Greetings dear friends around the world - our friends in the United States, Argentina, France, Bangladesh, and even in Italy! Welcome to the Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ - Florida website. Let me go directly to the source of today's sermon -
Genesis 5:24 – “And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.”
What happened to Enoch!?
Now, a lot of people – and many of the bible commentators – will say, “Well, Enoch went to heaven, just like Elijah did!” They will say– “They’re the only two people that ever went to heaven back in the Old Testament.” Well, if you study about Enoch, he’s mentioned in the Book of Hebrews – the faith chapter which speaks of the ancient patriarchs.
Hebrews 11:5 – “By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, ‘and was not found, because God had taken him’; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.”
And in verse 13 it says, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, …”
Why can’t people just see this!? If you look up all the references to Enoch you’ll find this.
We understand that God’s living word says, “it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” It’s given to every human being to live a life – and then to eventually die.
Well, just like Elijah there were people trying to kill him – just like in Jesus’ day that was trying to kill Him! And I also believe he was having what today we call a nervous breakdown. And I believe that God removed him from that and placed him somewhere away from all of this – just like He did in Elijah’s day. And these men lived out their lives and became very old. And Enoch lived three hundred and sixty-five years.
Also, in the Book of Jude, he quoted from a portion of something which Enoch had written. He said, “Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also saying, ‘Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 15) to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.’”
And, of course, he’s speaking of all those who choose not to obey Him, also – like ISIS, al-Qaeda, and the Taliban!
Here we have a small paragraph of something Enoch wrote that was preserved – most likely – on the ark with Noah. And, it was preserved all the way up to the Apostle Jude – one of Jesus’ brothers which wrote the Book of Jude.
“And Enoch walked with God” – Enoch must have had a very powerful ministry if he wrote what he did. He had a lot of foresight in revelation about the fact that the Messiah - Jesus Christ - was going to return to this earth with what he called “the myriads of His holy ones” – see 1 Enoch 1:4-9. He had a lot more knowledge than most people today which realizes that Jesus Christ is coming again!
Now, friends - what does it mean to walk with God!? And why is this important!?
Genesis 6:9 – “Noah was a just man, perfect [blameless] in his generations, Noah walked with God.”
Now, both Enoch and Noah walked with God – and He saved both of them from destruction! It’s IMPORTANT to know what it means to walk with God!
In Deuteronomy 5:33 – Moses gives us a bit of a hint where he writes, “You shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God has commanded you, …”
Most people want to walk their own way. But we are to obey whatever God commands us.
Now, in Jeremiah the 7th chapter it says, “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: … 22) ‘For I did not speak to your fathers, or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices. 23) But THIS is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.’”
God intended for His people to walk in His ways and to do the things which He commanded them to. He has always intended for His people to obey Him – and it is through obedience that we walk with God.
Over in Deuteronomy the 28th chapter, verse 9 – there’s another statement concerning walking with God. “The LORD will establish you as a holy people to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, IF you keep the commandments of the LORD your God and walk in His ways.” – now, why won’t people just do this!?
Even from our birth – humans are typically selfish, self-centered, unwilling to admit if they’re wrong – even their sins. Like the very annoying JG Wentworth commercials, “I want it now!” And, they want to be in charge of their own destiny. But God – the very Creator of all life – is telling us that we are to walk with Him! – and to not go it alone or our own way.
In 1st Kings the 8th chapter there is another reference. Here King Solomon was dedicating the temple in Jerusalem and he makes a brilliant prayer – verse 36 – he asks God that He would “hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, that You may teach them the good way in which they should walk.”
So, not only is our walking in accordance with God’s commandments important but also what He teaches us from His word. God’s word teaches us all throughout what it means to walk with Him.
Turn with me over to Psalm the 1st chapter – King David also wrote concerning this. Let us be reminded of what the Prophet Isaiah said, “Many people shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth the Law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”
God the Father and Jesus Christ are eventually going to teach the whole world His Law! Now, so many people don’t want to hear this – because they don’t believe that God’s Law is in force or in effect. Yet, a little later in the Book of Isaiah, it says, “your eyes shall see your teachers. Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it.’” Speaking of the coming Millennial reign of Jesus Christ! And, after the Millennial reign, there will be a huge resurrection of all the children of Israel – in which the Apostle Paul said, “all Israel will be saved” – cf. Romans 11:26. All people will have an opportunity for salvation at that time!
Now, for those who have lost loved ones – who are questioning whether they made it into Heaven or an all-consuming Hell – God’s word doesn’t teach this – the Bible speaks of a second resurrection. The Book of Revelation chapter 20 talks about the first resurrection of the firstfruits of God – those that are Christ’s at His coming. But then afterward is the ‘general’ resurrection – or what is called the “Great White Throne Judgment.” The great fall harvest.
In Psalm 1 it says, “Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; …” – you can surely say, ‘involved with violent protests in the streets of our cities, or gossiping at the local beauty salon.’ Friends, don’t be like Lot – Abraham’s nephew – who sat around the gates of Sodom listening to someone who was constantly putting down the king – or the president, the government.
Verse 2 – “But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, And in His Law he meditates day and night. 3) He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.”
Verse 4 – “The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. 5) Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.”
So, right here – the very first psalm – King David talks about walking with God.
Over in the Book of Jeremiah, the 6th chapter. And, it’s what he says here that is so IMPORTANT.
Now, he was talking about the destruction of ancient Judah, and all the sins which they had committed – verse 14 – “They have also healed the hurt of My people slightly, Saying, ‘Peace, peace!’” – when there was no peace.
And even here – the protesting taking place in Tampa! Protesting because of this terrible scene of a police officer with his knee on George Floyd – who died as a result of the stress placed upon his body because of bad health and even including the result of this officer. And the protestors were there threatening, “No Justice! No Peace!” And, I am greatly saddened because this sounds like an unpeaceful threat. The death of this man was a horrible event – which has now gone worldwide. And, so many people in this ‘present evil age’ have the idea that instead of letting the justice system work its way – they take the law into their own hands and go out and burn down buildings, loot, blow up ATMs, and burn police stations!! This, of course, is not the proper reaction to what occurred. As I wrote and said to my 1st cousin who has been protesting in the streets of Manhattan, “The way this government system works is a change from the top down. We must create change through leadership. We should take advantage of our right to vote.”
In verse 15 he says, “Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; Nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; At the time I punish them, They shall be cast down,’ says the LORD.”
Verse 16 – “Thus says the LORD: ‘Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls [lives].’”
Now, a lot of people need to go back to the basics – to ‘back in the day.’ To go back and read God’s living word – His commandments, the first five Books of the Holy Bible – and see exactly what He says about His commandments, His statutes, His judgments. To meditate on it. It will bring rest to your life if you do that.
Another passage to remember from the Prophet Isaiah is, “’ To the law and the testimony [the very word of God]! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.’” And our LORD God says, “’ one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.’” And, remember the certain ruler who asked Him, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said, ‘If you will enter into life – keep My commandments!’ And, over and over – even in the Book of Revelation – speaks of those who keep the commandments of God. Recall Revelation chapter 12 – “And the dragon [Satan the devil] was enraged with the woman [God’s Church], and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony [the Gospel] of Jesus Christ.”
And, of course, the resurrection occurs on the SEVENTH TRUMP. The seven last plagues follow that. So, we will already be in “low earth orbit” in the clouds, being with Jesus Christ, in preparation for the time He - Jesus Christ - directly engages humankind.
Indeed, God’s holy Law will go forth out of Zion at the beginning of the Millennium. And, people will be keeping God’s holy feasts – see Zechariah 14:16-21. And, eventually, the E A R T H is going to be covered with the knowledge of God as the water covers the seas!
Friends, let us look at some of this good news!
So, turning in your Bibles over to the Book of Ezekiel, chapter 37 – a chapter which is so misunderstood among the Roman Catholics and her Protestant daughter churches –
Ezekiel the 37th chapter. Now, look at this prophecy and ask yourself – what is the time setting here!?
This is the prophecy of the Valley of Dry Bones.
Verse 15 – “Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 16) ‘As for you, son of man, take a stick for yourself and write on it: ‘For JUDAH and for the CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, his companions.’ Then take another stick and write on it, ‘For JOSEPH, …’” – a representative for the other tribes of Israel. “ … ‘the stick of Ephraim, and for all the HOUSE OF ISRAEL, his companions.’”
So then, the NORTHERN KINGDOM and the SOUTHERN KINGDOM OF JUDAH. THIRTEEN – including Joseph, Ephraim, and Manasseh – because remember, Jacob/Israel blessed Joseph’s two sons Ephraim and Manasseh, “let my name be named on them.”
Verse 17 – “’ Then join them one to another for yourself into ONE stick, and THEY WILL BECOME ONE IN YOUR HAND.’”
Has this ever happened!?
Has Judah [today the nation called Israel] and the house of Israel been reunited!?
Verse 18 – “’And when the children of your people speak to you, saying, ‘Will you not show us what you mean by there?’ – 19) say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Surely I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel, his companions; and I will join them with it, with the stick of Judah, and make them ONE stick, and they will be ONE in My hand. … 22) and I will make them ONE NATION in the land, on the mountains of Israel …’”
This has never happened throughout history!
Judah and Israel becoming ONE NATION again! Recall, Israel – the NORTHERN KINGDOM was carried away captive in 721 B.C. – and, of course, upon their release traveled and assimilated into different parts of the world. Jesus Christ told His own disciples, “’ go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’” He vindicated the fact that the physical descendants of the TEN TRIBES OF ISRAEL were still around – somewhere.
“ … and one king [the resurrected King David] shall be king over them all; … 23) They shall not defile themselves anymore with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions, but I will deliver them from all their dwelling places in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them. Then they shall be My people, and I will be their God.’”
Verse 24 – “’ David My servant shall be king over them, …’” – and of course, this is speaking of DURING the Millennial reign of Jesus Christ! “ … ‘and they shall all have ONE SHEPHERD; …’” – speaking of the soon coming King of kings and LORD of lords – Jesus Christ! “ … ‘and they shall also walk in My judgments and observe My statutes, and do them.’”
Friends, the people who have done away with God’s Law – summed up with the Ten Commandments – are going to have a problem on that day. Recall Isaiah 66:15-17 in which God speaks of the coming dreadful Day of the LORD! For in that day God is reuniting Israel and Judah as ONE NATION and all the Gentile nations are going to know right then that they are the people of God and they are going to be keeping His statutes and judgments.
Where are they found!?
In the first five Books of the Holy Bible! God’s law, statutes, judgments!
So, now, turning to John, the 8th chapter – something which our MASTER said!
Verse 12 – “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I AM the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.’” – speaking about eternal life. Indeed, King David said, “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path” – Psalm 119:105. He understood that God’s word is what guides him as he is walking along.
Turning back to the Book of Isaiah, the 9th chapter – “The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.”
In John, the 11th chapter – “Jesus answered, ‘Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.’” – and of course He is talking about Himself there!
In the 12th chapter and verse 35 – “Then Jesus said to them, ‘A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. 36) While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons [and daughters] of light.’” – and of course, He is making a reference there of Himself, of following Him that you may ultimately be in the Family of God – the kingdom of God – and walk in His light!
So now, in Romans the 6th chapter – the Apostle used a term, ‘walking in the Spirit.’ “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?” – many incorrectly contend, ‘the more I sin the more God forgives me and His grace is poured out – so if I continue to sin, I am demonstrating just how much grace God is giving me!’
The Apostle Paul says – verse 2 – “CERTAINLY NOT! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?”
And friends, it makes me think of a story. I purchased an Xbox on an assumption that my wife and I were going to adopt a child. Well, a game was downloaded on it called Red Dead Redemption II. And, as I began to play this Old West-themed game – the violence increased! And, of course, the violence increased because the main character – the player – is an outlaw (breaking God’s Commandments). God’s Spirit very quickly reminded me of these very words – “How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” Now, many may believe that this violent game is rather innocuous – since it is “make-believe.” But, like what my sister has said to me once – after watching a violent or vulgar movie, those words and or actions tend to linger in your mind. And, friends, I know that we are human beings – and God Almighty and Jesus Christ knows that we are human beings – because They created us this way. We have tugs and pulls, we have human emotions and desires, wants and needs, and things in our life that make it very difficult to do what Paul is about to tell us to do. I’ve had my own brother say to me before, “All you have to do is be the best person you can be.” But, believe it, as a human being you CANNOT do it alone!
Verse 3 – “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” – we actually died with Him!
Verse 4 – “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in NEWNESS OF LIFE.”
We are to walk as a new person! Friends, we have a second chance – a new life given to us!
Verse 5 – “For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection.” – and this is God’s promises to us – if we walk in this newness of life, we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we will follow Him through resurrection just as He was!
Verse 6 – “knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7) For he who has died has been freed from sin.”
Verse 8 – Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9) knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10) For the death that He died, He died to sin ONCE for all; …” – and this then would be for every one of us. “ … but the life that He lives, He lives to God.”
Verse 11 – “Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Friends, I’ve often thought of that ancient conversation between God – the great Ancient of Days – and the Spokesman, the Word. God indeed relaying to the Word concerning the newly created humans – ‘You know, they’re all going to perish unless one of Us gives a blood sacrifice.’ And Jesus Christ – then known as ‘the Word’ (see John 1:1) raised His hand and said, ‘I will!’ And, the next thought would be – what would you have done!? What I call that Titanic decision. Would you be willing to go and die for the sins of the world!? It makes me think of a documentary on television I watched the other day – called the Man In Red Bandana – Welles Crowther, known for saving as many as 18 lives during the September 11 attacks in New York City – and subsequently was killed. And, with tears streaming down my face, I turned to my wife and said the words of our Lord, “’ Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.’ What would you have done!?” We’ve got to come to the place where we would be willing to go too! Maybe at some point in the near future, we might be asked to do that!? And, after having watched that documentary I went to Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ and asked Them to please – if I was ever placed in that type of scenario - to grant me the strength, perseverance, and Spirit, to be able to do what Welles Crowther did – sacrifice my life for others.
Verse 12 – “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.”
Over in chapter 8 – “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”
And he goes on and talks about how there is a war between flesh and spirit. Sometimes we get angry and we blow our top – and then say to ourselves, “Wait a minute! I’m not acting like an ambassador for Jesus Christ!” And, God’s Spirit quietly speaks to you within your mind and you repent – you ask the person to forgive you. Yet, when this flesh flares up – and it does a lot of times in many ways – it can cause us to not be properly following Christ Jesus – and the unconverted people around you say, “Where’s your God now!?” The weakness we have in the flesh – someday will be gone. God will take away this physical body and we’re going to have a spiritual body – and these temptations won’t be there any longer.
In Romans, the 13th chapter, verse 11 – “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.”
And, friends, I can tell you this – for me it’s been nearly four decades from the first time I began to hear God’s living word. And, we should never grow numb to the fact that time is growing ever-shorter – because like Paul says, ‘it’s a lot nearer than we believe!’
Verse 12 – “The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13) Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14) But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”
Also, in 2nd Corinthians the 5th chapter, in verse 7 – “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
Now, what exactly does this mean!?
When you look into the context here – he’s talking about our earthly tabernacle. And, that we inhabit a physical body and that eventually, we will wear out - just like the ancient patriarchs before. But we have the greatest hope of the resurrection and into the family of God – the very kingdom of God. So, we walk not according to this flesh – and what it has to offer. I remember coming home many times from a job and telling my wife of all the wonderful ‘toys for boys’ that all the guys had – from Hayabusa motorcycles to sports cars, to tricked-out pickups. Things that these people own that means the world to them! And, they were so vain and proud in their possessions – that now, since the company was sold and no longer in business – do they still own these prized possessions!? What a waste of energy, and without the hope of the resurrection, that’s all there is – just what we have on this Earth. And yet, Paul here is speaking about the faith that we do have concerning the kingdom of God and the resurrection unto life.
Indeed, we are to walk as ambassadors bringing forth the Message of Christ!
Conclusion
So, in conclusion, turn with me to 1st John, chapter 1 and verse 5 – “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” Surely, a great teaching to us from Jesus Christ is the revelation that even within the tiniest atoms contains His Spirit!
Verse 6 – “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk-in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7) But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, …” – in other words, if we’re walking according to His will, His commandments, statutes, judgments, then we have fellowship with Him! “ … and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
But look at verse 8 – “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
Now, friends, there are millions which claim to be a Christian and say that they go to church, but if they do not do the things which He commands us to do – and they think that they don’t have any sin in their life – they are a liar.
Once when some Pharisees were with Jesus, they asked Him, ‘Are we blind!?’ And He said to them, ‘Because you don’t recognize your sin, your sin is still with you.’ He wanted them to acknowledge that they indeed had sin.
Verse 9 – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
The living Christ inspired the Apostle John to say that we Christians will not live perfect lives—BUT, he added, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” I always ask for that cleansing. I have become God almighty’s “BOOSTER!” I have long given up on ‘doing my own thing’! And, I pray always that the whole Body of Christ is “BOOSTER’S”!
I would like to briefly speak of the letters to the churches which Jesus wrote in the Book of Revelation.
Revelation chapter 3 – “‘ And to the angel [the messenger] of the church in Sardis write, … 4) You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.’”
Now, white garments are a depiction of righteousness. Now, and I feel compelled to tell this story - in 2014 I had been speaking with God Almighty and Jesus Christ concerning an upcoming operation for about a month and asking for Their protection through the procedure. And while under anesthesia, I saw a vision of 12 angels dressed in black standing around my bed. One was holding my hand – the others were either speaking with each other or staring off into the distance. The vision only lasted what seemed like a split-second… then… I was awake in the recovery room. I do not know what it could mean. Was the color black representative of mourning!?
In verse 5 – “’ He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.’”
So, turn with me to our final passages in Revelation, chapter 21, and verse 22. Speaking about the New Jerusalem which is coming down – eventually – and that God the Father and Jesus Christ is going to reside here on this Earth – the center of Their headquarter.
He describes how New Jerusalem will look – all the elements, the stones, the pearls, the gems.
“But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty [God the Father] and the Lamb [Jesus Christ] are its temple. 23) The city had no need of the sun or the moon [yet, those bodies will still exist!] to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. 24) And the nations of those who are saved [these are people, and they come to this great edifice because they know that GOD resides there, and the people of God resides there] shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.”
Verse 25 – “Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). 26) And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. 27) But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles [meaning, false religions, beliefs, or concepts], or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.”
Friends, from our earliest years, until we reach old age we will have taken 216.3 million steps. Let us take every one of those steps following God Almighty and Jesus Christ!
So, friends, we here at the Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ can just give you this message. I think there, perhaps even the majority of people on the Earth will never believe this message. I don't ask you to believe or anything of the kind, I am just telling you. Now, you have been told, and that is the extent of my obligation, and of my calling. However, in the meantime, I think we should do whatever we can do for peace. We are here for peace, and we are here to help you in the Way for peace. But I want to say that reliance on the great Creator is the only Way to the peace we all are desiring.
Thank you very much friends, until next time, this is Leonard V. Johnson. □
