The Question That Will Make or Break Your Life
Notes
Transcript
Focus: Answering the question, “who is Jesus?”
Function: For the listeners to contemplate and answer the question, “who is Jesus?” in their own way but rooted in truth.
KILL FILLER WORDS
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Introduction
Introduction
The foundation
The foundation of the church
The foundation of our personal lives
The foundation is what determines whether a building will stand strong or collapse.
The foundation is what determines whether our lives will stand strong or collapse.
That foundation is your answer to the question, “who is Jesus?”
The problem
The problem
We have heard.
We’ve heard the sermons from pastors every Sunday afternoon.
We’ve heard all the bible stories.
We’ve attended countless Bible Studies.
We’ve read books like “Knowledge of the Holy” by A.W. Tozer.
Tozer actually wrote that what we think about God is the most important thing in our lives.
Because it is from that place, you will shape your life.
But the question is, who do YOU say Jesus is? Not what your pastor, parents, authors, or the world says Jesus is.
This question is not about your head knowledge.
If someone was to ask you who is Young Choi, what would your answer be?
Oh he is the youth pastor of my church.
He is married to a girl name Coco.
He is 31 years old.
Okay, these are all head knowledge, but in your heart, who is Young Choi to you?
Head knowledge of Jesus.
He is the Messiah
He died on the cross for us
He came back to life
He ascended into heaven
He is God
He is coming back
Okay, all these are great and they are true, but they do not resound personal relationship that is dynamic.
If I was to ask who is your friend “John/Jane?”
You can tell me their age, where they live, etc.
But what really matters is something like...
Oh, he/she is my best friend that I can trust with my life.
If there is something trying in my life, I know I can trust he/she for sure.
You see, this isn’t head knowledge, it is experiential emotional, heart connect.
This is the type of answer to the question “who is Jesus” that will be the foundation to your life.
Cultivating true experiential knowledge of Jesus
Cultivating true experiential knowledge of Jesus
1 My son, if you will receive my words
And treasure my commandments within you,
2 Make your ear attentive to wisdom,
Incline your heart to understanding;
3 For if you cry for discernment,
Lift your voice for understanding;
4 If you seek her as silver
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
5 Then you will discern the fear of the Lord
And discover the knowledge of God.
There are 5 conditions to cultivating intimate knowledge of Jesus.
Receive my words (v. 1a)
Treasure my commandments (v. 1b)
Incline your ear and heart (v. 2)
Lift up your voice (v. 3)
Seek her as hidden treasures (v. 4)
Receive my words
Proverbs 2:1a
1 My son, if you will receive my words
And treasure my commandments within you,
Set your heart to walk in full obedience.
You determine in your heart. You actually sit down (or stand, whatever) and say in your heart, “Okay, I WILL walk in obedience.” Actually speak the words and actually determine in your heart.
You cannot love Jesus on your terms. Jesus sets the terms here, there is no other way around it.
If you love me, you will obey my commandments.
Treasure my commandments
Proverbs 2:1b
1 My son, if you will receive my words
And treasure my commandments within you,
The word “commandments” means His words, His statutes, His precepts.
You meditate and hold dear to His words.
There is a difference between reading or the sake of reading versus reading with the mindset of “Okay Lord, wash me with your word.” It’s all in the heart posture.
Incline your ear and heart
Proverbs 2:2
2 Make your ear attentive to wisdom,
Incline your heart to understanding;
This speaks of teachable and humble heart.
Don’t go into the scripture thinking you know.
“Oh I know the stories” “Oh I know this” “Oh I know that”
No to those preconceived notions, go into it in humility
“Lord, teach me, it might be the same story, but teach me your wisdom that I do not yet know.”
Lift up your voice
Proverbs 2:3
3 For if you cry for discernment,
Lift your voice for understanding;
Actually pray for understanding.
When was the last time you prayed for understanding of God’s word?
When was the last time you prayed for understanding of His heart?
“Lord, I do not understand, teach me”
Seek her as a hidden treasure
Proverbs 2:4
4 If you seek her as silver
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Be diligent
Be willing to pay any price for the knowledge of God
It’s not something you do on the side or when you have extra time.
It needs to consume your life.
Refuse to be denied.
“I will not take a no for an answer!”