PRINCETON CHRISTIAN CHURCH 07 AUGUST 2022
GENESIS 5:15-24 HEBREWS 11:5-6 JUDE 14-16
The man, Enoch, is best known for two reasons. The lesser reason is probably what we just read about him. He was the father of Methuselah. You will remember that Methuselah is the man who lived longer than any other in recorded history. He lived to be 969 years old.
His son, Enoch, though is known for an even greater reason. That is, because of the facts that we read in Genesis 5 and Hebrews 11 – could be called the “Hall of Fame” of the Bible. Enoch was a man who walked with God. He was also a man who never died. As we see in Genesis 5:22-23, Enoch walked with God for 365 years, and then God “took him” This tells us that Enoch never died, but somehow God took him away from the earth. I think we can accurately believe that God took him to be in Heaven, where he dwelt with God.
Now, how did Enoch deserve the reward he received from God? Essentially, it was because of his faith that he was transported to heaven without tasting death. This event was reserved for a precious few. Think about this, even Jesus was not spared death.
Enoch’s removal from the earth was his reward for the holy life he lived. That is, he lived his life close to God.
No one but a strong believer can receive this kind of Divine favor.
Enoch had known the presence of God; He had confided in God.
He had cultivated his life with God.
He had been a witness for God in a sensuous and ungodly world
as described in Jude 14-16.
It was also about these men that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying: “Behold the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones, to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds, which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him. These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage.”
To believe is to be convinced (vs 6) of God’s being. Then, being convicted, to know He is a rewarder, This is being able to cherish the things hoped for – as in Hebrews 11:1-2: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
To believe is to live the life pleasing to God, anticipating, living expectantly of the reward in end. Living this life is accomplished through faith, confidence, and by our witness.
Enoch believed that God was and that He was capable of rewarding a holy life. His faith lead him on until he found himself in the very presence of God in His home in Heaven.
1. It is possible to please God!
We grieve Him by our great and terrible sins.
We can, however, yield to Him in order to please Him.
Rather, not we can, but we must yield to His will if we are ever to please Him.
2. He is interested in each of us.
He views our character and conduct with either delight or sorrow.
By these – our character and our conduct – we show whether we are for or against Him.
3. Enoch knew God well.
He didn’t have the revelation of God through Scripture as we can know Him today.
We have the full, clear revelation of God and His will readily accessible and before us through the printed Word of God – the Scriptures.
4. Enoch’s convictions were put into action.
Everyone who wants to please God must do the same.
Enoch pleased God by his faith. He lived by his faith – not by sight.
Jesus also lived by faith. Hear His words in John’s Gospel, chapter 4, verses 34-35: “Jesus said to them (His disciples) as they were encouraging Him to eat, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to accomplish His work. Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for Harvest.’”
The harvest He spoke about there was not grain or other crops, but the harvest of the lost souls of the world.
His food was to do the will of the Father and to accomplish His work. God was pleased with His Son’s understanding of His will. And so, He (God) spoke concerning Jesus, saying: “This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” God pleads there to us to listen to His Son because He speaks the Word directly from God.
We are reminded again of the Hebrews writing in chapter 11 – again, the Hall of Fame – verse 6 says: “And 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 seek Him”
God tells us there that we cannot please Him without faith being active in our lives and worship of Him. But also makes sure we know that it is possible to please Him.
How is it possible to please God?
Some folks just don’t want to please Him and see no need to do so. They are not concerned with pleasing because they are deeply concerned about pleasing themselves. These are the self-pleasers of the world.
It is sad that their efforts to please themselves will, in the end, be devastating for them. They are soon to find themselves greatly and eternally disappointed and doomed to Hell.
So, what can we learn from all of this?
Simply this: Our pleasures are not to come from pleasing ourselves or even from pleasing others. Our pleasures are to come by first and foremost pleasing God.
It is possible because He shows us how. Through Jesus’ life and example.
But we must listen and hear how to please Him. He does not leave us wondering.
God is pleased by our faith, our belief, and our love for His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.