3. Add knowledge 2 Corinthians 4:1-18 p. 1067

Our series Week 3 of “Walk in Newness of Life” (Rom 6:4) Built from 2 Peter 1:5-7 “add” = “supply at our own expense” Last week: virtue, right behaviour

1. Many Ways/Levels of Knowing “Supplement faith with Knowledge” (2 Pe. 1:5) Expansion of his thesis statement (v 3-4) “granted us all things through knowledge of him” Knowledge of a person – God. IB says there are 8 ways of knowing: Language, sense perception, emotion, reason, … Other theories suggest 4 or 6 ways

1. Many Ways/Levels of Knowing … Knowing beyond propositional information Not simply needing more facts. We need more than facts E.g. Scuba diving E.g. Hockey E.g. knowing my wife Knowing is a complex, multi-faceted thing

2. Biblical Knowing As Paul says (Eph 1:17-19): “having the eyes of your heart enlightened” His words in 2 Cor. 4:6 “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” The NT teaching on knowing – more than facts Deep, life-changing, all-encompassing, transforming

2. Biblical Knowing … Life is hard We live better than any people before us Still struggle – anxiety, loneliness, stress, … Ponder deeply on Paul’s words (v 16) We do not lose heart … being renewed day by day The practical outworking of his knowledge of God It is “shone in his heart” It transcends his circumstances.

3. Transformational Knowing Paul is not living an easy life (v 8-10) Life is tough! Also blessed with much to be thankful for Only in Christ have a place to be renewed The knowledge to add renews, restores, reorients.

3. Transformational Knowing … It transforms our perception of reality Paul’s hardships: “light, momentary afflictions” (v 17) His perspective from his “chains” (Phil 3:7-11) Whatever gain I had is as loss for knowing Christ The surpassing worth of knowing Christ Adding knowledge to our faith is not a chore. It is a lifeline!

– Living It – Lectio Divina A six-step exercise: Preparation: Silence, orient to God. Reading: seek the objective meaning Meditation: the subjective, personal meaning Prayer: how the Spirit moves you to pray the text Contemplation: enjoying communion & discovery Incarnation: How will it change me?

– Living It – Lectio Divina Ephesians 1:17–19 (ESV) 17 [I pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, …