Rev. David Holwick
First Baptist Church
West Lafayette, Ohio
April 19, 1987
Knowing God
Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NIV)
Is it possible to know God? Everyone knows God can't be seen or touched but with all the different religions and interpretations, millions still believe God can be known. Even Albert Einstein felt he had to believe in God to make sense of the universe.
Among born-again Christians it is automatic to say you can know God but do we really know him? Often it seems we are just mouthing familiar words while lacking the reality. Crisis brings out our lack - Job 23: 3 "If only I knew where to find him." My message this morning is on the ways we can know God and feel he is real and close to us.
Over the ages people have met God in a variety of ways. The most dramatic is a direct experience. How did Moses come to know God? The Egyptians taught him their religion and his sister tutored him in the Jewish faith but the real clincher for Moses was the burning bush.
The Bible is filled with examples of people who had this kind of contact with God. Jacob wrestled with him, Isaiah had a vision of his temple and Paul met God on the way to Damascus. Many people today are seeking a direct experience of God. It is no coincidence that the fastest growing segment of Christianity around the world is Pentecostalism. In many Pentecostal churches having faith in Jesus is not enough. To be a real Christian you must exhibit one of the supernatural signs, usually speaking in tongues. God moves in their lives so they can speak unknown languages. Baptists have never been to keen on tongues and the whole charismatic movement. Pentecostal emotionalism can really get out of hand and many claims of miracles cannot be supported. However, I can see why it is popular. The Bible assumes that supernatural experiences for Christians are not uncommon because we possess the Holy Spirit. And when much of the world seems to doubt God even exists, a personal experience with him can be very reassuring.
Charismatics are not the only ones having experiences these days. Thousands of people, religious and non-religious, have reported spiritual visions when they die but are then revived by doctors. Researchers call these reports OBE's - Out-of-Body Experiences. Most people report being in a tunnel which has a light at the end. When they approach the light they encounter loved ones who have died and maybe even God himself. These experiences are very powerful and vivid. Because of them, many people say there is no reason to fear death. They have already been there and back.
The latest superstar of spiritual experiences is Shirley MacLaine. She has written books and produced television specials on how she has come close to God (or close to being God). Shirley claims to be aware of many of her previous reincarnations. She says she has experience out-of-body projection, channeling of ancient spirits and reincarnation.
How does experience measure up in becoming close to God? I believe it is a very important element of true Christianity. Too many Christians treat their faith like a philosophy of life, period. It has no power. Real Christianity will have power and will have an impact on us.
Even though experience is important, it also carries great dangers. An experience can have more than one meaning and the meaning you give it may be the wrong one. Back in Massachusetts, Celeste and I knew a woman who was a devout Christian and also certifiably insane. One day she asked God for a sign. She really believed in direct guidance - God obliged her. The next billboard she saw had the word "aluminum" on it. This was God's sign to her to go the Texas, which is exactly what she did. You may wonder what the connection is between Texas and aluminum - most sane people would wonder the same thing. I believe God can give us experiences and guidance for our lives but I don't believe he told this woman to go to Texas.
God is not the only one who provides experiences. Turn to 2 Thessalonians 2:9. This passage is talking about the antichrist and verse 9 says:
"The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders."
I believe Shirley MacLaine has had genuine experiences but not from God. Born a Baptist, she has come to the point where she says; "the real path is to find the divinity in ourselves." Even the charismatic Christians are open to deception.
Another avenue in getting close to God is education. Many people know God because they have studied the Bible. Jesus himself said in John 5:39:
"You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me."
Just like experience, education can be an avenue to God but it is not foolproof. Many people who turn to education for their spiritual needs don't really want to know God - they want to know about him. There's a big difference. Spiritual knowledge can be very dangerous if it stays up here [point to head] and doesn't affect the way we live. When it stays up here, we have a way of twisting it around until it finally suits us - especially, super-educated types. This is why Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:19-20:
"For it is written: 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.' Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?"
Do you know God, or just know about him? Do you read your Bible out of guilt, or because you want to impress people - or because you really expect God to speak to you?
Experience and education can lead us to God. So can effort. I don't mean our efforts can save us - only Jesus' death can do that - but by focusing our lives on God he will become far more real to us. God cannot be truly known unless he is obeyed. Anything else is a sham. A very moving verse is Micah 6:8:
"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
The prophet doesn't focus on church or religious habits really. It's an attitude and an approach to life.
One of the problems with religious searching today is that it is so self-centered. Debra Winger is an actress who knows Shirley MacLaine very well. She says Shirley is so wrapped up in herself she sets up a series of parties for every birthday. The Bible looks at it differently. To be close to this God, you have to go beyond yourself. God hates self-centeredness. In Jeremiah 22:16 the prophet lays into leaders who pile up riches for themselves, unlike the early kings. Concerning those he writes:
"He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?" declares the LORD."
Ultimately, our goal is not to know God but be known by him (Galatians 4:9). Does God know you?
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Typed on July 10, 2006, by Sharon Lesko of Ledgewood Baptist Church, New Jersey
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
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