I Heard an Old Old Story: Sermons on the hymns and songs we love

Just a Closer Walk with Thee

To me, there’s nothing like the older hymns! It’s like they speak directly to your soul and draw on this primal desire to draw close to our Creator. Today’s sermon, is came from two great hymns, Just a closer walk with thee and In the Garden. Both of these songs, though different in approach, discuss the main topic of this sermon… Walking with God.

The lyrics Just a closer walk with Thee. Grant it, Jesus, is my plea. Daily walking close to Thee, Let it be, dear Lord, let it be, begs that the author would have a life that is drawn closer to God and prays for guidance and protection knowing that he will be satisfied in life as long as God draws him into daily living with his Creator. As I listen to this hymn, I hear of a life that would be improved by a better walk with Christ...

When I listen to the lyrics of In the Garden I hear a different story… This one is active… This writer puts the words of Just a closer walk with thee to action... I come to the Garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses and the voice I hear, falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses… And he walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me that I am His own. And the joy we share as we terry there, none other has ever known...

Lets take just a minute to learn what it mean to walk with God...

Walking in the most basic sense is placing one foot in front of the other, moving forward one step at a time… When you stop this action, you are no longer walking , but standing still. Walking implies intentional forward movement.

I remember when Xander was little and was learning to walk… He fell down so many times and I wanted so bad to be able to catch him everytime… When we would go for walks or go to the park, I wanted him to stay close to me so that I could protect him from hazards… As a dad, that was and is still my job, to guide him and teach him how to anticipate the problems that lie in his path.

Our heavenly Father wants the same thing for us… When we walk with God, we are moving forward, keeping in step with Him, fully confident that the way He is leading us is the best and safest way to go… but many of us are like how Xander was as a young child… we want daddy to walk with us, but then we sprint well ahead of our Father, never looking back to make sure that the way we are going is the way the our Father has intended for us to go. We run full steam ahead until we either crash head long into a hazard or until we get tired and weary, and stop moving all together…

Ultimately we think that our independence is what is going to make us happy… but just like when we were little… we are always happiest when we are safe in the arms of the Father.

One of the greatest commendations in the Bible is that one walked with God… Today we are going to look at two people who truly walked with God. One of whom walked faithfully with God and as a result was taken to heaven without ever having to experience death. And the other who was found to be blameless in a world full of corruption and the result of his walk with God changed the course of human history.

If you are able would you please stand with me in reverence as we read first from Genesis 5:21-24, then Genesis 6:5-9, and finally Hebrews 11:5-6.

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 5

Enoch was 65 years old when he fathered Methuselah. 22 And after he fathered Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and fathered other sons and daughters. 23 So Enoch’s life lasted 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God; then he was not there because God took him

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 6

When the LORD saw that human wickedness was widespread on the earth and that every inclination of the human mind was nothing but evil all the time, 6 the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and he was deeply grieved. 7 Then the LORD said, “I will wipe mankind, whom I created, off the face of the earth, together with the animals, creatures that crawl, and birds of the sky—for I regret that I made them.” 8 Noah, however, found favor with the LORD. 9 These are the family records of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among his contemporaries; Noah walked with God.

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 11

5 By faith Enoch was taken away, and so he did not experience death. He was not to be found because God took him away. For before he was taken away, he was approved as one who pleased God. 6 Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

7 By faith Noah, after he was warned about what was not yet seen and motivated by godly fear, built an ark to deliver his family. By faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith

Let us pray:

Father God,

We come to you today seeking guidance as we

Summary: This sermon explores the life of Enoch, who walked faithfully with God and was taken to heaven without experiencing death. It emphasizes the significance of living a life that seeks a deeper relationship with God.

Application: This passage challenges Christians to reflect on their own walk with God, encouraging them to prioritize their relationship with Him over worldly concerns. In a culture filled with distractions, Enoch's example inspires us to cultivate faithfulness amid life's challenges.

Teaching: The focus of this sermon is that walking faithfully with God leads not only to a blessed life on earth but also to eternal life with Him. It teaches that faith, demonstrated through a relationship with God, is crucial for pleasing Him.

How this passage could point to Christ: In the narrative of Enoch, we see a precursor to the perfect fellowship with God that is ultimately fulfilled in Christ. Enoch's ascension foreshadows the hope of resurrection and eternal life offered through Jesus, who provides the way for believers to walk in intimate relationship with God.

Big Idea: A life devoted to walking with God leads to an eternal legacy and communion with Him, modeled perfectly in Christ's righteousness.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider diving into Logos for a detailed study on the historical context of Enoch’s life in Genesis. Investigate Hebrew terms used in Genesis 5 and their theological implications, while also exploring references in the New Testament, particularly how the author of Hebrews connects faith to Enoch's legacy. You may also find it helpful to explore commentaries on Genesis 6 that discuss humanity's condition leading up to the flood and Enoch's role in making a stand for righteousness.

Beginning Faithful Journeys

Genesis 5:21–22

Have you ever experienced a life event that changed your entire perspective on life? Maybe it was the medical diagnosis of yourself or a loved one. Or maybe it was a sudden traumatic event that shocked the world, but made you take a look deep inside… something like the terror attacks on 9/11, the Oklahoma City Federal Building Bombing, or maybe a natural disaster like the Joplin tornado. Sometimes major events in our lives lead to “Come to Jesus” moments where we come to the Lord, seeking answers.

For Enoch, it was the birth of his son, Methuselah. The Bible makes it quite clear that Enoch faced a turning point when his baby boy was born. “Enoch was 65 years old when he fathered Methuselah. AND AFTER he fathered Methuselah, Enoch walked with God… And AFTER… Enoch had a come to Jesus moment that began his faithful journey with the Lord.

Almost anyone who has become a parent can tell you that immediately after the birth of a child, there is an overwhelming feeling of joy and pride… but that feeling is quickly replaced with an overwhelming sense of inadequacy as the reality of the new responsibilities and challenges of having a newborn arise. Suddenly you went from being a young care free couple to being tasked with providing for every need of this messy, noisy, demanding little human that refuses to let you sleep for more than 5 consecutive minutes… And as that realization sinks in, you know without hesitation that you would lay your life down to protect your baby!

Whatever the reason was for the change, Enoch appears to have come to a moment where he made the conscious decision to stop believing in himself… to stop depending on himself, and start believing in and depending on God!

You could explore how Enoch began his walk with God after the birth of Methuselah, suggesting that major life events can prompt us to earnestly seek God. Encourage the congregation to reflect on their own moments of transition and how these can become opportunities to realign with God. This point introduces the profound simplicity of walking with God daily.

Perhaps highlight the extraordinary nature of Enoch's life by examining how his daily walk with God led to an exceptional conclusion — he was taken by God. Challenge the audience to desire such intimacy with God that their lives would also be notable for spiritual depth, aligning with Christ’s transformative power.

Faithful Living Pleases God

Hebrews 11:5–6

Maybe use this passage to discuss how Enoch’s life was an embodiment of faith that pleased God, emphasizing that faith remains key to our relationship with Him. Connect this point to Christ, who grants us righteousness through faith, encouraging believers to trust in God’s promises wholeheartedly.

Righteousness Amidst Darkness

Genesis 6

Consider discussing the contrast between the wickedness of the world during Enoch’s time and his steadfast righteousness. This could illustrate the importance of maintaining one's walk with God despite surrounding darkness, reminding Christians that Christ empowers us to remain faithful amidst trials.

Extraordinary Intimacy Rewarded

Genesis 5:23–24