2. Contributors: Glenn Giles, Elder, Teacher from Denver Church of Christ. John Louis, Elder, Evangelist, Central Christian Church, Singapore.

3. Matthew 7:21-23 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

4. There is a difference between Knowing about God and Knowing God.

6. What does it mean to be known by God and to know God? Hebrew word Yada`(Strong’s H3045). Found about 946 times in the Hebrew Old Testament. A subjective dimensions of knowing not just objective. Greek word Ginosko (Strong’s G1097). Much more an intellectual looking at and connotes objectivity.

7. 1. Us Experiencing God’s Character

8. Jeremiah 9:23-24 23 This is what the L ORD says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, 24 but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the L ORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the L ORD.

9. Yada`…(Strong’s H3045) To perceive, know, find out, know by experience, know a person, know by experience, recognize, to have experience, to take care of someone, )to know someone sexually as in a marriage). The Greek equivalent, Strong’s G1097 - Ginōskō At the core it means “knowledge gained through experience” or experiential knowledge.

10. Jeremiah 16:21 “Therefore I will teach (Yada`) them— this time I will teach them my power and might. Then they will know (Yada`) that my name is the L ORD. Thus the people will come to know God by experiencing his power and might.

11. Power and Might… Registration of Singapore church… Job with Avimo Ltd… Registration of Indonesian church…

12. Hosea 2:19-20 I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. 20 I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the L ORD. Knowing the Lord comes from knowing his righteousness, justice, love, compassion, faithfulness.

13. Righteousness, Justice, Love, Compassion, Faithfulness… Singapore Court Case… Interrogation by Indonesian Police… Orphanage…

14. What personal experiences you have? Is it still continuing?

15. Jeremiah 31:34 No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the L ORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the L ORD. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” Knowing God comes from experiencing His grace.

16. Thus knowing God involves interpersonal experience with His character. All the above examples - God is allowing people to know Him through experiencing His character.

17. 2. He (God) Experiencing Our Character God wants to experience the following in us: Obey Him Fear Him Belief Him Serve Him Confession of One’s sin Knowledge of Him

18. Matthew 7:23 (NASB) “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’ “Lawlessness” means: the condition of without law because ignorant of it because of violating it contempt and violation of law, iniquity, wickedness

19. Fits in well with Matthew 7:24ff: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

20. That God wants to experience the following in us: Obey Him Fear Him Belief Him Serve Him Confession of One’s sin Knowledge of Him

24. Examples…

25. This fits in with the scripture in Matthew 7:15-19 (serves as part of the context of Matthew 7:21-23). 15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

26. Our Yada`of people comes when we experience their character.

27. Deuteronomy 8:1-2 Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land the L ORD promised on oath to your ancestors. 2 Remember how the L ORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know (Yada`) what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. Surely God knows already, right, but not experientially…

28. That God wants to experience the following in us: Obey Him Fear Him Belief Him Serve Him Confession of One’s sin Knowledge of Him

29. He wants to experience our character…experiencing their obedience. Thus to know God means we are experiencing His character and He is experiencing our character through our obedience. It is a two way relationship. James chapter 2 makes sense…obedience and works to back up our faith. It allows God to experience us. God wants to live out life with us and through us.

30. John 8:31-32 31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” It is an experiential knowledge here… not rational, objective or academic.

31. 1 John 5:3-4 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Love is connected with actions, heart and one’s being.

32. Mark 12:30-32, John 17:1-3 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

33. Are you experiencing Yada`? Are you experiencing God and is God experiencing you?

34. To Know God… 1. Us Experiencing His character 2. He (God) Experiencing Our Character Thus knowing God is not about intellectual character but experiencing his character (relational knowledge).