Listen "Knowing God for Yourself"
Episode Synopsis
Introduction and Throwback Sunday
Recaps “Throwback Sunday” and encourages bringing physical Bibles to church as a nod to tradition.
Expresses gratitude for recent church events and blessings, such as water baptism and picnic.
Calls for prayer and open hearts to receive from God, especially after a time of fasting.
The Battle in Modern Life
Recognizes the challenges of modern life: evil, temptation, spiritual warfare, and demonic activity, especially in the end times.
Emphasizes the need for spiritual strength and victory amidst adversity.
Theme: Knowing God for Yourself
Offers exhortation rather than a traditional sermon, aiming to stir faith and personal encounter with God.
Draws on the passage from Judges 2, focusing on generational changes in faith after Joshua’s time.
Warns of the danger when one generation knows God but the next only knows about God and not personally.
The Difference Between Knowing About God and Knowing God
Illustrates with personal stories (e.g., travel and experiences in Africa) the gap between theoretical and experiential knowledge.
Stresses the importance of firsthand experience, not just secondhand stories or head knowledge.
Head Knowledge vs. Heart Knowledge
Uses the metaphor of missing heaven by 18 inches (distance from head to heart).
Endorses experiential faith using biblical phrases like “taste and see that the Lord is good”.
Biblical Examples and Discipleship
References Jesus’ teaching in John 6 about the cost of discipleship and how it sifts followers.
Explains that true discipleship demands personal commitment and will cause offense or discomfort, but steadfastness comes from knowing God personally.
Three Essentials to Knowing God
Desire:
Hunger and thirst for God are essential; desire moves mountains (example of Helen Keller’s determination).
Illustrates how other desires can compete with spiritual pursuit (e.g., gym vs. church attendance).
Learning:
Importance of learning from older generations and maintaining humility to be taught.
Describes mutual mentoring – older generation sharing wisdom, younger generation teaching new things (e.g., technology).
References biblical examples and personal mentors who inspired and taught about God’s miracles.
Pressing In:
Encourages persistent pursuit of God; spiritual growth involves pressing in, waiting, and preparing for God’s timing.
Story of receiving the Holy Spirit’s touch during times of seeking, both in personal and church settings.
Generational Breakdown and Restoration
Addresses the breakdown between generations in passing on spiritual experience and faith.
Calls for bridging generational gaps in church; both young and old must value each other's strengths and contributions.
Call to Consecration and Closing
Invites the congregation to prayer, worship, and pressing in for personal encounters with God.
Encourages leaders and young people to seek fresh encounters; asks everyone to create space for seeking God without distraction.
Concludes with a challenge for ongoing spiritual hunger, continual learning, and pursuing God’s presence in the model of biblical figures like Caleb and Joshua.
Recaps “Throwback Sunday” and encourages bringing physical Bibles to church as a nod to tradition.
Expresses gratitude for recent church events and blessings, such as water baptism and picnic.
Calls for prayer and open hearts to receive from God, especially after a time of fasting.
The Battle in Modern Life
Recognizes the challenges of modern life: evil, temptation, spiritual warfare, and demonic activity, especially in the end times.
Emphasizes the need for spiritual strength and victory amidst adversity.
Theme: Knowing God for Yourself
Offers exhortation rather than a traditional sermon, aiming to stir faith and personal encounter with God.
Draws on the passage from Judges 2, focusing on generational changes in faith after Joshua’s time.
Warns of the danger when one generation knows God but the next only knows about God and not personally.
The Difference Between Knowing About God and Knowing God
Illustrates with personal stories (e.g., travel and experiences in Africa) the gap between theoretical and experiential knowledge.
Stresses the importance of firsthand experience, not just secondhand stories or head knowledge.
Head Knowledge vs. Heart Knowledge
Uses the metaphor of missing heaven by 18 inches (distance from head to heart).
Endorses experiential faith using biblical phrases like “taste and see that the Lord is good”.
Biblical Examples and Discipleship
References Jesus’ teaching in John 6 about the cost of discipleship and how it sifts followers.
Explains that true discipleship demands personal commitment and will cause offense or discomfort, but steadfastness comes from knowing God personally.
Three Essentials to Knowing God
Desire:
Hunger and thirst for God are essential; desire moves mountains (example of Helen Keller’s determination).
Illustrates how other desires can compete with spiritual pursuit (e.g., gym vs. church attendance).
Learning:
Importance of learning from older generations and maintaining humility to be taught.
Describes mutual mentoring – older generation sharing wisdom, younger generation teaching new things (e.g., technology).
References biblical examples and personal mentors who inspired and taught about God’s miracles.
Pressing In:
Encourages persistent pursuit of God; spiritual growth involves pressing in, waiting, and preparing for God’s timing.
Story of receiving the Holy Spirit’s touch during times of seeking, both in personal and church settings.
Generational Breakdown and Restoration
Addresses the breakdown between generations in passing on spiritual experience and faith.
Calls for bridging generational gaps in church; both young and old must value each other's strengths and contributions.
Call to Consecration and Closing
Invites the congregation to prayer, worship, and pressing in for personal encounters with God.
Encourages leaders and young people to seek fresh encounters; asks everyone to create space for seeking God without distraction.
Concludes with a challenge for ongoing spiritual hunger, continual learning, and pursuing God’s presence in the model of biblical figures like Caleb and Joshua.
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