Testimony Time

Testimony Time

Genesis 5: 18-24

Intro: Play song “Just a Closer Walk With Thee”

. Just a closer walk with God. If you are a Christian this morning, that should be your goal, your plea as the song states.

. You know more that anything else, that is our testimony.

. How is our walk with God.

. How do people see us walking with God or do they see us walking with God at all.

.There was a well-known professional golfer playing in a tournament with President Gerald Ford, fellow pro Jack Nicklaus, and Billy Graham. After the round was over, one of the other pros on the tour asked, "Hey, what was it like playing with the President and Billy Graham?" The pro said with disgust, "I don't need Billy Graham stuffing religion down my throat!" With that he headed for the practice tee. His friend followed, and after the golfer had pounded out his fury on a bucket of golf balls, he asked, "Was Billy that rough on you out there?" The pro sighed and said with embarrassment, "No, he didn't even mention religion."

. What a testimony.

. He didn’t even have to open his mouth in order to testify.

. We are back in Genesis this morning and our scripture highlights such a man.

. A man whose walk with God was so impressive that he is singled out among all the begats.

. Adam beat Seth and Seth begat Enosh and Enosh begat Kenan and so on all the way up to Noah. Ten generations are laid out for us.

. Many of us just read right by this stuff don’t we.

. But in the middle of all these begats is one of the most amazing stories of the Bible.

. Genesis chapter 4 ends with this statement:

. “At that time people first began to worship the LORD by name.”

. A better translation says that they began to call on the name of God. They began to worship and sacrifice in a formal way of worship.

. Church started folks.

. Adam had children and they had children and the first family church was established.

. We know God was active because there was worship.

. But we don’t hear anything else about their worship or serving of God until the seventh generation.

. That where we start this morning. Genesis 5: 18-24.

. When Jared was 162 years old, he became the father of Enoch.

19After the birth of Enoch, Jared lived another 800 years, and he had other sons and daughters

.20Jared lived 962 years, and then he died.

21When Enoch was 65 years old, he became the father of Methuselah.

22After the birth of Methuselah, Enoch lived in close fellowship with God for another 300 years, and he had other sons and daughters.

23Enoch lived 365 years,

24walking in close fellowship with God. Then one day he disappeared, because God took him.

. This scripture gives us a glimpse of the life and testimony of Enoch.

. The first thing we see here is that it is never too late to start a relationship with God.

. Look at verses 21&22.

. 21When Enoch was 65 years old, he became the father of Methuselah.

22After the birth of Methuselah, Enoch lived in close fellowship with God for another 300 years, and he had other sons and daughters.

. The understanding here is that Enoch was 65 when he was saved. When he started walking with God.

. What he had been doing for the first 65 years, we don’t know. We do know however that when he was 65, he started walking with God.

. How many of you have heard of Mickey Mantle.

. Some will say that he was one of the greatest baseball players to ever put on a uniform .Mantel is Known as the greatest switch hitter in baseball.

. He was much like Enoch. He came to faith late in his life.

. Mickey was, to say the least, was a hell raiser. He spent his entire baseball career as an alcoholic. Can you imagine what he could have achieved without the addiction.

Mantle was diagnosed with liver cancer due to his heavy drinking and eventually died from this disease.

. He called a friend who he had played with and knew to be a Christian. His friend had talked with Mantle about God for years but to no avail. Mantle called him before he died and asked him to come and see him. He shared with his friend that he had accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. His friend asked him how he was so sure and Mantle quoted John 3:16 to him and they rejoiced in his salvation.

. Mantles salvation was the focal point of his funeral.