Know Jesus

The Pursuit of the Knowledge of God

Summary: This theme explores the importance of seeking to know God more deeply, examining His character, his attributes, and the personal relationship believers can have with Him.

Application: By understanding who God is, believers can navigate life's challenges and uncertainties with greater faith and assurance. They will be encouraged to seek a more intimate relationship with God, transforming their daily lives and decision-making.

Teaching: This sermon teaches that knowing God is not just intellectual knowledge but involves a deep relational understanding that transforms lives and shapes character.

How this passage could point to Christ: The theme resonates throughout Scripture, revealing how Jesus is the perfect revelation of God, and through Him, believers can have access to the Father and a personal relationship.

Big Idea: To truly know God is to experience transformation that leads to faithful living and deep assurance in His promises.

Recommended Study: You might consider exploring systematic theology texts focusing on the attributes of God to deepen your understanding of His nature. Additionally, reviewing resources in your Logos library about spiritual disciplines, such as prayer and meditation, can provide practical applications for how to cultivate a closer relationship with God. Don't overlook commentaries that discuss the theme of God's knowledge in the lives of believers to provide a broader biblical context for your sermon.

Intro

Mission statement: Let everyone know the purpose of the series

God’s given us clear mission

Address old mission statement: Be the light

Pro’s: this is what we are called to do

Con’s: It’s all about us and less about the people, families, and communities we want to reach.

We can be Being the Light, and yet no one come to Christ. We can love others and yet still not see peoples lives transformed.

We do those things: But we want a mission thats measurable.

And so we believe God helped us a form a mission statement that is memorable and powerful:

And over the course of the next three weeks, Im going to be preaching three messages on the three parts or three purposes of this church.

Enccourage them to write and memorize the mission statement part by part:

And so today I’m going to give you the first part of our mission statement and I’d highly encourage you if you even suspect that God may be leading you to be a part of this church in the future to write this down.

Why?

Because the most effective teams are the ones that are unified.

The most effective church is a unified church. Unified in belief and mission.

We don’t all look the same, we have different gifts, but we all are on mission and we know what that mission is:

Write this down: We exist so that people will: Know Jesus

1. Boast in Knowing God

Jeremiah 9:23-24

You could explore how God, through His prophet Jeremiah, emphasizes the importance of boasting not in wisdom, strength, or riches but in understanding and knowing Him. Jeremiah points out God’s steadfast love, justice, and righteousness on the earth. For your congregation, this suggests that the longing to know God should involve valuing His attributes above all worldly achievements, leading to a transformative relationship with Him. Perhaps encourage them to dwell on God’s character daily, seeking ways to incorporate His justice and love into their lives.

2. Gain Christ, Lose All

Philippians 3:7-11

Maybe discuss how the Apostle Paul counts all his former gains as loss for the sake of knowing Christ Jesus. This passage suggests that a deep knowledge of God, through the lens of Christ, surpasses any achievements or status. Paul describes the righteousness that comes from God through faith, implying a life-altering understanding of God’s nature through Jesus. Encourage your listeners to consider what they might need to relinquish to know Christ more deeply. This pursuit could lead them to experience the power of His resurrection and share in His sufferings.

3. Knowing Equals Living Eternally

John 17:3

Perhaps highlight Jesus’ own words that knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom He has sent, is eternal life. This sermon point suggests that eternal life is not merely about longevity but about the depth of relationship with God. Encourage your congregation to reflect on their understanding of eternal life. Maybe suggest practical steps to deepen this relationship, like prayer and engaging with Scripture, to experience the fullness of life that Jesus promises. Emphasize that the journey of knowing God transforms present existence and guarantees a hopeful future.

Thought/challenge: Is your life now a reflection of what you believe eternal life will look like?