R sbc
Date: July 8th
Subject: “KNOWING HIM”
Series: Christ The Sum & Substance of The Bible”
Text: I JOHN 2:13-14
Intro: As I have stated before preaching through this book, that I love the way John approaches each time he addresses the Lord’s people. I write unto you! Indicating a very personal letter.
Last Sunday we saw the great truth that he was writing about our sins are forgiven, and that it was for his name’s sake. Today we will engage ourselves into the knowledge of Christ as our LORD AND SAVIOUR.
Three times in these verses John uses the term, you have known him. To the fathers, ye have known him, to the young men, ye have known him, to the little children ye have know him.
Then he concludes the verse by saying once again to you fathers, ye have known him. It was said by John Calvin “ He comes no to enumerate different ages, that he might shew that what he taught was suitable to every one of them. You can teach all spiritual levels the truth it will set them free...
This whole Epistle including II & III John is about having that intimate relationship with OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
I... “KNOWING HIM DOES NOT MEAN KNOWING ABOUT HIM”..
Many know about him, but not many know him. Sinners who have not been saved, know about him, religious people know about him, Church people know about him, but the factor that I must stress is not about him.
Thousands of books are written about him, but cannot exhaust him, Joh 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
Movies have been made about him, but little truth in displayed in them, you cannot know him like that. Christ is the sum and the substance of the BIBLE know him really in your heart is the main thing...
Many have heard about him even in his day: Joh 12:34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
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You see they knew about him, but did not know him. Oh that you who know about him would really come to know him today...
II... “KNOWING HIM MEANS THAT YE HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM”
1ST. Those that know him are known of him first:
2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
Jesus said: Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
2nd. Those that know him is the result of the revelation of him:
a. Peter: Mt 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
b. Jesus said: Matt 11-25 ¶ At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
c. Paul said: Gal 1-15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
3rd. Those that know him come to him:
Joh 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
We are regenerated by the Holy Spirit: John 3
We are draw by the Father: John 6-44
We are called by the gospel: 2Th 2:14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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4th. Those that know him have a personal relationship with him:
How can you know him and never pray to him, read his word, witness for him, give to him through his church. Beloved we who know him have that relationship with him.
I Jn 1-3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
5th. Those that know him desire to touch him:
There is such a desire to feel his presence when you know him, there is a desire to
please him, there is a desire for him to meet your evey need... Matt 9-20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
III... “THOSE THAT KNOW HIM HAVE GREAT JOY”
1. The first to experience this joy was that stary night in Bethlehem the wise men when they saw his star...Mt 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
2. The first to discover his tomb empty:
Mt 28:8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
Do you remember that day in your life when Christ came into your heart, and you was overflowing with joy...i wanted to tell someone what happen to me, and you did too... When he touched you and made you alive and you ran to him, and fell at his mercy that my friends is real joy and happiness.
It is not like Job said Job 20:5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment? The fleeing pleasure of this life and the so-called joy it brings is but for a moment... but real joy is forever.
Ps 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
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IV... “ THOSE THAT KNOW HIM WILL SEE HIM ONE DAY:
1ST. We will see him because his word says so: I John 3-1-3
2nd. We will see him because he is coming again as he said: John 14-3
3rd. We will see him because the angles said so: Acts 1-11
To behold the lamb of GOD, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the ancient of days, the great I am, the lily in the valley, the rose of Sharon, the first and the last, the alpha and the Omega, the bright and the morning star, the root out of dry ground, the crucified risen one, the hope of hopes, the water to all who thirst, the bread to all who are hungry, the health to all who are sick, the light to all who are in darkness, the path that is glowing, the foundation that will never crumble, the KING OF KINGS and the LORD OF LORDS. Wow what a saviour....