Do You Know God?

1 John 2:3-6

October 10 - AM

Knowing God• Some think:

– No one can know God personally– Any claim to know God is brazen– We want to know all we can

• William Barclay – 3 lines of thought– IntellectualIntellectual – reason and argument– EmotionalEmotional – feelings, better felt than told– RevelationRevelation – Jewish view, know what God

chose to reveal in Scripture

How to Know God• John knows

– He saw, heard, touched– He was an eyewitness– 1 John 1:1-21 John 1:1-2 - That which was from the

beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—2the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—

How to Know God

• God is Light – no darkness in Him– Fellowship means walking in the light– 1 John 1:71 John 1:7 - But if we walk in the light as He is

in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

• Anyone can CLAIM to know God– I don’t need to obey – I just love God– Immoral – I just felt God led me to this

How to Know God

• Simple way to KNOW if you KNOW God– Are you keeping His commandments?– Is your life based on obeying or disobeying?– Knowing God produces the fruit of

righteousness in our lives– 1 John 2:51 John 2:5 - But whoever keeps His word, truly

the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.

How to Know if youDon’t Know God

• 1 John 2:41 John 2:4 - He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

• Many talk the talk – but they do not walk the walk!– Romans 6:4Romans 6:4 – Walk in newness of life– Galatians 5:16-25Galatians 5:16-25 – Walk in the Spirit– Ephesians 4:1Ephesians 4:1 – Walk worthy of the calling– Ephesians 4:17-32Ephesians 4:17-32 – not steal – give; not lie –

speak the truth

How to Know if youDon’t Know God

• Some CLAIM to know God – but don’t Some CLAIM to know God – but don’t obey Himobey Him– How can they justify their disobedience?– Our feelings, our intellect can lead us to

disobey

• Can you know and obey God’s will? YESYES

• Can you obey His commands? YESYES

How to Know if youDon’t Know God

• 1 John 2:5-6 - 1 John 2:5-6 - 5But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

• We assume:We assume:– Those who talk – know Him best– Those who quote scripture – know Him best– Claims of astounding things – know Him best

Real Issue

• It is a matter of fruitIt is a matter of fruit

• Matthew 7:17Matthew 7:17-20-20 - 17Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

Real Issue

• Colossians 1:9-10 - Colossians 1:9-10 - 9For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Real Issue

• How is your fruit production?How is your fruit production?

• Do you live what you claim to believe?Do you live what you claim to believe?

• Are you ready to make some changes?Are you ready to make some changes?