Knowledge

It's Going to Take More Than Faith – KNOWLEDGE

Main Text: 2 Peter 1:5 (AMP)

LET'S REVIEW:

1. FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD

JAMES 2:17 (AMP) So too, faith, if it does not have works [to back it up], is by itself dead [inoperative and ineffective].

2. EXERCISE YOUR FAITH

2 PETER 1:5 (AMP) For this very reason, applying your diligence [to the divine promises], make every effort in [exercising] your faith to, develop moral excellence, knowledge (insight, understanding),

3. LOVE ACTIVATES FAITH

GALATIANS 5:6 (AMP) For [if we are] in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but only faith activated and expressed and working through love.

4. WE SHOULD BE MORALLY PURE

2 PETER 1:5 (AMP) For this very reason, applying your diligence [to the divine promises, make every effort] in [exercising] your faith to, develop moral excellence, knowledge (insight, understanding),

PSALM 119:9-16 (AMP) How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to Your precepts]. With all my heart I have sought You, [inquiring of You and longing for You]; Do not let me wander from Your commandments [neither through ignorance nor by willful disobedience]. Your word I have treasured and stored in my heart, That I may not sin against You. Blessed and reverently praised are You, O Lord; Teach me Your statutes. With my lips I have told of All ordinances of Your mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts And [thoughtfully] regard Your ways [the path of life established by Your precepts]. I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.

A LETTER FROM MOM

John invited his mother over for dinner. During the meal, his Mother couldn't help noticing how attractive and shapely the housekeeper was. Over the course of the evening, she started to wonder if there was more between John and the housekeeper than met the eye. Reading his mom's thoughts, John volunteered, "I know what you must be thinking, but I assure you, my relationship with my housekeeper is purely professional."

About a week later, the housekeeper came to John and said, "Ever since your mother came to dinner, I've been unable to find the beautiful silver gravy ladle. You don't suppose she took it, do you?"

John said, "Well, I doubt it, but I'll write her a letter just to be sure."

So he sat down and wrote:

"Dear Mother, I'm not saying you 'did' take a gravy ladle from my house, and I'm not saying you 'did not' take a gravy ladle. But the fact remains that one has been missing ever since you were here for dinner."

Several days later, John received a letter from his mother which said

"Dear Son, I'm not saying that you 'do' sleep with your housekeeper, and I'm not saying that you 'do not' sleep with your housekeeper. But the fact remains that if she was sleeping in her own bed, she would have found the gravy ladle by now.

Love, Mom"

The Secret of Wisdom (My favorite joke)

A young man was searching for the secret of wisdom and heard that there was a guru high in the Himalayas who knew. So he set off to find the guru, going through much hardship and travail until finally, high in the mountains, he found the Master sitting in the lotus posture.

"Tell me, oh Master!" he cried. "What is the secret of wisdom?"

The Master replied: "Good judgment."

"But how do you get good judgment?" asked the young man.

The Master replied: "Experience."

"And how do you get experience?" the young man persisted.

"Ah," said the Master: "Bad judgment."

New Material

2 Peter 1:5 (AMP) For this very reason, applying your diligence [to the divine promises, make every effort] in [exercising] your faith to, develop moral excellence, and in moral excellence, knowledge (insight, understanding),

The tree of knowledge

Genesis 2:9 (AMP) And [in that garden] the Lord God caused to grow from the ground every tree that is desirable and pleasing to the sight and good (suitable, pleasant) for food; the tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the [experiential] knowledge (recognition) of [the difference between] good and evil.

11 Principles About Knowledge

1. Knowledge begins with who you worship

Proverbs 1:7 (AMP) The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; But arrogant fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline.

Proverbs 9:10 (AMP) The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of wisdom [its starting point and its essence], And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding and spiritual insight.

2. Knowledge gives you access to everything you need

2 Chronicles 1:10-12 (AMP) Give me wisdom and knowledge, so that I may go out and come in [performing my duties] before this people, for [otherwise] who can rule and administer justice to this great people of Yours?" God replied to Solomon, "Because this was in your heart and you did not ask for riches, possessions or honor and personal glory, or the life of those who hate you, nor have you even asked for long life, but you have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself so that you may rule and administer justice to My people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge have been granted you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings who were before you has possessed nor will those who will come after you."

Proverbs 24:4 (AMP) And by knowledge its rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.

Daniel 2:21 (AMP) "It is He who changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and establishes kings. He gives wisdom to the wise And [greater] knowledge to those who have understanding!

3. Knowledge grants you common sense

Proverbs 2:5-10 (NLT) Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy.

4. Knowledge comes to the person open to it

Proverbs 8:9-12 (AMP) "They are all straightforward to him who understands [with an open and willing mind], And right to those who find knowledge and live by it. "Take my instruction rather than [seeking] silver, And take knowledge rather than choicest gold, "For wisdom is better than rubies; And all desirable things cannot compare with her. "I, [godly] wisdom, reside with prudence [good judgment, moral courage and astute common sense], And I find knowledge and discretion.

5. Knowledge loves discipline

Proverbs 12:1 (AMP) Whoever loves instruction and discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof and correction is stupid.

Proverbs 23:12 (AMP) Apply your heart to discipline And your ears to words of knowledge.

6. Knowledge leads to self control

Proverbs 17:27 (AMP) He who has knowledge restrains and is careful with his words, And a man of understanding and wisdom has a cool spirit (self-control, an even temper).

7. Knowledge leads to better decisions

Proverbs 19:2 (AMP) Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge, And he who hurries with his feet [acting impulsively and proceeding without caution or analyzing the consequences] sins (misses the mark).

8. Knowledge draws God's protection

Proverbs 22:12 (AMP) The eyes of the Lord keep guard over knowledge and the one who has it, But He overthrows the words of the treacherous.

9. Knowledge leads to power

Proverbs 24:5 (AMP) A wise man is strong, And a man of knowledge strengthens his power;

10. Knowledge keeps you steady

Ephesians 4:13-15 (AMP) until we all reach oneness in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, [growing spiritually] to become a mature believer, reaching to the measure of the fullness of Christ [manifesting His spiritual completeness and exercising our spiritual gifts in unity]. So that we are no longer children [spiritually immature], tossed back and forth [like ships on a stormy sea] and carried about by every wind of [shifting] doctrine, by the cunning and trickery of [unscrupulous] men, by the deceitful scheming of people ready to do anything [for personal profit]. But speaking the truth in love [in all things—both our speech and our lives expressing His truth], let us grow up in all things into Him [following His example] who is the Head—Christ.

Colossians 3:10 (AMP) and have put on the new [spiritual] self who is being continually renewed in true knowledge in the image of Him who created the new self—

11. Knowledge rejected leads to painful consequences

Proverbs 1:25-33 (MSG) "Since you laugh at my counsel and make a joke of my advice, How can I take you seriously? I'll turn the tables and joke about your troubles! What if the roof falls in, and your whole life goes to pieces? What if catastrophe strikes and there's nothing to show for your life but rubble and ashes? You'll need me then. You'll call for me, but don't expect an answer. No matter how hard you look, you won't find me. "Because you hated Knowledge and had nothing to do with the Fear-of-God, Because you wouldn't take my advice and brushed aside all my offers to train you, Well, you've made your bed—now lie in it; you wanted your own way—now, how do you like it? Don't you see what happens, you simpletons, you idiots? Carelessness kills; complacency is murder. First pay attention to me, and then relax. Now you can take it easy—you're in good hands."

CLOSING: The Ship Engine Story

A giant ship's engine failed. The ship's owners tried one 'professional' after another but none of them could figure out how to fix the broken engine.

Then they brought in a man who had been fixing ships since he was young.

He carried a large bag of tools with him and when he arrived immediately went to work. He inspected the engine very carefully, top to bottom.

Two of the ship's owners were there watching this man, hoping he would know what to do. After looking things over, the old man reached into his bag and pulled out a small hammer. He gently tapped something. Instantly, the engine lurched into life. He carefully put his hammer away and the engine was fixed!!!

A week later, the owners received an invoice from the old man for $10,000.

What?! the owners exclaimed. "He hardly did anything..!!!".

So they wrote to the man; "Please send us an itemised invoice."

The man sent an invoice that read:

Tapping with a hammer....................... $2.00

Knowing where to tap.......................... $9,998.00

Effort is important but experience and knowing where to direct that effort makes all the difference.

Discussion Questions

1. Second Peter 1:5 instructs us to add knowledge to our moral excellence. How are you intentionally growing in biblical knowledge alongside your pursuit of moral purity?
2. Proverbs 1:7 states that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." How does your reverence and worship of God affect your pursuit of knowledge?
3. Solomon asked God for wisdom and knowledge rather than riches, and God gave him everything. What would change if you prioritized godly knowledge above material success?
4. Proverbs 2:10 says "wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy." Are you experiencing joy from growing in God's knowledge, or does learning feel burdensome?
5. Proverbs 12:1 teaches that whoever loves knowledge also loves discipline. How do you respond when corrected or disciplined? Does your response reveal a love or hatred of knowledge?
6. Proverbs 17:27 connects knowledge with self-control and a "cool spirit." In what areas of your life do you need more knowledge to exercise better self-control?
7. Proverbs 19:2 warns against acting impulsively without knowledge. What hasty decision have you made that you would have handled differently with more knowledge?
8. Ephesians 4:13-15 says knowledge keeps us from being "tossed back and forth" by false teaching. What are you doing to build a knowledge foundation that keeps you doctrinally steady?
9. Proverbs 1:28-33 (MSG) describes the painful consequences of rejecting knowledge. What areas of your life have suffered because you ignored godly wisdom or instruction?
10. The ship engine story illustrates that "knowing where to tap" is more valuable than effort alone. How can you seek not just information, but divine wisdom about where to apply your efforts?

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