Sermon Central
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Enoch – The World Couldn't Hold Him Part 2 Series
Contributed by Terry Jones on May 10, 2008 (message contributor)
Summary: At some point in life, every child has a hero they what to grow up to be. How do we become the model’s of Christian maturity and faith that others will want to immolate. Looking into the character of some biblical examples will help you to become a rea
Enoch – The World Couldn’t Hold Him
Series – Heroes of Faith
Text: Genesis 5:18-24
In all of scripture only six verses tell the biography of this great man of faith. Six verses – to span a life that lasted 365 years.
Of this man Enoch, we know nothing of his social status, of his profession or his abilities. 365 years of living; some 133,225 days of walking on earth are summed up in right around 180 words (depending on the version you read).
Two things we do know of Enoch’s life; His faithful walk on earth and his incredible exit from earth.
Adam was still living when Enoch walked on earth.
I can imagine family reunions when all the grandchildren would gather around grandpa (great x7) grandpa Adam to hear the stories of life in the garden.
Enoch may have particularly liked the stories of the walks with Creator God in the cool of the day. Grandpa’s eyes would grow glassy and his voice would quiver with sorrow as he would tell of the day he and grandma hid from God – the day they chose to disobey – the day they lost paradise.
There was something about those stories – something about the gleam in Grandpa’s eye, the testimony of God’s mercy – that moved the young boy Enoch to a life of unshakable faith in a God he could not see.
There are three things I’d like to consider about this remarkable life.
1. Enoch’s life was one of Priority.
a. The very meaning of his name is “dedicated”
b. His priorities in life were in order.
Verse 22 tells us his priorities were right
After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters.
c. He walked with God
d. He had a solid relationship with his wife (“If mama ain’t happy….”) Married for at least 300 years – to the same woman!
He’s my hero!
e. He took care of his family
But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
f. He had a good reputation in the community
Hebrews 11:5 says that “he had this testimony, that he pleased God”. He walked out his faith, not once a week, a couple hours a day, but consistently.
2. Enoch’s life was one of Progress
a. He “walked” with God. It means simply that Enoch lived in the presence of God.
i. It implies that he had a joy filled life.
You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
ii. Enoch lived a life regulated by God’s will, Inspired by His Spirit and devoted to His purpose.
b. Walking out this life we call Christianity is a process.
i. Process of yielding my will
ii. Process of hearing His Spirit
iii. Process of doing His purpose
c. “Enoch walked with God” –
i. It was a continual process. (Until God took him).
ii. His walk was a pleasure to God
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.
So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God
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.
3. Enoch’s life was one of Persistence
a. No where do we find evidence that Enoch stopped or stumbled. – but he was human.
b. Unlike many other heroes, we are not told of his dirty laundry, but we know he had an unclean heart.
c. Perhaps his persistent walk was contributed to by grandpa’s stories,
i. “When we hid in shame…He came looking for us”
ii. “When there was no one else to blame…”
iii. “When we couldn’t cover ourselves…”
None of us here will be able to live another 300 years, proving our priority, our process, and our persistence, but we can take after the Hero Enoch and live out what days we do have leaving the legacy that we are men and women who Walk with God and Please Him.
Let’s Pray
A note from Pastor Terry,
Thanks so much for looking over this message. I trust that, in some way, you were blessed, encouraged and empowered on your own walk with Christ. Every message I prepare is bathed in prayer that God will draw, inspire, and challenge my listeners (or readers) into a more meaningful and power-filled walk with Him.
