Things Christians Can Know

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 It is a faith based in and on history, handed down through reliable historical documents created by eyewitnesses and through those who were contemporary to the things documented.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".