March 12, 2006
Morning Sermon
“A Supernatural Pleasure, the Study of God and Christ; Biblical Theology”
John 17:3
I. Knowing and studying God is a grand adventure – John 17:3
1. The knowledge of God and Jesus Christ means eternal life, obviously this includes the idea of eternal duration, but goes well beyond it – “it is eternal LIFE” – John 10:10
A. It is abundant life – John 10:10
B. It is incorruptible, immortal, heavenly – 1 Corinthians 15:40-49
C. It is life without death, sorrow, crying or pain – Revelation 21:1-5
D. This Life is Christ – John 14:6; John 1:1-4
2. Yet even now, the knowledge of God is a mind expanding, LIFE expanding knowledge – Ephesians 3:14-21
A. Notice in Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians a progression / expansion UPWARD, God-ward, we are made fit for God’s presence – Revelation 4 (Note the four LIVING CREAURES)
B. Notice this is opposite of the downward progressing we noticed last week in Psalm 1:1.
3. Eternal LIFE with Christ looks to be one that is stimulating even to the grandest intelligences – Revelation 4:6-11
4. It is the purpose for which we were created – Revelation 4:11
II. Knowing and studying God requires great spiritual transformation on our part – John 3:3; 3:5; 1 Corinthians 2:9-16
1. True knowledge of God is a knowledge of another, a spiritual dimension, a wholly other world beyond the eyes of unconverted men – 1 Corinthians 2:9; John 6:26-27
2. Even the most learned men of this world miss this spiritual world if they do not have the Holy Spirit’s help – John 3:1-10
3. Even transformed people must set their affections on things above – Colossians 3:1-3
4. True knowledge of God gives us the Mind of Christ – 1 Corinthians 2:16
III. Knowing and studying God (and the things of God) is something essential to our ultimate welfare – Matthew 7:24-27
1. Being right and doing right about the things of God is a life and death / stability instability matter – Matthew 7:24-27; Psalm 1:1-4
2. Contrary to much modern belief magic words do not save us, praying the sinner’s prayer may be a good thing but not necessarily an automatic thing – Matthew 7:21-23
3. Jesus commissioned His disciples to teach “all things” – Matthew 28:19-20
4. This is one of the great responsibilities of evangelists, pastors and teachers, to teach sound doctrine – Ephesians 4:11-16
5. Pastor’s and Elders also have the responsibility of guarding Christ’s flock from false teachers – Acts 20:28-31; Ephesians 4:14
6. This implies that soundness in theology will help us to stay strong even in the worst of times, even under the fiercest of trials – Daniel 11:32; Daniel 3; James 1:1-5
7. Sound doctrine is necessary for Christian “growth” – Ephesians 4:15; Colossians 1:23
KJV Colossians 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
IV. This knowledge of God is something God looks for and desires in us, even each of us – Jeremiah 9:23-24
1. God wants us to be earnest and wholehearted in our seeking of Him – Jeremiah 29:12-13
2. God has provided for us that we might be successful in this endeavor – Psalm 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; John 15:26-27; John 16:12-15; Ephesians 4:11-16, 2005
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