"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. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:5-6).

"Enoch lived sixty-five years, and begot Methuselah. After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters. So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him" (Genesis 5:21-24).

IDEA: God rewards those who seek Him and not merely His rewards.

PURPOSE: To help listeners understand that God is pleased with those who seek Him and not simply seek His blessings.

Have you ever felt that you have been "used" by someone? What happened? How did you feel? Do you think it is possible for us to "use" God?

I. Our prayers sometimes betray that we are often more interested in God's gifts than in God Himself.

We get the Lord's Prayer turned around.

The prayer starts with God and His reputation and His kingdom and will.

The prayer then focuses on us.

We have a list of things we want God to do for us.

II. The writer to the Hebrews talks about those whom God rewards.

A. God rewards those who diligently seek Him. What do you think that means?

Is it possible to seek God not for His sake but for His gifts?

He rewards us not in terms of "payments," but blessings. The reward in some way lies in knowing God.

Is there much of a difference in having "a friendship" and having "a connection"?

What is the "reward" of giving yourself to a friendship or a spouse? Could you say that the person who gave himself to his wife was rewarded with a good marriage?

What do you think Augustine meant when he wrote, "You have made us for yourself, O God, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in thee."