The Importance of Knowing the True God Copyright Norman L. Geisler 2007

Knowledge of the Holy A. W. Tozer said, “What you think of God is the most important thing about you” (p. 1).

Why We Should Know God I. The most important thing about us is what we think of God.

Why We Should Know God I. The most important thing about us is what we think of God. Why?

Why We Should Know God I. The most important thing about us is what we think of God. Why? A. Because ideas have consequences.

Why We Should Know God I. The most important thing about us is what we think of God. Why? A. Because ideas have consequences. B. God is our biggest idea.

Why We Should Know God I. The most important thing about us is what we think of God. Why? A. Because ideas have consequences. B. God is our biggest idea. C. Hence, our idea of God has the biggest consequences.

Why We Should Know God II. We can’t be like God unless we know what God is like.

Why We Should Know God II. We can’t be like God unless we know what God is like. A. We should be like God.

Why We Should Know God II. We can’t be like God unless we know what God is like. A. We should be like God. 1. “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy” (Lev. 19:2).

Why We Should Know God II. We can’t be like God unless we know what God is like. A. We should be like God. 1. “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy” (Lev. 19:2). 2. “You shall be perfect as I am perfect” (Mt. 5:48).

Why We Should Know God II. We can’t be like God unless we know what God is like. A. We should be like God. 1. “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy” (Lev. 19:2). 2. “You shall be perfect as I am perfect” (Mt. 5:48). B. But we can not be God-like unless we know what God is like.

Why We Should Know God III. We can’t know the true God unless we know the truth about God.

Why We Should Know God John 4:24: Jesus said, “God is spirit and they who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth” We cannot honor God by saying false things about Him. True worship involves affirming truth about God--things worthy of Him. True worship is worth-ship. Rev. 4:11: “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for you have created all things….”

Why We Should Know God IV. We can’t recognize false gods unless we know the true God.

Why We Should Know God IV. We can’t recognize false gods unless we know the true God. A. We cannot recognize a counterfeit unless we know the genuine.

Why We Should Know God IV. We can’t recognize false gods unless we know the true God. A. We cannot recognize a counterfeit unless we know the genuine. B. We cannot know what is not-true unless we know what is true.

Why We Should Know God IV. We can’t recognize false gods unless we know the true God. A. We cannot recognize a counterfeit unless we know the genuine. B. We cannot know what is not-true unless we know what is true. E.g., God is personal--not a Force

Why We Should Know God IV. We can’t recognize false gods unless we know the true God. A. We cannot recognize a counterfeit unless we know the genuine. B. We cannot know what is not-true unless we know what is true. God is personal--not a Force God is infinite--not finite

Why We Should Know God IV. We can’t recognize false gods unless we know the true God. A. We cannot recognize a counterfeit unless we know the genuine. B. We cannot know what is not-true unless we know what is true. God is personal--not a Force God is infinite--not finite God is all-knowing--not limited in knowing

Recognizing a False God Rabi Kushner said: “There are some things God does not control.” And we “…need to forgive God for not making a better world…”(When Bad Things Happen to Good People, 45, 147).

Recognizing a False God Stars Wars: “The Force is everywhere.” “May the Force be with you.” “Prepare to meet the Force.”

Knowing a False View of God God’s Word has errors (50) God doesn’t know all (138) God has a body (33-34) God changes (143) (The Most Moved Mover) Clark Pinnock

Why We Should Know God V. Idols are idols whether they are mental or metal.

Why We Should Know God V. Idols are idols whether they are mental or metal. A. An Idol is any object of worship other than the true God (2Cor. 10:5).

Why We Should Know God V. Idols are idols whether they are mental or metal. A. An Idol is any object of worship other than the true God (2Cor. 10:5). B. The only way to avoid idolatry is to know and live the the truth about God.

Why We Should Know God V. Idols are idols whether they are mental or metal. A. An Idol is any object of worship other than the true God (2Cor. 10:5). B. The only way to avoid idolatry is to know and live the the truth about God. “You shall not make for yourself any carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above…; you shall not bow down before them nor serve them” (Ex. 20:4).

Why We Should Know God VI. We tend to become like the object we worship.

Why We Should Know God VI. We tend to become like the object we worship. A. We tend to imitate our models.

Why We Should Know God VI. We tend to become like the object we worship. A. We tend to imitate our models. B. God is our highest Model.

Why We Should Know God VI. We tend to become like the object we worship. A. We tend to imitate our models. B. God is our highest Model. C. So, what we think about Him is of highest importance.

Why We Should Know God VII. We cannot know ourselves truly unless we know our God truly.

Why We Should Know God VII. We cannot know ourselves truly unless we know our God truly. A. The best way to know humans made in God’s image is to know God in whose image they are made.

Why We Should Know God VII. We cannot know ourselves truly unless we know our God truly. A. The best way to know humans made in God’s image is to know God in whose image they are made. B. The best way to understand a copy is to study the original.

Why We Should Know God VII. We cannot know ourselves truly unless we know our God truly. A. The best way to know humans made in God’s image is to know God in whose image they are made. B. The best way to understand a copy is to study the original. C. The Greeks said “Know yourself.” The Bible Says, “Know your God.”

Why We Should Know God VII. We cannot know ourselves truly unless we know our God truly. A. The best way to know humans made in God’s image is to know God in whose image they are made. B. The best way to understand a copy is to study the original. C. The Greeks said “Know yourself.” The Bible Says, “Know your God.” D. Many Psychologist says, “Look inward and backward.” Christianity says, “Look upward and forward.”

Why We Should Know God VIII. If we do not live by what is above us, then what is below us will drag down what is within us.

Why We Should Know God The lower will pull us down: “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image like corruptible man--an birds and four-footed beasts and creeping things…who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever” (Rom. 1:22-25).

Why We Should Know God The Higher will pull us up: Paul wrote: “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14). Again, “Seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God” (Col. 3:1).

“To Succeed, Aim Higher”

Why We Should Know God IX. An ultimate commitment to anything less than ultimate will not ultimately satisfy.

Why We Should Know God IX. An ultimate commitment to anything less than ultimate will not ultimately satisfy. A. A Religious commitment is an ultimate commitment (Paul Tillich).

Why We Should Know God IX. An ultimate commitment to anything less than ultimate will not ultimately satisfy. A. A Religious commitment is an ultimate commitment (Paul Tillich). B. And nothing less than the Ultimate can ultimately satisfy (Solomon).

Why We Should Know God IX. An ultimate commitment to anything less than ultimate will not ultimately satisfy. A. A Religious commitment is an ultimate commitment (Paul Tillich). B. And nothing less than the Ultimate can ultimately satisfy (Solomon). “Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withold my heart from any pleasure. And this was the reward of all my labor. Indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind (Eccl. 2:10-11).

To Make a Person Happy… 1. Add to their Possessions—Materialism 2. Take away from their Passions—Buddhism 3. Redirect their Passions to God—Christianity

To Make a Person Happy… 1. Add to their Possessions—Materialism 2. Take away from their Passions—Buddhism 3. Redirect their Passions to God—Christianity An infinite thirst will never be satisfied with the finite.

To Make a Person Happy… 1. Add to their Possessions—Materialism 2. Take away from their Passions—Buddhism 3. Redirect their Passions to God—Christianity An infinite thirst will never be satisfied with the finite. An eternal desire will never be content with the temporal (Eccl. 3:11).

To Make a Person Happy… 1. Add to their Possessions—Materialism 2. Take away from their Passions—Buddhism 3. Redirect their Passions to God—Christianity An infinite thirst will never be satisfied with the finite. An eternal desire will never be content with the temporal (Eccl. 3:11). A quest for ultimate satisfaction will never be fulfilled in anything less than the Ultimate.

How to Know God A. Through His World (General Revelation)

How to Know God A. Through His World (General Revelation) B. Through His Word (Special Revelation)

How to Know God A. Through His World (General Revelation)

How to Know God A. Through His World (General Revelation) Rom. 1:19-20: “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.”

How to Know God A. Through His World (General Revelation) Rom. 1:19-20: “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” Rom. 2:14-15: “...the Gentiles, who do not have the law…show the work of the law in their hearts….”

How to Know God A. Through His World (General Revelation) Rom. 1:19-20: “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” Rom. 2:14-15: “...the Gentiles, who do not have the law…show the work of the law in their hearts….” Psa. 19:1: “The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork.”

Kant: The Great Agnostic said: “Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing admiration and awe, the oftener and more steadiily we reflect on them: the starry heaven above me and the moral law with me” (Critique of Practical Reason, 166).

How to Know God A. Through His World (General Revelation) B. Through His Word (Special Revelation)

How to Know God A. Through His World (General Revelation) B. Through His Word (Special Revelation) 1. His written Word (the Bible).

How to Know God A. Through His World (General Revelation) B. Through His Word (Special Revelation) 1. His written Word (the Bible). 2. His living Word (the Christ).

Know God by His Written Word John 5:39: “You search the Scriptures …and these are they that speak of Me.”

Know God by His Written Word John 5:39: “You search the Scriptures …and these are they that speak of Me.” Hebrews 10:7: “Behold I have come--In the volume of the book it is written of Me….”

Know God by His Living Word John 14:9: “He who has seen Me has seen the Father also….”

Know God by His Living Word John 14:9: “He who has seen Me has seen the Father also….” Hebrews 1:3: “The Son “…being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His [the Father’s] person….”

How to Know the True God “Know” means to know by experience 1. We must know the truth about Him. 2. We must live the truth about Him by: a. Reading about God.

a. Reading about God. J. I. Packer, Knowing God. J. B. Phillips. Your God is Too Small. A. W. Tozer, Knowledge of the Holy. A. W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God. R. C. Sproul. The Holiness of God. Stephen Charnock. The Existence and Attributes of God. Thomas Aquinas. The Summa Theologica. Peter Kreeft. A Summa of the Summa. Norman Geisler. Systematic Theology, Vol. 2.

How to Know the True God “Know” means to know by experience 1. We must know the truth about Him. 2. We must live the truth about Him by: a. Reading about God. b. Memorizing verses about God.

b. Memorizing verses about God. Psa. 119:11: “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.”

How to Know the True God “Know” means to know by experience 1. We must know the truth about Him. 2. We must live the truth about Him by: a. Reading about God. b. Memorizing verses about God. c. Meditating on verses about God.

c. Meditating on verses about God. Psa. 1:1-2: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly…. But His delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.”

How to Know the True God “Know” means to know by experience 1. We must know the truth about Him. 2. We must live the truth about Him by: a. Reading about God. b. Memorizing verses about God. c. Meditating on verses about God. d. Singing the truths about God.

d. Singing the truths about God. Singing etches the song on your soul

Immortal, Invisible Immortal, invisible, God only wise, In light /inaccessible /hid from our eyes, Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days. Almighty, victorious- Thy great name we praise. Note: There are 12 characteristics of God

O Worship the King O worship the King, all glorious/ above, And gratefully sing His pow’r and His love; Our shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days, Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise. Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail, In Thee do we trust,/ nor find Thee to fail; Thy mercies how tender! How firm to the end! Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer and Friend. Note: There are 18 characteristics of God here

God is Love God is love, God is light. He is faithful day and night. He is eternal, He never changes, Though the seas rise up and swallow mountain ranges.

O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus O the deep, deep love Jesus-- Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free! Rolling as a mighty ocean In its fullness over me. Underneath me, all around me, Is the current of His love-- Leading onward, leading homeward, To my glorious rest above.

The Love of God Could we with ink the ocean fill, And were the skies of parchment made, Were ev’ry stalk on earth a quill And ev’ry man a scribe by trade, To write the love of God above Would drain the ocean dry, Nor could the scroll contain the whole Tho stretched from sky to sky.

How to Know the True God “Know” means to know by experience 1. We must know the truth about Him. 2. We must live the truth about Him by: a. Reading about God. b. Memorizing verses about God. c. Meditating on verses about God. d. Singing the truths about God. e. Praising the person of God.

e. Praising the person of God. Psa. 22:3: “You are holy, who inhabit the praises of Israel.” Psa. 145:3: “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised.” Psa. 150:6: “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!”

Remember: “To Succeed in Your Spiritual Life, Aim Higher”

God In Fact, Aim a Lot Higher