
1. Because belief in God is natural.
“For that which is known about God is evident to them and made plain in their inner consciousness, because God [Himself] has shown it to them.” – Romans 1:19 (Amplified Bible)
“I was thrust into your arms at my birth. You have been my God from the moment I was born.” – Psalm 22:10 (NLT)
2. Because belief in God is reasonable.
“For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” – Romans 1:20 (NLT)
3. Because belief in God is provable.
“I am the LORD All-Powerful, and I challenge you to put me to the test. Bring the entire ten percent into the storehouse, so there will be food in my house. Then I will open the windows of heaven and flood you with blessing after blessing.” – Malachi 3:10 (CEV)
4. Because God is not fickle.
“God is not a man who lies, or a son of man who changes his mind…” – Numbers 23:19a (CSB)
5. Because we have the Bible.
“He (God) has told you men what is good and what it is the LORD requires of you: Only to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8 (CSB)
BEING GOD’S FRIEND IS more fun THAN YOU THINK.
“…(God) rewards those who seek Him.” – Hebrews 11:6c
“Enoch walked steadily with God. And then one day he was simply gone: God took him.” – Genesis 5:24 (The Message)
“God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.” – Ephesians 3:20 (The Message)
