Martin Stratton, Jr Pastor Christian Ed Andrew D. Singleton, Jr Senior Pastor The More You Know is NBCUniversal s longstanding cross-company public service initiative focused on education, diversity, health, civic engagement and the environment. For more than 25 years, The More You Know has addressed the nation s most pressing social issues and remains a trusted voice for sharing knowledge to improve lives. Knowledge is important because what we know affects what we do. What we do shows the essence of who we are. Who we are as individuals is of ultimate or eternal importance. The purpose of knowledge is to help us live better lives. There s even an old saying When you know better you do better! 1
1 John 5:20-21 20 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Conundrum If God is infinite (Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient) and we are finite, how can we who are finite know Him who is INFINITE and unknowable? Yet, Knowing that Jesus is God is the most important thing we can know. C.S. Lewis - Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. # The more you know! Pastor said it last week, When an atheist says there is no God they are really saying that they are God! Lee Strobel The Case for Christ 2
Lee Strobel The Case for Christ Atheist and news reporter Wife was converted and became a Christian He wanted to save her from Christianity false religion He wanted to discredit Christianity so he could continue to be their God. He asked a Christian coworker where to start his journey His friend told him that all of Christianity hinges on the resurrection. If the resurrection didn t happen, the religion would be reduced to a house of cards. Clip Witness List (Movie Clips) Dr. Habernas Resurrection Witness Expert Father Marquez Document Expert Dr. Bill Craig Analytical Philosopher Dr. Roberta Waters Psychologist Agnostic Dr. Alexander Metherell Medical Doctor Wife Love of his life Jesus tell us who His ultimate witness is John 8:54-59 54 Jesus replied, If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. 55 Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad. 3
God the Father the Greatest Witness of All Confirms it! Matt 3:13-17 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me? 15 Jesus replied, Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness. Then John consented. 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. God the Father the Greatest Witness of All Confirms it! Psalm 45:6-7; Heb. 1:8-9 6 Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. 7 You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy. Psalm 110:1-4 Psalm 110:1-4 1 The Lord says to my lord: Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet. Matthew 17:1-5 (NASB) 1 Six days later Jesus *took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and *led them up on a high mountain by themselves. 2 And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 4 Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah." 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!" 4
Mark 16:19; Heb. 1:13 19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Heb 12:1-3 John the apostles and disciples witness 1 John 1-2 We have heard We have seen (with our eyes) We have looked at and touched with our hands (examined) We testify and proclaim it Purpose 1 John 1:3-4 To have fellowship with God and One another To make your joy complete 5
We Must Be Like Lee Strobel s wife (Clip) Show the Love of God so He can work in the lives of our friends loved ones and draw them to Him! When You Know Better You Do Better! What do we KNOW? 1 John Chap 1!:5 We know that God is light 1:7 We know if we walk in the light as He is in the light we have fellowship with Him and each other and the blood of Jesus purifies us all from sin. 1:9 If we confess our sins he will forgive us What do we KNOW? 1 John Chap 2 2:3 We show that we know Him if we obey Him 2:5-6 We know we are in Him if we walk (Live) as Jesus did. 2:9 Anyone who says they love the light but hates their brother, they are still in darkness (God s Goal is relationship among all believers). (YOU CAN T RELATE IF YOU HATE!) 2:29 He is righteousness and everyone who does what s right has been born of Him 6
What do we KNOW? 1 John Chap 3 3;2 We know that when He appears we shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is. 3:14 We know we have passed from death to life. 3:16 We know what love is because Jesus laid down His life for us all. So we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers 3:19 We know we belong to the truth 3:24 We know He lives in us by the Spirit He gave us. What do we KNOW? 1 John Chap 4 4:7 We know that Love comes from God because God is Love 4:9-10 We know that God Loves us because He sent His one and only Son to be an atoning sacrifice for us What do we KNOW? 1 John Chap 5 5:2 We know that we loving God means keeping His commands and loving the children of God 5:13 We know that we have eternal life 5:14 We know He hears us and answers our prayers 5:18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to live in sin 5:19 We know that the Son has given us understanding so we may know Him 7