Knowing God

Knowing God Introduction: I. I want to begin by telling a story (supposedly true) and I want you to listen carefully because there really is an important lesson in it. A. You may not get the lesson at first, but you surely will when we come back to it later.] B. A small boy was playing with his buddies in the back yard. 1. His father overheard them talking. 2. One of the boys said, “My dad can whip your dad”. 3. Another said, “My dad knows the mayor of our city!” 4. Another said, “That's nothing — my dad knows the governor of our state!” 5. Wondering what was coming next in the “program of bragging,” the father continued to listen and heard his son say, “That's nothing — my dad knows God!” a. How do you top that? b. You can’t! II. After Mark Twain had made his triumphant TOUR through Europe, where he was honored by great universities and kings, his daughter said: "Daddy, I guess pretty soon you will know everybody except God." A. The truth is, it doesn't matter who you know or how many you know. 1. Ultimately, knowing God is the only relationship that matters for eternity. 2. But what does it mean to know God? Illustration: 1. A friend comes to you and he says, “Do you know such and such a person?” You reply, “I know there is such a person”. 2. Being further asked, “But do you know him?” you answer, “Well, I know that he is a good man and raised a good family.” 3. “But Do you know him?” the friends asks. 4. You say, “Well, I cannot say that I know him, for if I were to see him I could not recognize him. I have never heard him speak nor have I even spoken to him.” 5. To be acquainted with a man, having learned about his past, his character, and his passions, is a higher order of knowledge than to merely know of one’s existence. a. It is in this sense that man can come to know God. b. Through study of the Bible man can become acquainted with God. 1) This involves learning about His character, and His attributes that include patience, mercy, and grace; His rewards for obedience and His wrath against those who disrespect Him and rebel against him; and how he has dealt with people and governments in the past. 2) Knowing these things helps us understand what WE need to do to please Him, as well as what to avoid to keep from displeasing him. 3) Little children sometimes come to know their parents all too well. i. They learn just how much they can get away with, without getting punished. ii. God’s children should not think this way or behave this way – ever. iii. Rather, we should love and respect God, always endeavouring to please Him so that we never even get close to arousing His wrath against us. B. There are many passages that tell us about God, His character, His attributes, and His person (s) – the trinity; but this lesson will be limited to “knowing God” in the sense of a relationship. III. Questions related to this topic that we intend to discuss include: a. What is involved in knowing God? b. What do we need to learn and know about God? c. Where are the answers found? d. Will I know God when I find the answers? e. What benefits are there from knowing God? [These are questions that we shall endeavour to Answer during this lesson.] Body: I. It is important that we learn what it means to know God. A. Know - "to become acquainted with, to know" (Thayer); "to know, understand, perceive, have knowledge of" (Online Bible Dictionary). [This is the SURFACE definition] 1. It is important…because: a. To know God is eternal life. John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. b. …Those who do not know God will be eternally punished. 2 Thes. 1:7-9 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 2. Thus, to know God means more than merely having knowledge. [Two examples that prove this.] a. John 12:42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 1) They had knowledge and even believed ! but had no relationship. 2) And so, they did not know God. b. James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 1) Again, DEVILS had knowledge, and believed! 2) BUT, no relationship, which means they did not know God and therefore do not have eternal life. c. So, one can have knowledge about God, and even believe in God, yet not know God. 1) John 8:19 – When Jewish leaders asked Jesus, “Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.” 2) They had knowledge of God, but didn't understand & did not have fellowship with either the Father or the Son—no relationship. 3) Saul had knowledge about God, but didn't "know" God while he was persecuting the church. 1 Tim. 1:12-14 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 4) We can learn a lesson from the Book of Job. Job 42:5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Barnes Commentary on the above text: “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear - Referring to the indistinct views which we have of anything by merely hearing of it, compared with the clear apprehension which is furnished by sight. Job had had such views of God as one may obtain by being told of him; he now had such views as are furnished by the sight. The meaning is, that his views of God before were dark and obscure. “But now mine eye seeth thee - We are not to suppose that Job means to say that he actually "saw" God, but that his apprehensions of him were clear and bright "as if" he did.” i. And so, Job had come to know God better based on his interactions and experiences with Him. B. Jesus came to earth in the form of a man for the purpose of revealing God to the world. John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. 1. He revealed God by presenting himself. a. And he said, if you have seen me, you have seen the father. John 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. 9b He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? b. Paul explained that Jesus “is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature” (Col. 1:15). 2. Until one has knowledge of God, he cannot "know" Him, and when we know Christ, we know the Father. C. Before we can know Christ (which is to know the Father) we must learn of Him. John 6:45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. 1. Learning OF God isn't all there is to knowing Him. a. According to Heb. 11:6, we cannot please God without doing two things: 1) Obtaining Faith. 2) Believing His promises of REWARD. Heb. 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. II. So, to know God means more than merely having KNOWLEDGE, or even an UNDERSTANDING of God—it involves being OBEDIENT TO GOD. A. When we have knowledge of God & obey Him, we THEN know God in a sense that is DIFFERENT from the case of only having knowledge. 1 John 2:3-5 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 1. Vs. 3 informs us that to know God we must keep his commandments and that in so doing a relationship is formed. 2. Vs. 5 – Informs us that if we keep his word the love of God will be in our lives and perfected. John 14:23b (Jesus said) If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. B. One who Knows God Has Accepted the apostle’s teachings. John said… 1 John 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 1. It is a contradiction to say we are pleasing God while we are at the same time rejecting the inspired message! 2 John 9 Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son. Look with me at: 1 Cor. 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. a. This is a very important text (pertaining to commandments) that it seems many have overlooked lately. b. Men are arguing that the New Testament is all about LOVE and that there are no commandments. Just Grace. c. According to them, churches can worship any way they want and if anyone insists that we must follow the doctrine (commandments of the Lord) he is labeled as being divisive and a legalist. 2. The New Testament (which is the apostles' writings, doctrine, & commandments of the Lord) instructs us on how to walk (live) as Christ walked (lived): 1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. C. Those who Know God are in Christ. 1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. 1. One cannot know God while rejecting His Son, Jesus Christ. 2. In fact, all spiritual blessings are in Christ. Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: Includes PRAYER 3. Since those who KNOW GOD are “in Christ” the importance of getting into Christ is evident. a. While faith is certainly a requirement “faith only” does not result in getting into Christ, nor does it result in getting to know God. b. One’s faith must lead to obedience—to being baptized into Christ. Gal. 3:26-27 - For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. III. It is Possible for one to THINK he knows God when he really doesn’t. A. It is unfortunate that some have concluded they know God based on feelings--that perhaps were derived mainly from stories told by others, such as so-called personal experiences or testimonies. 1. But the New Testament is silent regarding feelings, experiences and testimonies as evidence of being saved, or of having a relationship with God. a. Saul had an experience, but he was told “Go into the city, and it will be told thee what thou must do.” (Acts 9:6) b. He was told to “arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” Acts 22:16 2. Certainly one experiences good feelings when he comes to truly know God, but feelings can be deceptive. B. Let’s note Paul’s comment to Titus and then look at Coke’s comment on the passage: 1. “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate” (Titus 1:16). 2. Coke Commentary (regarding Paul’s enemies) They profess that they know God,— This was their grand pretence for Christianity, and opposing St. Paul; namely, that they best understood the revelation of the mind and will of God in the gospel, as well as under the law; but at the same time pride, and covetousness, and other vices, animated and influenced them. C. Now let’s hear from Jesus on the same matter: Matt. 7:21 Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 1) You can rest assured that if God does not know you then you do not know Him. 2) This text clearly teaches that one can THINK he knows GOD, based on his faith that GOD exists and his own works, but never really know Him. 3) It seems apparent that this text is about religious people who were duped into believing salvation comes at the point of faith instead of at the point of obeying the gospel by being baptized. (see Romans 6:3, 4; 17, 18) 4) Regardless of the reason for not obeying the gospel, whether one was deceived or just acted on feelings, God said, “I never knew you.” 5) And so, we see there is a prerequisite to knowing God, which is being baptized to get into the body, the church, the saved. (See Col. 1:23 and Acts 2:47) D. Unless we are willing to be taught by God and willing to obey God, we will never know God, even if we attend worship services and do many things that make us feel good – or that make us feel like we have a relationship… 1. Perhaps you know about God, but do not really know Him (have a relationship with Him). 2. You can change that by obeying the gospel of Christ in faith & allowing God to come into your life. 3. And then as you take in more knowledge of God (to include Bible teaching and evidences that prove the Bible to be inspired) your relationship will grow, especially once you find your place in the house of God and become useful in his service. (1 Tim. 3:15) IV. How do we get closer to God? A. There is no short-cut to getting close to God. 1. We can’t expect that our prayers alone will have a favourable result. 2. We are going to have to make a conscious effort to LISTEN to God and resolve to obey. James 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. Romans 10:17 - So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 3. One must be more than just a listener; he must also be REASONABLE; there are people that are not reasonable. a. I deal with a lot of people on various FB groups. b. Some show themselves to be unreasonable. c. You cannot teach an unreasonable person. Isaiah 1:18 - Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: 20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. d. If we want to avoid destruction and have the blessings of God that He promises, then we are going to have to listen, be reasonable and obey—be a DOER. 1) Rebellion is a sin that is not covered by the blood of Christ. Rom. 4:7 Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 2) The Christian is continuously cleansed by the blood as he walks in the light (1 John 1:6, 7) but one who rebels against God is walking in darkness and does not have fellowship with him. B. We get closer to God by: 1. Not just listening carefully when we read the word, but by listening to be instructed. a. We need to be willing for God to change our thoughts and understanding. b. And we must reject the devil’s efforts to cause us to think our desires and traditions are the same as God's revelation. 1) Jesus said to Jewish leaders, Mark 7:7-8 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, 2. We get closer to God when we develop the attitude Paul showed in his letter to the Philippians. Phil. 3:8-10 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; C. One cannot truly know God until he understands that He is a God of WRATH. 1. People don’t like to hear much about His fierce wrath and the pain, suffering and destruction He is known to inflict on people who don’t get to know Him. [He does things to wake people up!] Rom 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 2. It is true that the Bible teaches that God is good to those who trust Him and submit to His will. But it also teaches that He reacts with terror toward those who refuse to listen to Him. Nahum 1:2-8 2 God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies. 3 The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: 6 Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him. 7 The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. 8 But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies. a. Whenever a preacher preaches about the goodness of God, he speaks only 1/2 of the message God wants man to know. b. Paul was very plain in warning people of the wrath of God and His judgment against those who refuse to listen to Him. 2 Cor. 5:9- 11 - Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men;… 2 Thes.1:7-10 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. 1) Fortunately, man can be delivered from the wrath of God through Jesus Christ. 2) Psalms 34:17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. 21 Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. 22 The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate. V. What do we (Christians) know about God (based upon what He has revealed to us, that we have comprehended)? 1. We know God Loved us enough to give His Son for us that we might have eternal life. (John 3:16) 2. We know God Can not lie and His word is perfect. (Tit. 1:2) 3. We know God will avenge our enemies and stand with us when persecuted. (Eph. 6:10-20; Rom. 12:19) 4. We know God will forgive our sins if we believe in and obey His Son. (Acts 2:38; Heb. 5:9) 5. We know God has offered us the abundant life. (John 10:10b) 6. We know God has established an ark of safety (church) on earth. (1 Pet. 3) 7. We know God has given us a mediator to plead our case. (1 Tim. 2:5) 8. We know God promised us a heavenly home. (Col. 1:5). 9. We know God continually cleanses us as we “walk in the light” that He might be able to receive us into heaven upon our death. (1 John 1:7; Rev. 21:27) 10. We know that he wants all men to repent, to come to a knowledge of the truth and to come to him. (Acts 26:20; 1 Tim. 2:4; Matt. 11:28, 29) Conclusion: I. Do you remember the conversation a father overheard that we talked about? A. It was boys bragging about the powers their fathers had. 1. One said his dad could fight—could whip the other boys dads; 2. Another said his dad knew the mayor; 3. And then another said his dad knew the governor. B. One who knows the mayor of a big city or the governor of a state can possibly be a powerful person, depending on what you mean by “know.” 1. Everyone in the city knows the mayor in a sense. 2. Everyone in the state knows the governor in a sense. 3. So how is it that one can have real power because of knowing someone who is powerful? a. The answer is, they are CLOSE. b. They have a relationship whereby there is mutual trust and respect—each wants to please the other. 1) If you know the mayor or the governor you can get things accomplished—things that benefit you and others who you recognize as needing help; such as a job, a road needing repair, a law passed etc. i. My father knew the governor and was able to help a lot of people get jobs etc. ii. Don’t know the extent…because he did not talk about it—heard it from other people. 2) I know a man that got a very high paying job – a politically appointed job where there was much competition for it, simply because his father had been roommates in college with the current President. [They may have not even liked each other.] C. If knowing some man makes one powerful consider the power of one who knows God. 1. Think about great characters we read about in the Bible, like Abraham, Joseph and David – to name a few. a. These men truly KNEW God and they benefited greatly from the relationship. b. They used their power (derived from knowing God) to do good–-to help others--and not just their own friends or family. c. The things these men did, through the help of God, set the stage for Israel being established… and Jesus becoming the Savior of all who seek eternal life by trusting and obeying. d. Why were these men able to be so close to God? 1) They listened to Him. 2) They had faith in Him--they put their trust in God. 3) They were willing to let God guide them. 4) And they were willing to work and to fight for God. i. They were workers. ii. They were warriors for God. iii. He helped them win their battles as they helped HIM accomplish His will. e. Someone says, “Joseph was not a warrior”. 1) Oh, but he was! 2) He had enemies; but they were mainly from within—his own family; but because he had a relationship with God, he was able to conquer them--Yes, he conquered them. II. i. When you conquer an enemy, it does not always mean you killed them, or even hurt them in some way. ii. Joseph never attacked his brothers for the evil they did to him. iii. Yet they were brought to their knees-they repented and became friends with him again—all part of God’s plan that He and Joseph worked out. iv. Through knowing Joseph, who knew God, each of the brothers was blessed and became leaders of tribes of Israel. A popular song in churches of Christ is “Soldiers of Christ Arise.” 1 Soldiers of Christ, arise, and put your armour on, strong in the strength which God supplies, through his eternal Son; 2 Strong in the Lord of Hosts, and in his mighty power: who in the strength of Jesus trusts is more than conqueror. 3 Stand then in his great might, with all his strength endued; and take, to arm you for the fight, the panoply of God. 4 To keep your armour bright attend with constant care, still walking in your Captain’s sight, and watching unto prayer. 5 From strength to strength go on, wrestle and fight and pray; tread all the powers of darkness down, and win the well-fought day; 6 That, having all things done, and all your conflicts past, ye may o’ercome, through Christ alone, and stand entire at last. A. Brethren and friends, “Soldiers of Christ Arise” is not talking about standing to sing in the assembly of the saints. 1. It is talking about building a relationship with God. 2. It is talking about applying yourself with diligence and love as a “soldier of Christ” who seeks to capture the hearts and minds of the lost. (2 Tim. 2:3, 4; 2 Cor. 10:3-5; 2 Pet. 3:14; Heb. 6:11; 2 Pet. 1:5, 10) B. This is what God wants. VI. Let the “unknown” become the “known” (Acts 17:16-34) A. In Athens Greece on a rocky knoll called Mars Hill, the people of that city had erected an altar that said, “To the unknown God.” [This is a real place. Been there and have seen it with my own eyes.] B. The altar gave Paul opportunity to preach about the unknown God. 1. But after hearing Paul some rejected his teaching; consequently, to them God remained unknown. 2. The same is true of people today. a. Some hear, but afterward God remains unknown because they didn’t take the message seriously and didn’t accept and obey the teaching, which is a prerequisite to building a relationship with God. b. But the record tells us (vs 32) some did hear, and they replied… “We will hear thee again of this matter”; and God honors some of them by recording their names. “34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.” Invitation: A. Do you know God? 1. I’m not asking if you belief that He exists. 2. I’m asking whether you have a relationship with him. 3. I’ve heard some say, “God does not need us, but we need him.” a. That is so NOT true! b. He needs you to help Him help others. A popular song called “The World’s Bible” well teaches what I’m trying to get across. The World's Bible by Annie Johnson Flint Christ has no hands but our hands To do His work today; He has no feet but our feet To lead men in His way; He has no tongues but our tongues To tell men how He died; He has no help but our help To bring them to His side. We are the only Bible The careless world will read; We are the sinner's Gospel, We are the scoffer's creed; We are the Lord's last message, Given in deed and word; What if the type is crooked? What if the print is blurred? What if our hands are busy With work other than His? What if our feet are walking Where sin's allurement is? What if our tongues are speaking Of things His lips would spurn? How can we hope to help Him And hasten His return? B. Now that we know that “knowing God” means having a good relationship with Him, where there is mutual respect and trust, we know how much the little boy honored his father when he said, “my daddy knows God.” 1. Can this be said of YOU? 2. Or do people think of you much like Mark Twain’s daughter who didn’t seem to think he would EVER know God? 3. Some here today may: a. Need to obey the gospel to get into the family of God. b. Others may need to work on being a warrior for God—a worker; letting Christ use your hands, feet, and mouth to help in reaching others with the gospel. 4. God is the ONE AND ONLY TRUE GOD. a. There is no other! (Deut.6:4; Isa.45:5; Ex.20:3; 1 Thes.1:9). b. There is no one above Him; there is nothing with which to compare Him. c. Christians, keep on endeavoring to build your relationship with God – to say it is worth your time is a great understatement. 2 Cor. 13:14 - The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. (end)