The Study of God

Knowing and Being Known Knowing God JI Packer Chapter 3

Seven Questions 1.What were we made for? 2.What life aim should we set for ourselves? 3.What is the “Eternal Life” that Jesus gives? 4.What is the best thing in life? 5.What gives God most pleasure about man? 6.What makes life worthwhile? 7.What does the phrase “Knowing God” mean?

Knowing God Involves Steps in Knowing: ruby, leaf, cat, teen What makes knowing people so difficult? What is the general principle? Apply this principle to Knowing God. The unexpected introduction and offer by a “great man.” Joesph 1 Cor. 3:9

Knowing God Involves …… Four Things: Four Things: 1.Listening to God’s Word 2.Noting God’s nature and character 3.Accepting His invitations 4.Rejoicing in His Love shown you

Knowing God Illustrations Four Word Pictures 1.Son Knowing his father 2.Wife knowing her husband 3.Subject knowing his king 4.Sheep knowing shepherd Father is known through Son John 14: 9, 10, 6

John 14: 9,10 Don’t you know me Philip?..... Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show me the Father.” Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? John 14: 9,10 Don’t you know me Philip?..... Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show me the Father.” Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? John 14: 6 I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by Me.

What does the Resurrection mean in regard to our relationship with and knowledge of Jesus? Jesus is the great man in the story. Compare: Us/Disciples with Jesus Differences: Jesus in the flesh…for disciples then Invisible to our eye now Any advantages for us over the disciples?

John 10: 27 My sheep listen to My voice. I know them, and they know me. I am…...the bread of life. 6:35 the gate for the sheep. 10:7 the good shepherd. 10:14 the resurrection. 11:25

John 5: 23 – 24 He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. Truly, Truly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life. Mt. 11: 28, 29 Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble of heart and you will find rest for your souls.

When is the voice of Jesus heard? When we: acknowledge His claim trust His promise answer His call From then on: Jesus is our shepherd We are His sheep John 10: 27, 28

A Personal Matter “To know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” 17:3 Three Aspects of Knowing God 1. Personal dealing, more than knowing about 2. Personal involvement…mind, will and feeling Ps. 34:8 Taste & see 3. Grace

Being Known What, in the final analysis, is the only thing more important than knowing God? That He knows you and me. All our knowledge of Him depends on His sustaining initiative in knowing us. We know Him because He first knew us and continues to know us.

God knows you as a friend, who wants your very best. No moment when His eye is off you. No moment when His eye is off you. Here is Momentous Knowledge and Unspeakable Comfort. Here is Momentous Knowledge and Unspeakable Comfort. For those who know Him not, certain separation. Mt. 7:23