Seeking a Deeper Knowledge of God

 

Summary

In the epistle to the Ephesians, Paul offers a profound prayer for the believers, which serves as a model for understanding the depth and potential of the Christian life. Paul begins with thanksgiving, acknowledging the faith and love of the Ephesians. He then transitions into a petition, asking God to grant them the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. This prayer is not merely for their sanctification or happiness but for a deeper, more intimate knowledge of God Himself.

Paul's prayer underscores that conversion is just the beginning of the Christian journey. Like a newborn child, the initial step of faith is not the end but the start of a life filled with potential for growth and deeper understanding. The Apostle's desire is for believers to move beyond the basics of faith and experience the fullness of the Christian life, which includes a profound knowledge of God.

This knowledge is not merely intellectual or theoretical. It is an experiential, intimate acquaintance with God, characterized by a personal encounter and a real sense of His presence. Paul emphasizes that our understanding of salvation should be God-centered rather than man-centered. The focus should be on knowing God, not just receiving His blessings or understanding His attributes.

The Apostle's prayer is a call to all Christians, not just a select few, to seek this deep knowledge of God. It is a knowledge that transcends intellectual understanding and is available to all believers, regardless of their status or education. This knowledge is the essence of eternal life, as Jesus Himself prayed for us to know the Father and the Son.

Paul's prayer challenges us to examine our own spiritual lives. Do we truly know God, or do we merely know about Him? Are we experiencing His presence and glory in our daily lives? This prayer invites us to seek a deeper relationship with God, to hunger and thirst for His presence, and to strive for a knowledge of Him that transforms our lives.

Key Takeaways:

- The Beginning of the Journey: Conversion is not the end but the beginning of a Christian's journey. Like a newborn, the initial step of faith opens the door to a life filled with potential for growth and deeper understanding of God. [06:43]

- God-Centered Salvation: Our understanding of salvation should be God-centered, focusing on knowing God rather than just receiving His blessings or understanding His attributes. This perspective shifts our approach to faith and prayer. [12:21]

- Experiential Knowledge of God: The knowledge Paul prays for is not merely intellectual but experiential, involving a personal encounter with God. It is about knowing God intimately and being aware of His presence in our lives. [25:37]

- Universal Call to Deep Knowledge: This deep knowledge of God is available to all Christians, not just a select few. It transcends intellectual understanding and is accessible to anyone who desires it, regardless of their status or education. [40:21]

- Hunger for God's Presence: The prayer challenges us to examine our spiritual lives and seek a deeper relationship with God. It invites us to hunger and thirst for His presence, striving for a knowledge of Him that transforms our lives. [43:49]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Ephesians 1:15-17
- [00:45] - The Apostle's Prayer for Wisdom and Revelation
- [01:35] - Thanksgiving and Praise
- [02:51] - The Great Petition
- [03:55] - Faith and the Seal of the Spirit
- [06:30] - Beyond Conversion
- [07:43] - Pressing Forward in Faith
- [08:43] - The Apostle's Surprising Petition
- [11:01] - The Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation
- [12:21] - God-Centered Salvation
- [14:40] - The Knowledge of God
- [17:05] - The Glory of God in Christ
- [20:20] - Experiential Knowledge of God
- [25:37] - Personal Encounter with God
- [30:45] - Fellowship with the Father and the Son
- [37:13] - The Highest Knowledge
- [40:21] - Universal Call to Deep Knowledge
- [43:49] - Hunger for God's Presence

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 1:15-17
- John 17:3
- Jeremiah 31:33-34

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Paul express gratitude for in his prayer for the Ephesians, and how does this set the tone for his subsequent petition? [00:28]

2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the "spirit of wisdom and revelation" that Paul prays for the Ephesians to receive? [01:01]

3. How does the sermon describe the nature of the knowledge of God that Paul desires for the Ephesians? [19:34]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the accessibility of this deep knowledge of God to all believers, regardless of their status or education? [40:21]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon explain the difference between knowing about God and truly knowing God? What implications does this have for a believer's spiritual journey? [22:47]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that a God-centered understanding of salvation differs from a man-centered one? How might this perspective influence a believer's faith and prayer life? [12:21]

3. The sermon emphasizes the experiential aspect of knowing God. How does this experiential knowledge differ from intellectual understanding, and why is it important for a believer's relationship with God? [25:37]

4. How does the sermon challenge the notion that deep spiritual knowledge is reserved for a select few, and what does it suggest about the universal call to know God? [40:21]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Do you feel that you truly know God, or do you primarily know about Him? What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with God this week? [43:49]

2. The sermon suggests that conversion is just the beginning of the Christian journey. How can you actively pursue growth and deeper understanding in your faith beyond the initial step of conversion? [06:43]

3. Consider your current understanding of salvation. Is it more God-centered or man-centered? How can you shift your focus to be more God-centered in your daily life and prayers? [12:21]

4. The sermon invites believers to hunger and thirst for God's presence. What practical ways can you incorporate into your daily routine to cultivate a greater awareness of God's presence? [43:49]

5. Think about a time when you felt a personal encounter with God. How did that experience impact your faith, and how can you seek more of these encounters in your spiritual life? [25:37]

6. The sermon emphasizes the importance of experiential knowledge of God. What specific actions can you take to move beyond intellectual understanding and experience God's presence more intimately? [25:37]

7. How can you encourage others in your community or small group to seek a deeper, more intimate knowledge of God? What role can you play in fostering an environment that supports this pursuit? [40:21]

Devotional

Day 1: The Journey Begins with Conversion
Conversion is not the culmination of the Christian experience but the commencement of a lifelong journey. Like a newborn child, the initial step of faith is an entry point into a life brimming with potential for growth and deeper understanding of God. This journey is marked by continuous learning and transformation, as believers are called to move beyond the basics of faith and explore the vastness of the Christian life. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that conversion is just the beginning, and the true essence of the Christian journey lies in the pursuit of a profound knowledge of God. This knowledge is not static but dynamic, inviting believers to grow in their relationship with God and experience His presence in new and transformative ways. [06:43]

Ephesians 4:13-14 (ESV): "Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes."

Reflection: What is one new step you can take today to deepen your understanding of God and grow in your faith journey?


Day 2: Salvation Focused on Knowing God
The understanding of salvation should be God-centered, emphasizing the importance of knowing God rather than merely receiving His blessings or understanding His attributes. This perspective shifts the focus from a transactional relationship with God to a relational one, where the ultimate goal is to know Him intimately. Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians highlights the significance of seeking a deeper, more intimate knowledge of God, which transcends intellectual understanding and transforms the believer's life. This God-centered approach to salvation encourages believers to prioritize their relationship with God, seeking to know Him more fully and experience His presence in their lives. [12:21]

Jeremiah 9:23-24 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'"

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from seeking God's blessings to seeking a deeper relationship with Him today?


Day 3: Experiencing God Beyond Knowledge
The knowledge that Paul prays for is not merely intellectual but experiential, involving a personal encounter with God. It is about knowing God intimately and being aware of His presence in our lives. This experiential knowledge is characterized by a personal relationship with God, where believers are invited to encounter Him in a real and transformative way. Paul emphasizes that this knowledge is not limited to a select few but is available to all believers who desire it. It is a call to move beyond theoretical understanding and experience the reality of God's presence in everyday life. [25:37]

Psalm 34:8 (ESV): "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!"

Reflection: In what ways can you seek to experience God's presence in your daily life today, beyond just knowing about Him?


Day 4: A Universal Call to Deep Knowledge
The deep knowledge of God is not reserved for a select few but is available to all Christians, regardless of their status or education. This knowledge transcends intellectual understanding and is accessible to anyone who desires it. Paul’s prayer is a universal call for all believers to seek a deeper relationship with God, emphasizing that this knowledge is the essence of eternal life. It is an invitation to move beyond superficial understanding and engage in a transformative relationship with God that impacts every aspect of life. This call challenges believers to pursue a deeper knowledge of God, seeking to know Him more fully and experience His presence in their lives. [40:21]

Colossians 1:9-10 (ESV): "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Reflection: How can you actively pursue a deeper knowledge of God today, regardless of your current understanding or background?


Day 5: Hunger for God's Transformative Presence
Paul's prayer challenges believers to examine their spiritual lives and seek a deeper relationship with God. It invites them to hunger and thirst for His presence, striving for a knowledge of Him that transforms their lives. This hunger for God’s presence is a call to move beyond complacency and actively seek a relationship with Him that is dynamic and life-changing. It is an invitation to experience the fullness of the Christian life, marked by a deep and abiding relationship with God. This transformative knowledge of God is not just about intellectual understanding but involves a personal encounter with Him that impacts every aspect of life. [43:49]

Psalm 42:1-2 (ESV): "As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?"

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to cultivate a deeper hunger for God's presence in your life?

Quotes



"Conversion is not the end it's merely the beginning it's the mere First Step it's like birth when a child is born there not the end that's the beginning and conversion of becoming Christian is just that and it's because he knows that and that he is aware of the tremendous possibilities that lie ahead of these people that the Apostle is praying for them." [00:06:46]

"Our view of Salvation must never be man centered it must always be God centered you see it is always with the Apostle he starts off in verse three blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ it all comes from God and all our thinking must be in terms of God." [00:12:25]

"He's not praying that we may have a theoretical or an intellectual knowledge only of God there is such a knowledge and such a knowledge is very important God has revealed himself in order that we may might know him in this sense he has manifested himself he's done so in nature he's done so in history he does so in Providence but supremely he does so in this world." [00:20:29]

"He is concerned that we should meet with God he should be he is concerned that we should have if you like an encounter with God he means a knowledge of God which is personal and intimate now whatever views we may hold of certain modern tendencies in theological teaching at inate we must agree that this is a good emphasis which is coming back to this idea of the Divine human encounter." [00:24:31]

"Have you ever known that is God real to you when you get on your knees and pray do you know that God is there do you realize his presence that's the thing the Apostle is speaking about he means you see that we know and realize something of the glory of God that's why he was so careful in praying to say that he's praying to the god of our Lord Jesus Christ the father of Glory." [00:26:16]

"Do you know anything of what Jacob said when he said this is an awful Place full of all the presence the glory it means you see that we know and realize something about the love of God because you can't realize the presence of God without this awareness of the glory and also of this love of God for God is love and again not merely in general but in particular." [00:27:16]

"Have you ever felt that have you ever felt that desire that's the thing the apostles is praying that these Ephesians May begin to hunger and thirst for that may realize that all that's happened to them has been designed to that end that they may see and know the glory of God this father of Glory show me thy Glory." [00:33:32]

"All Shall know me and when the Holy Spirit comes your young men shall see dreams they shall prophesy it isn't confined to certain I will pour forth my spirit upon All Flesh they shall all know me from the least onto the greatest it is a knowledge that is possible to all and thank God the history of the church throughout the centuries confirms this." [00:41:49]

"Do you know God I'm not asking if you believe things about him I have to use such a term have you met him have you known yourself for certain in his presence do he speak to you and do you know that you speak to him practice of the presence of God your brother Lawrence in the kitchen washing the dishes yes practicing the presence of God." [00:43:49]

"Christ died to make it possible he died to bring us to God and to this knowledge he gives eternal life which is to Know Thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou has sent is your fellowship with the father and with his son Jesus Christ oh that we might know God begin to cry all that I knew where I might find you." [00:44:56]

"More and more if I may put it in this personal word more and more what I look for in men is this have they got a soul thirst for God are they longing for this is there something about them that always tells you that they're always waiting for his next appearance for the further manifestation that their life is centered on him." [00:45:40]

"That they might know him and that the knowledge might increase until eventually beyond death in the grave and this life we shall know him even as we are already known of him and shall see him not as now in a glass Darkly but then face to face we shall see the father of glory." [00:46:59]

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Transcript
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