HEROES OF FAITH #1: ENOCH: WALKING WITH GOD
INTRO TO TOPIC:
This morning we’re going to look at one of the most important topics in the Bible: Faith!
FOUR TIMES in the Bible it says, “The just shall live by faith!”
(Hab. 2:4; Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:38).
Mark 11:22: Jesus told His disciples to “Have faith in God.”
He talked about people having little faith or great faith.
2 Cor. 5:7: For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Eph. 2:8: For by grace you have been saved through faith…
1 Tim. 6:12: Fight the good fight of faith.
But – what is faith? And how do we live by faith and walk by faith?
To answer that question, we’re going to go to the hall of faith chapter – in Hebrews 11!
THE BIG IDEA: As Christians, God wants us to walk by faith. This is the key to pleasing God, and experiencing His goodness in our lives.
I. WHAT IS FAITH?
“1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
• The word “substance” (hupostasis) in the Greek, means ‘to stand under or to support.’ Faith is the foundation that gives the believer the confidence to stand.
• The word “evidence” means “conviction.” This inward conviction enables the believer to believe things not yet seen, that God will perform what He has promised.
• The more we know God, the more we will trust Him.
ILLUSTRATION:
There was a little boy who was caught in a fire at home. He could not get out of the burning house. He climbed up out onto the roof of the burning home, and began to cry for his father’s help. The father looked up at his son from the ground, and told him to jump. “I can’t see you though daddy, how will you catch me?” said the son. The father said, “I can see you.” Without further hesitation the boy jumped into his father’s arms. That’s faith!
2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
• In the Apostle’s Creed, we declare that we believe: “In God the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth, and in Jesus Christ His only begotten Son our Lord…”
4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.” (Heb. 11:1-4).
• When we have faith and believe in God, we will worship Him, as Abel did.
THREE ASPECTS OF FAITH:
1. KNOWLEDGE: You can’t believe what you don’t know.
• “For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Rom. 10:13-14).
2. AGREEMENT: To agree with what we hear or read. Just because you know something doesn’t mean you have faith in it! Assent means I believe the Bible is true!
3. TRUST: To rely on or receive it into your life. See illustration…
ILLUSTRATION:
Charles Blondin's greatest fame came in June of 1859 when he attempted to become the first person to cross a tightrope stretched over a quarter of a mile across Niagara Falls.
He walked across 160 feet above falls several times - once on stilts, on a bicycle, and in the dark! On one though, he asked for a volunteer. A buzz of excitement ran along both sides of the river bank. The crowd “Ooohed!” and “Aaahed!” as Charles carefully walked across one dangerous step after another -- blindfolded and pushing a wheelbarrow.
Upon reaching the other side, the crowd's applause was louder than the roar of the falls! Charles suddenly stopped and addressed his audience: "Do you believe I can carry a person across in this wheelbarrow?" The crowd enthusiastically shouted, "Yes! You are the greatest tightrope walker in the world. You can do anything!"
"Okay," said Charles, "Get in the wheelbarrow....." No one did!
• Real faith – trust – gets in the wheelbarrow.
II. HOW DO WE WALK BY FAITH?
“21 Enoch lived sixty-five years, and begot Methuselah. 22 After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters. 23 So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. 24 And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.” (Genesis 5:21-24).
• Enoch is an excellent example of someone who walked closely with God.
“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. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Heb. 11:5-6).
ENOCH’S EXAMPLE:
1. HE WALKED WITH GOD. (Gen. 5:22).
Walking with God speaks of a personal friendship – Christianity = a relationship, not a religion!
Worship, prayer, Bible study – these are all foundations for walking with God.
Do you walk with God every day? Do you think about Him when you get up in the morning?
Side note: it’s never too late to start walking with God – Enoch was 65 years old when he began!
2. HE PLEASED GOD. (Heb. 11:5).
How do we please God? When we walk by faith and not by sight. True faith believes:
Not only that God exists, but also that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
3. HE WAS TAKEN HOME – to live forever with God. (Gen. 5:24; Heb. 11:5).
The ultimate destination of those who walk by faith is Heaven – living forever in paradise!
We most likely won’t be translated like Enoch, unless we’re alive when Jesus returns! (preach!)
III. HOW DO WE GET FAITH?
Do you believe that God is good and faithful? Do you trust Him? If not, you can grow your faith!
1. READ THE WORD.
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17).
2. STEP OUT IN OBEDIENCE:
“Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:17-18).
• All of the heroes of faith in Hebrews chapter eleven DID something!
• By faith Noah built an ark – what are you building? Are you building the kingdom?
• By faith Abraham followed where God called – where is God calling you to serve Him?
• By faith Sarah believed the promise – what promises are you standing on in His Word?
3. GET OUT OF THE BOAT:
“Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.” (Matt. 14:25-29).
• Peter got out of the boat and walked with Jesus – walked by faith – and pleased God!
• The more you step out in faith, the more your faith will grow!
• God isn’t concerned about our comfort as much as our growth in the walk of faith.
CLOSING STORY:
Five years ago when we got the call to come and pastor Beausejour: I was comfortable in the boat of youth ministry, but God was calling us to take a risk of faith and move our family half way across the country. We stepped out in faith and obedience, and God blessed it!
CHALLENGE: Let’s make a commitment to step out in faith and take great risks for God!
Beausejour Community Church Website: www.beausejourchurch.ca
Pastor Chris Jordan’s Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/
