Introduction:
One of the big things about the Christian faith that is different from all other faiths, except Judaism, is that it is a faith based on fact. It is a faith based on the evidence of real people, places and events. It is a faith based in and on history, handed down through reliable historical documents created by eyewitnesses and through those who were contemporary to the things documented. It is a faith based on evidence. It is a faith based on experience. It is a faith based on the God/man Jesus Christ, who was proved with power to be the Son of God by the resurrection from the dead (Romans 1:4).
And because of these factors, Christianity is a faith which is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). It is not a faith of speculation out of imagination (Ezekiel 13:2) and vain philosophy (Colossians 2:8). It is a faith not based on cunningly devised fables (2 Peter 1:16) but on the testimony of reliable eyewitnesses (1 John 1:1-5) and those men who were inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and who were moved and carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20).
The Christian faith is a faith built on a solid foundation in which we can KNOW many things. We can KNOW the God in whom we believe. We can KNOW that the things written are true. We can KNOW that the teachings are right. And as a result we can KNOW that the promises held out to us are certain enough for us to commit our lives, our very souls to the hope given us in the Son of the living God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Here, then, are discussed some of the things that Christians can KNOW:
"And we KNOW that the Son of God has come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may KNOW Him who is true. . ." (1 John 5:20).
I. THE LORD IS WITH US.
"We KNOW that we live in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit" (1 John 4:13).
A. If Scripture tells us this, why do some Christians still doubt God? Why do some not always feel God’s presence and doubt because of that? Even after the Resurrection some doubted!
"When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted" (Matthew 28:17).
B. Some feel God’s presence more often than not, or even continually, yet the fact is that the Lord is ALWAYS with us!
". . .and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:20).
". . .for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5).
C. Frank Laubach, missionary to the Philippines, invented what he called "The Game of Minutes." He determined that he would focus his mind and heart upon the Lord at least once every hour throughout the day, gradually decreasing the time between each devotional period. He eventually reduced the game of hours to a game of minutes, discovering that he through this discipline actually be conscious of God in his life every minute of the day.
Brother Lawrence, 17th century monk discovered this same discipline whereby he could be aware of God in his daily kitchen duties through "The Practice of the Presence of God."
D. Therefore, we can KNOW God’s presence all the time.
II. THE LORD IS ABLE TO KEEP US.
"For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I KNOW whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day" (2 Timothy 1:12).
"Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator" (1 Peter 4:19).
A. Some are reluctant to accept Christ because they fear they will be unable to consistently live the Christian life. It is true, they can’t -- in their own power. Romans 7:14-25 speaks to our struggle with sin.
B. It is only through the power of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit that we are enabled to withstand the pressures of life. Only by the Spirit of Christ that we are even motivated to follow Him.
Romans 8:5-11 speaks to being led by the Spirit and not by the flesh.
C. He is able to keep us.
Romans 8:35-39 -- ". . .neither death not life. . .";
John 10:27-30 -- ". . .no one can snatch us out of His hand."
D. We are "Kept For the Master’s Use", book by Frances Ridley Havergal, based on her hymn, "Take My Life and Let It Be Consecrated Unto Thee".
III. THE LORD HEARS AND ANSWERS PRAYER.
"Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we KNOW that He hears us, whatever we ask, we KNOW that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him" (1 John 5:14-15).
A. There are conditions -- God says "If you will...then I will..." -- but they work according to God’s laws, principles and promises.
B. We must ask believing (Mark 11:24).
C. We must ask having godly motives (James 4:2-3).
D. Faith is the key to answered prayer, not feelings.
IV. THE LORD WORKS IN ALL THINGS FOR OUR GOOD.
"And we KNOW that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).
A. When faced with great difficulties and challenges in life, Christians may ask, "Why?" When Jesus was on the Cross, He asked the same question, "Why?" (Matthew 27:46).
B. So do not be surprised at suffering, but rejoice!
(see 1 Peter 4:12-13; James 5:10-12; Romans 5:1-5; Hebrews 2:10,17-18; Romans 8:18)
C. We can not see the end result, but God can.
(see 1 Corinthians 10:13 regarding temptation; Isaiah 46:10 -- the end from the beginning; Isaiah 57:1-2 -- sometimes the righteous die to be spared from evil)
V. THE LORD PROVIDES AN ETERNAL HOME FOR US.
"For we KNOW that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens"
(2 Corinthians 5:1-5).
A. Comforting to KNOW we have "a home not made with hands." (1 John 3:2; 1 Corinthians 15:42-54; Philippians 3:20-21)
B. Comforting to KNOW that we have "a city prepared for us." (Hebrews 11:8-10,13-16; 13:14)
C. Comforting to KNOW that where the Lord is, we shall be also (John 14:1-4).
D. And we have it in writing!!! (1 John 5:13)
Conclusion:
A. We do not live by sight but by faith
(2 Corinthians 5:7).
There is a way that seems right but is not (Proverbs 14:12).
"Be still and KNOW that I am God. (Psalm 46:10).
B. The Word of God is the basis for which we can KNOW all these and many other things. The Holy Spirit testifies to the truth of these things in our hearts.
C. Jesus’ prayer for us (John 17:3 -- KNOW Christ and have life).
D. "And this is the testimony:
that God has given us eternal life,
and this life is in His Son.
He who has the Son has life;
he who does not have the Son of God does not
have life.
These things I have written to you who believe
in the name of the Son of God, that you may
KNOW that you have eternal life,
and that you may continue to believe
in the name of the Son of God"
(1 John 5:11-13 NKJV).
THESE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU CAN KNOW AS A CHRISTIAN. AND YOU HAVE GOD’S WORD ON IT!!!
"Be still and KNOW that I am God" (Psalm 46:10).
