Sermon Tone Analysis

We’re going to start a *new series* this week called “*Knowing God*.”

This message *goes hand in hand* with the *subject* that *we just finished* last week called “*The Untapped Power of Praise*.”

*Having a close Intimately relationship with our heavenly father is the longing of every believer*.

*Deep on the inside of us*, *in our spirit man*, *we want to know God*.

*I.

*In the Word we see, the *obedience of Moses*, the *faithfulness of Joshua*, the *boldness of Elijah*, the *heart of David* and the *faith of Abraham* this *all came* as a *result* of their *intimate relationship and knowledge of God*.

*A.

We need* to purpose in our hearts *to know God* not with the mentality of seeking for our own *benefit*, *but* with *a relationship that honors Him as God **and puts Jesus in His rightful place **as Lord over our lives*.

*1.

God and man long* for an *intimate relationship* together.

*2.

*Turn to */HOSEA 4:1/*

                                  *a.

*Clearly *we can see* that *Israel* was *falling away from God*.

(You can read down the next few Vs and see it even clearer.)

*b.

*But the part that I wanted you to see is that *God said* in (*V 1*) “You do not have a knowledge of me.”

                                           *i.

*The word “*Knowledge*” here can mean “*Knowledge*, *perception*, *discernment*, or *understanding*.”

*c.

*There *main problem* was that they *lacked* a *knowledge* *or* an *UNDERSTANDING of God*.

*i.

This* kind of *knowledge*, *understanding* *and* *perception of God* *can only come by* *knowing Him*, *Not* by just knowing *about Him*.

But something that comes *through* a *personal relationship with Him*.

*3.

*Go down to */V 6/* (*HOSEA 4:6*)

                                  *a.

What is the knowledge* that the *Lord* is *talking about*?

*i.

*It’s *not* a *natural knowledge* that’s He’s referring to.

*It’s a knowledge of God*.

*b.

*The word “*Knowledge*” *in this V* is the *same* as *in* (*HOSEA 4:1*)

                                           *i.

Meaning*, *Knowledge*, *perception*, *discernment* and *understanding*, *which* can *only come by knowing God*.

*c.

*So *what is God saying* in (*HOSEA 4:6*)?

*i.

*He says, “*/My people are/* *destroyed for lack of KNOWING ME* (knowledge): *because thou hast rejected TO KNOW ME* (knowledge), */I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children/*.”

(*Hosea 4:6*)

              *B.

*In (*ISA 5:13*) The Lord said just *about the same thing*.

He said, “*/Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge/*.”

*a.

*This is the *same Hebrew word* that we’ve been talking about.

*i.

*He said, “*/My people have gone into/* *bondage* *because* */they have/* *no Knowledge*, *Perception*, *Discernment* */and/* *Understanding* *of God* *which only comes by knowing Him*.”

     *II.

*Turn to */PRO 13:12/*

              *A.

If* we *don’t have fellowship with God* of if we stop having fellowship with Him, our *HOPE* will be *deferred*.

*1.

Without* that *personal relationship* with God our *hope* will be *lost*.

*a.

No longer* will we *see things* *the way God sees them*, but *we’ll look to the natural*.

*b.

When* our *hope is deferred* in that way it will make the *heart sick*.

*i.

When* you’re *out of the presence of God*, your *hope* is *deferred* *and* your *heart* will become *sick*.

*ii.

*When the Bible uses to word “*Heart*” it’s usually *referring to* the “*spirit of man*.”

*c.

*Our *spirit man becomes week*, *tried*, and *worn out*; *and* it all *stems from* *a lack of fellowship with God*.

*2.

*I said this early but It’s so true, *each and every one of us has a longing which needs to be fulfilled*, *and that longing is only fulfilled by a close intimate relationship with God*.

*a.

*(*Proverbs 13:12*) From the *NIV* says, “*/Hope deferred makes the heart sick/*, */but a/* *longing fulfilled* */is a tree of life/*.”

*b.

When* that *longing* that we have to fellowship with God is *fulfilled* *it will produce life* *and blessings* in our lives.

*B.

*Turn to */JOB 22:21-28/*

                        *1.

*Notice that he said “*/Acquaint now yourself with Him/*.”

*That's the key*, *Getting to know Him*, then you'll be *blessed* in *every are**a.

*

                                  *a.

*This word “*Acquaint*” from the Strong’s Concordance means “*To know intimately*.”

*i.

When you get to know God intimately* the *KJV* says, “*Good shall come unto thee*.”

*ii.

*The *NIV* says, *When you Know Him Intimately* “*Prosperity will come unto you*.”

*iii.

*The *New Century Version* says, “*This is the way to Happiness*.”

                                  *b.

*All of *God’s blessing* begin to *come* to us *as we get to know Him Intimately*.

*2.

*Turn to */PRO 3:6/*

                                  *a.

*When he says, “*/In all thy ways acknowledge him/*.”

The *Hebrew means more* than that.

*i.

*The *AMP* *does* a pretty *good job* on this *V*, it says, “*/In all your ways/* *KNOW*, */recognize and acknowledge Him/*, */and He will direct your paths/*.”

*ii.

As you seek to KNOW HIM*, you will *find* the *direction* that *you need*.

*b.

*The *Living Bible* puts it this way, “*/In everything you do/*, */put God first/*, */and He will direct you/* */and crown your efforts with success/*.”

*i.

When* *you* begin to *seek God* *1st by getting to know Him*, He will *crown you with* the *abundant life*.

*3.

*The *New Jerusalem Bible* says that as you *begin to know Him*, *He will make your path smooth*.

*a.

Sure* there are going to be those *occasional bumps* in the road, *but* *without Him life is going to be Rough*.

*III.

**/PSA 103:7/*

              *A.

Israel saw the mighty acts and miracles* of God.

(Plagues upon Egypt, Red Sea, water from a rock, and manna.)

[*Still accused God*, *curse His servants*]

                        *1.

Moses was different*.