Knowing God Now

John 14:7-14

Everyone has an opinion…Especially when it comes to God…Ranges from a true biblical definition of God to a totally wicked cultic defi- nition, to one of “You- make-it-as-you-go.”Here are some examples of the definitions of ‘God’ that some of the more well-known cults have

Who is God…?Jehovah’s Witness: One-person God, called Jehovah. No trinity. Jesus is the firstthing Jehovah created.Mormons: God the Father was once a man. but “pro- gressed” to godhood. Hehas a physical body as does his wife. No trinity. Worthy men may one day become gods themselves

Who is God…?Unification Church: God is both positive and negative. The universe is God’s body. Their god does not know the future. He is suffering and he needs Moon, Sun Myung to make him happyScientology: They do not define God or Supreme Being. Everyone is a “Thetan”, an immortal spirit with unlimited powers of its own universe, but not all are aware of this

Who is God…?Islam: Allah is God. Human attributes such as fatherhood cannot be associated with GodNew-Age: Everything and everyone is God. God is an impersonal force or principle, not a person. People have unlimited inner power and need to discover it

No Wonder the World is in Chaos…Everyone runs around with his or her own idea ofGod and they don’t have the foggiest idea who God truly is, because they choose not to know God400 BC, Plato wrote, “Tofind out the Father and Maker of all this universe is a hard task, and when we have found Him, to speak of Him to all men is impossible.”

No Wonder the World is in Chaos…Big Shocker that Plato was wrong tooWe don’t have to wait until we enter heaven to get to know God the FatherWe can know Him today and receive from Him the spirit- ual resources we need to keep going when the days are difficult

7 If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.” 8 Philip *said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus *said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the

Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. 12 Truly, truly, I say to you, he

he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. John 14:7-14, NASB

1.) “If you really knew me…”V 7 says, the only way to know the Father is thru a relationship w/ JesusTongue in cheek I think, reminding the boys that that didn’t really know Him until PentecostThe Greek word “to know is gin-os-ko

4 different meaningsSimply knowing a fact– anybody can pick up a book and know a fact—head knowlege

Understanding the truth behind a fact– however, you can know the fact and the truth and still be LOST– failing to allow Him to become their personal savior (Many will say Lord, Lord)Getting into the personal relationship. “To know” means “to believe in a per- son and become related to him or her.”The fourth use of “know” means “to have a deeper relationship with a per- son, a deeper communion.”

1.) “If you really knew me…”

2.) The Roadblocks from knowing GodVv 8-11, Philip does exactly what so many others doHere are a couple people make that keep them from God1. Preconception of what God “should” be.

Even if your IQ is 3 digits, GOD is INFINITELY WISE. Trying to comprehend Him is futile

2.) The Roadblocks from knowing GodWhen you hear someone say, “My view of God is different…” or “I always pictured God as…”They are billions of miles off base– you can’t make God fit into your box2. People demand inappro- priate confirmation from God

Like Phil in v8, people want proof of His existence, faithfulness, ca- pabilites, etc.

2.) The Roadblocks from knowing GodAs if they give God permission to do something or to even existThey seem to think that without their approval, He can’t do anythingThat’s NUTS!Longing to see God with our physical eyes is often an ex- cuse for unbelief, and begin- nings of idolatry

3.) Doing greater works for JesusV 12, A promise to claim, but requires faithGoing back to His Father is an encouragement to us because He is intercedingGreater Works, really?Yes– this word means many more, much farther reachingPeter- 3000 saved at sermonOrdinary folks used gives even more Glory to Him

4.) Praying in Jesus’ nameVv 14-15,Privilege of Prayer– NOT a magic formulaAsking in Jesus’ name means

We ask what Jesus would ask What would please Him What would bring Him glory by furthering His work

Charismatics use these verses to “name it and claim it”

4.) Praying in Jesus’ nameThis couldn’t be further from the truth in context“in My name” is the control- ling element.To know God’s Name means to know His NatureWhat He isWhat He wants to doTo bring honor and Glory to his name…

4.) Praying in Jesus’ nameThe prayers must be within His Will1 John 5:14-15 says this,

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we askanything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”

4.) Praying in Jesus’ nameWe can know the Father and Maker of the Universe because Jesus revealed Him to usHow Can we be troubled when the Creator and Owner of the universe is our own Father?!?Memorize these two verses– they will come to your rescue

“6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7, NASB

Take AwayKnowing Jesus person- ally and closely is the key to your Christian journeyKnowing Jesus should be without our own preconceptions about HimKnowing Jesus is the only way we can pray properly for His glory