Topic: The Importance of the Knowledge of God
By Ptr Arsenio B. Segismundo
Text:
II Peter 1:2,
“Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.”
Intro:
The knowledge of God is the most important thing in our lives. It determines the thought that we think, the words that we say, and the acts that we do.
J.I. Parker said,
“Once you become aware the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life’s problem fall into place of their own accord.” The deeper the knowledge of God, the better is our thoughts, words and deeds.
I. Those who do not know God does not know his command
They will think of evil thoughts such as ( I Cor.9-10):
1. sexual immorality
Sexuality was God’s plan. He alone can define the restrictions for its use. The Bible is clear that sex was created to be enjoyed between one man and one woman who are in a covenant marriage until one of them dies. Sexuality is God’s gift to mankind. Any expression of it outside those limitations constitutes abuse of God’s gift.
The word most often translated “sexual immorality” is porneia. This word is also translated as “whoredom,” “fornication,” and “idolatry.” It means “a surrendering of sexual purity”. Sexual immorality is the “selling off” of sexual purity and involves any type of sexual expression outside the limitations of a biblically defined marriage relationship (Matthew 19:4–5).
2. Idolatry
The definition of idolatry, according to Webster, is “the worship of idols or excessive devotion to, or reverence for some person or thing.” An idol is anything that replaces the one, true God. The most prevalent form of idolatry in Bible times was the worship of images that were thought to embody the various pagan deities.
3. Adultery
Adultery is the corruption of marriage by the addition of a third person. Adultery is voluntary sexual activity between a married person and someone other than his or her spouse.
4. greediness
Greediness is the characteristic of having or showing a strong or excessive desire to acquire money or possess things,
especially wishing to possess more than what one needs or deserves.
5. Drunkenness
Drunkenness is the character of habitual drinking and deliriously with a strong drink
6. slandering
Slander is malicious lying (Proverbs 6:16–19; 12:22). Since God is the author of truth (John 14:6; 1 John 5:6), anything untrue is in opposition to His nature and therefore repulsive to Him. Both slander and gossip are wrong, and Scripture often condemns them together (Leviticus 19:16; Proverbs 16:27; 2 Corinthians 12:20), but slander takes gossip to a whole new level. Gossip collects someone’s secrets and passes them to others; slander makes up its own secrets and broadcasts them wherever they will do the most harm.
7. Swindling
Swindling is the act of cheating and defrauding of money or property
They will say words of
1. lies
A lie is a false statement deliberately presented as being true
It is something meant to deceive or mistakenly accepted as true:
2. curse
An appeal or prayer for evil or misfortune to befall someone or something.
3. demeaning words
It is the act of proclaiming words to lower in status or character / degrade a person
4. boastfulness
It is the act of saying something about oneself in a proud or self-admiring manner.
They will do deeds of
1. destruction
2. killing
3. stealing
4. hurting
5. revenge
II. Those who have the deep knowledge of God will bring about the following:
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
1. Goodness in you
2. Patience with others
3. Love for God and others
4. Joy unspeakable
5. Endurance in trials
6. Peace in the heart
7. Kindness to others
8. Humility
9. Self-control
III. Conclusion
A life with a deep knowledge of God will have a mindset that is heavenward; a life of peace, contentment and blissfulness. Wrong knowledge of God will bring about wrong worship. If you do not know God you will never understand why you are having a whole lot of problem and will not be able to provide resolution to them. But if you know God you will have answers to everything.
