Knowing God – J.I. Packer
The Study of God – 10.18.10
1) “There is something exceedingly improving to the mind in a contemplation of the Divinity”
a) Our pride is lost in its infinity
b) No subject of contemplation will tend to move to humble the mind, than thoughts of God…
i) As it humbles it expands
Pg. 14
2) Assimilation with no knowledge of God
a) Disregard the study of God and waste your life and lose your soul with no direction
Five basic truths, foundation-principles
1. God has spoken to man
2. God rules all things for His own Glory
3. God is savior, through Jesus, to rescue believers from guilt and power of sin
4. God is triune: Father purposes redemption, Son secures it, Spirit applies it
5. Godliness responding to God’s revelation in: trust, obedience, faith, worship, prayer, praise, submission, and service
a. True religion
3) Powers of God: almightiness, omniscience (knowing everything), omnipresence (present everywhere at the same time)
Pg. 16
4) What is my ultimate object and aim in acquiring this knowledge?
a) Psalm 119
i) Walk in the law of the Lord
ii) Means to further Godliness
5) No knowledge of God, but about God
a) Meditation – Pg. 18
i) A matter of arguing with oneself, reasoning oneself out of doubt and unbelief into clear apprehension
Chapter 2
Knowing God – J.I. Packer
The People Who Know Their God – 10.18.10
Section 1. To know God
A. “But it doesn’t matter, for I’ve known God and they haven’t.”
B. Philippians 3:7-10 – The “rubbish” not only has no value, but is not on his mind.
C. Knowing God and Godliness is not a formula – About versus Of
· What is our rubbish?
· Are we honest with ourselves?
Section 2. Evidence of knowing God – See Daniel
A. Energy/action for God
· Sensitive to situations in which God’s truth & honor are jeopardized
· Pray
B. Great Thoughts of God
· “He knows, and foreknows, all things, and his foreknowledge is foreordination; he, therefore, will have the last word, both in world history and in the destiny of every man; his kingdom and righteousness will triumph in the end, for neither men nor angels shall be able to thwart him.”
C. Boldness for God
· “We must obey God rather than men!”
D. Contentment in God
· Romans 8
Section 3. First Steps
A. Humility – Recognize we lack knowledge of God
B. Seek the Savior
Chapter 3
Chapter 4Chapter 3
Knowing God – J.I. Packer
The People Who Know Their God – 11.03.10
I. What were you made for?
· “Thus saith the Lord, let not a wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches; but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me.” (JER 9:23f)
II. What are the practical implications of this fact?
a. God is knowable
b. Changes your priorities
c. Makes life worth while
d. Designed to thrill a man’s heart – “The almighty Creator, the Lord of hosts, the great God before whom the nations are a drop in the bucket, comes to talk with you through the words and truths of the Bible.”
e. Be humble – you probably know him less than you think
III. What does knowing God involve?
a. Listening to and receiving God’s word, through the Holy Spirit
b. Noting God’s nature and character
c. Accepting His invitations
d. Doing what he commands
e. Recognizing and rejoicing in His love
IV. What does knowing God look like?
a. Knowing God is a personal matter
b. Knowing god is a matter of personal involvement – mind, will and feelings
c. Knowing God is a matter of grace
i. God initiates – loving, choosing, redeeming, calling and preserving
ii. God’s knowledge implies – personal affection, redeeming action, covenant faithfulness and providential watchfulness.
V. Bottom Line
· He knows me
· All my knowledge of him depends on His sustained initiative in knowing me
His knowledge of me is realistic Knowing God – J.I. Packer
The People Who Know Their God – 11.03.10
I. Second Commandment
a. “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God”
II. Is this a prohibition against idol worship or something deeper?
a. “idolatry consists not only in worship of false gods, but also in the worship of the true God by images”
b. Manner of worship, not the object of worship
III. Dangers of Images
a. Images dishonor god, for they obscure his glory.
b. Images mislead us, for they convey false ideas about God.
IV. Do not:
a. Create God in your image
b. Think of Him as you like
c. Substitute philosophical reasoning rather than biblical revelation
V. This commandment drives us to recognize that God is:
a. Transcendent
b. Mysterious
c. Inscrutable
d. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways”
God is jealous!
