02 The People Who Know Their God

Jeremiah 9:23-24

This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, [24] but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD.

The People Who Know Their God

1 Peter 1:6-8 NLT

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. [7] These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. [8] You love Him even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see Him now, you trust Him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.

Philippians 3:7-9 NET

But these assets I have come to regard as liabilities because of Christ. [8] More than that, I now regard all things as liabilities compared to the far greater value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things — indeed, I regard them as dung! — that I may gain Christ, [9] and be found in him, not because I have my own righteousness derived from the law, but because I have the righteousness that comes by way of Christ's faithfulness — a righteousness from God that is in fact based on Christ's faithfulness.

Knowing vs. Knowing AboutHow can you tell the difference?

Two important observations:

You can know a great deal about

God without knowing God

You can know a great deal about

godliness without knowing

God

Two important observations:

You can know a great deal about

God without knowing God

You can know a great deal about

godliness without knowing

God

Evidence of Knowing GodDaniel and his friends were people who knew God

Those who know God …

Have great energy for

God

Have great thoughts of

God

Show great boldness for

God

Have great contentment

in God

Those who know God …

Have great energy for

God

Have great thoughts of

God

Show great boldness for

God

Have great contentment

in God

Those who know God …

Have great energy for

God

Have great thoughts of

God

Show great boldness for

God

Have great contentment

in God

Those who know God …

Have great energy for

God

Have great thoughts of

God

Show great boldness for

God

Have great contentment

in God

Romans 8:28-39

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. [29] For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. [30] And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. [31] What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Romans 8:28-39

[33] Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. [34] Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? [36] As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." [37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Romans 8:28-39

[38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Calm Contentment Facing Calamity

• Dan 3:15 … But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?

Nebuchadnezzar’s Ultimatum:

• Dan 3:17-18 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. [18] But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.

Reply of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego:

Lord, It Belongs Not To My Care

Lord, it belongs not to my careWhether I die or live;To love and serve Thee is my share,And this Thy grace must give.If life be long, I will be glad,That I may long obey;If short—then why should I be sadTo welcome endless day?

- Richard Baxter

Philippians 4:12-13

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. [13] I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

CCLI # 2695486

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First Steps

Matthew 7:7-8 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. [8] For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

First Steps

Admit that we do not know God as we

should

Seek the Savior and we will find him

First Steps

Admit that we do not know God as we

should

Seek the Savior and we will find him