Sunday, August 9, 2009

Enoch vs. Enoch

God's sovereignty never ceases to amaze me. While preparing for this past weeks messages "By Faith Enoch", the Lord spoke through His Word and revealed to me the path of the two Enochs.

Cain, who slew his brother Abel, had a son named Enoch.

Genesis 4:17 17 Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. When he built a city, he called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch.

To the Enoch of Cain was born many others who prospered in an earthly perspective. They were home builders, instrument makers and players, bronze and iron workers, and those who tended flocks. From a worldly perspective, they had it all and they were proud of it too.

Enoch's great great grandson was a man named Lamech who we see wasting no time in deviating from God's original plan for marriage. He takes "two" wives and then boasts to them about how he had killed a man.


Like great great great grandfather (Cain) like great great great grandson (Lamech).....

This line of Cain and his son Enoch had a thirst for violence and the blood of their own brothers.

Now a look at the other Enoch ---- The Enoch born to the line of Seth.

Genesis 5:19-24 19 Jared lived after he fathered Enoch 800 years and had other sons and daughters. 20 Thus all the days of Jared were 962 years, and he died. 21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. 22 Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.

This is the Enoch referred to in Hebrews 11:5-6 when the writer states, "By faith Enoch". This new line from Adam would be one who "began to call upon the name of the Lord".

Genesis 4:26 26 To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the Lord.

This Enoch would live by faith; a saving faith the pleased God (Hebrews 11:5-6).

"......Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him........."

Two Generations later from this Enoch would come Noah, who would be found faithful in building the ark and be delivered from the global destruction of the flood.

As for Cain's Enoch and his lineage, God's wrath would be displayed by destroying their whole line in the flood.

Of course, this did not wipe out the sin issue and to this day we continue to suffer from its effects. However, those who will repent and believe the gospel are redeemed or bought back from the wages of sin which is death.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Homosexual Debate Should be Based on Philosophy and not the Bible??

Tony Jones, from the emerging church movement has asked for critics to bring an argument against homosexual activity to the table without the use of scripture.

In a recent blog post he says:

"If you are one who thinks that homosexual sex is sinful, can you please explain to me WHY a gay or lesbian person who is in a long-term, monogamous relationship would not be able to wholeheartedly follow Christ?

My only stipulation is this: You may not quote one of the six verses in scripture that mentions homosexuality. Instead, you must use theological and/or philosophical arguments to attempt to convince me that when you have genital contact with someone of your own gender, it somehow inhibits your relationship with Christ."

Here is some interesting discussion on it:

http://crninfo.wordpress.com/2009/08/05/an-honest-question-about-gays-in-the-church-response-to-tony-jones/#comments

By the way -- To give brother Brian McGraw a shout out -- how do you have a theological argument without the use of scripture?

Monday, August 3, 2009

Christian Family Burned to Death in Pakistan

I found this of Fox News this morning. Here is the source article from the Times of London:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6736696.ece

I just can't help but wonder.... how many of us would be found faithful if our children, wives and husbands were being burned at the hands of the adversary?

If the buffets were all closed on Sunday and me-maws house had been burned down by extremists because she was holding a Bible study in her home...... would we still be Christians?