Increasing in Knowledge
Notes
Transcript
Review
Review
Today we continue our series on “Growing in the Knowledge of Jesus” . Up until this point, we've seen that growing in the knowledge of Jesus is a process. That process begins with the foundation of faith (trust, conviction), to which we add the element of virtue (striving for excellence).
Today in addition to faith and virtue we add knowledge.
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
This actually makes good sense, I mean what good is it to have conviction (faith) and the passion and desire to be excellent (virtue), if we don’t even know how or where to focus that faith and virtue?
Therefore knowledge is an essential element in growing in the knowledge of Jesus. While that may sound redundant, there is a subtle difference in two words translated knowledge in our text. So let's first dive in to the definitions.
The Definition of Knowledge
The Definition of Knowledge
The Knowledge (epignosis) of Jesus
The Knowledge (epignosis) of Jesus
As we discussed previously, Peter uses the word “epignosis” in the phrase “the knowledge of Jesus Christ”
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Now, if you will recall, the word epignosis {ep-ig'-no-sis} means “to become thoroughly acquainted with, to know thoroughly, to know accurately, know well”. We learned that such knowledge comes only as we demonstrate all eight of the Christ-like graces in our lives.
Knowledge is one of these elements
Knowledge is one of these elements
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
The Greek word that Peter uses here is not epignosis, rather it is a root of that word.
Peter uses this word γνωστός when he tells us to add knowledge to virtue -
γνωστός and is pronounced {gno'-sis} and it means “a seeking to know, an inquiry, investigation” (Vine). This word conveys the normal idea of knowledge: “awareness through study and experience” (Wycliffe). This knowledge pertains to understanding the will of God and the way of salvation through Jesus.
To give knowledge of salvation to His people
By the remission of their sins,
Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ
So we are add to our faith and virtue that knowledge (gnosis) or information necessary to truly know (epignosis) Jesus Christ. The importance of knowledge is seen further as we consider that as with the other two virtues, knowledge also has a demand.
The Demand of Knowledge
The Demand of Knowledge
God demands that His people have knowledge
God demands that His people have knowledge
He expected it of Israel.
“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
He foretold that it would be a characteristic of the New Covenant.
“Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah—not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”
In fact, to be pleasing to the Lord, we must have a knowledge of His will.
For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
God is displeased by a lack of knowledge
God is displeased by a lack of knowledge
Israel was destroyed because of their lack of knowledge.
Hear the word of the Lord,
You children of Israel,
For the Lord brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land:
“There is no truth or mercy
Or knowledge of God in the land.
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Because you have rejected knowledge,
I also will reject you from being priest for Me;
Because you have forgotten the law of your God,
I also will forget your children.
“O Ephraim, what shall I do to you?
O Judah, what shall I do to you?
For your faithfulness is like a morning cloud,
And like the early dew it goes away.
Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets,
I have slain them by the words of My mouth;
And your judgments are like light that goes forth.
For I desire mercy and not sacrifice,
And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Jesus will come in judgment against those who do not know God.
in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,
Without knowledge, all the sincerity and zeal in the world is in vain! -
Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.
Since a knowledge of God and His will is so important, you’re probably asking yourself, “Self, how do I get knowledge?” Well if your self doesn’t know, you’re in luck, because I’m about to tell you!
The Development of Knowledge
The Development of Knowledge
The Source of Knowledge
The Source of Knowledge
Jesus is the ultimate source of true knowledge.
For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
This makes the New Testament essential because it contains the only reliable source of information concerning His teachings while on earth and later through His apostles. The OT is also the source of knowledge -
But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Not only for information about Christ and His salvation, but also for that which makes the man of God complete. So then, knowing how I preach and knowing what I preach, is it any surprise at all that I would tell you that the knowledge which we are to add to our faith and virtue is found only in the pages of God's Word?
The Search for Knowledge
The Search for Knowledge
In our desire to obtain knowledge, certain attitudes are necessary:
A heart that longs and searches for knowledge.
Yes, if you cry out for discernment,
And lift up your voice for understanding,
If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will understand the fear of the Lord,
And find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,
A mind that values knowledge more highly than gold.
Receive my instruction, and not silver,
And knowledge rather than choice gold;
For wisdom is better than rubies,
And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.
A love for instruction -
Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge,
But he who hates correction is stupid.
Now church let me talk about this one a little bit, because if you’re like me, you may have a little bit (or maybe even a lot a bit) of pride concerning what you know about the scripture. So much so that we get annoyed when someone tries to teach us anything new. Now I’m not talking about pastors or other people in spiritual authority, we usually do a pretty good job of receiving Bible teaching from such as these. I’m talking about every day constructive criticism about mundane aspects of our life. Notice that passage doesn’t specify “Bibile instruction?” It simply says instruction. Strive with excellence to be teachable in all aspects of your life!
A person with these attitudes will:
Make daily Bible reading a priority in their life!
Utilize every opportunity to study the Word of God alone, and with others!
Not take such opportunities for granted
Be open to correction and instruction in all areas of their life.
Do we demonstrate that acquiring knowledge of God's Word is a priority? Then do we go the next step further and demonstrate that we have a teachable spirit by gladly accepting criticism as an opportunity to gain knowledge?
If one is diligent in their study of God's Word, their progress will be evident.
Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
Of course, the that has its flip-side as well. Finally, let me close with a caution.
The Danger of Knowledge
The Danger of Knowledge
Knowledge can make you arrogant
Knowledge can make you arrogant
Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.
Knowledge is intended to “build up” (edify) but if we’re not careful it can “puff up”. Pope said “A little learning is a dangerous thing.”
For this reason we must temper knowledge with love and meekness. Love edifies, and does not puff itself up
The knowledge or wisdom we believe we have, should manifest itself in a spirit of meekness.
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
There is no virtue in knowledge if it leads to arrogance!
Knowledge can destroy a brother
Knowledge can destroy a brother
Knowledge can be destructive when misused.
Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.
However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.
But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
When we despise the lack of knowledge in others, we may even run roughshod over the weak conscience of others. Such abuse of knowledge produces sin in our lives.
But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
We can actually sin against Christ! Knowledge properly wielded should serve as a continuous reminder that you have not yet attained the full stature of Christ, and should constantly be producing the transformation of your own life into one that exemplifies a life transformed by Jesus. If you are adding knowledge, you don’t have time to be judging the actions and behaviors of others, you are too busy worrying about your own growth and sanctification. Therefore love must properly restrain our use of knowledge.
I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.
Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.
Like a sharp knife, knowledge can be dangerous used improperly!
What does it all mean to me?
What does it all mean to me?
Well, with the proper application of knowledge, we can build up our faith, as faith comes from God's Word. And then we find that knowledge provides direction in which to channel our striving for excellence.
So the question is, “are we growing in knowledge?” If not, we are setting ourselves up for destruction (“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge...”)
If we are, then we are on the right track (“...you will never stumble”)
So, to our faith and virtue, therefore, let us be sure to add knowledge, that we might truly grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ!