Knowing God

Knowing God

June 6, 2010

Introduction

The other day, I was listening to a radio interview of people on the street, and I was amazed at the utter ignorance of the people. They just seemed clueless as far as understanding what is going on in the world today. As I was thinking of this situation, I was reminded of this passage:

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; (Hosea 4:6 NKJV)

But what knowledge is God talking about? The verse continues: “Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.” (Hosea 4:6 NKJV) So obviously, we are not talking about general knowledge, or political knowledge, but a specific knowledge of God and what that means. Let’s go back to the first verse of the chapter:

(Hosea 4:1 NKJV) “Hear the word of the LORD, You children of Israel, For the LORD brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land: "There is no truth or mercy Or knowledge of God in the land.”

Knowing God means a great deal. This morning, we want to focus on what it means to know God.

Body

I. Knowing God will affect how we live.

Without the knowledge of God, there is no truth or mercy in the land.

(Hosea 4:1 NKJV) “Hear the word of the LORD, You children of Israel, For the LORD brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land: "There is no truth or mercy Or knowledge of God in the land.”

There is no faithfulness.

(Hosea 4:1 NIV) Hear the word of the LORD, you Israelites, because the LORD has a charge to bring against you who live in the land: "There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land.

1. We depend on faithfulness in our country.

Friday I was told there was a check for our company for several thousand dollars about 40 miles away. I got Carolyn and went to get the check. I walked into the office, and saw no one, but I saw an envelop on the desk with my name on it. Our day to day business is based on faith in each other. It is this faith in each other that has allowed America to become the great power that it is.

2. But there is another faithfulness that is missing.

(Mal 2:14 NKJV) Yet you say, "For what reason?" Because the LORD has been witness Between you and the wife of your youth, With whom you have dealt treacherously; Yet she is your companion And your wife by covenant.

3. Tied closely to this, is no love.

(Hosea 4:1 NIV) Hear the word of the LORD, you Israelites, because the LORD has a charge to bring against you who live in the land: "There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land.

Is there no knowledge of God because we no longer study?

(Hosea 4:1 NKJV) “Hear the word of the LORD, You children of Israel, For the LORD brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land: "There is no truth or mercy Or knowledge of God in the land.”

1. What has happened to our Sunday evening services?

2. What has happened to our Wednesday evening services?

3. What has happened to our daily Bible reading?

II. Knowing God will determine where we spend eternity.

(2 Th 1:7-8 NKJV) and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, {8} in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

A. Knowing God involves a changed life.

(1 John 2:3-6 NKJV) Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. {4} He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. {5} But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. {6} He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

B. Knowing God involves a relationship.

1. Showing respect for someone.

Any day that I drive out on the field to talk to our man who is doing our development, when I park and open my door, I see his huge excavator stop, and the door of his cabin open and he greets me, and is there to listen to what I want him to do.

That experience touches me, and I have to wonder, do I show the God of the universe the respect that Jeff shows me—To shut down the project I’m working on, and to see what God has to say, and what He wants me to do?

2. We have a young grandson, Anderson.

Anderson doesn’t know us very well, and it’s obvious by his lack of excitement when he sees us. We are concerned about that because we want all of our grandchildren to know us and love us. If he doesn’t know us, we don’t blame him, but with God it’s different.

3. We have no excuse not to know God.

(Rom 1:20-21 NKJV) For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, {21} because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Conclusion

I. Do you know God?

II. Does your life show it?

III. Are you ready for His return?

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