Knowing Jesus: The Foundation of Our Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Knowing Jesus is the Foundation

Knowing Jesus personally is the cornerstone of our faith. All teachings, methods, and structures in Christianity are secondary to this primary relationship. Paul emphasizes this in Philippians 3:7-11, where he considers all his achievements as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. This relationship with Jesus is not just about intellectual knowledge or religious activities; it is about a deep, personal connection that transforms our lives. When we truly know Jesus, everything else in our faith aligns and falls into place. [21:23]

Philippians 3:7-11 (ESV): "But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to deepen your personal relationship with Jesus, beyond just knowing about Him?

Day 2: Obedience as Evidence of Knowing Jesus

True knowledge of Jesus is demonstrated through obedience to His commandments. 1 John 2:3-5 highlights that if we claim to know God but do not obey His commandments, we are not living in the truth. Obedience is not just about following written scripture but also about responding to God's personal guidance in our lives. This means listening to His voice and aligning our actions with His will. Obedience is a tangible expression of our love and commitment to Jesus, showing that we truly know Him. [23:29]

1 John 2:3-5 (ESV): "And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says 'I know him' but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him."

Reflection: Is there a specific commandment or personal guidance from God that you have been struggling to obey? How can you take a step towards obedience today?

Day 3: Intimacy with Jesus

Our relationship with Jesus should be marked by intimacy, spending time with Him, and growing closer in our communication. This intimacy allows us to trust His heart and plan for our lives, even when it differs from our own. The closer we are to Jesus, the more we can trust His will and direction. Intimacy with Jesus involves regular prayer, reading His word, and being sensitive to His presence in our daily lives. It is through this intimate relationship that we can experience His love and guidance more profoundly. [26:57]

John 15:4-5 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Reflection: How can you create more space in your daily routine to spend intimate time with Jesus, allowing Him to speak into your life?

Day 4: The Fruit of the Spirit as Evidence

The evidence of knowing Jesus is seen in the fruit of our lives, as described in Galatians 5:22-23. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are the fruits that should be evident in our lives. Without these, all our knowledge and good deeds are meaningless. The presence of these fruits in our lives is a testament to the Spirit's work within us and our genuine relationship with Jesus. It is through the cultivation of these fruits that we reflect Christ's character to the world. [27:31]

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Reflection: Which fruit of the Spirit do you find most challenging to exhibit in your life? What practical steps can you take to cultivate this fruit more intentionally?

Day 5: Balancing Holiness and Intimacy in Worship

Worship should reflect both the holiness and intimacy of God. It's not just about singing majestic songs but also about experiencing a personal relationship with Jesus. The church has sometimes swung between these extremes, but we need both to fully experience God. Worship is a time to honor God's majesty and also to draw near to Him personally. Balancing these aspects in our worship allows us to encounter God in a more complete and transformative way. [45:32]

Hebrews 12:28-29 (ESV): "Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire."

Reflection: How can you incorporate both reverence and intimacy in your personal worship time, ensuring that you honor God's holiness while also drawing near to Him?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, everyone. Today, we are diving into a fundamental question: Do you know the person of Jesus? This question is crucial because all other teachings, methods, and structures in Christianity fall under this primary relationship. Knowing Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith, and everything else aligns when we truly know Him.

Children often ask profound questions about faith, which can remind us to return to the basics. Questions like "Where is heaven?" or "Why did Jesus die on the cross?" bring us back to the core of our beliefs. The essence of our faith is understanding who Jesus is and what He has done for us. This is echoed in Philippians 3:7-11, where Paul considers all his achievements as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.

But how do we know that we truly know Jesus and not just know about Him? 1 John 2:3-5 provides three ways: obedience, intimacy, and the fruit of our lives. Obedience means following God's commandments and living out His word. Intimacy involves spending time with Jesus, communicating with Him, and growing closer in our relationship. The fruit of our lives, as described in Galatians 5:22-23, shows the evidence of the Spirit's work in us.

It's easy to get caught up in the structures and teachings of Christianity without truly knowing Jesus. We can fill our lives with good deeds and knowledge, but if we don't have a personal relationship with Him, we miss the mark. This is a call to prioritize our relationship with Jesus above all else.

In our worship and daily lives, we must balance the holiness and intimacy of God. Worship should not just be about the majesty of Jesus but also about our personal relationship with Him. The church has sometimes swung between these extremes, but we need both to fully experience God.

Finally, Jesus is the only one who can sustain us. We don't need another prophetic word or teaching; we need to know Jesus intimately. He is the one who holds us and keeps us. Let's push into this relationship, spend time with Him, and listen to His voice.

###

Key Takeaways

1. 11, where he considers all his achievements as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. [21:23]
2. Obedience as Evidence of Knowing Jesus: True knowledge of Jesus is demonstrated through obedience to His commandments. 1 John 2:3-5 highlights that if we claim to know God but do not obey His commandments, we are not living in the truth. Obedience is not just about following written scripture but also about responding to God's personal guidance in our lives.

3. Intimacy with Jesus: Our relationship with Jesus should be marked by intimacy, spending time with Him, and growing closer in our communication. This intimacy allows us to trust His heart and plan for our lives, even when it differs from our own. The closer we are to Jesus, the more we can trust His will and direction.

4. The Fruit of the Spirit as Evidence: The evidence of knowing Jesus is seen in the fruit of our lives, as described in Galatians 5:22-23. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are the fruits that should be evident in our lives. Without these, all our knowledge and good deeds are meaningless.

5. Balancing Holiness and Intimacy in Worship: Worship should reflect both the holiness and intimacy of God. It's not just about singing majestic songs but also about experiencing a personal relationship with Jesus. The church has sometimes swung between these extremes, but we need both to fully experience God.

### [21:23]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[17:05] - Introduction and Personal Anecdotes
[17:30] - Changing the Sermon Plan
[18:29] - The Core Question: Do You Know Jesus?
[19:53] - Children's Questions and Returning to Basics
[20:39] - The Importance of Knowing Jesus
[21:23] - Philippians 3:7-11: Paul's Perspective
[22:16] - Knowing vs. Knowing About Jesus
[23:01] - Three Ways to Know Jesus
[23:29] - Obedience as Evidence
[24:26] - Personal Obedience and God's Guidance
[25:25] - The Importance of Following God's Plan
[26:57] - Intimacy with Jesus
[27:31] - The Fruit of the Spirit
[29:05] - The Danger of Christian Structures Without Relationship
[30:06] - The Fruits of the Spirit in Our Lives
[31:02] - Balancing Content and Relationship
[32:58] - Celebrity Culture in Christianity
[34:57] - The Essence of Prophecy
[36:26] - Knowing Jesus in His Context
[37:52] - Jesus' Cultural and Traditional Context
[39:10] - Personal Anecdotes and Worship
[41:26] - The Pendulum Swings of Worship Music
[43:38] - Encountering Jesus Through Worship
[45:32] - Holiness and Intimacy in Worship
[46:52] - Revelation 2:2-5: The Church in Ephesus
[48:17] - First Love and Constant Communication
[50:00] - Restoring Relationship and Intimacy
[52:01] - Jesus as the Only Sustainer
[53:03] - Reflecting on Our Relationship with Jesus
[54:02] - Worship and Connection with Jesus

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Philippians 3:7-11, what does Paul consider as loss compared to knowing Christ? ([21:23])
In 1 John 2:3-5, what is the evidence that someone truly knows Jesus? ([23:29])
What are the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23, and how do they serve as evidence of knowing Jesus? ([27:31])
How does the sermon describe the balance between the holiness and intimacy of God in worship? ([45:32])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul consider all his achievements as loss compared to knowing Christ in Philippians 3:7-11? How does this perspective challenge our own values and priorities? ([21:23])
How does obedience to God's commandments serve as evidence of knowing Jesus according to 1 John 2:3-5? What does this imply about the nature of our relationship with Him? ([23:29])
The sermon mentions that knowing Jesus involves intimacy and spending time with Him. How can this intimacy be cultivated in our daily lives? ([26:57])
The fruit of the Spirit is described as evidence of knowing Jesus. How can we assess whether these fruits are evident in our lives? ([27:31])

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life: Do you consider your personal achievements as loss compared to the value of knowing Christ? How can you shift your focus to prioritize your relationship with Jesus? ([21:23])
In what ways can you demonstrate obedience to God's commandments in your daily life? Are there specific areas where you feel challenged to obey? ([23:29])
Think about your current relationship with Jesus. How can you cultivate greater intimacy with Him? What practical steps can you take to spend more time in His presence? ([26:57])
Identify one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit that you feel is lacking in your life. What specific actions can you take this week to cultivate that fruit? ([27:31])
How can you balance the holiness and intimacy of God in your worship? Are there changes you can make in your personal or corporate worship practices to better reflect this balance? ([45:32])
The sermon emphasizes the importance of knowing Jesus personally rather than just knowing about Him. How can you move from head knowledge to heart knowledge in your relationship with Jesus? ([18:29])
Reflect on a time when you felt distant from Jesus. What steps did you take, or can you take, to restore that relationship and intimacy with Him? ([50:00])

Sermon Clips

1. "And then yesterday, after we got home from Hope Fest, the Lord was like, did I tell you to deliver that word? Or are you just going to give that because it's the easy thing to do? And I was like, well, I'm doing it because it's the easy thing to do if you really want to know, Lord. And he said, okay, well, what if you do this instead? So we're going to go a little bit different route than I thought we were going to go. And it might not be as easy. But we're going to flow with it, okay?" [17:30] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Do we know the person of Jesus? Because all of the other things, all of the other teachings, all of the other methods, all of the other stuff that goes along with Jesus, Christianity, right, that we've created to be now this really big structure that it is a church, you know, internationally. All of that comes underneath, do you know the person of Jesus? And if you know Jesus, then all of that stuff falls in line." [18:29] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The Lord's really been convicting me to be careful that I don't love the things of God more than I love the person of God. When you, we were talking about this. This the other day, Josh and I were talking about this the other day. There is so much, like I said, there's so much content out there. There's so many good books. There's so many good sermons. There's so many good, like there's so much content. You could chew on people's words for days." [31:02] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "He is Abba Father. He is Jesus, the lover of your soul. He walks in fullness of emotion. Do you think that he is not? That he's not saddened? That he's not grieved when we don't desire him? When we don't desire time with him? When we don't desire to hear his voice? If I just stopped listening to him, do you not think that would grieve his heart? Because he is fully God and fully man." [31:50] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "You can have great anointing without great integrity. Did you know that? There are people who have walked in great levels of anointing without great integrity. I have a real struggle with any time somebody is like, have you, I mean, and this is me. This is for me. Right? This is not, I'm not putting this on all of you. I personally really struggle with, have you read this book? Have you heard this guy speak or this person speak?" [33:48] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "You have access to relationship with the God of all freedom. Of all healing. Of all goodness. Of all good things. The Bible says are in him and through him. And we can so easily get caught up in the hurricane that is Christian celebrity culture and latch on to this teaching from this person. And I'm not saying that those things are not good. They have benefit. Right? They have place in our lives. But when I go to that, before I go to him. When I feed on that before I'm feeding on him. I'm out of balance." [34:57] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Jesus wasn't an American with a three bed, two bath house. And a nine to five job with a career and credit cards. He was Jewish. He was committed to the tradition. He participated in Passover. He participated in the Sabbath. He participated in the things that were important to their culture. He knew the Torah. He knew the word. He spent time in the synagogue with the priests. Learning and speaking to them. Teaching." [38:30] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "If we fully love and experience the holiness of God. Then it stands to follow that we will be moving closer and closer and closer to him in intimacy. And as we move closer and closer and closer to him in relationship. We see more and more. We see more and more of his glory. And of his holiness. And of his majesty. You can't have one without the other. They go together." [45:32] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "You don't need another prophetic word, although they're good to have. You don't need another phenomenal teaching, although they're good to have. You don't need the next big worship song to come out, although they're good to have. We need to know Jesus. We need to know the person of Jesus. Closely and intimacy. We need to know his love for us, for his care for you. We need to know about him, what his character is, what his nature is. We need to spend time with him. We need to listen to his voice." [52:01] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "He is the only one who will sustain you. I'm so thankful and blessed that I was raised knowing Jesus, that I was raised in church. And so you can say that I am who I am because of all of the influences in my life, all the people who have who have poured into me and invested in me. And yes, that is true. But I am I'm held by Jesus. I am kept by Jesus because I met him. Because I know him." [52:01] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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