Introduction
Degeneration - That’s the record that’s provided by Genesis chapter 4. What
started with Cain is rounded out with the account of Cain’s descendants - most
notably Lamech with his chest pounding, macho-man, rap song of violence.
started with Cain is rounded out with the account of Cain’s descendants - most
notably Lamech with his chest pounding, macho-man, rap song of violence.
From the pre-flood era to the post-flood age, right up to
our day, man’s sinful nature has caused people & nations to answer
slights with fists and swords and guns and so on and so on.
our day, man’s sinful nature has caused people & nations to answer
slights with fists and swords and guns and so on and so on.
How do we answer a situation that we see or hear about?
“Boy I tell you, if anyone ever did that to me I’d hit them so hard they’d wish
they’d never been born.”
“Boy I tell you, if anyone ever did that to me I’d hit them so hard they’d wish
they’d never been born.”
How would you react? Better still, what would you ‘think’
of doing if someone spit on your face, cursed your wife, your family, a
friend?
of doing if someone spit on your face, cursed your wife, your family, a
friend?
We read in Matthew 5: 21 - 22 where Jesus said You
have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit
murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But
I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you
call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And
if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.
have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit
murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But
I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you
call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And
if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.
When Jesus was arrested Peter pulled his knife? A
gladius? (short sword the Romans used) - If it were today, he’d probably would
have pulled out his concealed 9mm glock, and whacked the ear off of Caiaphas’
servant. Then Jesus says to him, Put away your sword,” Jesus told him.
“Those who use the sword will die by the sword.
gladius? (short sword the Romans used) - If it were today, he’d probably would
have pulled out his concealed 9mm glock, and whacked the ear off of Caiaphas’
servant. Then Jesus says to him, Put away your sword,” Jesus told him.
“Those who use the sword will die by the sword.
Let me ask, how many of us are like
Peter? I struggle with this. I struggle with ordained ministers of the Gospel
carrying weapons. Let me explain. My younger sister was dating a respected
dentist in Panama but he was sexually abusing her. One day a cousin told me who
this “gentleman” was. I went and paid him a visit and informed him what would
become of him if he continued seeing my sister. Things worked out very well for
my sister after this. She was on the verge of a nervous breakdown and filled
with fear.
Peter? I struggle with this. I struggle with ordained ministers of the Gospel
carrying weapons. Let me explain. My younger sister was dating a respected
dentist in Panama but he was sexually abusing her. One day a cousin told me who
this “gentleman” was. I went and paid him a visit and informed him what would
become of him if he continued seeing my sister. Things worked out very well for
my sister after this. She was on the verge of a nervous breakdown and filled
with fear.
My point here is, how different were
my actions than Lamech’s?
my actions than Lamech’s?
Still, from the time of Cain to
today, civilization with all of its advances, with its rejection of the Lord
continues its downfall into darkness. But there is still hope, a hope that even
in this dark picture that began with the line Cain, a new line was raised up, the
Sethite line - they began to call upon the name of the Lord.
today, civilization with all of its advances, with its rejection of the Lord
continues its downfall into darkness. But there is still hope, a hope that even
in this dark picture that began with the line Cain, a new line was raised up, the
Sethite line - they began to call upon the name of the Lord.
Now in Chapter 5 we are introduced
to amazing promise - we see, read, in retrospect that the descendents of Adam
& Seth have been created in the image of God -
to amazing promise - we see, read, in retrospect that the descendents of Adam
& Seth have been created in the image of God -
In the opening lines of verse 1, This
is the book of the generations of Adam. When God created man, he made him in
the likeness of God,
references chapter 1 verse 27: So God created man in his own image..
is the book of the generations of Adam. When God created man, he made him in
the likeness of God,
references chapter 1 verse 27: So God created man in his own image..
Image
The descendents of Seth here are
reminded that the fall had not obliterated the image of God in them. We’ll see
in chapter 9 verse 6 when God makes it clear that man being made in His image,
man’s blood, his life, is God’s alone.
reminded that the fall had not obliterated the image of God in them. We’ll see
in chapter 9 verse 6 when God makes it clear that man being made in His image,
man’s blood, his life, is God’s alone.
As image bearers, this includes all
of humanity to today & tomorrow from the mildest to the most vile
individual, has a)- the capacity to hear God’s word. That is something no other
creature could or can do; maybe with exception angels.
of humanity to today & tomorrow from the mildest to the most vile
individual, has a)- the capacity to hear God’s word. That is something no other
creature could or can do; maybe with exception angels.
As image bearers they along with us
today, charged to rule the earth in God’s stead, (1: 26, 28).
today, charged to rule the earth in God’s stead, (1: 26, 28).
As
image bearers there’s suggested the possibility of intimate spiritual
relationship with God - How about since the day of Pentecost?
image bearers there’s suggested the possibility of intimate spiritual
relationship with God - How about since the day of Pentecost?
Blessing
Just as His image was not
obliterated by the fall, neither has the blessing been repealed, done away with
- God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and
fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and
over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the
earth. -(1:28).
obliterated by the fall, neither has the blessing been repealed, done away with
- God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and
fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and
over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the
earth. -(1:28).
This blessing is still in effect,
but man, rejecting that blessing throughout the centuries and now with the
advances in medical technologies have been able to eliminate millions upon
millions.
but man, rejecting that blessing throughout the centuries and now with the
advances in medical technologies have been able to eliminate millions upon
millions.
In chapter five we see the
generations recorded of the Sethite genealogy and the patriarch’s living out
the blessings of God, multiplying & spreading the image of God in humanity,
and most especially to ‘call on the name of the Lord.’
generations recorded of the Sethite genealogy and the patriarch’s living out
the blessings of God, multiplying & spreading the image of God in humanity,
and most especially to ‘call on the name of the Lord.’
Universal
Death - A Dark Cloud (vv3-20, 25-32)
Death - A Dark Cloud (vv3-20, 25-32)
The descendants of Adam & Seth
had reasons for being optimistic - They fathered thousands of offspring who
were also passed the image of God, & despite the fall & their
sinfulness, could hear God’s word, rule & subdue the earth, & could
live in a relationship with God - Some did & some didn’t -
had reasons for being optimistic - They fathered thousands of offspring who
were also passed the image of God, & despite the fall & their
sinfulness, could hear God’s word, rule & subdue the earth, & could
live in a relationship with God - Some did & some didn’t -
This optimism was always clouded
over, and despite their longevity we continually hear the repeated phrase,
“then he died.”
over, and despite their longevity we continually hear the repeated phrase,
“then he died.”
In the insert I have listed the
years the patriarchs lived from birth and year they died.
years the patriarchs lived from birth and year they died.
Since the fall, there has been one
common denominator, death. There is a day coming when the earth will not know
us.
common denominator, death. There is a day coming when the earth will not know
us.
For the patriarchs that lived as
Adam, 930 years, Seth 912 years, at death, life was short. Where did the days
go, the years - Have you said, geez, it seems like only yesterday I was young
& running through the fields -
Adam, 930 years, Seth 912 years, at death, life was short. Where did the days
go, the years - Have you said, geez, it seems like only yesterday I was young
& running through the fields -
Bright
Hope - Now You See Him, Now You Don’t
Hope - Now You See Him, Now You Don’t
In the seventh generation from Adam
we have Enoch; Enoch being placed as the seventh generation is dramatic &
intentional. There was evil Lamech who worshipped violence, was number seven in
the Cainite genealogy while Enoch, the man who walked with God, is in the
seventh Sethite genealogy.
we have Enoch; Enoch being placed as the seventh generation is dramatic &
intentional. There was evil Lamech who worshipped violence, was number seven in
the Cainite genealogy while Enoch, the man who walked with God, is in the
seventh Sethite genealogy.
These two are placed in eternal
antithesis - complete opposites - Kent Hughes calls it Hell & Heaven.
antithesis - complete opposites - Kent Hughes calls it Hell & Heaven.
Walked With God
This term, walked with God, is
applied only to Enoch & Noah - It is a description of the closest personal
communion one has with God - Like walking alongside your friend - But something
much better - Having the Lord God at your side where you could reach out and
touch Him.
applied only to Enoch & Noah - It is a description of the closest personal
communion one has with God - Like walking alongside your friend - But something
much better - Having the Lord God at your side where you could reach out and
touch Him.
One has to distinguish ‘walking with
God’ from ‘walking after God’.
God’ from ‘walking after God’.
Walking with God is more intimate.
The minor prophets used the term to describe the intimate walk of the priests
who entered the Holy of Holies to speak with God.
The minor prophets used the term to describe the intimate walk of the priests
who entered the Holy of Holies to speak with God.
It indicates the deepest obedience;
it suggests walking along God’s path, in the same direction.
it suggests walking along God’s path, in the same direction.
Allan Ross writes that “the
expression became a common description of the life of fellowship &
obedience with the Lord.” He says that “walking with the Lord was a step above
living . . .”
expression became a common description of the life of fellowship &
obedience with the Lord.” He says that “walking with the Lord was a step above
living . . .”
So how did Enoch walk with God?
Hebrews 11:5 gives us the answer - His walk was one of faith - “By faith
Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because
God took him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he
was pleasing to God.
Hebrews 11:5 gives us the answer - His walk was one of faith - “By faith
Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because
God took him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he
was pleasing to God.
Two things we see here - God
pleasing faith; To literally believe that God is, that He is the sovereign God
of creation.
pleasing faith; To literally believe that God is, that He is the sovereign God
of creation.
Being made in God’s image - He could
hear & respond to God’s word - and he did; believing with all his heart
that God is who He says He is.
hear & respond to God’s word - and he did; believing with all his heart
that God is who He says He is.
Has anything changed today
concerning what pleases God? Absolutely not! God is immutable, He cannot
change! Those who wholly believe what His word says about Him in faith is
pleasing to the Lord God.
concerning what pleases God? Absolutely not! God is immutable, He cannot
change! Those who wholly believe what His word says about Him in faith is
pleasing to the Lord God.
Jesus said to Thomas, Because
you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet
believed.
you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet
believed.
Jude tells us 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.
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.
Enoch’s walk with God included his
whole, entire life; He knew God. He preached righteousness; he believed in God
totally & that God would judge & reward those who live.
whole, entire life; He knew God. He preached righteousness; he believed in God
totally & that God would judge & reward those who live.
This isn’t just the high-point of
his life, this was his entire life of three hundred years of progressively
having a closer walk with God.
his life, this was his entire life of three hundred years of progressively
having a closer walk with God.
Now you see him, now you don’t
because God took him.
because God took him.
At the
young age of 365 years, considering the life span then, God took him - How? I
couldn’t find anywhere in Scripture where it says the mode of transportation.
Elijah left in a chariot of fire, Jesus was taken up as the disciples watched,
but here not a word. Someone flipped the switch and Enoch was “beamed” up.
young age of 365 years, considering the life span then, God took him - How? I
couldn’t find anywhere in Scripture where it says the mode of transportation.
Elijah left in a chariot of fire, Jesus was taken up as the disciples watched,
but here not a word. Someone flipped the switch and Enoch was “beamed” up.
What we are sure of, his walk
extended into eternity- to be exempted by God from the law of death &
decay.
extended into eternity- to be exempted by God from the law of death &
decay.
This is how it will be for believers
who are alive at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. They will not taste death
but be changed in a twinkling of an eye. In a moment, in the twinkling of
an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be
raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:52)
who are alive at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. They will not taste death
but be changed in a twinkling of an eye. In a moment, in the twinkling of
an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be
raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:52)
Why did God take Enoch? It doesn’t
say other than that Enoch walked with God. He was taken, translated to be with
God about halfway between Adam & the flood.
say other than that Enoch walked with God. He was taken, translated to be with
God about halfway between Adam & the flood.
Some of the patriarchs in this genealogy
that is recorded were alive at the time that Enoch was taken.
that is recorded were alive at the time that Enoch was taken.
They had a lot of time, centuries,
to think & reflect, discuss Enoch’s translation. Did they discuss hope
after death? Did enoch’s peers begin to listen to God’s word & walk with
Him, call on His name? Doesn’t look like many did.
to think & reflect, discuss Enoch’s translation. Did they discuss hope
after death? Did enoch’s peers begin to listen to God’s word & walk with
Him, call on His name? Doesn’t look like many did.
Can we
Walk With God?
Walk With God?
Question for us: How do we walk with
God? The answer: God’s image has been passed on to us by natural birth so it is
possible for us to hear the word of God & obey & to live as His children
-
God? The answer: God’s image has been passed on to us by natural birth so it is
possible for us to hear the word of God & obey & to live as His children
-
We may have marred the image by our
sin(s), but the likeness, the image still persist.
sin(s), but the likeness, the image still persist.
This is the amazing thing, amazing
fact, that by God’s grace we can know God intimately. We can walk with God,
walk by His side - We can commune with Him.
fact, that by God’s grace we can know God intimately. We can walk with God,
walk by His side - We can commune with Him.
Jesus prayed - listen to what He
said to the Father - This is eternal life, that they may know You, the
only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. (John 17:3) . . . To
His disciples . . He who has seen Me has seen the Father; So we
see God in His Son & see Him best in His Son’s death - The cross is God’s
supreme revelation of Himself - For God so loved the world that He gave
His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have
eternal life.
said to the Father - This is eternal life, that they may know You, the
only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. (John 17:3) . . . To
His disciples . . He who has seen Me has seen the Father; So we
see God in His Son & see Him best in His Son’s death - The cross is God’s
supreme revelation of Himself - For God so loved the world that He gave
His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have
eternal life.
When you see God in Christ pouring
out His love for the world, you begin to understand.
out His love for the world, you begin to understand.
When you believe it, you know Him.
when by faith you receive Christ, you receive God!!
when by faith you receive Christ, you receive God!!
Growing in Christ you become like
Him, when this happens you can begin to walk with God. As you draw nearer
through the gift of divine intimacy, you’ll walk closer & closer
heart of God.
Him, when this happens you can begin to walk with God. As you draw nearer
through the gift of divine intimacy, you’ll walk closer & closer
heart of God.
I don’t have a gift of poetry, so I
borrow two songs and mix the words -
borrow two songs and mix the words -
I can
only imagine what it will be like
only imagine what it will be like
When
I walk, by your side
I walk, by your side
I can
only imagine what my eyes will see
only imagine what my eyes will see
When
you face is before me
you face is before me
I can
only imagine
only imagine
I can
only imagine
only imagine
Surrounded
by Your glory
by Your glory
What
will my heart feel
will my heart feel
Will
I dance for you Jesus
I dance for you Jesus
Or in
awe of You be still
awe of You be still
Will
I stand in your presence
I stand in your presence
Or to
my knees will I fall
my knees will I fall
Will
I sing hallelujah
I sing hallelujah
Will
I be able to speak at all
I be able to speak at all
I can
only imagine
only imagine
I can
only imagine
only imagine
As
you walk through the garden alone
you walk through the garden alone
While
the dew is still on the roses & the voice you hear falling on your ear,
the dew is still on the roses & the voice you hear falling on your ear,
The
Son of God discloses
Son of God discloses
And
he walks with you & He talks with you & tells you, you are His own -
he walks with you & He talks with you & tells you, you are His own -
And
the joy you’ll share as you tarry there none other will ever know.
the joy you’ll share as you tarry there none other will ever know.
One
day you will be no more, for the Lord God will take you to Himself!
day you will be no more, for the Lord God will take you to Himself!
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