A BIBLE STUDY (Part 1) KNOWING GOD

[p_rehbein]

[A Bible Study, Part 1]
(Special thanks to Pastor Tim)

Knowing God

My Church believes that the Holy Bible is the Word of God, and that the writers thereof were inspired by God to record His Word, and it is to be taken by Faith to be Truth.
There are differing views as to who/what God is.Polytheism states that there are many gods.Pantheism refers to the belief that “all things” are god.Unitarianism is the belief that there is only one God, and denies the Holy Trinity.Trinitarian’s believe in the Holy Trinity of God.God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.To be clear, my Church teaches this belief.

This Study is intended for Christian Fellowship in the Word of God, and to learn and grow from the Study of His Word.It is not intended for contentious argument, or any such.Respectful disagreement is perfectly fine, and each is welcome to express their beliefs/the teachings of their Church.May God bless this Study of His Word.

While early on, man believed one could not know God, from Scripture we learn that God has always made Himself known to man.From the prophets and other scriptures, we are able to determine this truth.Following are scriptures to support this belief of my Church.

Isaiah 11:9) They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

Jeremiah 9:24) 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.

John 17:3) And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Hebrews 8:11) And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

Romans 1:18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 .) Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20 .) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 .) Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Acts 17:26) And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
27 .) That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
28 .) For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
29 .) Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

John 14:9)Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

In my opinion, from these scriptures, it is clear that God has always made Himself known to man.To those who seek Him, they shall find Him.My Church teaches this as well.

Scriptures to show what God is like:

John 4:24) God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Malachi 3:6) For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

James 1:17) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Hebrews 13:8) Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.[While we believe that God cannot change, He can change His course of action]

Psalms 90:2) Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. [We believe that God is eternal.Without beginning, without end]

Genesis 17:1) And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.[We believe that God is all powerful]

Matthew 19:26) But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Revelation 19:6) And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.[We believe God is omnipotent.To mean; infinite in power]

Psalms 139:7) Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8 .) If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
9 .) If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
shall hold me.[We believe that God is everywhere, to mean; omnipresent]

Proverbs 15:3) The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.[We believe that God knows and sees all]

Psalms 147:5) Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.

Leviticus 11:44) For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Deuteronomy 32:4) He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

1 John 4:8) He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Exodus 34:6) And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
7) Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

Deuteronomy 7:9) Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;[We believe that God is a faithful God]

In conclusion, from these scriptures we see that God has always made Himself known to man, and for those who would seek Him, they would find Him.We also learn of the characteristics of God.What He is.

I hope you will enjoy this Study, and please add your thoughts concerning this Study.

God bless.............

 

[Miri]

I agree that God's presence is evident and all around and the very nature of God is just waiting to be discovered for those who will search for the answers. It's as if there is a spiritual shaped hole in each person born waiting to be filled and each person has an inner yearning to discover Father God.

Unfortunately many look in the wrong place and turn to the occult or man made religions. Some start to worship Creation itself when it is just a sign post to the Creator God. It's like admiring a shop sign instead of actually going into the shop!


Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV
[13] "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. [14] Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.


I wonder if in times past more found that narrow gate. Maybe modern man is becoming too sophisticated and proud to acknowledge that they do not know all the answers.

 

[inthewind]

[h=1]John 1:18

No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.[/h]

 

[Joidevivre]

It seems to me that if Jesus declared the Father, and now Jesus lives in us - we should be declaring Him in the same ways. We are to show forth His glory!

 

[p_rehbein]

John 1:18

No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

John 14:9)Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

 

[psychomom]

Father, please help us to go so much further than just knowing about You.
help us to know You and the One whom You sent.

that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

this we ask in the mighty Name of Jesus. ♥

 

[elf3]

There is actually a huge difference between "knowing God" and knowing God. The difference is seen very evident in the Pharisees. These people "knew" God without actually knowing God. We actually even see this very often here on CC. There are some who know a great deal about God but actually do not know God. Knowing God in the real sense of knowing God is a relationship with God. I could know a great deal about God but do I have that relationship with God that helps me know God? Yeah it seems a lot like double talk unless you actually know what I am talking about.

Knowing God in the true sense of knowing God is a relationship with God. Do I have that relationship with God in which I know Him? Or do I just know God from what I read in the Scripture? Christianity is a relationship with God. This is Knowing God. So do you know God or do you "know God"? That is the question of knowing God.

 

[MadParrotWoman]

It always seems a shame to me that an excellent study subject such as this one only attracts a limited amount of comments, this is too bad because much can be learned from each other, often someone will mention something someone else hasn't considered and from this we learn from each other and grow. Unfortunately fewer comments mean the thread goes missing and it is usually replaced on the home page with the same old threads repeating the same old subject matter and the ensuing arguments are repeated over and over, this causes discord among us.

I sometimes wonder if the enemy is lurking on CC "seeking whom he may devour" keeping us from getting to know God better.

The original poster has written an excellent post here giving us food for thought. I hope we get more comments because I for one am hoping to learn from some of the comments.

 

[p_rehbein]

I understand your concerns. And have felt the same for some time. Yet, every so often, someone will post a thread complaining about all the threads of anger and arguments, and wonder why there are no threads that seek to edify the Church.

Reason is simple. The contentious threads attract the greatest following.

Still, I am happy with what we have. Where two or three are gathered together.........

 

[Miri]

It is true that there are different levels of knowing God, but it has to start off with the simple realisation that there is a God.
Unfortunately many do not reach this first level even to enable them to take the next step and the next. Then there is the parable about the seed how some seed falls on thorny ground, some of good ground etc and it is so true.

On the matter of knowing God I love the following verses.


John 15:12-17 AMP
[12] This is My commandment: that you love one another just as I have loved you.
[13] No one has greater love no one has shown stronger affection than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends.
[14] You are My friends if you keep on doing the things which I command you to do.
[15] I do not call you servants (slaves) any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing (working out). But I have called you My friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from My Father. I have revealed to you everything that I have learned from Him.
[16] You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed you I have planted you, that you might go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit may be lasting that it may remain, abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name as presenting all that I AM, He may give it to you.
[17] This is what I command you: that you love one another.


The idea of being friends with Jesus speaks of close intimacy and close co-operation. Two people working together with a common goal, each understanding the other and enjoying each other's company.

A few years ago I had a dream in which I was walking along a path and was a child (although I was an adult when I had the dream) I was walking side by side with a person who I knew was Jesus. In the dream I got a sense of joy and well being, of contentment and happiness.

Since then I have often thought of myself as being a friend of Jesus and it thrills me to know that we can know Him in such a way. It's like any relationship though it takes time to develop and grow.

Spending time with God the father, son and Holy Spirit is like breathing in fresh air or drinking a cool glass of refreshing water. It's like getting rid of all the pollutants of the world. I don't just mean going to meetings or church (which is a good thing). I'm talking more about those private moments when you shut yourself away and it's just you and God.

Maybe im not putting this very well, does anyone get what I'm talking about. ??????

There are different levels to knowing Jesus, and I just want to wade right out there. I feel spiritually thirsty if I don't spend time with God for a while.

 

[Jeff_56]

It seems to me that if Jesus declared the Father, and now Jesus lives in us - we should be declaring Him in the same ways. We are to show forth His glory!

see EPHESIANS, COLOSSIANS, PHILIPPIANS, even CORINTHIANS ,
and
of course ACTS to see how yahweh's people live abiding in union in yahshua. (it's not seen today (or is very rarely) ) .

It always seems a shame to me that an excellent study subject such as this one only attracts a limited amount of comments, this is too bad because much can be learned from each other, .........
I sometimes wonder if the enemy is lurking on CC "seeking whom he may devour" keeping us from getting to know God better. .........

not enough posters are abiding as in EPHESIANS, COLOSSIANS, PHILIPPIANS, CORINTHIANS and ACTS.
(see below for why)
the enemy is not lurking on cc nor in society. the enemy is prevalent, in the foreground, forefront, top of the news, middle of the news, and bottom of the news, in society and in churches.
the ekklesia are the few.(far far fewer than the marines, and not publicly acknowledged , publicly accepted, or publicly encouraged)

Father, please help us to go so much further than just knowing about You.
help us to know You and the One whom You sent.

that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

this we ask in the mighty Name of Jesus. ♥

in general, overall, widespread,
not enough are willing to suffer , to share in the fellowship of his sufferings,
to pay the price that yahshua said would have to be paid to live a righteous life in him today.

 

[oldthennew]

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away:
and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

satan knows our Father better than many who abide hear on this earth.

the only way for us to be able to escape the pit-falls that are always
so prevalent before us is to submit and deny ourselves before our
almighty heavenly Father and abide by His laws of moral behavior
that will bring us into His favor and allow us to find peace and
comfort in our obedience and submission to His will, and not
our own.....

 

[MadParrotWoman]

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away:
and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

satan knows our Father better than many who abide hear on this earth.

the only way for us to be able to escape the pit-falls that are always
so prevalent before us is to submit and deny ourselves before our
almighty heavenly Father and abide by His laws of moral behavior
that will bring us into His favor and allow us to find peace and
comfort in our obedience and submission to His will, and not
our own.....

Yes! So difficult to deny oneself when we have spent an entire lifetime only having to submit to ourselves - isn't it? We need willpower - His will power

 

[Joidevivre]

When I was a very little person, I felt I knew Him. Do children have this openness that closes off as they grow more intellectual and analytical?

As I grew older, I began to listen to sermons which sort of created a distance that wasn't there before. I was always going to the "altar" to get closer by rededicating myself over and over. But the next day, I didn't feel any closer.

Fast forward 20 more years. It was the message of grace and unconditional love that did it. I didn't have to keep "doing" something over and over. That I was in His heart forever. That caused me to want to know everything about this "keeper of my soul" and I was drawn into a relationship that far surpassed what I ever expected.

Now, I can't stop reading the bible because I almost expect Him to jump out of the pages. And I'm excited about His personal care for me - amazing because I'm just one of a zillion.

This knowing Him I still question. Did it come from my seeking or from Him pulling me in?

 

[Jeff_56]

QUOTE=Joidevivre;1997797 When I was a very little person, I felt I knew Him. Do children have this openness that closes off as they grow more intellectual and analytical?

<<<yes>>>(most often) as it is written: unless someone becomes as a little child, they never see the kingdom, ever.

As I grew older, I began to listen to sermons which sort of created a distance that wasn't there before. I was always going to the "altar" to get closer by rededicating myself over and over. But the next day, I didn't feel any closer.

<<<indicative of most chruches/ having the form of religion without any power>>>(actually keeping people from finding the kingdom when they are able to do so)

Fast forward 20 more years. It was the message of grace and unconditional love that did it. I didn't have to keep "doing" something over and over. That I was in His heart forever. That caused me to want to know everything about this "keeper of my soul" and I was drawn into a relationship that far surpassed what I ever expected.
Now, I can't stop reading the bible because I almost expect Him to jump out of the pages. And I'm excited about His personal care for me - amazing because I'm just one of a zillion.
This knowing Him I still question. Did it come from my seeking or from Him pulling me in? (end)QUOTE

<<<he entreats, leads, guides (as the perfect "good" shepherd). doesn't pull or push or intimidate>>>
and he says "everyone who seeks me finds me" <<<yahweh's own promise>>> (with "CONDITIONS")

 

[p_rehbein]

As I grew older, I began to listen to sermons which sort of created a distance that wasn't there before. I was always going to the "altar" to get closer by rededicating myself over and over. But the next day, I didn't feel any closer.


I here this from others, and each time it saddens me, yet also it gives me joy. Joy in knowing that every Sunday and Wednesday service I attend at my church, I draw so much closer to and fuller of God. If I miss a service, I can feel the difference in the following days. I thank God for my home church and the wonderful believers it is comprised of.

This knowing Him I still question. Did it come from my seeking or from Him pulling me in?

Both.............if we sincerely seek Him, He will come to us and if we accept and confess Him, He will envelope us in His wondrous Grace, Love and Mercy.

It is true that there are different levels of knowing God, but it has to start off with the simple realisation that there is a God.
Unfortunately many do not reach this first level even to enable them to take the next step and the next. Then there is the parable about the seed how some seed falls on thorny ground, some of good ground etc and it is so true.


Which is the purpose of the OP. The Scriptures reveal how God reveals Himself to man, and how man has no excuse for denying His existence.

God bless

 

[Elin]

Father, please help us to go so much further than just knowing about You.
help us to know You and the One whom You sent.

that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

this we ask in the mighty Name of Jesus. ♥

"that I may know the fellowship of his sufferings"

no sweeter knowledge. . .

 

[elf3]

Hmm yinz want more on this? I will be glad to show you my studies on this subject. To me this isn't something to be taken lightly. As has been said, there are so many forums where we argue over the same old thing over and over and over again. Yet, do we actually learn anything or are we so content with what we know that we "shut" God out and believe our own lie. I don't care how long I have been a Christian or what I know because there is so much more God can teach me. Do I just sit and be comfortable with what I know or do I really truly desire to know God in a more intimate way? Do I read God's Word or do I dig deep and study God's word? Do I just read the words or do I ask God to teach me His word? I could read the Bible cover to cover and not learn a single thing. I could memorize every passage and tell you where it is (which I can't do because memorization and me don't get along so well lol) but not know a single meaning. Do we actually look at what other Christians have written on certain subjects? Other well known theologians have been inspired by God to write certain things (different type of inspiration from the Bible) but do we say "it's just a man's interpretation" or do we say "i could actually learn something from their writing"? Knowing God is pure study of God's Word with prayer to the Holy Spirit for understanding? (Proverbs 3:5,6). Yes it's am just a man but could God teach you through me as He could teach me through you? If you want to truly know God then you must begin with God and you must be willing to let God speak to you through others also.

Quoting Scripture is great but quoting a well known theologian can also lead to greater understanding. I am no "great theologian" but I do have one question....

How well do you want to know God?

 

[psychomom]

"that I may know the fellowship of his sufferings"

no sweeter knowledge. . .

it seems so counterintuitive, right?

and yet, i have found this to be so.
learning so much more during the bitter times than sweet.
learning how trustworthy and faithful He is!
how full of mercy and truth, and how he'll lovingly give me a swift kick when i need it.

(apologies, p_r, for the derail )

 

[psychomom]

How well do you want to know God?

dude, this week i'm ready for a face to face.