Know How: When Knowledge Meets Action.

“God’s weakest moment is stronger than man’s greatest accomplishment.”

I heard that quote when I was a teenager and quickly judged it as being heretical. We know that God is perfect and has no flaws. I think the significance of the quote though is that even at his best, man is flawed and cannot compare to God. Man has so much pride and so little reason for it.

In our passage tonight we read about the arrogance of a people who thought to put the Son of God to death. The religious establishment finally succeeded in their public smear campaign and were able to whip the mob into a frenzy and have Jesus crucified. Our the events of our passage take place just after Jesus gave up the ghost. His body had been removed and placed in a rich man’s grave. The leaders were afraid that the disciples would steal Jesus’ body and would create a bigger problem for them than when he was alive. They asked Pilot to secure the grave. Pilot’s response was interesting.

matthew 27.

Matthew 27:65 KJV 1900

Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.

The Greek word behind the phrase “as you can” is oida. It is one of the Greek words for knowledge.

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 28.7 οἶδα

οἶδαb: to have the knowledge as to how to perform a particular activity or to accomplish some goal—‘to know how t

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 28.7 οἶδα

οἶδαb: to have the knowledge as to how to perform a particular activity or to accomplish some goal—‘to know how to.

So we see that Pilot was turning the focus of the security of Jesus’ body on the their know-how. We know from the rest of the story that their know-how was limited. Tonight we are going to study that Greek word for knowledge. It is the word that occurs when knowledge meets action. We will see that man’s know -how is limited, that man’s know-how can grow, and that God’s know- how is unlimited.

Man’s Know-How is Limited

Man does not know how to believe the power of God

Matthew 22:28–29 KJV 1900

Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

Matthew 22:29 KJV 1900

Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

Man does not know how to prevent the spread of the truth.

Matthew 27:65 KJV 1900

Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.

matt 27 65

Man does not know how to predict the exact moment of Christ’s return

Matthew 24:36 KJV 1900

But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Matthew 24:42 KJV 1900

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

matt

Man’s Know-How Can Grow

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Know how to be content

Philippians 4:11–12 KJV 1900

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Know how to be forgiven

Matthew 9:6 KJV 1900

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.

Know how to stand during trials

Job 19:25 KJV 1900

For I know that my redeemer liveth, And that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

Job 19:24–25 KJV 1900

That they were graven with an iron pen and lead In the rock for ever! For I know that my redeemer liveth, And that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

God’s Know-How is Unlimited

Job 19:23–25 KJV 1900

Oh that my words were now written! Oh that they were printed in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead In the rock for ever! For I know that my redeemer liveth, And that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

Knows how to give you what you need

Matthew 6:8 KJV 1900

Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Matthew 6:32 KJV 1900

(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

Knows your thoughts

Matthew 12:25 KJV 1900

And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:

Knows when you seek Jesus

Matthew 28:5 KJV 1900

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

matt