Go! And Don’t Perish for Lack of Knowledge
Introduction: Gripped by the Danger of Ignorance
Church, if I told you that a person could starve while sitting at a feast, you would probably look at me in disbelief. And yet spiritually, that’s exactly what happens to millions. They sit in churches, they hear the Word of God preached, they may even own several Bibles at home—and yet they starve because they neither read, nor believe, nor apply what God has spoken.
The prophet Hosea makes this startling declaration:
“My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me. Since you priests refuse to know me, I refuse to recognize you as my priests. Since you have forgotten the laws of your God, I will forget to bless your children.” (Hosea 4:6, NLT)
This is not a verse for “those people out there.” This is a verse that demands we check our own hearts. Are we destroyed because we don’t know Him?
Point 1: God’s Word Brings Life or Death (Hosea 4:6, Hebrews 4:12)
Hosea’s warning is a chilling one. God’s people perish—not because of lack of resources, not because of lack of opportunity, but because of lack of knowledge. The Hebrew word da?ath (??????) for “knowledge” here doesn’t mean trivia. It speaks of relational knowledge, covenant intimacy with God.
This is why the writer to the Hebrews declares:
“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” (Hebrews 4:12, NLT)
The Greek word for “alive” is zao (???), meaning vibrant, active, life-giving. God’s Word doesn’t simply contain truth—it is living truth, and when received, it brings life. But when ignored, it leaves us vulnerable to death.
Charles Stanley once said: “God’s Word is the compass for the believer, pointing us in the right direction. When we neglect it, we drift off course and end up in dangerous waters.” He’s right—neglecting God’s Word isn’t harmless; it’s deadly.
Imagine a soldier in battle who refuses to carry his sword. He may still wear the uniform, but he is defenceless against the enemy. That’s what happens when a Christian neglects the Word of God.
Today, we have Bibles on our phones, in our homes, even read aloud to us on apps. But are we wielding the sword—or letting it gather digital dust?
Point 2: Seeking First the Kingdom (Matthew 6:33)
Jesus says: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” (Matthew 6:33, NLT)
The Greek word zeteite (??te?te), “seek,” means to strive after, to crave, to pursue with determination. This isn’t a casual glance—it’s an all-consuming priority.
Tim Keller once said: “If you seek happiness more than God, you’ll get neither. But if you seek God more than happiness, you’ll end up with both.” That’s what Jesus is teaching us: our first pursuit must be Him.
Imagine someone who spends hours searching for lost car keys but won’t spend ten minutes searching for God in prayer. Yet Jesus assures us that when God is sought first, every true need will be met.
Our society teaches us to seek careers, wealth, or relationships as ultimate goals. But Jesus says: Seek first the Kingdom. In practice, that means making God’s Word, prayer, and obedience non-negotiables—not leftovers after everything else.
Point 3: Faith over Fear (Matthew 8:26, James 1:6–8)
When the storm raged on the Sea of Galilee, the disciples panicked. Then we read:
“Jesus responded, ‘Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!’ Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.” (Matthew 8:26, NLT)
The Greek word for “afraid” here is deilos (de????), meaning cowardly or timid. Jesus wasn’t just asking why they were scared—He was asking why they lacked trust in Him.
James warns us of the same danger:
“But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.” (James 1:6–8, NLT)
R.T. Kendall said: “Faith means believing God will do what He said He would do. Doubt questions His promises, and fear assumes He won’t keep them.”
How often do we panic like the disciples? A bill comes we can’t pay, a diagnosis we didn’t expect, or a trial we didn’t foresee. Fear grips us. Yet Jesus still asks, “Why are you afraid?”
The Gospel: Christ, Our Only Hope
At the heart of all this is not simply knowledge about God, but knowing God through Jesus Christ. We were all sinners—guilty, condemned, separated. But Jesus, the Word made flesh, came, lived the perfect life we could not live, died the death we deserved on the cross, was buried, and on the third day He rose again.
He conquered sin, death, and the grave. He offers forgiveness, eternal life, and reconciliation with God to all who repent and believe.
John Piper once wrote: “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” And true satisfaction only comes when we are reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.
Call to Action: Go! And Trust His Word
Friends, Hosea warns us: God’s people perish for lack of knowledge. But we need not perish. We can thrive when we:
Live by the Word of God.
Seek first His Kingdom.
Trust Him fully in every storm.
Will you commit today to be a people of the Word, people of prayer, and people of faith?
Invitation to Salvation:
If you have never repented of your sin and trusted Christ as Lord and Saviour, hear this: today is the day of salvation. Jesus calls you to turn from sin and trust Him. Eternal life is offered—not through works, but by grace through faith.
Benediction:
Beloved, do not be destroyed for lack of knowledge. Seek Him, know Him, trust Him.
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20, NLT)
Go! And live in His Word. Go! And seek His Kingdom. Go! And stand firm in faith.
