Subtopic: The Process Of Divine Nearness Acquiring A Knowledge of God
Text: Jer.9:23-24 "Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:(vs24) But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord." ( The Basis)
Psa.145:18 "The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth". ( The Practice)
James 4:8 " Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded". (The Requirement)
Premise
The Pulpit Commentary Vol.11, page 249; a comment on Jer.9:23-24."THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD IS INDICATED UNMISTAKABLY AS THE ONLY TRUE GLORY OF MAN. God is identified with the ultimate aim of our being. He made us, and it is for him we live. Consequently, the better we know him, the better we shall be able to serve him. 1.Imitation of God will spring from the knowledge of him. The more we know of him the more we must love him, and admiration will lead to resemblance in spirit and in life. 1 John 4:19 "We love him, because he first loved us."2. Knowledge depends on and leads to obedience. The knowledge of God sheds light upon the universe and life, and directs the soul and body into the channels of health, happiness, and usefulness. 3.It is connected with and culminates in Divine fellowship. In this way the character and presence of God are brought into the closest contact with the spirit of man, his character is moulded into the image of the Divine original, and the joys of communion deepen and enlarge into the blessedness of heaven. For St. John 17:3 says "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."
Text: Jer.9:23-24 "Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:(vs24) But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord." ( The Basis)
Psa.145:18 "The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth". ( The Practice)
James 4:8 " Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded". (The Requirement)
Premise
The Pulpit Commentary Vol.11, page 249; a comment on Jer.9:23-24."THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD IS INDICATED UNMISTAKABLY AS THE ONLY TRUE GLORY OF MAN. God is identified with the ultimate aim of our being. He made us, and it is for him we live. Consequently, the better we know him, the better we shall be able to serve him. 1.Imitation of God will spring from the knowledge of him. The more we know of him the more we must love him, and admiration will lead to resemblance in spirit and in life. 1 John 4:19 "We love him, because he first loved us."2. Knowledge depends on and leads to obedience. The knowledge of God sheds light upon the universe and life, and directs the soul and body into the channels of health, happiness, and usefulness. 3.It is connected with and culminates in Divine fellowship. In this way the character and presence of God are brought into the closest contact with the spirit of man, his character is moulded into the image of the Divine original, and the joys of communion deepen and enlarge into the blessedness of heaven. For St. John 17:3 says "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."
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EXPOSITION
1.The Knowledge That Draws Us Closer To God Must Be Pursued--- Prov.2:3-6 "Yea, If thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; (vs4) If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;(vs5) Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. (vs6) For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
2. The Truth That Comes From The Knowledge Of God That Brings Us Closer To Him Is A Precious Commodity---Prov. 23:23 "Buy the truth, and sell it not: also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding."
3. The Truth That Comes From The Knowledge of God That Brings Us Closer To Him Will Liberate The Soul From All Error--- St. John 8:31-32 "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;(vs32) And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
4.The Knowledge That Causes Us To Come Closer To God Makes Us To Know That:
a. I Can Trust and Be Steadfast In God For I Will Not Be Made Ashamed---Isa.50:7 "For the lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed."
b. All Things That God Allows To Happen To Me Is For My Ultimate Good---Rom.8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose."
c. I Have Promise Of Existence In The Life To Come---2 Cor.5:1 "For we know that, if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."
d. My Pursuit And His Work Of Bringing Me Into Complete Likeness to Him Will Be Completed--- 1 John3:2 "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."
e. God Is Able To Keep Me In All Circumstances That I May Encounter In The Course Of My Life--- 2 Tim.1:12 "For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."
5.What Are The Benefits That We Can Experience From Being Drawn Closer To God By The Truth Of The Knowledge Of Him:
a. THE COMFORT OF DIVINE PRESENCE ( In Trials)--- Isa.43:2 "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee."
(In The Smallest Assembly Of Believers)---St. Matt.18:19-20 "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.(vs20) For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."
b. ASSURES THE BENFIT OF ABIDING IN HIM---St. John 15:4-8 "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.(vs5) I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.(vs6) If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.(vs7) If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.(vs8) Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples."
c. HE BECOMES AND REMAINS MY DEFENCE---Psa.5:11-12 "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.(vs12) For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield."
d .HE BECOMES AND REMAINS MY FORTRESS---Psa.18:1-3 "I will love thee, O Lord, my strength.(vs2) The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.(vs3) I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies."
e. HE BECOMES AND REMAINS MY HIDING PLACE---Psa.27:4-6 "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.(vs5)For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.(vs6) And now shall my head be lifted up above my enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord."
f. HE BECOMES AND REMAINS MY REFUGE--- Psa.71:1-3 "In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.(vs2) Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.(vs3) Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress."
1.The Knowledge That Draws Us Closer To God Must Be Pursued--- Prov.2:3-6 "Yea, If thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; (vs4) If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;(vs5) Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. (vs6) For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
2. The Truth That Comes From The Knowledge Of God That Brings Us Closer To Him Is A Precious Commodity---Prov. 23:23 "Buy the truth, and sell it not: also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding."
3. The Truth That Comes From The Knowledge of God That Brings Us Closer To Him Will Liberate The Soul From All Error--- St. John 8:31-32 "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;(vs32) And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
4.The Knowledge That Causes Us To Come Closer To God Makes Us To Know That:
a. I Can Trust and Be Steadfast In God For I Will Not Be Made Ashamed---Isa.50:7 "For the lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed."
b. All Things That God Allows To Happen To Me Is For My Ultimate Good---Rom.8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose."
c. I Have Promise Of Existence In The Life To Come---2 Cor.5:1 "For we know that, if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."
d. My Pursuit And His Work Of Bringing Me Into Complete Likeness to Him Will Be Completed--- 1 John3:2 "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."
e. God Is Able To Keep Me In All Circumstances That I May Encounter In The Course Of My Life--- 2 Tim.1:12 "For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."
5.What Are The Benefits That We Can Experience From Being Drawn Closer To God By The Truth Of The Knowledge Of Him:
a. THE COMFORT OF DIVINE PRESENCE ( In Trials)--- Isa.43:2 "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee."
(In The Smallest Assembly Of Believers)---St. Matt.18:19-20 "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.(vs20) For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."
b. ASSURES THE BENFIT OF ABIDING IN HIM---St. John 15:4-8 "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.(vs5) I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.(vs6) If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.(vs7) If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.(vs8) Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples."
c. HE BECOMES AND REMAINS MY DEFENCE---Psa.5:11-12 "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.(vs12) For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield."
d .HE BECOMES AND REMAINS MY FORTRESS---Psa.18:1-3 "I will love thee, O Lord, my strength.(vs2) The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.(vs3) I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies."
e. HE BECOMES AND REMAINS MY HIDING PLACE---Psa.27:4-6 "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.(vs5)For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.(vs6) And now shall my head be lifted up above my enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord."
f. HE BECOMES AND REMAINS MY REFUGE--- Psa.71:1-3 "In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.(vs2) Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.(vs3) Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress."
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