Sermon Central
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Walking With God
Contributed by Rodelio Mallari on Apr 14, 2011 (message contributor)
Summary: Enoch was the son of Jared and the father of Methuselah. He lived to be 365 years old before he was taken by God. Not much is said about him, yet we see how great a man of faith Enoch was for his name is among those in the “Hall of Faith” of Hebrews 11. E
Intro: Enoch is named only nine times in the entire Bible: six times in Genesis, and once each in the books of Luke, Jude and Hebrews. Enoch was the son of Jared and the father of Methuselah. He lived to be 365 years old before he was taken by God. Not much is said about him, yet we see how great a man of faith Enoch was for his name is among those in the “Hall of Faith” of Hebrews 11. Enoch walked with God. What does it mean to walk with God? It implies ten characteristics –
I. Full Self-Surrender. The name Enoch means “dedicated or disciplined.” True to the meaning of his name, Enoch dedicated himself to God and disciplined himself in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation (cf. Phil. 2:15). He fully conformed and submitted to God’s will (Rom. 12:2).
II. Unbroken Fellowship. It is so wonderful to know that Enoch walked with God, yet it is even more wonderful to know that God Himself walked likewise with Enoch (Amos 3:3 cf. I John 1:6). Truly, the path of the just grows brighter with his closer walk with God (Prov. 4:18). The hymn "Trust and Obey" speaks of this truth: “When we walk with the Lord in the light of His word, what a glory He sheds on our way...”
III. Continual Progress. To walk with God means to have a growing intimate knowledge of Him. One cannot walk worthily with God without first having a true knowledge of who He is and what He wishes for us (Col. 1:10; II Pet 3:18).
IV. Steadfast Separation. Surely Enoch did not take part in the world’s sinful pleasures but rather sought God’s pleasure. He knew that friendship with the world and those who oppose God is enmity against Him (Jas. 4:4; II Cor. 6:14-17).
V. Unfailing Perseverance. Enoch walked with God not once a week but daily amidst the cares and responsibilities of ordinary family life. Enoch started walking with God at age 65 years after his son Methuselah’s birth; then for the rest of his earthly life (300 years). It is never too late to start walking with God (see Abraham in Gen. 17:1). Enoch walked the path of righteousness, not as a hermit, but as a family man living in a pre-flood age where sin and evil abounded!
VI. Fearless Confidence (Psa. 23:4; 27:1). God was with Enoch so he did not fear what man or circumstances may do to him. Thanks be to God who gives us the victory over sin, the world, the flesh, the devil, and death (Rom. 8:35-39).
VII. Exceptional Testimony (Heb. 11:5c). “He had this testimony, that he pleased God.” What a tribute this is to Enoch! In his upright desire to please God, he had no doubt displeased not a few people, but Enoch lived for an audience of One – Almighty God! (Gal. 1:10 cf. Luke 6:22)
VIII. Faithful Witness (Jude 14-15). Enoch was a witness for God even as he prophesied of the second coming of Christ and proclaimed God’s righteous but terrible judgment against the ungodly. Enoch faithfully witnessed and preached a hard message to a hardened people (cf. Acts 20:24).
IX. Future Blessedness (Gen. 5:24c). “God took him.” This would be a strange epitaph about a man who was buried in Heaven before he died! Undoubtedly, family and friends sought in vain for Enoch for God took him – to walk with Him in white (see Rev. 3:4). This typifies the transformation of the church at the coming of the Lord Jesus (Phil. 3:20-21).
X. Simple Faith (Heb. 11:5a). “By faith, Enoch was translated...” When you “translate” something, you pick it up from the original language then put it into another. Enoch’s faith was a necessary ingredient to pleasing God (Heb. 11:6). His faith resulted in his godly testimony. It so pleased God to translate Enoch from his sinful generation.
Conclusion: Enoch, is a type of the end-time Christian who is alive at the Rapture of the Church and shall not taste death (John 11:26). Enoch pleased God before there was even – a church, a Bible, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. If he could do it, surely we can too! Unsaved friend, you can never please God for as long as you are still in the flesh. You need to be saved and born of the Spirit first. Come humbly and by faith to Jesus. Ask Him to forgive and cleanse your sins today!
