What Can We Learn from Genesis 5? | Genesis 5:1-32 | Chris Karpus

What can we learn from Genesis 5? What if…?From Adam to Noah5 This is the written account of Adam’s family line.When God created mankind, he made them in the likeness of God.  2  He created them male andfemale and blessed them. And he named them “Mankind” [a]  when they were created.3  When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named himSeth.  4  After Seth was born, Adam lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters.  5  Altogether, Adamlived a total of 930 years, and then he died.6  When Seth had lived 105 years, he became the father [b]  of Enosh.  7  After he became the father of Enosh,Seth lived 807 years and had other sons and daughters.  8  Altogether, Seth lived a total of 912 years, andthen he died.9  When Enosh had lived 90 years, he became the father of Kenan.  10  After he became the father of Kenan,Enosh lived 815 years and had other sons and daughters.  11  Altogether, Enosh lived a total of 905 years,and then he died.12  When Kenan had lived 70 years, he became the father of Mahalalel.  13  After he became the father ofMahalalel, Kenan lived 840 years and had other sons and daughters.  14  Altogether, Kenan lived a total of910 years, and then he died.15  When Mahalalel had lived 65 years, he became the father of Jared.  16  After he became the father ofJared, Mahalalel lived 830 years and had other sons and daughters.  17  Altogether, Mahalalel lived a totalof 895 years, and then he died.18  When Jared had lived 162 years, he became the father of Enoch.  19  After he became the father ofEnoch, Jared lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters.  20  Altogether, Jared lived a total of 962years, and then he died.21  When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah.  22  After he became the father ofMethuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons anddaughters.  23  Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years.  24  Enoch walked faithfully with God; then hewas no more, because God took him away.25  When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he became the father of Lamech.  26  After he became the fatherof Lamech, Methuselah lived 782 years and had other sons and daughters.  27  Altogether, Methuselahlived a total of 969 years, and then he died.28  When Lamech had lived 182 years, he had a son.  29  He named him Noah [c]  and said, “He will comfort usin the labor and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the Lord has cursed.”  30  After Noah wasborn, Lamech lived 595 years and had other sons and daughters.  31  Altogether, Lamech lived a total of777 years, and then he died.32  After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham and Japheth.1. Why pause and study this chapter?- Our message series are based on a Book of the Bible and not current events or Life Skills 101,starring Jesus. Genesis 5 is the next passage…it’s in the Bible, so it’s important.- Our messages are exegetical, not eisegetical…or exegesis vs. eisegesis.Exegesis - objective interpretation of the text to discover it’s original meaningEisegesis - Involves reading one's own ideas into the text, and is not concerned with theoriginal context.2. What can we learn from Gensis 5?- Genesis 5 is the beginning of the next major section of Genesis- It documents the faithfulness of God as He preserves what would be the bloodline of Jesus, throughNoah’s son, Shem. In that, Genesis 5 presents an early genealogy of the people of God.- Consider the possibility that this genealogy exists for the sake of the Gospel.- For those in Christ, it’s an early family tree- It’s a wide-angle view of redemptive history after the fall- Genesis 5 connects God’s faithfulness from Adam through Noah and ultimately to all of us whobelong to Him through our faith in Jesus.- That’s a pretty legit reason for us take a closer look, right?3. Genesis 5 opens by echoing Chapter 1:Genesis 5:1-2When God created mankind, he made them in the likeness of God.  2  He created them male andfemale and blessed them. And he named them “Mankind” [a]  when they were created.- Mankind = the human race- Just a reminder that God created mankind – in His own likeness – male and female and Heblessed them.4. A unique inclusion in this genealogy is verse 3:3  When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named himSeth. - So just as God fathers Adam and makes humanity in His likeness, so Adam reflects the imageof God by fathering a son who embodies his own likeness and image.o It seems to really emphasize the importance of this bloodline – which we know nowleads us to Jesus5. The most shocking aspect of Genesis 5 is that it bluntly documents a series of deaths – reminding usthat things were not the way they were originally designed to be prior to the fall.Genesis 5:4-54  After Seth was born, Adam lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters.  5  Altogether, Adam liveda total of 930 years, and then he died.- So in this chapter, right at the start, we get a heads up to the God-inspired redemption offeredthrough this bloodline – knowing that this genealogy leads to Jesus, while simultaneouslyreceiving a sobering reminder of the fall – the reason why redemption through Jesus wasnecessary.It may be a stretch, but I believe the genealogy in Genesis 5 is a very early reminder – in retrospect, ofthe reality of Romans 6:23Romans 6:23“23  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in [a]  Christ Jesus our Lord.”- those “…and then he died” statements are chilling compared to the life God intended for Adamand Eve…and all of us.- from the fall forward, humanity is held in slavery…Hebrews 2:14-15“14  Since the children have flesh and blood, he (Jesus) too shared in their humanity so that by his death hemight break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—  15  and free those whoall their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.”-As Adam tastes death as a judgement for sin, Jesus comes as a second Adam, who not only tastesdeath, but overcomes it and reverses the curse. “crushes the head of the serpent” from Genesis 3:13Romans 5:12-17“12  Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this waydeath came to all people, because all sinned—13  To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’saccount where there is no law.  14  Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time ofMoses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of theone to come.15  But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how muchmore did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to themany!  16  Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followedone sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and broughtjustification.  17  For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how muchmore will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign inlife through the one man, Jesus Christ!”This genealogy shows us the very beginning of God’s redemptive plan for humanity.5. There are 25 genealogies in the Bible- They recount deaths and births- But uncommon elements seem to stand out – those included people or asides that break fromthe typical script – This should catch our attention because it happens for a reason.- Everyone’s family tree has folks who stand out a little more than others – there’ssomething distinct about them.- Even in Amy’s and my family trees, there are folks that got a bronze metal in theOlympics (Amy’s), busted Al Capone (also Amy’s), a former president (naturally Amy’s)and a gangster - former Public Enemy Number 1 (OK…my tree)6. Adam’s descendent Enoch, born of the line of Seth, was one of those uncommon people…Genesis 5:21-2421  When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah.  22  After he became the father ofMethuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons anddaughters.  23  Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years.  24  Enoch walked faithfully with God; then hewas no more, because God took him away.- Up to this point, for each generation, we have a man living a certain number of years,fathers at least the son mentioned, lives longer, then dies.- Yet – we have a pause, or disruption with Enoch – why?- Obviously, Enoch had a close relationship with God. How do we know? Because the texttakes a break from the pattern to tell us that Enoch walked faithfully with Godo It suggests an intimacy unseen since before the Fallo This “walking with God” suggests a righteousness that comes by faith, and shows usthe intimate relationship we, as Christians, should have with God as describedthroughout the New Testament.- Enoch shows us the difference between being welcomed by God instead of facing death –rather than die like Adam’s other descendants, Enoch gets taken by God. Hebrews 11:5shines a little more light on what happened with Enoch:Hebrews 11:55  By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found,because God had taken him away.” [a]  For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleasedGod.- One could say that the faith of Enoch led to the favor of God…for Christians, this mightmean:- One could say that the Believer’s future is not based on his or her work, but his or her walkwhich of course, does include works prepared in advance by God)- A believer’s future is not based on credentials, but based on character- It’s defined not by pleasing others, but by pleasing God.- In fact, Hebrews 11:6 follows saying:Hebrews 11:66  And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe thathe exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.- God is pleased with those who wholly believe what His word says about Him.- Also, God rewards those who seek Him- Enoch also believed that God judges those who reject Him…How do we know this?Jude 14-1514  Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands uponthousands of his holy ones  15  to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts theyhave committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken againsthim.”- What we see in Enoch’s walk was that it was rooted in deepest intimacy with God: he knewGod.- His walk rested on great faith – he believed in God with his whole heart- He believed that God would judge and reward all who live- This doesn’t describe the high point of his life, but his entire life – over 300 years of aprogressively closer walk with God.- Then “God took him away”When Enoch was just a young man…365 years old…” he was no more, because God took him away.”- What are they saying here? How did God just take him?- Maybe it was similar to how God took Elijah…in a chariot of fire. It DOES sound a littlefamiliar when 2 Kings 2:11-12 says “…and Elisha saw him no more”2 Kings 2:11-1211  As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appearedand separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.  12  Elisha saw this and criedout, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then hetook hold of his garment and tore it in two.- What we can surmise by this, is that Enoch was taken from earthly life to eternal life.- God will do the same for us…probably not the same way, but certainly for the same reasonand the same goal…through JesusSo how does Enoch relate to or inform us as Christians?- What if what happened to Enoch was to encourage all of us to walk with God.- What if what happened to Enoch is intended to awaken all of us to the hope of life afterdeath.- I would think it awakened something in his contemporaries…hey had a LOT of time to thinkabout it.- His son, Methuselah had 969 years to mull this over!- Even as we discuss Chapter 5 as the beginning of the genealogy of Jesus, before Jesus wasborn, we see this hope manifested in some of the greats of the Old Testament:Job 19:25-27- 25  I know that my redeemer [a]  lives,    and that in the end he will stand on the earth. [b]26  And after my skin has been destroyed,    yet [c]  in [d]  my flesh I will see God;27  I myself will see him    with my own eyes—I, and not another.    How my heart yearns within me!Daniel 12:2-32  Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others toshame and everlasting contempt.  3  Those who are wise [a]  will shine like the brightness of theheavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.- Don’t these verses foreshadow the New Testament promises of Christ’s return?SO – How do we walk faithfully with God?1. Pray – alwaysa. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-1816  Rejoice always,  17  pray without ceasing,  18  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is thewill of God in Christ Jesus for you.- You cannot have a flourishing relationship with someone you don’t talk to.- Prayer is a time to tell God what is going on in our lives, to ask for guidance and wisdom, torepent of our sin and to enjoy His presence. It is a time to admit that God is greater than weare and to trust Him-2. Surrender to His will and way of lifea. Galatians 2:2020  I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved meand gave himself for me.b. Surrendering your life requires an eternal perspective- Prayer of Darren’s friend –o Thank you God for one more day, and thank you God for one less day.- c. This means surrendering everything you are- your job- your family- your money – your security- your past, present and future-3. Read the Bible- The inspired word of God- Psalm 119:105- “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”- You can’t walk with God in the dark.4. Live like Jesusa. Obey His commandsb. 1 John 2:6“6  whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”- “My dad is my hero”5. Confession ad Repentancea. Recognizing and confessing sini. The world doesn’t determine what sin is – God doesii. If you pray, surrender your life to Him, read His word, and live like Jesus, you’llrecognize the sin in your life, you’ll know what to give Himiii. He’s already died for it – give it to Him1 John 1:9“9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and tocleanse us from all unrighteousness.”iv. How many of us are sitting in a prison cell with door already opened?v. Walk out of the cell that Jesus opened, and walk with God.