As Christians, we often find comfort and solace in the hymns and songs of our faith. The powerful lyrics and soaring melodies can lift our spirits and bring us closer to God. However, it's possible to become so familiar with the hymns that we forget the One they're about. In this sermon, we'll explore the importance of knowing God, not just His hymns.
The Danger of Familiarity
In Matthew 15:8-9, Jesus quotes the prophet Isaiah, saying, "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules." It's possible to go through the motions of Christianity, singing hymns and attending church, without truly knowing God. We can become so familiar with the rituals and traditions of our faith that we forget the personal relationship with God that they're meant to facilitate.
The Importance of Intimacy
In Psalm 27:4, David writes, "One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple." David's desire is to know God intimately, to gaze on His beauty and seek Him in His temple. This is the kind of relationship that God desires with us as well. In Jeremiah 9:23-24, God says, "Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight."
Getting to Know Him
So, how can we get to know God, not just His hymns? Here are a few tips:
Read His Word: The Bible is God's revelation of Himself to us. By reading it regularly, we can learn about His character, His actions, and His love for us.
Pray: Prayer is a two-way conversation with God. By talking to Him and listening for His response, we can build a deeper relationship with Him.
Worship: While hymns can be a powerful way to worship God, they're not the only way. We can worship Him through music, art, nature, and even our daily activities.
Seek Community: Surrounding ourselves with other believers can help us stay focused on God and encourage us to deepen our relationship with Him.
Conclusion
In John 17:3, Jesus says, "Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." Eternal life is not just about knowing facts about God; it's about knowing Him personally. As we sing our hymns and go through the motions of our faith, let's not forget the One they're about. Let's seek to know God, to gaze on His beauty, and to seek Him in His temple. By doing so, we can build a deeper, more meaningful relationship with Him, and truly experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from knowing Him.
