Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, Aug. 20, 2000, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.

DO YOU KNOW HIM?

By Michael D. O’Neal                  Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church                  Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: Philippians 3:8-12

Text: Philippians 3:10

Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Introduction: Do you know the Lord? You say, “Preacher, I’ve been saved for years. Of COURSE I know the Lord.” Yes, but do you REALLY know Him?

Knowledge of a person is relative. You know some people in that you have seen them and you recognize them. You know others in that you have talked with them. You know others in that you know where they work, where they live, and how many family members they have. You know your friends in that you know their hobbies, their goals, and their problems. You know your spouse and your children better than anyone else in the world.

Likewise, knowledge of the Lord is relative. We come to know the Lord in salvation, but then our knowledge of Him should make progress. If you have been saved for years, you should know the Lord better now than when you first believed on Him.

Some of you are familiar with the story in John 4 of the woman who met the Lord at the well in Samaria. Her knowledge of the Lord was progressive. She first saw the Lord as “a Jew” (John 4:9). She then perceived that He was “a prophet” (John 4:19). She finally realized that He was “the Christ” (John 4:29).

The progressive knowledge of God is typified in the commandments about the Passover in Exodus 12, where you will find the sacrifice referred to as “a lamb” in Ex. 12:3, as “the lamb” in Ex. 12:4 and “your lamb” in Ex. 12:5.

The Bible assumes this progress to be a part of the Christian life, as God commands:

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

TO KNOW HIM,

I. YOU SHOULD KNOW THE LORD AS THE SAVIOR WHO LIBERATES FROM SIN

John 14:5-6 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Thomas did not know “the way,” but Jesus told him that He, Jesus, IS “the way.” When you get saved you come to know the Lord as the way of salvation, as the Savior who liberates from sin.

In this sense you come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as:

A. The virgin-born baby in the manger

• He had to be virgin born in order to save your soul.
• Jesus was and is man, but He also is God!

B. The virtuous man who never sinned

• Jesus never sinned, so that He could be a spotless sacrifice for your sins and for mine.

C. The vicarious substitute on the cross of Calvary

• Even as the Jew was commanded to bring “your lamb,” your salvation is received as you trust Christ as the One who paid for YOUR sins.

D. The victorious risen Lord

• In His resurrection, He conquered death, hell, and the grave!

TO KNOW HIM,

II. YOU SHOULD KNOW THE LORD AS THE SHEPHERD WHO LEADS HIS SHEEP

John 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

In this sense, you come to know Him even better:

A. As He leads you into the pastures of the scriptures

• Psalms 23:2a He maketh me to lie down in green pastures …

B. As He leads you into the peace of the still waters

• Psalms 23:2b … he leadeth me beside the still waters.

C. As He leads you into the paths of sanctification

• Psalms 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

TO KNOW HIM,

III. YOU SHOULD KNOW THE LORD AS THE SUPPLIER WHO LOVES HIS SERVANTS

Psalms 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Psalms 123:2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.

In this sense, you know Him better as

A. You rest in His provision

B. You respond with tithes and offerings

C. You receive His added blessings

TO KNOW HIM,

IV. YOU SHOULD KNOW THE LORD AS THE SAVIOR WHO LIFTS THE SUFFERING

Hebrews 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

A. He can care like no one else can

B. He can cure like no one else can

C. He can comfort like no one else can

“When the storms of life are raging, stand by me.
When the storms of life are raging, stand by me.
When the world is tossing me, like a ship upon the sea;
Thou who rulest wind and water, stand by me.

“In the midst of tribulations, stand by me.
In the midst of tribulations, stand by me.
When the hosts of hell assail, and my strength begins to fail,
Thou who never lost a battle, stand by me.

“When I’m growing old and feeble, stand by me.
When I’m growing old and feeble, stand by me.
When my life becomes a burden, and I’m nearing chilly Jordan,
O Thou Lily of the Valley, stand by me.”

And then, one of these days we shall know Him as the Sun of righteousness who Lights the Scenery! He is coming soon!

“And I shall see Him face to face, and tell the story, saved by grace. And I shall see Him face to face, and tell the story, saved by grace.”