Episode Transcript
Let’s open our Bibles together to the book of 1 John.
Last week we started our journey through the 1 John together and our theme for this study is, This We Know. Christians are called to know what they believe and why they believe it. Our first lesson was about Scripture: The Foundation of Knowledge. John starts out this letter by connecting it to the Old Testament and to the Gospels in the New Testament. The Bible is God’s revelation to mankind. Scripture was breathed out by God. We believe it is true, without error, and incapable of failing. Because of this, we should read it, understand it properly, and apply it to our lives.
What is John talking about in verse 1? “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—” What was from the beginning? God. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. What did they hear? God. Jesus’ teachings. Who did they see with their eyes, touch with their hands? Jesus. The word of life is Jesus. He was the Word that was in the beginning with The Father and Spirit. He spoke God’s word to them. Without naming Him, John starts off his book by talking about Jesus.
Let’s continue reading, “2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
Now, John names exactly who he is writing about. Jesus Christ.
Scripture is foundation of knowledge because it is the way God reveals Himself to mankind. But where did Scripture come from? God! So, Scripture is the foundation of knowledge, but God is the Source of Knowledge. Proverbs 2:6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
1. True Knowledge Comes From God
God knows everything actual and possible. His knowledge is too high for us! He is omniscient! He is all-knowing!
A.W. Pink “How solemn is this fact: nothing can be concealed from God! “For I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them” (Ezek. 11:5). Though he be invisible to us, we are not so to him. Neither the darkness of night, the closest curtains, nor the deepest dungeon can hide any sinner from the eyes of Omniscience. The trees of the garden were not able to conceal our first parents. No human eye beheld Cain murder his brother, but his Maker witnessed his crime. Sarah might laugh derisively in the seclusion of her tent, yet was it heard by Jehovah. Achan stole a wedge of gold and carefully hid it in the earth, but God brought it to light. David was at much pains to cover up his wickedness, but… the all-seeing God sent one of his servants to say to him, “Thou art the man!” And to (us) is also said, “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Num. 32:23).”
1 Samuel 2:3 Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.
2 Chronicles 1:10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?” 11 God answered Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked for long life, but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12 wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like.”
Job 21:22 Will any teach God knowledge, seeing that he judges those who are on high?
Job 37:16 Do you know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge,
Psalm 94:10 He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke? He who teaches man knowledge--
Psalm 139:6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Romans 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
All true knowledge comes from God!
2. God became a man
Colossians 2:3 in whom (Jesus) are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
- The Disciples walked, talked, and listened to Jesus - God in the flesh
- He transformed their lives.
- Saved them - Reconciled them to God - Enemies of God now have Fellowship with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ
- Gave them eternal life
- Commissioned them
- Filled them with His Spirit
3. God entrusted His knowledge to us in the Gospel.
- He has revealed things to us that the Prophets didn’t fully understand and the Angels desire to know.
1 Peter 1:10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.
- The disciples were sent to spread the knowledge of God.
- The Disciples proclaimed the Good News so that others could be saved.
- This was part of God’s eternal plan.
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
This completed their joy.
- When we do what we were created to do, love God and love others, we experience a deep sense of fulfillment that nothing else can bring.
- The greatest way you can love God is to glorify Him with your life and words.
- The greatest way you can love others it to introduce them to God.
- When you love something or someone you have to tell someone about it.
C. S. Lewis “I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation. It is not out of compliment that lovers keep on telling one another how beautiful they are; the delight is incomplete till it is expressed. It is frustrating to have discovered a new author and not to be able to tell anyone how good he is; to come suddenly, at the turn of the road, upon some mountain valley of unexpected grandeur and then to have to keep silent because the people with you care for it no more than for a tin can in the ditch; to hear a good joke and find no one to share it with. . . . The Scotch catechism says that man’s chief end is ‘to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.’ But we shall then know that these are the same thing. Fully to enjoy is to glorify.
In commanding us to glorify Him, God is inviting us to enjoy Him.”
- You talk about what you love. You can’t help it.
- If you’re not talking about God…
- Disciples make disciples.
Application:
1. Do you know God? Saved, redeemed, reconciled, justified, forgiven, accepted, loved. God is the gospel.
2. Are you doing what He created you to do? Glorify God and enjoy Him forever. The pinnacle of God’s Glory is the cross of Christ where His blood was shed to redeem sinners. Share it! Plant seeds. God will bring the harvest.
