Introduction
There is no greater pursuit in life than knowing God! The challenge is in presenting the wonder of God’s nature in a manner that is both completely Biblical and, at the same time, understandable and applicable to our daily lives.
Studying this truth about God will help you to develop and cultivate a deeper knowledge and love for our great God.
Psalm 145:1-3
The Importance of Knowing God.
Psalm 63:1-8
1. Knowing God determines our eternal destiny
John 17:3
A man that does not know God will not understand his eternal destination. He will be wandering in the dark and not knowing where to go in the journey of life.
2. Knowing God shapes our moral and ethical standards.
The reason why Gentiles were filled with all sorts of wicked acts in the Bible is their lack of God’s knowledge.
God is the ultimate truth- He tells the truth about you, who you are, why you are here, and where are you going after this life.
The Bible: The Book of Jesus Christ
1 Thessalonians 1:9, Titus 1:1-2
God is the ultimate holiness- God tells us how to live our lives as Christians, and he tells us to live a life that is holy for his glory.
1 Peter 1:14-16, Leviticus 11:44
God’s standard for man is for him to be holy, and God is the ultimate source of holiness. He defines holiness, and he defends holiness.
When a man knows God, he wants to live the way that God would be pleased, and not about him anymore.
3. Knowing God defines our priorities
Matthew 6:24, 31-34
What is important in your life?
What is your pursuit?
How are you pursuing those things?
Many people do not get involved in the things of God because they do not know God.
4. Knowing God affects our Response to difficulty and hardship-
Psalm 34:19, Romans 5:1-5, 1 Peter 4:12
1Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
Examples- Job lost his family and possession
Job 1:21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
Examples- Daniel in the Lions Den
How do you respond to tough times in your life?
Your response will determine the level of your understanding of God. The limited knowledge of how God works had made many people conclude that there is no God.
Example- Joseph Thrown in the Prison
5. Knowing God gives meaning and significance to relationships
Matthew 22:36-40
Loving God means surrendering to His will- Psalm 143:10
It is not about what you want, but what he wants you to do for His glory.
Loving others mean yielding to their needs- Proverbs 3:27-28
The Results of Knowing
1. A knowledge of God results in increased spiritual strength and energy
Daniel 11:32
2. A knowledge of God reveals the truth about ourselves- Isaiah 6:1-5
Example- Apostle Paul
3. A Knowledge of God pleases God- Jeremiah 9:23-24
Conclusion
It is possible to know about God without really knowing God himself.
It is possible to know about God’s word without really knowing God himself.
It is possible to know about godliness without really knowing God himself.