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WHAT I NEED IN MY CHRISTIAN LIFE (3)

…MORE KNOWLEDGE

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    We live in a world in which feelings are more important than facts.

 

B.      Because of this, knowledge has diminished among the masses.

1.      Knowledge:  acquaintance with facts, truths, and principles

2.      NOTE:  Knowledge and facts go together.  However, if facts do not matter, then knowledge does not matter.  If knowledge does not matter, then knowledge diminishes.

 

C.     The Bible tells the church not to conform to the world (Rom. 12:2).

 

And be not conformed to this world…

 

1.      Sadly, we sometimes do.

2.      This has happened in the realm of knowledge.

a.      The desire for feelings has replaced the desire for facts in some.

b.      Therefore, knowledge has diminished in the body of Christ.

3.      NOTE:  This is not the only reason for our lack of knowledge.  Other things interest us more than the acquisition of knowledge:  work, pleasure, travel, family, sports.

 

D.    Because knowledge is in decline, we want to look at the topic:  “What I Need in My Christian Life…More Knowledge.”

 

I.                   EXHORTATIONS TO GET KNOWLEDGE

 

A.    Proverbs 8:12

 

Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.

 

B.      Proverbs 23:12

 

Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.

 

C.     Colossians 1:9-10

 

For this cause also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.

 

D.    II Peter 1:5

 

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge.

 

E.      II Peter 3:18

 

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To him be glory both now and forever.

II.                ESSENTIALS TO GET KNOWLEDGE

 

A.    The fear of the Lord (Prov. 1:7)

 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge…

 

1.      Fear is defined as “reverence, respect, awe.”

2.      In this case, it is an honor given to God because of

a.      Who He is

b.      What He has done

3.      The person who fears God knows that God’s Word is tied closely to Him.

a.      The Word of God expresses that which in the mind of the Creator, the King of the Universe, the Redeemer of all mankind, and the Judge of all the earth.

b.      I Corinthians 2:9-10

 

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit:  for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

 

4.      How can a person have a respect for God, but no respect for His holy Word?

5.      If an individual truly respects God, he will be driven in desperate hunger to know God’s will for his life.

6.      My friend, if you do not have the knowledge you should, you need to investigate your fear of the Lord.  It is the beginning of knowledge.

 

B.      Study

1.      If a person never picked up the Bible to read and study it, he would never, never know one drop of God’s will for his life.

a.      We do not receive knowledge by birth.

b.      We do not receive knowledge miraculously.

c.       We do not receive knowledge by the Holy Spirit’s putting it into our minds.

2.      Knowledge comes from long, diligent study of God’s Word.

a.      Paul commanded Timothy to study (II Tim. 2:15).

 

Study to show thyself approved unto God…

 

b.      He also told Timothy to “give attention” to reading, to exhortation, and to doctrine (I Tim. 4:13).

c.       This same young man was instructed to meditate upon God’s Word and to give himself wholly to the things he studied (I Tim. 4:15).

d.      Peter exhorted his readers to “give diligence” to add knowledge to virtue.

 

C.     Practice

1.      Truth is not just a body of facts to be learned.

2.      It is teaching that is designed to be practiced (James 1:25).

 

But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

 

III.             EXAMPLES OF GETTING KNOWLEDGE

 

A.    Solomon (I Kings 3:9; II Chron. 1:10)

Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad:  for who is able to judge this thy so great a people.

 

B.      Paul (Phil. 3:8)

 

Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord:  for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.

 

C.     Even our Lord increased in wisdom (Luke 2:52)

 

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

 

IV.             EVILS OF HAVING NO KNOWLEDGE

 

A.    No knowledge of God’s Word can lead us into sin (Prov. 19:2; Rom. 1:28).

 

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.

 

B.      Lack of knowledge separates us from God’s welfare (Prov. 1:28-29).

 

Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:  for that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord.

 

C.     Lack of knowledge causes individuals to pursue right things, but in the wrong way (Rom. 10:2-3).

 

For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.  For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

 

D.    Lack of knowledge brings destruction (Hos. 4:6).

 

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…

 

V.                EVALUATION OF OUR KNOWLEDGE

 

A.    Sin

1.      We know that sin is the transgression of the law (I John 3:4).

2.      We need more knowledge of how it opposes God.

3.      We need more knowledge of how it hurts our Christian lives.

4.      We need more knowledge of sin’s horrible consequences.

 

B.      Jesus Christ

1.      We need more knowledge about His life as recorded in the gospels.

2.      We need more understanding of His being the Son of God.

3.      We need more understanding of His death on Calvary.

4.      We need more appreciation of the power of His resurrection.

 

C.     Our roles as members of the body of Christ

1.      Fellowship

2.      Our one another responsibilities

3.      Our love for one another

 

D.    The lost

1.      How to interest the lost in the gospel.

2.      How do effectively teach them the truth

 

E.      Prayer

1.      The need to meet all of the elements of effective prayer

2.      How to manifest true faith when we pray

 

F.      False doctrine

1.      The ins and outs of false doctrine

2.      How to effectively combat each false way

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    Salvation is based upon knowledge (I Tim. 2:4).

 

Who will have men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

 

B.      All that has to do with our relationship with God and Christian living is based upon knowledge (II Pet. 1:3).

 

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.

 

C.     If are truly committed to getting knowledge, we will be overwhelmed by how much there is still to know (Rom. 11:33).

 

Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out.