Know That You Know God - 1 John 3:3-11, 15-17 - June 14, 2009

Sunday School Lesson – Know That You Know God – June 14, 2009

This is lesson two (2) in our series of study entitled “Beyond Doubt.”

Our scripture is 1 John 3:3-11, 15-17.

Last week’s study was foundational. It dealt with who JESUS is and why HE had to be 100% human and 100% GOD.

This week we deal with “knowing” GOD. Anyone can read the Bible and “know” facts about GOD. When we read a biography about a person, we get to “know about” them. We can talk to others “about” that person. But if we really want to “know” that person, we need to build a close, best friend relationship with them. It is a building a bond and commitment, like a marriage. The longer you are in a right relationship, the greater your love, appreciation and understanding of each other.

Getting to “know” GOD and CHRIST is the same. The Bible reveals truth about THEM. It reveals GOD’S love for the world and various attributes and characteristics about them. It reveals how others have interacted with GOD and CHRIST and in turn how they have interacted with them.

Last week our scripture revealed that “GOD is light.” Light dispels darkness and reveals things that are hidden. GOD tells us that if a person seeks, he/she shall find, if he/she will knock, it will be opened up to him/her. GOD’S Word reveals that GOD id “love.” Love for mankind was GOD’S motive for allowing HIS only SON to live upon earth, die to pay the penalty for sin and to conquer death. Love was the reason CHRIST was willing to come to earth and give HIS life to break the bondage of sin and death for all who believe in HIM to have forgiveness of sin, eternal life and live the abundant life.

When we read and study the Bible, we can know these and many other facts but knowing facts is not knowing GOD or CHRIST. Knowing facts gives us knowledge about GOD and CHRIST. GOD’S desire is for all humans to know HIM through CHRIST. This requires a step of faith to accept CHRIST as SAVIOR.

Taking the step of faith to receive CHRIST as your SAVIOR is the first step toward knowing GOD through CHRIST. Even as a Christians, GOD gives us freedom to choose who will rule and guide our lives – self or HIM or some combination. GOD wants HIS children to make a choice regarding will guide their lives because riding the fence makes HIM sick as stated in Revelation 3:15-16 - 15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit[14] Or spit you out of My mouth. These verses loomed in my mind before I released my life to HIS control because I knew I was at best lukewarm in my relationship with HIM.

CHRIST died for the sins of the world. HE conquered sin and death. Proof is HIS resurrection. Our part is to accept that fact. I remember in my younger years that I asked GOD, “Why couldn’t I die for my own sins after all I am the one who committed them?” HIS answer was very clear, “You do not qualify.” HE said, “I demand a perfect sacrifice but where you do not qualify, MY SON JESUS did and HE died for you, if you accept it.” This is true for all people. CHRIST died for our sins. Our part is to accept that fact and ask HIM to forgive us of our sins and to come into our lives. The instant a person acknowledges CHRIST as his/her SAVIOR and asks HIM to forgive him/her, HE does and that person experiences the miracle of rebirth in his/her spirit.
Believers receive the gift of salvation, eternal life and the indwelling of the HOLY SPIRIT. The indwelling HOLY SPIRIT confirms that they are GOD’S children. New believers are babies in CHRIST with a lifetime of growth ahead of them as they journey through life with CHRIST leading them. It is during this journey and the study of GOD’S Word that they get to “know” HIM.

When believers study the Bible, the facts in the Bible take on new meaning because the HOLY SPIRIT within is our teacher and revealer of truth. They begin the process of dying to self, which is called sanctification. This is all about relationship. When believers yield their will to HIS control, then the real work can begin. GOD gives all humans, believers as well as non-believers, freedom to choose. GOD’S desire is to rule the lives of all believers. When believers choose to direct their own lives, there is a conflict with their born-again spirit. Equally when non-believers begin seeking truth, the flesh and Satan will battle against them to prevent them from accepting CHRIST as their SAVIOR.

GOD’S goal for every believer is for him/her to be made in the image of HIS SON JESUS. This requires trust and confidence in HIM. This means getting to really know HIM. The best way to really know HIM is to build a relationship with HIM.

Getting to know GOD through CHRIST is an awesome journey that requires a decision that as you walk with HIM, you will obediently serve HIM. John gives us some milestones to measure our relationship with GOD.

Let’s read 1 John 2:3-6:

3 This is how we are sure that we have come to know Him: by keeping His commands. 4 The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” without keeping His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly in him the love of God is perfected.[2] Or truly completed This is how we know we are in Him: 6 the one who says he remains in Him should • walk just as He walked.

The Apostle John tells us how we can be sure that CHRIST is in our lives. GOD’S children keep HIS commands. This is not mechanically keeping the Ten Commandments or GOD’S laws but it is obediently responding to what HE asks us to do. The law governed the lives of believers before CHRIST. CHRIST fulfilled the law, broke the sin barrier by HIS shed blood, which allowed the HOLY SPIRIT to indwell every believer. Believers are under the law of grace. The HOLY SPIRIT empowers believers to live for CHRIST and enlightens them to truth. GOD wants HIS children to put into practice what HE reveals to them through HIS Word, what HE reveals to them as they talk to HIM, as they journey with HIM and obediently serve HIM. It is a natural outgrowth of really knowing HIM based upon building a relationship with HIM. It is not head knowledge but heart knowledge that is revealed as a result of an obedient relationship that leads and inspires believers.

The Bible reveals to us that GOD’S Word, the Bible, is powerful. It is like a two-edged sword. A two-edged sword cuts both ways. Hebrews 4:12 - 12 For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as to divide soul, spirit, joints, and marrow; it is a judge of the ideas and thoughts of the heart.

John revealed that “whoever keeps HIS word, truly in him, the love of GOD is perfected.” GOD’S Word in a believer coupled with the HOLY SPIRIT sis the power that reveals truth and is the power that produces change toward “perfection”. That is why believers need to read, study and hide HIS Word in their hearts.

Let’s explore:

Luke 8:11 – (JESUS had just told a parable regarding seed.) - 11 “This is the meaning of the parable:[3] Lit But this is the parable: The seed is the word of God.

JESUS related the Word of GOD to seed. We know when we plant a seed in good soil; it produces a plant which in turn produces a product, fruit.

1 Peter 1:23: - 22 By obedience to the truth,[26] Other mss add through the Spirit having purified yourselves[27] Or purified your souls for sincere love of the brothers, love one another[28] Jn 13:34; Rm 12:10 earnestly from a pure[29] Other mss omit pure heart, 23 since you have been born again—not of perishable seed but of imperishable[30] Jn 1:13; 1 Pt 1:3 —through the living and enduring word of God.

Believers have been born-again not of a perishable seed but of an imperishable seed (CHRIST in us) through the living and enduring Word of GOD. The word “seed” can be interpreted as “sperm.” When a person accepts CHRIST as his/her SAVIOR, the divine seed of GOD, units with his/her spirit and conception takes place. This is the miracle of rebirth.

Believers have the Word of GOD in them. It is powerful and has the ability to produce change. It is the vital nutrient to produce growth and maturity. The Bible is GOD’S Word. As we internalize HIS Word and respond to GOD’S commands, it produces change. The Bible reveals GOD and the way to HIM through CHRIST. It gives believers a standard to be measured by; how they measure up against GOD’S requirements as the HOLY SPIRIT explores their hearts and motives. This is not to condemn believers but to perfect believers through the power of the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT.

Ephesians 1:18 - 18 [I pray]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength.

It is in the “eyes of our heart” that the HOLY SPIRIT reveals light and understanding to believers. GOD’S Word reveals GOD and guides believers in knowing and understanding GOD and confirms HIS call. The study of GOD’S Word, talking to HIM, fellowship with HIM, listening to HIM and obediently serving HIM are some of the vital elements needed for believers to build a dynamic relationship with HIM. The more we learn of HIM and respond to HIM, the stronger our relationship will be. Trust, confidence, relationship and obedience go hand-in-hand.

So what am I trying to say? Let your service to GOD be the result of what HE does in your life through relationship, rather than working in your own strength. Let your service to HIM be the natural response of growth, maturity, fellowship, relationship, trust, confidence and obedience. It takes time and yielding our will to HIM. It is the process of sanctification.

Let’s read 1 John 2:7-11:

7 Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command, but an old command that you have had from the beginning. The old command is the message you have heard. 8 Yet I am writing you a new command, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 9 The one who says he is in the light but hates his brother is in the darkness until now. 10 The one who loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.[3] Or in it 11 But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and doesn’t know where he’s going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

John writes that he was going to tell his “friends” something new but it was really something that had been around for a long time. GOD is light and HE has been light from the beginning. In fact, GOD is the source of this light and not a reflection or a light among other lights. HE is the light. Now GOD’S light has been revealed in a new way through HIS SON JESUS. JESUS came to earth in the flesh and walked among us. HE was WHO HE said HE was. HE was both 100% man and 100% GOD. As people accept and believe in JESUS, darkness is dispelled and HIS light is growing brighter. JESUS is the true light, WHO revealed to the world GOD HIS FATHER. GOD is love. HE is the source of love.

Those who know the truth also love those who love the truth. If you hate your brother or sister in CHRIST, then you need to have a spiritual checkup.

Let’s read 1 John 1 John 2:15-17:

15 Do not love the world or the things that belong to[4] Lit things in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. 16 For everything that belongs to[5] Lit that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one’s lifestyle—is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 And the world with its lust is passing away, but the one who does God’s will remains forever.

John addresses the question of “Where is our heart?” What do we love and where do we place our priorities? Do we love the things this world has to offer more than we love GOD? This is another way to measure our spiritual health.

Before I yielded my life to CHRIST, I was hanging onto the world with one hand and to CHRIST with the other. I felt the enormous pull between the two opposite directions. I knew that I should let go of the world but I was afraid. It was a tug of war and I rejoice that finally I gave up and asked CHRIST to take me like I was and to give me the strength to live this so called Christian life. Well, HE did and there have been many joys but also many tough times. But the journey has been awesome.

John lists some of the things the world has to offer:

- The lust of the flesh. Gratification such as sexual immorality and seeking things that give momentary pleasure such as alcohol and drugs.

- The lust of the eyes. This refers to coveting things that belong to others – another person’s spouse, home, wealth, position, things he or she may have accumulated.

- The pride in one’s lifestyle. This focuses on a person’s arrogance and self-promotion. Look at me, I have arrived.

We are all humans and many believers have to battle what the world has to offer. Believers have to keep in mind that GOD did not create them for time but for eternity. CHRIST tells believers that they must die to self. This is part of the sanctification process and relationship is a vital part in sanctification. During the process of sanctification, believers get to know GOD and CHRIST. The lure of the world can rob believers of this joy.

Where is your heart? Who do you serve? Do you really “know” GOD and CHRIST? If not, confess it and ask CHRIST help you build a dynamic relationship with HIM. It is not easy but such a joy to see the hand of GOD working in your life.