To Know Jesus

Philippians 3:8–10 “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,”

Gary Clark picture- We are pretty much best friends! See I have a picture of me with him-

There is a difference in knowing about Jesus, and personally knowing him

Head Knowledge vs Heart Knowledge

Head Knowledge

James 2:19 “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!”

There is no shortage of people who believe there is a god, or some kind of higher power. Did you know that globally 83% of people believe that there is a God. Many programs like AA start by confessing that there is a higher power than you- so it is not really uncommon to believe in A God.

The thing is that God- as he relays in the Scripture, does not just want us to know about him, or have a conviction that he exists. We can have the ability to list of all kinds of facts and truth about God and still have no idea what he is really like and it not impact our lives in any way, shape or form.

James even went as far as to say- even the Demons believe. The problem? It did not stop them from rebelling and causing havoc on the world. The Demons believe and even know all about God but they are activity working against him. They are even terrified of God- they know that God is going to win the war on sin and one day they will be cast into a lake of fire.

Knowing God is deeper than doctrine.

Check out what Paul says in Romans 9:30–10:2 “What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.”

Paul’s heart was breaking for his fellow Jew’s- why? Because they knew all the things about God; all the rules, all the traditions, all the practices- but they missed Jesus!

Heart Knowledge

John 17:3 “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”

Greek Gin-Oh-Sko is the deepest level of knowledge- it is like a man and a wife know each other. This is more than the aquaitence at the mall.

I can’t be the only one who does this- Jess and I will be out somewhere and I will see someone who I recognize; maybe even know their first name- and we will stop and talk; and when we walk away Jess or one of the kids will ask “who was that?” And I will say- Bob- Bob who? I dont know! Where do you know him from? I don’t know but I recognize him from somewhere.

We have a lot of people in church who recognize Jesus- but do not know him.

A Personal Relationship

So how do we know God? We know God through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I

Notice, it is personal - God has to be yours- not your moms or dads or spouses. And it is a relationship- it comes from investing and communing with God.

A personal relationship with God begins with responding to his invitation to be transformed

Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”

Any of you play ding dong ditch as a kid? Almost impossible these days with Ring doorbells and security cameras everywhere.

Jesus is always knocking at the door of your heart. The question is if you will let him in.

Unlike ding dong ditch- Jesus will not run away if you open the door. He promises that he will come in.

Intimacy matters

James 4:8 “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

The only person who decides how close you are with God is you

Friends, intimacy with God is something that only you can work towards- no one can do it for you. and intimacy is achieved by spending time with God- one on one and getting to know Him.

Guys, remember way back when you were dating your now wife? Imagine if you treated her like many people treat God. Sure you knew each other; maybe you hung out in the same circles, attended the same classes; maybe you had even gone to some events with the same group of friends- maybe even for years; but you had never been alone together; no dates, no phone conversations- nothing like that. But out of the blue one day you ask her to marry you, the most intimate of all the relationships- do you think that would work?

And yet so many people want intimacy with God but they only come to church one day a week; or they only pray with the family before meals, or they never take the time to know God.

Intimacy creates Transformation

2 Corinthians 3:12–18 “Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”

2 Corinthians 3:18 “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”

The things of this world create a veil between us and God which makes us spiritually blind

We have a promise that Jesus will:

Remove the veil

Transform us in glory