Embracing God's Omniscience: Trusting His Perfect Knowledge

 

Summary

In our gathering today, we explored the profound nature of God's omniscience, His all-encompassing knowledge that surpasses human understanding. We began by reflecting on Romans 11:33-36, where Paul marvels at the depth of God's wisdom and knowledge. Unlike humans, who measure and understand things in finite terms, God's understanding is infinite and beyond measure. This divine omniscience is not just an abstract concept but a foundational truth that shapes our trust and faith in God.

We delved into the historical context of Rome, a city that prided itself on its wealth, wisdom, and knowledge. Yet, Paul reminds us that God's riches, wisdom, and knowledge are far greater. This serves as a humbling reminder of our limitations and the grandeur of God. We also examined Isaiah 40, which emphasizes God's unmatched understanding and the futility of comparing Him to anything else. God's knowledge is immutable, meaning it does not change or evolve like human understanding. This immutability assures us that God is not in the process of learning or adapting; He knows all things perfectly and eternally.

The sermon also addressed the challenges posed by modern theological movements like open theism, which question God's foreknowledge. Such views diminish the divine nature of God, reducing Him to a being similar to us. However, we need a God whose understanding is beyond measure, one who is perfect, immutable, and trustworthy. This understanding of God calls us to trust Him with our lives, knowing that He comprehends our frailties and needs.

In practical terms, this means submitting to God's wisdom and not relying on our limited understanding. It involves a transformation of our minds, aligning our thoughts with God's perfect knowledge. As we immerse ourselves in His Word, we begin to discern what is good, pleasing, and perfect. This pursuit of divine knowledge leads us to a deeper relationship with God, where we seek His holiness and glory in all aspects of our lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's Infinite Knowledge: God's omniscience is beyond human comprehension, as He knows all things perfectly and eternally. This understanding assures us that God is not learning or adapting but is the ultimate source of wisdom and knowledge. We can trust Him fully, knowing that His understanding is perfect and immutable. [10:41]

2. Humility Before God: The grandeur of God's knowledge should humble us, reminding us of our limitations. Unlike the Romans who prided themselves on their wisdom, we must recognize that God's riches, wisdom, and knowledge far surpass our own. This humility leads us to trust in God's perfect will. [05:17]

3. Rejecting Open Theism: Modern theological movements like open theism challenge God's foreknowledge, reducing Him to a being similar to us. However, we need a God whose understanding is beyond measure, one who is perfect, immutable, and trustworthy. This understanding calls us to trust Him with our lives. [14:49]

4. Transformation of the Mind: As we immerse ourselves in God's Word, our minds are transformed, aligning our thoughts with His perfect knowledge. This transformation leads us to discern what is good, pleasing, and perfect, allowing us to pursue holiness and glory in all aspects of our lives. [31:37]

5. Trusting in God's Will: In our prayers and daily lives, we must submit to God's wisdom, acknowledging that His understanding is beyond measure. By trusting in His perfect will, we find peace and assurance, knowing that He is working all things for His glory and our good. [19:04]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Introduction and Personal Story
- [00:49] - God's Infinite Nature
- [01:30] - Exploring God's Omniscience
- [01:52] - Reading from Romans 11
- [03:16] - Riches, Wisdom, and Knowledge
- [05:17] - Supremacy of God's Understanding
- [06:02] - Human Scrutiny vs. Divine Knowledge
- [08:08] - Isaiah 40 and God's Grandeur
- [10:41] - Theological Insights on Omniscience
- [14:49] - Challenges of Open Theism
- [16:07] - Trusting in God's Perfect Knowledge
- [19:04] - Prayer and Submission to God's Will
- [21:12] - Cultural Pride and God's Majesty
- [28:12] - Application: Humility and Trust
- [31:37] - Application: Mind Transformation
- [36:55] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 11:33-36
2. Isaiah 40:12-18, 25-28
3. Job 41:11

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Observation Questions:

1. In Romans 11:33-36, Paul marvels at the depth of God's wisdom and knowledge. What specific attributes of God does Paul highlight in these verses? How does this passage set the tone for understanding God's omniscience? [01:52]

2. Isaiah 40:12-18, 25-28 speaks about God's unmatched understanding. What imagery does Isaiah use to convey the grandeur of God's knowledge and power? How does this contrast with human understanding? [08:08]

3. In Job 41:11, God speaks of His sovereignty and ownership over all creation. How does this verse emphasize the idea that nothing is beyond God's knowledge or control? [25:06]

4. The sermon mentions the historical context of Rome, a city known for its wealth and wisdom. How does Paul use this context to highlight the supremacy of God's knowledge? [03:43]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of God's omniscience, as described in Romans 11:33-36, challenge modern theological movements like open theism? What implications does this have for our understanding of God's nature? [14:49]

2. Isaiah 40 emphasizes the futility of comparing God to anything else. How does this passage encourage believers to trust in God's perfect knowledge rather than their own understanding? [09:48]

3. The sermon discusses the immutability of God's knowledge. How does this attribute of God provide assurance and stability in a believer's life? [11:10]

4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that a diminished view of God leads to a diminished life? How does this relate to the cultural pride mentioned in the sermon? [21:12]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you relied on your own understanding rather than trusting in God's wisdom. What was the outcome, and how might you approach a similar situation differently now? [17:12]

2. The sermon calls for a transformation of the mind by aligning our thoughts with God's perfect knowledge. What practical steps can you take this week to immerse yourself more deeply in God's Word? [31:37]

3. How can you cultivate humility in your life, recognizing the limitations of human wisdom compared to God's infinite knowledge? Consider specific areas where pride might be hindering your spiritual growth. [05:17]

4. The sermon warns against the influence of modern theological movements that diminish God's nature. How can you discern and guard against teachings that challenge the core attributes of God? [14:49]

5. In what ways can you submit to God's will in your daily life, especially in areas where you struggle to trust His perfect plan? Identify one specific area where you need to surrender control. [19:04]

6. Consider the cultural pride mentioned in the sermon that seeks to push God to the margins. How can you actively counter this mindset in your community or workplace? [20:28]

7. The sermon emphasizes the importance of pursuing holiness and glory in all aspects of life. What is one specific action you can take this week to seek God's holiness in your personal or professional life? [34:30]

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting in God's Infinite Knowledge
God's omniscience is a profound truth that assures us of His perfect and eternal understanding. Unlike human knowledge, which is limited and ever-changing, God's knowledge is complete and unchanging. This divine attribute means that God is not in the process of learning or adapting; He knows all things perfectly. This understanding invites us to place our trust in Him fully, knowing that His wisdom and knowledge are beyond measure. As we navigate life's uncertainties, we can find peace in the assurance that God comprehends every aspect of our lives and is working all things for His glory and our good. [10:41]

"Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!" (Romans 11:33, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you struggle to trust God's perfect knowledge? How can you begin to surrender this area to Him today?


Day 2: Embracing Humility Before God
The grandeur of God's knowledge serves as a humbling reminder of our limitations. In a world where human wisdom and achievements are often celebrated, it is crucial to recognize that God's riches, wisdom, and knowledge far surpass our own. This humility leads us to trust in God's perfect will, acknowledging that our understanding is finite. By embracing humility, we open ourselves to the transformative work of God in our lives, allowing His wisdom to guide us in all things. [05:17]

"Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?" (Isaiah 40:21, ESV)

Reflection: How can you practice humility in your daily interactions, recognizing God's supremacy in wisdom and knowledge?


Day 3: Rejecting Open Theism and Trusting God's Foreknowledge
Modern theological movements like open theism challenge the traditional understanding of God's foreknowledge, suggesting that God is similar to us in His understanding. However, the truth of God's omniscience assures us that His understanding is beyond measure, perfect, immutable, and trustworthy. This understanding calls us to trust Him with our lives, knowing that He comprehends our frailties and needs. By rejecting views that diminish God's divine nature, we affirm our faith in a God who is sovereign and all-knowing. [14:49]

"Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'" (Isaiah 46:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take to deepen your trust in God's foreknowledge, especially in areas where you feel uncertain or anxious?


Day 4: Transforming the Mind Through God's Word
As we immerse ourselves in God's Word, our minds are transformed, aligning our thoughts with His perfect knowledge. This transformation enables us to discern what is good, pleasing, and perfect, leading us to pursue holiness and glory in all aspects of our lives. By allowing God's Word to shape our thinking, we become more attuned to His will and purpose, experiencing a deeper relationship with Him. [31:37]

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally incorporate God's Word into your daily routine to facilitate the transformation of your mind?


Day 5: Submitting to God's Perfect Will
In our prayers and daily lives, we are called to submit to God's wisdom, acknowledging that His understanding is beyond measure. By trusting in His perfect will, we find peace and assurance, knowing that He is working all things for His glory and our good. This submission involves a willingness to let go of our own plans and desires, embracing God's purpose for our lives. As we align ourselves with His will, we experience the fullness of His peace and guidance. [19:04]

"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act." (Psalm 37:5, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to submit to God's will? How can you begin to trust Him more fully in this area today?

Quotes

God in his being is perfect pure being and beyond measure my task this morning with you is to look at God's omniscience that he is all knowing that his understanding is beyond measure and to begin we are going straight to the summit we are going to Romans chapter 11 and Paul's doxological conclusion please turn with me to Romans chapter 11 we will begin at verse 33 and we will read through the end of the chapter verse 36. [00:01:23]

Paul cobbles together from the Psalms and from Isaiah and from job to show the supremacy of God the grandeur of God the goddess of God and he starts with understanding Paul says how unsearchable his judgments how inscrutable his ways we scrutinize the ways of others don't we this is what teachers are what students rather do with their teachers they scrutinize their teachers. [00:05:42]

Isaiah chapter 40 who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand the grandeur of God as a is setting us up for the grandeur of God the seas that terrify us God measures them in the hollow of his hand and then verse 13 who has measured the Spirit of the Lord or what man shows him counsel in the ancient Near Eastern world the context in which this was given the gods the plurality of gods the pantheon held councils. [00:08:41]

God knows all things together at once God knows all things together at once turret n' Calvin's few generations successor theologian at Geneva goes on to say that God is immutable and as being in his essence there is no shadow of turning with thee God is immutable and then he makes the connection there for his knowledge is immutable this is what terton says God is immutable so he sees the various turns and changes of things by an immutable cognition. [00:10:48]

God knows not only the hairs on our head but he knows the ever-changing numbers of hairs on our head at once nothing surprises God nothing catches God off-guard nothing is new information that God now has to process when Turton gut says God sees through all of the turnings and variations of finite mutable beings from an infinite immutable cognition he's telling us God is not in the process of becoming he's not in the process of learning. [00:13:06]

We don't need a God who who comes alongside of us on our journey to Co determine our future we don't need a god who's even just better than us or more than us we need a God whose understanding is beyond measure who is robed and splendor and majesty and dwells in in approachable light the attributes of God must be understood in terms of the essence of God and as God is perfect and immutable so his knowledge is perfect and immutable. [00:15:19]

We pray alongside Christ in the garden not my will because my will is based on my finite understanding and my limited knowledge and my need to get wisdom but not God and we pray as Christ taught us to pray our Father who art in heaven thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven we don't know better than God and we don't know better than God's Word and we don't know better than God's will. [00:19:04]

A diminished view of God leads to a diminished life we think by freeing ourselves from God we can now soar into the stratosphere free to ascend to the heights it's the opposite by pretending to sever ourselves from God we plunge ourselves into the abyss in the depth Henry Acton was a whaling ship captain as was his father before him and his father before him and in 1838 he wrote what was hailed as a true an exciting account of a whaling ships captain. [00:21:12]

The application of this text the application of this idea that God's understanding beyond measure is very simply this we praise Him with all of our being with all of our lives with with every moment of our time but there are two particular applications that I'd like to pull out of this text one we need to stretch back eight verses back to verse 25 lest you be wise in your own sight there's nothing wrong with wisdom we're commanded to be wise and get wisdom. [00:28:12]

Why do we need to transform reminds why do we need this renewal of our thinking because when left to our own our minds pursue the immoral and our senses gravitate towards the aroma the stench of death and if it was left up to us we'd always settle for the lesser and the perfect would go right on by theologians call the omniscience of God a communicable attribute you know what communicable means you can get it there's 5,000 people here wash your hands. [00:31:37]

As God knows perfectly as the Creator so we can pursue knowledge as the created and with a renewed mind we can begin to align our sinful intellect to the mind of God as we immerse ourselves in God's Word and we understand his ways and we submit our understanding to his understanding a transformation takes place and all of a sudden the immoral is seen for all of its unworthiness and we want the good and all of a sudden our senses are keen to the stench of death. [00:33:55]

We are to spend a Christian life time pursuing knowing him and knowing him in his transcendence and knowing him in his majesty robed in splendor not not knowing him as we have hemmed him in to make him palatable to modernist or post modernist tastes but to know him who from him and through him and to him are all things as our minds are transformed we come up from the depths don't we and we pursue the holy we're like Moses is coming down off the mountain with a glow word nuclear. [00:36:55]

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Transcript
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