Faith Pleases God
25 August 2019 AM – Hebrews 11:5-6 – Heb19 – Scott Childs
Introduction: Enoch was the seventh generation from Adam. Since Adam lived 930 years, he was still alive for most of Enoch’s life. Enoch was Noah’s great grandfather. Enoch was the father of Methuselah. Fausset’s Bible Dictionary states that the name Methuselah means, “he dies and it (the flood) is sent”. Evidently, Enoch knew that God’s judgment was coming when he named his son. Methuselah lived 969 years; that is longer than anyone else recorded in the Bible. Methuselah died the very year that the flood started. Perhaps his long life was to extend God’s mercy for the lost world. Enoch was God’s prophet who warned the wicked of judgment 600 years before the flood.
God lists Enoch among the heroes of the faith because he pleased God by walking with Him and God took him to heaven without dying.
Transition: In Hebrews 11:5-6, God reveals four facts about Enoch’s God-pleasing faith that can help us develop that kind of faith.
1. Without Faith it is Impossible to Please God, v.6
a. Pleasing God requires faith.
1) God did not say, “without faith it is difficult to please God.” God said, “without faith it is impossible to please Him.” We are powerless to please God when we lack faith in God.
2) For God to be pleased with our lives, we must have faith in Him. Remember, faith is acting upon trusted information. What trusted information did Enoch know about God?
a) Since Enoch was the seventh generation from Adam, he probably talked to his great4 grandfather Adam. Adam probably storied for hours about God and creation. He learned how sin came into the world and how that because their sin God expelled them from the Garden. Very likely, Enoch had seen the Cherubims and the flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life (Gen 3:24).
b) Adam would have told him how he had once walked and talked with God in the Garden of Eden. Thus, Enoch learned that God desires man’s fellowship.
c) God created man for Himself (Colossians 1:16) “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”
3) Enoch walked with God and pleased Him because he had faith in God, a privilege equally possible to us today. The Genesis Record, p. 157
b. To come to God, we too must have faith, v.6.
1) FIRST, we must have faith that God is. How can we know that God exists?
a) We cannot see God because He is a Spirit (Jn 4:24). We cannot audibly hear God. We cannot physically touch God. Yet, God is real!
b) All creation declares the power of our Creator God. (Psalms 19:1) “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.” (Isaiah 40:26) “Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.” (Romans 1:20) “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”
c) We cannot prove that God is, but all creation gives astounding evidence of His existence. (Psalms 14:1) “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. …”
2) SECOND, we must have faith that God will reward those that diligently seek Him.
a) Though God in the Bible promises repeatedly to reward those who obey Him and history records examples of God’s blessing on His followers, we still need faith to believe that God will reward us.
b) Believe the many promises of God in His Word. One example is in (1 Corinthians 3:14) “If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.”
2. By Faith we can Please God, v.5
a. It was Enoch’s testimony that he pleased God.
1) Here God states that before Enoch was translated “he had this testimony.” Who saw his testimony?
a) Certainly, Enoch’s family and close friends knew that he lived to please God.
b) God also testified that he pleased Him.
2) The same is true for us. Others observe and God clearly sees the way we live. Job said, (Job 31:4) “Doth not he [God] see my ways, and count all my steps?”
3) What kind of testimony do you have in your home and before your close friends?
b. Enoch pleased God by his walk (Gen 5:18-24)
1) It is significant that God recorded for us that Enoch “walked with God”, (Gen 5:22). People may think that we walk with God, but God knows whether we do or not.
2) Noah was the only other person that the Bible actually says walked with God (Gen 6:9). It is likely that many others did, but God only highlights these two men.
3) God does not give us any details as to HOW Enoch walked with God. There is nothing to indicate that they took strolls through the park together. They must have had a close intimate communion and spend time fellowshipping together. He must have lived a clean life for fellowship with God is impossible with sin present (1Jn 1:6-7). Amos shed light on this godly walk when He wrote, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3) Enoch was in harmony with God.
4) The book of Jude records that Enoch prophesied of the Lord’s coming judgment against the ungodly (Jude 1:14-15). He lived godly in a very wicked day.
5) According to Hebrews 11:6, Enoch diligently sought God and it pleased God to have Enoch walking with Him.
6) Have you been walking with God this past week? Did you diligently seek His closeness? Did you keep sin out of your life? Did you humbly agree with God and His Word?
3. God Rewards Faith, v.5
a. God translated Enoch
1) The word “translated” simply means to transpose or to change locations. Genesis 5:24 says, “And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.”
2) Elijah was the only other person transferred to heaven as Enoch. God took him to heaven in a chariot of fire.
3) Evidently, Enoch one day he just disappeared. God took him home to heaven. Why did God take Enoch to heaven in this manner and not everyone else? We will have to wait until heaven to find out.
4) Enoch never saw death. He simply disappeared and went to heaven without dying.
5) Hebrews 11:5 says that God took Enoch to heaven because of his faith by which he pleased God.
b. God will reward those who diligently seek Him.
1) Half-hearted commitment does not impress God. He wants us to seek Him diligently by faith.
2) God will reward all who do. If you will put God first in your life and seek to please Him in every area of your life, He will reward you. There is no question this takes faith. However, God promises to reward!
3) It takes faith to seek the Lord like this because we cannot yet see the rewards that lie ahead. Let’s believe God!
Conclusion: Are you by faith pleasing God as Enoch did? Are you walking in sweet fellowship with God each day? Are you seeking to know the Lord better through studying His Word? Do you spend quality time in prayer with your Lord? If not, let me challenge you to begin today. Walking with God and pleasing Him is the greatest privilege given to Christians. By faith, believe that God will reward diligent seekers.
Perhaps we should asked another question. Have you by faith trusted Christ to forgive your sin and save your soul? It is impossible to please God if you do not first know Him as your Saviour.
Song: Stepping in the Light, 313