Developing Lesson 6 Intimacy with God And Enoch

Developing Lesson 6 Intimacy with God “And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him. ” -- Genesis 5: 24

Developing Intimacy with God • What is the difference between being religious and being spiritual? (James 1: 2627; Romans 8: 6; 1 Corinthians 9: 11) – Thayer’s definitions: • RELIGION: Θρησκει α (threskeia) “religious worship, especially external, that which consists of ceremonies. Religious discipline…” • SPIRITUAL: Πνευματικο ς (pneumatikos) “relating to the human spirit, or rational soul, as part of the man which is akin to God and serves as his instrument…” • The Pharisees were religious without being spiritual (Matthew 23: 25 -28) – It is the difference between knowing about God and knowing God (Jn. 17: 3; 1 Jn. 5: 20)

Developing Intimacy with God • God desires communion with man. – From the beginning. (Genesis 1: 26 -27; 2: 8 -9; 3: 8 -9) – With Israel (Exodus 25: 8 -9; 1 Kings 6: 11 -13; Ezekiel 36: 24 -28; Jeremiah 24: 7; 31: 3) – Through His Son (Matt. 1: 23; John 1: 18; 14: 8 -9; 1 John 4: 13 -15) – In His church (Ephesians 2: 19 -22; 2 Corinthians 6: 14 -16)

Developing Intimacy with God • Intimacy with God begins when we pursue a relationship with Him with the whole heart. (Psalms 27: 8; 63: 1 -8; 105: 4; James 4: 8) • Meditation enables communion with God because it aids in the following: – Thoughtfulness in Prayer (Psalm 5: 1 -3) – An awareness that God is listening to our hearts as well as to our words. (Psalm 19: 14) – A deeper appreciation of the nature of God, His works and His word (Psalms 46: 10; 63: 6 -8; 143: 5 -6)

Developing Intimacy with God • Communion with God through worship. – God is in our worship assemblies (Matthew 18: 20; cf. 1 Corinthians 14: 25) – We draw near to Him, and He to us, through prayer (Psalm 69: 16 -18) – We commune with Him and one another in the Lord’s supper (1 Corinthians 10: 16 -17) – Our singing is done “to God” (Colossians 3: 16; Hebrews 13: 15) • “A close relationship with Him is cultivated the same way human friendships are—through time spent together, open communication and shared interests. ”

Developing Intimacy with God Man can have no greater experience than a close, intimate relationship with his Creator. Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD. . . ” (Jeremiah 9: 23 -24)