Truths From an Ancient Record

Hello lived 830 years and he died. Jared 962 years and he died, but those a lot 969 years and he died limitless 777 years, the last in this genealogical record and guess what happened after 777 and the writer of Scripture tells us it is appointed on the man once to go see we are not ready to let you today on wisdom from the heart. We come to Genesis chapter 5 Genesis 5 is essentially an obituary, for many of them. We don't know anything about them except how long they lived.

However, God knows every one of them and that's really all that matters. Thanks for joining us today here on wisdom for the hearts. Stephen has a lesson for you from our vintage wisdom library entitled truths from an ancient record here. Stephen dating with today's lesson from God's word decided to read the Bible from cover to cover, started in the book of Genesis, the first major hurdle you have had to overcome his Genesis chapter 5. In fact, many people of never hurdle bad and so they opt in their reading of Genesis because you come to chapter 5. In one sense it seems unimportant to the 20th century.

Christian and in another sense it seems almost discouraging or despondent. You're walking through the cemetery and you are viewing the headstones of the deceased patriarchs.

Why would God spend time recording for us. This ancient obituary column in Genesis chapter 5 I must admit or confess to you that this thought crossed my mind. In fact, I can skipping chapter 5 with only a few comments and then getting on to the more exciting chapter 6 of Genesis where we know the story of Noah and the flood yet as I plowed in the Genesis chapter 5.

It wasn't long before the discovery of so many precious gems were uncovered, and in fact when I finish the week of study. I've even entertained the thought of making this a two or three part sermon, but I will never get to Genesis. That way right at all of you want to get your Genesis eventually so we will cover some of the key thoughts in Genesis chapter 5, but let's answer, of course, the first question. That is why would God take the time to record this book of the generation of Adam in the day when God created man, he made him in the likeness of God he created them male and female in the black and name the man in the day when they were created when Adam lived 130 years he became the father and now you begin your way through the graveyard.

Why take the time to give us this give you three suggestions. I think God is applying. First of all that he is keeping his word. God is saying, I am keeping my word see God had promised a delivery through the godly seed of woman and he is listing the names of those in the godly line of Seth chapter 4 of Genesis is the ungodly line of Canaan. God is taking time to remind Israel that I am Ungodly seed alive process and here are their names. The second implication I think along that same line is this God always has a remnant of believers. God always has a remnant of believers God-fearing, maybe a tiny minority. In fact, that the writing of this man was becoming increasingly immoral, yet God is in effect letting us in on the fact that there are those that haven't thrown in the towel. They are still some who follow God. I think of Elijah, who when he took on the profit the veil of course one the great victory on Mount caramel and the fire fell and he was on the mountaintop experience of victory and that he had all of the false prophets rounded up and they were all killed and he'd also been praying for three years. The no rain would come in and Hatton got answered his prayer as the prophet. Then after Mount caramel Jezebel says these words. May the gods deal with me this time tomorrow. If I do not take your wife like those the prophets of bail. In other words, he saying that 24 hours to live and you're done.

I put a contract in effect out on your head, to make sure this time tomorrow your dead.

You know the story were Elijah runs for his life. He's tired and discouraged, and here's what he prays to God and pray this lesson. He says I have had enough Lord, take my life I have been zealous for you but the Israelites those around me have rejected your covenant broken down your altars and put your profits to death with the sword and note this, I am the only one left and now they are trying to kill me to first Kings 19.I think chuckles under his breath and then moves closer to Elijah and in effect whispers in his ear. These words son.

There are 7000 people in Israel alone who have never bowed their knee veil seven cells unknown I name believers in me you don't know who they are. You don't know where they are but I want you to know that I have a remnant and they have never bowed their knee to the false gods. I think of what Paul wrote in Philippians chapter 4 verse 22. He said these words all the saints, greet you, especially especially those of Caesar's household where never given their names, but in the ungodly house. All of this are poor lived a believing remnant. Those who were following God and how about that long list in Romans chapter 16. Names like Paris's populace and Junius Lincoln men we've never even heard about they were unnoticed but they were not forgotten. They were unnamed they might have been in the minority, but they were never overwhelmed. Let me apply this talk to you today or perhaps this past week you had the thought that you're alone in your walk with the Lord not you might even find yourself in the minority in your family.

You know like Thanksgiving and Christmas comes along and you have the family reunions and the last thing in the world. It does is lighten your load. Refresh your heart, it increases the burden of your heart and you are the tiny minority in that realm of relatives that you see every year or every other year, you might be in the minority at your job work. It seems that you're the only one who hasn't doubted the need to the gods of materialism and pleasure.

So you get to the point where you but you need a hoarding you say Lord. This is a worth that I am the only one I want you to hear my friend from Genesis chapter 5 God whispering in your ear, son or daughter you're not alone. I have a godly remnant out there thousands here and there hundreds over there one or two tucked away here. You don't know about that. You're not alone. The third implication I think even along that line is that God never forgets his own people. Now, chapters 1 through 11 in the book of Genesis cover 2000 years 2000 years.

The cover 11 chapters you and I would've done for heaven sake. We had never taken an entire chapter to list people's name is too much to cover here too much ground in the history of the world 2000 years any stops and gives us a list of name was interesting that God is particularly concerned to record the names of those who follow him some illustrations would be Malachi chapter 316 where he writes the prophet, then those who feared the Lord talk with each other and the Lord listened and heard a scroll of remembrance was written in his presence, concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name. The court Revelation chapter 20 verses 11 to 15 tell us that the names of those who believe in the Lamb are written in the Lamb's book of life, isn't it an interesting thought. Ladies and gentlemen, that God is interested in you. So much so that he is recorded, your name because you and I have a hard time remembering names, but God never forgets if you believe in him. People never forget you know what it's like to be forgotten. Perhaps some husband out there this past week forgot her birthday you're in trouble or maybe an anniversary that's worse, it's easy for us to forget God never does. And he's letting us know in Genesis chapter 5 that I read member all who believe in my now that we discovered a few just general principles must take some specifics.

I hope you're there.

Genesis chapter 5 we will have time to read all through here, but he makes no mention of two men in this long list these men are kind of the salutatorian's of the graduating class of patriarch.

These two men. Re: Nick and Methuselah and since God took special time with them. Let us take just a few more moments with them as well is the first he appears five times in Scripture, and four different phrases or thoughts are connected with this man you're taking notes when I give you the first and that is, he is recorded of him in June 14 that he is the seventh generation from Adam wanted to turn the Jude that the little book just before Revelation. The last book of the Bible only has one chapter and so were looking at Jude verse 14, Jude 14, said and about. Please also was V-neck the seventh generation from Adam. Why mention this on your finger there. In fact, stay there. But if we were to go back to Genesis chapter 4, we would discover in the line of Cain that there is any net there are two lane etc. contemporaries living at the same time God is in effect saying always you know about the godly V-neck the one who followed me, not the one in the line of pain one in the line of Seth Pease, the seventh generation from Adam.

He's the godly one and that of course I think gives us an illustration that during the course of world history. There will be the next who follow God in the next who follow the way of Cain. The second thing that is said about him is that of course is a preacher of righteousness look back at Jude 14 and notice what he says all the Lord came with many thousands of his holy one to execute judgment upon all, to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds. Your online world ungodly will appear four times for they have done these things in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. He's a preacher and his sermons are to fall to themes in his sermons. First of all the current ungodliness in the coming judgment boys. A popular preacher. Those are the things that he preaches about it so not to be dictating preaches on ungodliness known… Autobiographical statement uses the word ungodly for time ungodly ungodly and the interesting thing is you know who his audience would be his relative's cousin, those related to him. He didn't have an easy task, and yet he preached righteousness. Now back to Genesis chapter 5 verse 22.

I want to notice the next phrase that you are very familiar with then a night walked with God for a day a week year. No, he walked with God. 300 years the original stem of the boardwalk would indicate close and intimate communion and fellowship with God you notice this is a law it is in 100 yard sprint is a mad dash wall, nor is it a casual take it or leave it for all I can take it or I can leave it know this is an intimate walk is a pursuit here again is a subject for an entire sermon will immediately suggest to things that are necessary for you to walk with God first is harmony.

You can't take a walk with someone your God with there must be harmony walk with someone in a intimate fellowship means that your hearts are in harmony. Second thing I think we could suggest this agreement you're agreeing in affect, as he did with the direction God is going. I think the reason the more of us do not want to walk consistently with God is because their gun times in our life when we don't like the direction he's taking. We say turn left. He says turn right when you say stop. He says continue will learn I don't like the direction of this walk, I can agree for 300 years. He obviously agreed the fourth descriptive thought concerning it is found back in Hebrews chapter 11 would you turn there. Chapter 11 verse five.

This I believe is even more powerful and its implication that is walk with God obviously is synonymous thought and yet I think bringing up different thoughts. Hebrews 11 five by faith.

That was the key was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found because God took him up for he obtained the witness. Note this is his reputation that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. V-neck please God bless great training.

He was a great man of faith.

He was one of the patriarchs get an extra dose of grace I mean God padded the way for him he can't please God.

This is really up to me to please God. Today there are three times in the New Testament that the word ambition is used in one of those texts is in second Corinthians chapter 5 verse nine where it says that whether we are present or absent. With you all right we are and shifts to be pleasing to God. We are ambitious to please God.

We please God. Genesis subject of another study, but let me just take you one thought would you turn first Kings back in the Old Testament halfway between Genesis and solves first Kings chapter 3 I want to take you to an incident in Scripture were a man did something and we hear God turning around and saying hey please me and I think we can learn what it takes to please God from just this one incident first Kings chapter 3 verse five in Gibeon, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night and God said, ask what you wish and I'll give it to you how you like that for Christmas. Anything you want to have you.

Wish it, you've got it.

Boy I can think of for your four right off the bat.

So Solomon said verse six is shown great lovingkindness to my servant David my father, according as he walked before the truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward the end is reserved for him this great lovingkindness that I was given my son to sit on his throne as it is this day will get to the wish Solomon for seven and now Lord my God that was made by servant King in place of my father, David, yet I am but a little child, I do not know how to go out or come in and my servant is in the midst of my people, which those chosen are great people, which cannot be numbered or counted for multitude verse nine so here's the wish given by servant an understanding heart to judge to judge by people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of vine and did please God.

Now God will go over in the next verse and put his finger in verse 11 on the three wishes that you and I would normally ask God said to him, because you asked for wisdom and have not asked for yourself. Here's the first one underlined long life that's health nor have you asked riches. That's well for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, that would mean no one is against you. Your popular everybody loves you health well and say there is those are the three were we would've camped and he said because you didn't ask for these three instead you asked for discernment to understand justice, behold, I've done according to your words, what pleases God. Ladies and gentlemen from this little incident is when you and I pray Lord I don't ask for help. I just ask for the discernment to understand when sickness come Lord I'm not going to answer wishful well.

I just ask for the prudence and the wisdom to steward what you have given me and what I don't ask for popularity or fame. I just ask for grace. They handle my enemies. And God says to you and me. I fully note one other honorable mention in Genesis chapter 5 turn back to Genesis chapter 5, and he mentions another man just briefly and that there is so much just about this one character verse 22 again in chapter 5 Genesis 522 then unique walk with God. 300 years after he became the father of Methuselah, and he had other sons and daughters. I want to give you the first three things about this is first of all, his birth evidently brought about a change in his father's life. His birth evidently brought about a change in his father's life. Would you know verse 22.

Why want to underline the word after they needed walk with God. 300 years after he became the father of Methuselah, the cry of his newborn baby son pierced his heart and God use that to an effect because in Phoenix heart the desire of the now my side is watching these here and I must now walk with God and for 300 years after the birth. He followed God the please God, there is the story of the alcoholic who lived a terrible life of sin. He abused his wife. He never took care of things around the home and he spent most of his money on liquor and into their home a baby boy was born in all the towns thought what a tragedy for baby boy to be born into a home like that and sure enough, this man continued his carousing and his drinking, never giving any time or thought to his son and wife, one winter, the record tells us when the boy was fine. The father slammed out of the house and begin walking across the freshly driven snow toward the local tavern, and as he was walking he heard the door closed behind them, and he heard somebody call out daddy for down the father turned around and he found his son taking large strides so that he would step where his father had already pressed the snow down his father angrily said Sgt. back in the house. What are you doing son stopped and he kinda stuck at his chest and he said daddy I'm big enough now so that wherever you step I can step now I can follow in your footsteps that man turned and came back to son and he knelt in the snow and he gathered his boy into his arms and the said to his son. In that case I need to change direction that we don't know what the eunuch was like before the birth of his son, but something about his birth told the neck even though you're in the godly line evidently not godly you change directions you begin walking with God. The best thing that you and I can do for our children. Men and women does not provide for them the most expensive education I give them the finest clothes, automobiles, the best thing that we can do for our children is to walk with God to press down ground where we are not ashamed if they should follow. Step after step. The second thing about Methuselah is the meaning of his name would you jump into your notes made, the name means when he is dead. It will come with a great name to have. They always chose names according to meaning anything so I son no mistaking what should I name this boy so that the meeting will ring in the ears of all, there is a lot when he is dead. It will come strange unless you understand the chronological history and discover this the year Methuselah died. The flood covered the earth thinking it was a prophet. According to Jude. Chapter 14 and God must've given him. Revelation when your little boy dies and you don't know if it's two years two weeks 200 years, but when he is dead. It will come judgment and I wanted to be the third thing that is more powerful because at this point, and that is this is a love live longer than any other person is Evelyn get God said when this boy dies judgment coming, but in order to illustrate his grace and patience toward humanity. He made it so that Methuselah would live longer than anybody. And when he died, judgment came one phrase receives repeated attention in Genesis chapter 5. It is the phrase, and he died.

Adam lived 930 years and he died. Seth lived 921 years and died in lived 905 years and he died teen and lived 910 years and died may have allow lived 830 years and he died. Jared 962 years and he died, Methuselah 969 years and he died limit live 777 years, the last in this genealogical record and guess what happened after 777 years and he died. He said God told Adam that in the day you eat from the fruit of this tree you will die.

Genesis chapter 5 said in Noah's and Adam's days were 930 years and he died, God kept his word.

We cannot skirt it, we cannot avoid it, save the coming of Jesus Christ for the church. There's a fable that tells the story of a wealthy merchant who sent his servant to market to purchase goods that were needed so the servant with the market obedient to his master this market. Of course, being in the city of Samara and he went to the marketplace in the region of Samara where they sold their goods and he began purchasing and he decided to take a little shortcut any cut through an alley in halfway there.

He ran face to face with leading death.

The fable tells us that the servant was so startled that he turned and he ran Lady death must be after him and so we went back to his master and he said please loan me one of your fastest horses. I must fleeing to Baghdad tonight and the master get dollars servant was distraught anything okay take cars at your so his servant fled to Baghdad and the master went back to Samara there at the marketplace and he finished buying the goods and he also went back to that same alley and he came face-to-face with lady death when he Brad knowing his time was not done.

He said the lady that way. Bartel my servant lady death said to him, actually it was. I was startled I couldn't understand why he was in Samara I have an appointment with him tonight.

The writer of Scripture tells us it is appointed on the man once to die, that could be literally translated, it is the destiny of everyone we don't think about one of the godless men who ever lived.

Lord, teach me the number. My's see we are not ready to listen to. We are prepared. I hope this time in God's word has been thanks for joining us this is wisdom for the hearts the Bible teaching ministry of Stephen Davey.

I'm your host Scott Wiley.

Today's lesson comes from a series entitled origins.

It's part of our vintage wisdom library, a series of lessons Stephen taught back in 1988 I want to make you aware that we have a companion resource to this series.

It's a study guide also entitled origins. The study guide has the transcript of Stephen's lessons but it also has some questions for you to think about and opportunities for you to go a little deeper into God's word as you work your way through this study guide, you'll find the origins study guide on our website which is wisdom online.org if you prefer to call us, we be happy to help you over the phone. Our number here in our carry North Carolina office is 86 648 Bible. That's 866-482-4253 if you haven't already done it.

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