Knowing God for Yourself

07/09/2025 53 min
Knowing God for Yourself

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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.