Relationships Experience vs Knowledge

Cameron Leads us in to the text

In his book Generation Z Unfiltered, Tim Edwards describes that the current generation is smarter and has more knowledge than any generation in history. They have access to technology that others have not. This has increased their knowledge. He describes the downside to this is that this generation lacks in experience and emotional development.

many have knowledge of what it means to have a relationship with Jesus but do not daily experience a relationship with Jesus.

There is a difference between a relationship that is knowledge based and a relationship that is through experience.

Hurts Donut Illustration

I need a volunteer. First, here what the qualifications are for volunteering. You need to be a person who loves chocolate long john donuts and it a foodie.

Tell us about what it taste like to taste and eat a chocolate long john. Give us all the great foodie descriptions.

(hand them the mic)

Give them a hand and let them sit down

Second volunteer. I need one more person who likes chocolate long johns. Come on up.

(give them a donut to experience)

(You take this other donut in this back to our first volunteer)

Culture today is capitalizing on adventure without experience. Have your kids turn on youtube and watch their favorite youtube stars. Kids sit and watch others experience things and they feel like they have experienced it without the risk.

Video games give you a feeling of adventure without risk. It is a knowledge based experience verses an experienced based knowledge.

Social media does this as well. Social media takes away the experience of having relationships and replaces it with the knowledge of relationships. (Hawaii pics on my phone) This is risky because I don’t know if they will like, get jealous of, anger, sad, or love my pics.

Are there areas in your life that you long to be experienced based but are in reality just knowledge based?

Luke 1

The character of Zechariah and Elizabeth

Luke 1:5–7 HCSB

5 In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah’s division named Zechariah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 Both were righteous in God’s sight, living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord. 7 But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years.

Notice what the text says about Zechariah and Elizabeth.

Both were righteous in God’s sight, living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord.

Scripture tells us that Zechariah was righteous and living without blame. He was someone who had a relationship with God.

When we talk about a relationship with God vs knowledge of God this morning, I don’t want to imply that Zachariah was a guy who did not have a relationship with God. Scripture says they were both righteous in God’s sight, living without blame.

They did not have children and they were well along in years.

Their prayer is heard

Luke 1:8–13 HCSB

8 When his division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 it happened that he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. 10 At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. 11 An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and overcome with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John.

Zechariah was a priest and when his division was on duty he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary.

Luke records the custom of casting lots to see who would enter the sanctuary but we get to see that this was an appointed time.

So it is with us. We know God. God may even consider us like Zachariah righteous and without blame. We believe that what is ordinary and custom is what just happens in our life but in reality God is all over it and in it.

This choosing by lot was an adventurous God in the middle of Zachariah’s life. God chose Zachariah to enter at this time because he had a plan for him.

Knowledge of God = Things happen by chance

Experience with God = God is at work and involved in everything

Something interesting about this is that since there was a large number of priest this was the only time that Zachariah in his life would be allowed to perform this task.

God was at work in Zachariah’s life

Do not be afraid, Zachariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife will bear you a son.

Notice that the angel says your prayer has been heard. Zachariah and Elizabeth had been praying for this. They had knowledge that God could answer prayer and now the angel says the prayer has been heard.

Look at the detail of what the angel says the son will be.

Luke 1:14–17 HCSB

14 There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or beer. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb. 16 He will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.

God’s promise to Zachariah and Elizabeth

He will be a joy and delight for you

Many will rejoice at his birth

He will be great in the sight of the Lord

He will never drink wine or beer

He will be filled with the Holy Spirit

He will turn many of the Sons of Israel to the Lord their God

He will make ready for the Lord a prepared people

The Lord didn’t just answer their prayer but he gave Zachariah and Elizabeth more than they could have ever asked for or dreamed about.

Imagine getting this news that your son would prepare the way for the Messiah and Savior of the world! The Messiah came to renew a broken relationship between us and God and now Elizabeth and Zachariah get the message that their son will prepare the way for this Messiah.

Knowledge of God alone will cause us to miss the goodness of God in everyday life.

Experiencing a daily relationship with God will help us to see the goodness and greatness of God.

This relationship with him helps us to see how good and gracious God really is.

Zechariah’s response

Luke 1:18 HCSB

18 “How can I know this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”

Remember how scripture described Zachariah. He was righteous and without blame. Zachariah is not here described as a sinner or prostitute but someone who is righteous in God’s sight and here we find Zachariah questioning how can I know this.

Zachariah a righteous man and without blame questions how can I know this.

Zachariah had a relationship with God and he had knowledge of God. He has been praying for this and now God answers and gives him more than he ever asked for and Zachariah’s response is one of questioning God.

When we are walking daily with God and have a daily relationship with him, we can see how God is answering our prayers.

When we have knowledge of God without experience daily with God, then we fail to see that God is the one who is answering the prayer.

Zechariah’s Consequence

Luke 1:19–20 HCSB

19 The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news. 20 Now listen! You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”

Gabriel gives his credentials and says I am Gabriel who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to tell you this good news!

Experiencing a daily relationship with God allows us to know when God is speaking and who he might be speaking through.

Only having knowledge of God may cause us to not recognize His voice.

You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place.

Why did God say Zachariah would become silent?

Zachariah did not believe Gabriel’s words

We see that there are consequences for not walking daily with God. For Zachariah, his consequence was that he would not speak until John was born.

When we fail to walk with God daily, we face many consequences. We fail to see him at work. We fail to hear his voice. We fail to know his plan, We fail to understand His goodness. We think things happen by chance.

Luke 1:21–25 HCSB

21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. 22 When he did come out, he could not speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept making signs to them and remained speechless. 23 When the days of his ministry were completed, he went back home. 24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived and kept herself in seclusion for five months. She said, 25 “The Lord has done this for me. He has looked with favor in these days to take away my disgrace among the people.”

This is the grace of and the adventure of God that in Zachariah’s unbelief God still uses Zachariah for His Glory.

God used signs in the Old Testament to show his presence and here the people recognize the sign of Zachariah not being able to speak that he had seen a vision.

God uses the unbelief of Zachariah for His Glory

If God uses the unbelief of Zachariah for His Glory then guess what God will also use... your unbelief for His Glory.

What if though we could learn from Zachariah and have more than knowledge of God and walk daily with God and recognize God at work and avoid the consequences of our unbelief?

The Birth of John

Luke 1:59–63 HCSB

59 When they came to circumcise the child on the eighth day, they were going to name him Zechariah, after his father. 60 But his mother responded, “No! He will be called John.” 61 Then they said to her, “None of your relatives has that name.” 62 So they motioned to his father to find out what he wanted him to be called. 63 He asked for a writing tablet and wrote: HIS NAME IS JOHN. And they were all amazed.

The right response in Experiencing a daily relationship with God

Luke 1:64 HCSB

64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God.

Remember Zachariah’s response to Gabriel?

How can I know this?

Here Zachariah’s response is not a question, but he began to praise God.

One indicator that our walk with Jesus is a daily experience walk is by our speech. Walking with God daily, will result in daily praise of God.

I know this is a small thing, but it was a big reminder for me today.            **There were cords in a sketchy place by the gathering room and I want to do a craft station in there tonight. I went to the Thrift Store to find some rugs- since I think duck tape is ugly and I doubt that would stick anyways.  Donna helped me look, but we didn't find any... within a few minutes she text me to tell me to come back over-- someone just donated some nice commercial grade rugs. They fit perfect. As I'm walking back to my office it dawns on me that most all my decorations were redonated last year because I felt like when the time came what I needed would be in the thrift store again. Sure enough I've gathered a lot of what I need from our thrift store. I think God wanted to remind me who owns everything and that he is keeping track of what we need when we need it. Christmas is an especially difficult time to be content...  I thought if you get time today post in this thread a way God has provided recently.People will begin to recognize when you have been with the Lord.

Luke 1:68–80 HCSB

68 Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and provided redemption for His people. 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, 70 just as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets in ancient times; 71 salvation from our enemies and from the clutches of those who hate us. 72 He has dealt mercifully with our fathers and remembered His holy covenant — 73 the oath that He swore to our father Abraham. He has given us the privilege, 74 since we have been rescued from our enemies’ clutches, to serve Him without fear 75 in holiness and righteousness in His presence all our days. 76 And child, you will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways, 77 to give His people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. 78 Because of our God’s merciful compassion, the Dawn from on high will visit us 79 to shine on those who live in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. 80 The child grew up and became spiritually strong, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

Notice Zachariah’s thoughts and words

He has provided redemption for His people

He has raised up a horn of salvation for us

He has salvation from our enemies from clutches of those who hate us

He has dealt mercifully with our fathers and remembered His holy covenant

We have been rescued to serve him without fear

You will prepare the way before the Lord

God’s merciful compassion

He will shine on those who live in darkness

He will guide our feet into the way of peace

What do you notice about Zachariah’s words after he faced the consequences and was silent?

Notice the difference from Zachariah doubting in the beginning and the words he says here.

Jesus came to mend the broken relationship between us and our creator. Jesus died and took the penalty that I deserved. His blood was shed for my sins. This bloodshed allows for me to mend the ultimate broken relationship with my Lord.

It is essential that we have more than just knowledge of this broken relationship and the way to mend it.

I may have knowledge of what a chocolate long john is but I did not experience the taste of a chocolate long john.

This past week Kara shared this...

Last night Katie and I were going through the donations from Southgate for the Affordable Christmas store. I have been shopping for items parents specifically requested but can't always do it. There was one parent who added at the last minute and said one of her kids loved penguins. Of course, God provided a super cute huge stuffed penguin through Southgate. There were a couple of art sets that I had thought about buying but didn't. Guess who did? Someone from Southgate. I was short on nerf guns and rc cars. Guess what they also sent? Yep, nerf guns and rc cars (reallly cool ones!!). Another parent requested realistic looking stuffed animals. I haven't found any. But someone at Southgate did. It amazes to see God's care in the small details that maybe don't really matter but just show us his overwheling and abundant love.Fear came on all those who were around them and they started to talk about all these things. People start to ask what would become of this child.

AND these items weren't even all on our wishlist that we gave to South Gate. But God knewMay our relationships and hearts reflect the Zachariah after the consequence. May praise be on our lips and in our hearts constantly.

The Christian life is adventurous! God is a God of adventure. The experience of daily relationship with God can not be replaced by a knowledge of God.

The prayer you have been praying that you don’t think God is working in, then know that he is! You’re praying about your relationship, your marriage, your children, your singleness, your next steps in life, then know that God is present.

Stop and recognize that God is present in the details of today. Allow the experience of daily relationship with God to come along side your current knowledge of God to see an adventurous God at work.