Knowing God
Hosea 4:6
Nothing is more important than to know God in a deep personal way, to Seek God with all your heart, mind, and strength.
We must not be like those of Hosea’s day who were "destroyed for a lack of knowledge..." Hos 4:6
Anybody can know God even in a vast empty loneliness
During World War II the famous American pilot, Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, was flying on a special mission to the Pacific Islands. The plane crashed, and Rickenbacker and his crew were lost at sea for twenty-one days. Rickenbacker wrote of that experience: "In the beginning many of the men were atheists or agnostics, but at the end of the terrible ordeal each, in his own way, discovered God. Each man found God in the vast, empty loneliness of the ocean. Each man found salvation and strength in prayer, and a community of feeling developed which created a liveliness of human fellowship and worship, and a sense of gentle peace.
We have the choice of either Knowing about God, or Knowing of God.
I heard two people on the Wengern Alp talking by the hour of the names of ferns--not a word about their characteristics, uses, or habits, but a medley of crack-jaw titles and nothing more. They evidently felt that they were ventilating their botany and kept each other in countenance by alternate volleys of nonsense. Well, they were about as sensible as those doctrinalists who forever talk over the technicalities of religion but know nothing by experience of its spirit and power. Are we not all too apt to amuse ourselves after the same fashion? He who knows mere names, but has never seen a flower, is as reliable in botany as the theologian who can elaborate upon escatology but has never known the love of Christ in his heart.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon,
Some seek truth independently
Adam and Eve knew God. They acknowledged him as their Lord and obediently carried out their responsibilities as his stewards in creation. However, eating from the forbidden tree of the knowledge of good and evil decisively shaped humanity’s future (Gen 2:9,17). The knowledge derived from eating this fruit is called godlike (Gen 3:5,22), denoting a rebellious attempt to decide good and evil independently of the Creator.
Our knowledge should not be based on what others think, or believe
Don’t follow the leader
Hurrying my 11-year-old daughter to school, following a car ahead of me, I turned right on red where it was prohibited. "Uh, oh," I said, realizing my mistake. "I just made an illegal turn." "It’s all right," my daughter said. "The police car behind us did the same thing."
Jack Eppolito, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Christian Reader, "Lite Fare."
Know the difference between a natural knowledge, and a revealed knowledge.
Rom 1:18-20 NKJV
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
With knowledge we need to glorify God
Rom 1:21-32 NKJV
21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
To Know God requires us to acknowledge him as Lord in obedience and praise.
Seeking God is dependent on the proper perspective.
When we surrender to him and acknowledge him as Lord, God "shows us the way we should go" (Ps 143:8; John 14:6).
Our knowledge leads us to deeper truth
But this knowledge is only a foretaste of knowing God "face to face" in the hereafter (1 Cor 13:12), when "the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts" (2 Peter 1:19).
Knowing God through his Word
1. Can we truly trust the Bible as God’s Word?
(Keep your eyes upon Jesus!)
I once watched a little baby learning to walk. As long as it
kept its eyes on its mother it was relaxed and in perfect
balance. But as soon as it looked down at its little wobbly
legs, it failed.
- Billy Graham, _The Secret Of Happiness_, p. 186.
2 Tim 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. (NLT)
Ps 18:30 As for God, his way is perfect. All the LORD’s promises prove true . . . (NLT)
The Word of God is fail-proof; not one promise has failed.
2. How often should we read the Bible?
How often when you were a child did you stub your toe, bruise a
leg, or cut hour hand? When this happened have often did you run
to the arms of your mother and cry out your woe? Lovingly
caressing you and tenderly kissing the hurt, she imparted the
magic of healing and wholly comforted. Love and compassion
contain a stronger balm than all the salve and ointments made by
man.
- Billy Graham
Deut 17:19 He must always keep this copy of the law with him and read it daily as long as he lives. That way he will learn to fear the LORD his God by obeying all the terms of this law. (NLT)
The Bible is for daily reading and daily meditation. "Continually" doesn’t mean reading the Bible just when we get around to it.
3. Why is it so important to read the Bible every day?
Jer 15:16 Your words are what sustain me. They bring me great joy and are my heart’s delight . . . (NLT)
4. Life itself is sustained by God’s Word.
John 8:32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (NLT)
John 12:50 And I know his instructions lead to eternal life . . . (NLT)
5. Reading the Bible tells us how to be set free from sin.
Acts 17:11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day by day to check up on Paul and Silas, to see if they were really telling the truth. (NLT)
Reading the Bible helps us recognize true and false teaching.
Deut 17:20 This regular reading will prevent him from becoming proud and acting as if he is above his fellow citizens . . . (NLT)
6. Reading the Bible helps us keep a right attitude toward God and others.
Ps 119:9 How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word and following its rules. (NLT)
7. Reading the Bible can keep us pure.
Ps 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (NLT)
Reading the Bible guides us in daily living.
Ps 119:24 Your decrees please me; they give me wise advice. (NLT)
Prov 6:22 Wherever you walk, their counsel can lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up in the morning, they will advise you. (NLT)
Reading the Bible provides good counsel for our problems.
Ps 119:50 Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles. (NLT)
Reading the Bible gives us hope for the future.
Ps 119:52 I meditate on your age-old laws; O LORD, they comfort me. (NLT)
Reading the Bible gives us comfort.
PROMISE FROM GOD
Prov 2:1-11 NKJV
My son, if you receive my words,
And treasure my commands within you,
2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding;
3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment,
And lift up your voice for understanding,
4 If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
5 Then you will understand the fear of the LORD,
And find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk uprightly;
8 He guards the paths of justice,
And preserves the way of His saints.
9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice,
Equity and every good path.
10 When wisdom enters your heart,
And knowledge is pleasant to your soul,
11 Discretion will preserve you;
Understanding will keep you,
