First Baptist Church
Fairbanks, Alaska
805 Sixth Avenue
(907) 456-4923
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Fairbanks, Alaska 805 Sixth Avenue (907) 456-4923 |
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“2008-Stepping Into the Future” Hebrews 11:6 Mark Howdeshell (January 13, 2008) Heb 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Introduction Welcome to First Baptist Church of Fairbanks and the year 2008! I know I’m not preaching the first sermon of the New Year, but I’m preaching MY first sermon of the New Year. As I was preparing for the message, I really didn’t know which direction to take. I wanted to preach about the “vision” Christ has given me for the upcoming year…but I really don’t think He’s revealed it to me, yet. I then thought about the goals for 2008…but without a clear vision, how can we set goals. Jo asked if I was going to preach a series on lessons learned from Hawaii…which I probably will, but not yet. All of these ideas, yet no clear message. Then I was reminded about how we are where we are and how we’ve survived through thick and thin. And I’m not just talking about our church, but about each of our lives as well. It is said that there are only 2 definites of life: death and taxes. This morning I want to look at an individual that has intrigued me for years. This one individual, along with one other, accomplished a feat that even Jesus didn’t accomplish. Granted, Jesus could have easily accomplished it, but it wasn’t in the plan. This morning we’re going to look at Enoch…a man that defied death. Heart of the Matter There are many heroes in the world today. If you were to ask someone who their hero was, you would hear a myriad of responses. Enoch, though only mentioned in 10 verses with 2 of them being listed in genealogies, should be a true hero to us all. In fact, Enoch is listed in Hebrews 11 as a hero of the faith. Faith is what has brought us where we are, and out faith will take us into 2008. The Meat of the Message
Gen 5:18-24 18 When Jared had lived 162 years, he became the father of Enoch . 19 And after he became the father of Enoch , Jared lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. 20 Altogether, Jared lived 962 years, and then he died. 21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. 22 And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.
Heb 11:5-6 5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
i. Wasn’t a superhero ii. Wasn’t unique or super special
i. Enoch walked with God (Genesis 5: 22 & 23) 1. Side by side they walked together 2. Perfectly in tune…one not running ahead of the other Amos 3:3 Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?
3. Agreeing to walk together means that there has to be a relationship built and the nature of God being a part of you every day. Our lives MUST reflect the nature of God…. a. How you deal with adversity b. How you deal with people c. How you deal with family
i. Enoch walked with God for 300 years ii. Committed during a time that was evil 1. Genesis 6:6 states that God was grieved that He had even made man 2. Not an easy period to be faithful to God iii. Enoch set the example for his family 1. Enoch’s son: Methuselah 2. Methuselah’s son: Lamech 3. Lamech’s son: Noah iv. Noah was found righteous before the flood
1 Thess. 4:16-17 "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout... and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord."
i. Remain in Him! ii. How do we remain in Him? 1. Walk with Him 2. Cultivate our relationship with Him 3. Let others see Him in you
i. We don’t know when He will come again ii. He’ll come like a thief in the night iii. Ensure your loved ones are ready, too!!
i. Get over the past, God has died on the cross to cover our multitudes of sin. ii. Don’t worry about the future because our future is in the hands of God. iii. The present is the only thing that we have any control over. Live it for the glory of God.
i. Walk with Him 1. Stay in synch 2. Set the example for others to follow ii. Stay consistent 1. Let the nature of God live in you 2. Live by that nature iii. Stay committed regardless of our circumstances
i. Through our faith in Him ii. Earnestly seek Him
Heb 11:5-6 5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
The Bottom Line Our ultimate purpose should be to please God in all that we say and do. By living by our faith in Him, and walking in synch with Him, it pleases Him. It is then, and only then, that God will reward His people in ways that He knows best. Let’s purpose, as a church, to draw nearer to our Lord so that He will be pleased. INVITATION Have you walked with God lately? Do you even know God well enough to hold His hand and walk by His side? He wants to know you that well. This morning, I urge you to draw nearer to Him. Set the tone for 2008 by coming to the front of the sanctuary and committing yourself to Him.
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