Summary of The ordinary hero
Preamble
Brent jokes with audience about the topic of this week’s message: Enoch. Who has ever preached on this man? Who has ever heard a message on Enoch?
What do we know about Enoch?
- Gen 5:22-25 – He was a father of the oldest man in the world.
- Luke 3 – He is listed in the genealogy of Jesus.
- The book of Jude – quotes from Enoch’s prophesy; thus he was a prophet.
- Gen 5:24 – He did not die, God just took him away with Him.
What can we be inspired by this man?
Hebrews 11:5 – “…he was commended as one who pleased God.” This is it? Enoch didn’t do anything spectacular! Unlike Noah, or Elijah or King David, Enoch walked faithfully with God. This seems so…easy and attainable.
Without faith it is impossible to please God
Hebrews 11:6 – “…without faith it is impossible to please God.” And we can’t have a Good pleasing faith without belief. We must believe that God exist. Many people will get to a belief that a generic God exists and that’s where they stop. While this is foundational, it isn’t enough.
Believe that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him
“Seek and you will find.” And, “Make effort to enter through the narrow door” – Luke 13:34. These two quotes from Matthew and Luke are explaining that God will give you the faith if you earnestly seek Him.
God is transcendent and immanent
God is around and not confined. God is also wanting to be near us, in relationship. Another meaning of immanence is the quality of being contained within, or remaining within the boundaries of a person, of the world, or of the mind. This meaning is more common within Christian and other monotheist theology, in which the one God is considered to transcend his creation.
What please God?
- Obedience pleases God. “If you love me, you will obey my commands.”
- Prayer pleases God – Being in communication with God makes him so happy. We are literally talking to an entity we are in a relationship with.
It is impossible to please God without faith
Faith drives us into action. Without faith we are not propelled into the world to make a difference for God. “Stepping out in faith” is a typical Christian expression that encompasses this notion.
The risk of not engaging with faith
God becomes so real and engaging during the times when we follow his faith-path. If we stop engaging with our faith, God becomes less and less real. He becomes a polite conversation with our Christian friends, and nice dinner discussions with our spiritual friends. We essentially become the pharisees – the pharisees of today! They were professional avoiders – they wouldn’t do things for fear of the appearance of sin.
The challenge
Enoch did it! Enoch was in action. Enoch walked (ie: was in action) with God. He was an ordinary hero! He’s just like us.
About this Message Series
This is a message in a series called By faith focusing on Hebrews 11. This series looks at old testament characters, their trust in God, and the promises God made to them. This series was started in July 2017.
About the Speaker
Brent is the lead pastor here at SouthRidge. He and his wife Pam were part of the original church plant.