1. …is life itself

2. ‘Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.’ John chapter 17 verse 3

3. One thing we can ‘boast’ about in life is… ‘This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercise kindness, justice and righteousness on the earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 9 chapter 23-24 Knowing God…is life itself

4. Palm 103 verse 7 ‘He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel…’ Knowing God… first or second hand?

5. We are as close to God as we want to be… “We are now, and we will be in the future, only as intimate with God as really choose to be.” (J. Oswald Sanders) “God does not have favourites, but he does have intimates” Knowing God…Your Call!

6. Circle #4: Bulk Text / Facebook Friend Exodus chapter 19 verse 11-12 ‘…and be ready by the third day, because on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people…Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not go up the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death.’ Why the distance and boundaries? Knowing God…circles of intimacy

7. ‘When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.” Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.’ Exodus chapter 20 verse 18-21

8. They stayed at a distance… The people remained at a distance… ‘Stayed / remained’, is the same Hebrew word meaning ‘to take a stand, a conscious choice and position’ ‘Distance’ is to be ‘remote, far off’ You are as close to God as you want to be

9. Circle #3: Personal Text / Facebook message Exodus chapter 24 verse 9-11 ‘Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel… they saw God, and they ate and drank’ They experienced more than the crowd, but it had no lasting effect. Soon after they were worshiping a golden calf. Knowing God…circles of intimacy

10. Circle #2: A phone call! Exodus chapter 24 verse 13-14 ‘Then Moses set out with Joshua his assistant, and Moses went up on the mountain of God. He said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we come back to you….” The numbers go down as the price for intimacy goes up! Joshua’s heart and habit – Exodus chapter 33 verse 10-11 Knowing God…circles of intimacy

11. Circle #1: Up Close and personal – Face to Face Exodus chapter 24 verse 15-18 ‘When Moses went up on the mountain the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord settled on the Mount Sinai… the Lord called to Moses from within the cloud… Then Moses entered the cloud…’ Knowing God…circles of intimacy

12. Moses spoke with God…face to face Exodus chapter 33 verse 11 ‘The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend…’ Moses had a heart for intimacy with God, to know Him ‘If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so that I may know you and continue to find favour with you….’ Exodus chapter 33 verse 13 Knowing God…personally

13. John chapter 15 verse 15 ‘I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his masters business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything I have learned from my Father I have made known to you.’ Hebrews chapter 11 verse 6 ‘And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and the he rewards those who earnestly seek Him.’ Knowing God…an invite & a desire

14. In Exodus, God’s instructions were – ‘You want to get close? Consecrate yourself!’ In other words…  Be dedicated (the disciplines)  Be devoted (the heart)  Be different (the life) Knowing God…an invite & a desire

15.  Eternal life – John 17:3  Exploits for God – Daniel 11:32  Friendship, know His character – Psalm 103:7  Direction for life – Psalm 103:7 Knowing God…the payoff!