The Companions of Knowledge

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Knowledge (gnōsis)

• More than accumulation of knowledge

• World’s knowledge and wisdom is destroyed by God’s word, 1 Cor. 1:19-21

• Knowledge (by itself) is no particular spiritual advantage – Potential danger, 1 Timothy 6:20-21

• “Learn Christ”, not man’s wisdom, Matt. 11:29; Eph. 4:20-21

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Companions of Knowledge

Truth, 1 Timothy 2:3-4

• Determination to understand is crucial to a knowledge of the truth, John 7:16-17

• Knowing truth is essential for salvation, John 8:32 (Mk. 16:15-16; Rom. 1:16)– Ethiopian understood with teaching, Acts 8:28-34

• Escape corruption in the world, 2 Peter 2:20 (1:3-4)

• Commitment: You can know God’s truth! Ephesians 3:3-5 (John 17:17)

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Grace, 2 Peter 3:18

• “Increase in the image and favor of God” (Adam Clarke)

• Knowledge of Christ is essential for growth in God’s grace, 2 Peter 1:2; 1 Peter 2:2-3

• God's grace teaches us to obey, thus increasing in His grace toward us as we are obedient, Titus 2:11-12

• Grace abounds through knowing and obeying the gospel

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Wisdom and Understanding Colossians 1:9 (2:2-3; Prov. 13:15-16)

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Wisdom and Understanding Colossians 1:9 (2:2-3; Prov. 13:15-16)

• Knowledge and spiritual discernment, Philippians 1:9-10; Hebrews 5:11-14

• Knowledge and good works, Colossians 1:10–Must know the will of the Father to do

His good works, Matthew 7:21-23–Without knowledge of truth we cannot walk

in God’s good works, Ephesians 2:10 • Cf. the darkness of ignorance v. the renewal

from learning the gospel, Ephesians 4:17-24

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Zeal, Romans 10:1-2

• Zeal becomes a caricature of godliness (even hypocritical) without the knowledge of truth, Luke 11:42

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Zeal, Romans 10:1-2

• Zeal becomes a caricature of godliness (even hypocritical) without the knowledge of truth, Luke 11:42

• Knowledge without zeal is intellectual but not transformative, Romans 12:2

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Love, 1 Corinthians 8:1-3

• Without love, knowledge leads to arrogance and disregard of others–Possessing knowledge without being

shaped by love means we are still ignorant! 1 Cor. 8:2

–What we know is not always what we should do – How will we affect others? 1 Cor. 8:4, 7, 9, 10-13

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Love, 1 Corinthians 8:1-3

•Knowledge without love leads to the fruitless accumulation of “insight” and “opinions” that generate doubt and strife (sin)…

…instead of guarding and advancing the truth, Acts 17:19-21, 32 (1 Timothy 6:20-21)

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Knowledge + Doing

• God’s blessing, John 13:17 (James 1:25)• Combine knowledge of the truth with:–Grace–Wisdom (understanding and discernment)–Zeal–Love• Live by faith and know the love of Christ,

Ephesians 3:17-1918