Knowing God 8There Is Knowledge And Then There Is Knowledge 8What motivations you as student of God’s word? - 1 Cor. 8:1-2; Jas. 1:26; 1 Cor 14:37 8A badge of dedication? (“Look at my service”) 8To pursue knowledge for its own sake will hurt us spiritually - 1 Cor. 8:1-2; Jas. 1:26; 1 Cor. 14:37

Knowing God 8There Is Knowledge And The There Is Knowledge 8Many know God’s word 8The plan of salvation 8Able to refute false doctrine 8Their way around the Bible better than around town 8The outlines of the various books of the Bible 8Are able to quote much of the Bible

Knowing God 8There Is Knowledge And The There Is Knowledge 8Yet fruit of the Spirit is missing in their lives - Gal 5: Joy is missing 8Peace is non-existent 8They are short tempered with brethren rather than longsuffering 8They have little concern for the lost as well as their brethren

Knowing God 8There Is Knowledge And The There Is Knowledge 8What is knowledge 8The Gnostics chose their name from the Greek word "GNOSTOS" meaning "to know with one's head or to be acquainted with” 8John dealt with the problem of Gnosticism in his writings but chose another word for knowledge "GINOSKO" (used 36 times) indicating a relationship with the thing known - 1 Jn. 2:3, 4:6 8Paul used the same idea when he said knowing (ginosko) the love of Christ transcends knowledge (gnosis) - Eph 3:16-19

Knowing God 8There Is Knowledge And The There Is Knowledge 8Possible for one to know about God without knowing Him 8The Jews knew about the Messiah but when He came they did not know Him 8Isa. 53 & other prophecies spoke of Him and the Jews were familiar with these 8When He came, however, they rejected him because they didn't know Him - Jn. 5:39-40

Knowing God 8There Is Knowledge And The There Is Knowledge 8Possible for one to know about God without knowing Him 8It is possible to: 8Read many religious books 8Regularly attend every service 8Attend meetings every day of the week 8Attend debates, read them, listen to tapes 8Become a Greek scholar 8Know all apostasies that have ever happened

Knowing God 8There Is Knowledge And The There Is Knowledge 8Possible for one to know about God without knowing Him 8It is possible to: 8Read many religious books 8Regularly attend every service 8Attend meetings every day of the week 8Attend debates, read them, listen to tapes 8Become a Greek scholar 8Know all apostasies that have ever happened AND STILL NOT KNOW HIM

Knowing God 8Knowing God 8Knowing God is like knowing anyone else but more complex 8God is much more complex than man - Isa 55:8 8In order to know anyone they must be willing to reveal something about themselves to us and we must be willing to listen, show an interest and be observant - 1 Cor. 2:10-12, 14

Knowing God 8Knowing God 8To know God we must 8Have a personal relationship with Him 8Dealing with God directly demands a practical application of all that the Bible teaches - 1 Jn. 2:3-5 8Do you pray for your enemies? - Matt. 5: Do you stir up others to love and good works? - Heb. 10:24 8Do you act out of duty or do you show compassion to others? - Col. 3:12

Knowing God 8Knowing God 8To know God we must 8Knowing God involves personal involvement with the Lord 8We talk (pray) & listen (read, meditate & study) - Psa. 1:3 8We become involved in the likes and dislikes, the goals & the purposes of God - Psa. 119:104 8We feel for Him - like a friend 8We think about Him - Phil. 1: We hold Him dear as a friend 8We must partake of Him, have fellowship with Him - Psa 34:8

Knowing God 8Knowing God 8To know God we must 8Knowing God requires emotional commitment - Psa. 119:136; Acts 11:22-23