SUBJ: The
exhilaration at understanding and knowing the Lord and at some of the
things we are given to know in Him.
AIM: That we
might count it of essential importance that we understand and know the
Lord.
INTR: That we should be allowed to
understand and know the Lord to any degree is amazing in that we know
the superlatives associated with Him and that His ways are past finding
out. Yet, he causes His people to know Him in a manner that is close and
personal. This is the knowledge that may be enjoyed by the most educated
theologian and the common man alike. 1. Consider that the approach of
many is presumptuous and casual. But remember that of many it will be
said "I never knew you!" (Paul to the Corinthians, "your glorying is not
good") 2. Consider the effect on many at meeting famous people and
that the same people will spurn any thought of coming to know God. 3.
With David we acknowledge that such knowledge is too wonderful for me.
While we do not understand nor comprehend the vastness of Who He is and
what He does, we may understand and know Him.
THESIS: Understanding and knowing God
does not come by flesh and blood (Matthew 16:17) and the reaction to
knowing Him is not received as fleshly experience. Understanding and
knowing The Lord are reasons for glorying.
I. The reasons of
glorying in the natural man exposed (v. 23) 1. The shortfall of human
wisdom is that it never attains to the knowledge of God. 1) Glorying
therein puts him in opposition to God. 2) It cannot attain to the
things God requires - such does not come as a matter of training.
"Teaching them to observe all things" does not build on human ideas.
3) The knowledge of God comes by revelation, not education. 2. The
ultimate might in man is no match for God - Many Goliath's come and
fall. 3. The riches of man can purchase many things, but the wealth
of this world cannot buy redemption - Many looks to their own resources,
but they cannot pay the ransom for their own souls nor does forgiveness
have a price tag.
II. Understanding and knowing (v. 24a) 1.
Consider: Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him:
for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a
rewarder of them that diligently seek him. And then think on what faith
brings to us in knowing that He is. 2. Many descriptive words come to
mind. 1) Eternally existing and completely solitary. Holy and loving
within Himself. 2) Possessor of all power and might and dominion.
3) The changer of the hearts of men. 4) The revealer of Himself in
Christ 3. The implication here is that this understanding and
knowledge is personal - it is not to know about Him rather it is to know
Him and this we come to in Christ alone.
III. What it is to be
known and understood of Him (v. 24b) 1. That He is the Lord (Jehovah)
who exercises lovingkindness. 1) Seen in eternal electing love. 2)
Created new in regeneration and brought effectually to Himself. 3) He
justifies and forgives on the basis of the work of Christ. 4) He
adopts such into His family and sends forth the Spirit of Adoption which
constitutes us as His child. 5) He brings us lovingly to know and
delight in eternal life and makes all these things a matter of
experience and expression towards Him. 2. That He is the Lord who
exercises judgment 1) But is judgment a cause for glorying? 2)
Considered in the light of His Holiness and we know that He must judge
sin 3) Gill says of Christ that: "sin was laid on Him, found and
condemned in Him." (Consider Benjamin and the cup planted in his sack as
an illustration.) 4) And that I have been judged in Christ - If we do
not see this, we do not understand Him at all let alone His redemption.
3. That He is the Lord who exercises righteousness in the earth 1)
Christ came into the world with a perfect life before God and man. 2)
In regeneration and conversion, He brings the imparted righteousness of
Christ to bear in men. i. The record in Heaven shows the imputed
righteousness of Christ and I am justified. ii. The life of the
believer on earth shows the imparted righteousness of Christ and I am
sanctified. 4. It is in these things the Lord delights. 1)
Certainly not in the pride of men 2) Not in the wisdom and works of
men 3) But it is to this man He looks: Isaiah 66:2 For all those
things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the
LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a
contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. 4) Deuteronomy 10:15 Only
the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their
seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day. It is
because He delighted in His Son that we may understand and know the
Lord.
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