MNF Lesson Notes - Enoch - March 28, 2005

Chris Wesson's Lesson Notes on Enoch

• show timeline of Seth’s lineage to the flood—how the numbers work out and death of Methuselah
• show how Hebrews 11:6 flows from 11:5—how the author draws a great principle from a remarkably brief excerpt from the OT
• talk about LXX and the Masoretic Text and how the NT authors seem to use the Greek translation over the Hebrew

• believing God exists (can the faith we here speak of be evaluated by the scientific method? no more so than can a tree be evaluated by logical reasoning—it is outside the realm of logic as faith is outside the realm of observable, verifiable science)
• believing God rewards those who seek Him (implicitly, what is the reward? God Himself) Was Enoch rewarded? yes
• seeking God (knowing that our pursuit is not in vain)

1. Introduce Enoch: seeking God in order to be rewarded
2. share stories of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-40) and Elijah taken to Heaven on a fiery chariot (2 Kings 2:1-11). We know much more about both of these individuals than we do about Enoch, but from what we do know we may be able to paint a picture of his character.
3. start a list on the white board of what we know about Enoch (from Gen. 5:21-24, Hebrews 11:5-6, & Jude 14-15)
1. his relatives (look at timeline from Adam to the flood)
2. his age when taken and age when first a father
3. “walked with God”
4. had several children
5. never died, rather was “translated” or taken
6. “pleased God” (LXX discussion)
7. had faith
8. believed two important things a) God is and b) God rewards those who diligently seek Him
9. was a prophet (1 Enoch discussion—don’t forget Jude 9)
4. Even though little is known about this Bible character, the writer of Hebrews uses his life to teach a wonderful truth (maybe we should be so careful when studying). What is that truth?—Hebrews 11:6
5. How do we “seek” God? By walking with Him. Think about what you do when you are walking with someone—talk, listen, share your joys and disappointments—Biblically, walking with God also involves taking direction from Him, so we need to be careful to listen as He guides us through life
6. What is our reward for seeking Him? If you are really seeking diamonds on a safari, what do you want to find? What is your reward?—our reward is to find what we are seeking, and we must understand that God has promised to reward those who diligently seek Him—seeking God is not an exercise in futility.
7. Think about Enoch this week, the man who walked with God and who sincerely believed would find what he was looking for.

MNF - March 21

MNF Youth Group

3/21/2005

Order:

1. Snack

2. Game (weather dependent)

3. Prayer

4. Lesson

Hall of Faith Series

Intro Questions:

1. Do we have any only child's here? What's the best and worst about being an only child?

2. Do we have any first-born children? Best/worst?

3. Do we have any babies of the family here? Best/worst?

We're starting something new today. We will be studying characters of the Old Testament from the Hall of Faith found in Hebrews 11. Our four-pronged anchor in our study will be these four questions:

1. How does the character demonstrate faith?

2. How do the characters relate to one another?

3. How do the characters relate to God?

4. How does God relate to the characters?

What is faith?

From Hebrews 11:1 It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things not seen.

From dictionary.com

• confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing

• belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence

• a set of principles or beliefs

Read Hebrews 11:1-4

What do we see from Hebrews 11 about Cain and Abel?

• Abel has a more acceptable offering to God than Cain.

• God accepted Abel to show that he was righteous.

• Abel still still speaks to us today because of his faith.

We'll need more information on what the author of Hebrews tells us about faith to better understand Cain and Abel's story.

Hebrews 11:6

• without faith = impossible to please God

• Anyone who comes to God must believe that he exists

• And that he reward those who seek him

Let's head back to the passage that tells the event: Genesis 4:1-22.

What do you know about the story of Cain and Abel?

Cain's born first, then Abel. We have some serious sibling rivalry.

Abel grows up to be a shepherd while Cain grows up to be a farmer. One day they both decide to bring a gift (an offering) to the Lord. Cain, the farmer, brings the Lord a salad. It specifically tells us that Abel brought the best of his flock; he brought a marinated mutton fillet mignon. The Lord accepts the steak offering and rejects Cain's salad.

Why?

Abel brings the best that he has; Cain brings an offering, but it doesn't tell us it is the best. Perhaps Cain thought that he shouldn't bring the best because he could use it for something else, like his family. I mean, what is God going to do with a salad; he doesn't need to eat right?

Abel must have realized that he has been richly blessed, and that his blessings all come from the Lord. God doesn't need a mutton steak, but I'm going to give him the best that I have because He's worthy.

How does Abel show faith?

He gave his best offering trusting that God would accept it.

So How do we see the characters interact with each other?

Hate, jealousy, bitterness, murder.

Cain was angry and hated his brother. This anger must have been there for awhile. Perhaps before Abel came along Cain used to get all of the attention. Abel may be have been Adam and Eve's favorite. Hey Adam and Eve weren't perfect parents either. So Cain was angry with his brother and hated him, perhaps for some time now. This offering may have been the last straw. Can you see the jealousy?

How do the people relate to God?

• Cain was angry with the wrong person. It wasn't Abel that rejected the offering; it was God. Cain didn't bring an offering worthy of God's acceptance. He wanted to worship God in his own way. So in a sense Cain rejects God, and kills his brother. He even rejects God's warning.

• In the end Cain does plead for mercy from God.

• Abel brings his best to the Lord.

How does God relate to the characters in this event?

Is God fair? Yo.

We can't understand God, but we know that he will do what is right. Listen to what Abraham says to God in Genesis 18:25: “Shall not the judge of all the earth do right?” The answer to this rhetorical question is YES!

God has mercy on Abel and Cain. Who deserved God's approval of their offering? Neither!

We are all guilty before God. We have no right to life. Every breath is a gift from God. Our acts of righteousness are filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Filthy rags literally translated is soiled undergarments. Let's call it dirty diapers. If I were to give you a gift to please you and I present you with one of Simon's dirty diapers, how would you react? That's how God reacts to our acts of righteousness apart from Christ. It is an act of mercy for God to accept our worship and offerings.

Abel received mercy from God because God accepted his offering. God was pleased by it.

Cain received mercy from God because even though Cain's offering was rejected, God did not strike him dead right there. God gave him another chance. Has God ever given you another chance? If he has, say thank you Jesus. And then God warns Cain about his sin and temptation and how to overcome it. That's mercy. Then when God punishes Cain, God still has mercy on Cain by giving him a physical mark to prevent him from being killed.

On top of that God blesses Cain by giving him a wife and children, and grand children, and great grandchildren. From those children come two of my most favorite things: music and technology. See verses: 21-22.

How does God relate to us?

Mercy – he accepts our attempts at worshiping him. When he doesn't, because we offer poorly or with wrong motives, he doesn't typically kill us on the spot.

Blessing – he still blesses us so much even further than we deserve

God accepts our offering when we give him the best that we have from a pure heart.

How should we respond to God?

• Give him our best – it takes effort and sacrifice

• when the Holy Spirit convicts us, listen and repent

How can I demonstrate faith this week?

When I install software at work or write a note to Alison or take out the garbage, I'll do it as best as I can for God, trusting that he will accept my offering of worship.

How can we demonstrate faith?

Eccl. 9:10 “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all your might.” For the Lord, trusting in faith that he will accept it.

What offerings can I bring to the Lord this week?

That test you should be studying for, or that paper that's due. Do it the best you can for God, not merely for just a grade. Wash the dishes as best as you can for the Lord. Put your hard earned money in the offering plate for the Lord. Obey your parents. Don't kill your brothers and sisters; instead love them when they're annoying.