MADE TO KNOW GOD

Genesis 1–3; Romans 1; John 17:3

INTRODUCTION — The Question Beneath Every Question

Big Question: Why do I exist?

Our world answers with achievement, feelings, popularity, and success.

Scripture answers with something deeper and better.

YOUR INSTAGRAM/SNAPCHAT BIO

Thesis:

You were made by God, for God, to know God—and nothing else will satisfy you.

Transition: To understand that, we have to go back to the beginning—before sin, before shame, before confusion.

I. WE WERE CREATED TO KNOW GOD

(Genesis 1–2)

A. Made in the Image of God (Gen. 1:26–27)

Image = capacity for relationship, not just intelligence

Humans are designed for communion with God

Key Line: You are not an accident—you are an image-bearer.

B. God Freely Revealed Himself in Creation (Gen. 1–2; Psalm 19)

Creation declared God’s glory before sin ever entered

Adam learned God by living in God’s world

Key Line: Creation wasn’t meant to replace God—it was meant to lead us to Him.

C. Life with God Was Personal and Joyful (Gen. 2:15–17; 3:8)

Walking with God = daily fellowship

Tree of life = sustained life in God’s presence

No fear. No hiding. No shame.

Summary Line: We were made to know God freely, personally, and joyfully.

Transition: But if that was the design, we have to ask the obvious question: What went wrong?

II. SIN CORRUPTED OUR KNOWLEDGE OF GOD

(Genesis 3; Romans 1)

A. Sin Begins with Distrust of God’s Word (Gen. 3:1)

“Did God really say?”

Autonomy replaces trust

Relationship gives way to self-rule

Key Line: Sin isn’t just doing bad things—it’s rejecting God’s voice.

B. Romans 1 Explains the Deeper Problem

“Although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God…”

Knowledge suppressed, not erased

Truth exchanged for a lie

Worship redirected from Creator to creation

Key Line: Sin doesn’t make us ignorant—it makes us idolatrous.

C. The Result: Shame, Hiding, and Fear (Gen. 3:8–10)

God still walks—but now man hides

Relationship fractured

Identity confused

Summary Line: Sin corrupts our knowledge of God and turns our hearts toward created things instead of the Creator.

Transition: If that’s true—and it is—then the biggest question becomes this: Does God leave us there?

III. GOD GRACIOUSLY RESTORES THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIMSELF

(Special Revelation)

A. God Speaks Through His Word

God doesn’t abandon humanity after Eden

Scripture clarifies what sin distorts

God reveals Himself so we can know Him again

Key Line: God is not silent—He is gracious.

B. God Reveals Himself Fully in Jesus (John 1:18; Hebrews 1:1–3)

Jesus is not just a teacher—He is God made known

The last Adam succeeds where the first failed

Jesus restores access to the Father

Key Line: If you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus.

C. Knowing God Is Relational, Not Just Informational (John 17:3)

Eternal life = knowing God

Not facts about God, but fellowship with God

Knowledge that transforms, not just informs

Summary Line: God reveals Himself to restore relationship, not just information.

Transition: So now the question isn’t “Is God knowable?” The question is “Will you know Him?”

CONCLUSION — The Invitation

You were created to know God.

Sin distorted that knowledge.

Jesus restores what was lost.

Final Call (clear and direct):

You don’t need more control. You don’t need a better image. You don’t need to redefine yourself. You need to know God.

And through Jesus, you can—starting tonight.

ONE-SENTENCE TAKEAWAY (REPEAT TWICE)

You were made by God, for God, to know God—and nothing else will satisfy you.