MEMORY VERSE: “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by the reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” Hebrews 5:14
BIBLE PASSAGE: Hebrews 5:12-6:2
INTRODUCTION
Every healthy Christian who is developing in their walk with God will soon reach a stage when they are no longer satisfied with basics but needs more spiritual knowledge. This is important to our Christian journey if we are to continue to mature in our faith and fulfil the ordained purpose of God for our existence.
LESSON OUTLINES
1. HUNGER FOR SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE
2. PREREQUISITES FOR SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE
1. HUNGER FOR SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE
Children love milk and the Bible encourages ‘newborn babes’ in the faith to desire the sincere ‘milk of the Word’ to grow 1 Pet.2:2. However, no healthy adult would like to exist merely on milk alone Heb. 5:13. As we increase in our knowledge of God’s word and will, we realise that there is much more to be learnt. The Bible refers to mysteries which are hidden knowledge, wisdom, understanding and certain things Col. 2:2-3; 1 Cor.2:7.
The Christian is born again experience is a mysterious process no one can fully explain Jn.3:8. Next to the mystery of the new birth is the mystery of the Bride of Christ Eph. 5:32. How many people make a Bride? How does one head function as a husband to a body of many parts? Then there is the mystery of the Gospel Eph.6:19; the mystery of godliness 1 Tim. 3:16, the mystery of the kingdom of God Mk.4:11 and the mystery of future life 1 Cor. 15:51. Why do we have all these mysteries? What are they? Why are they hidden? These are some of the reasons to hunger for deeper spiritual knowledge in Christ.
2. PREREQUISITES FOR SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE
Anyone who wants to know the mysteries of God must satisfy certain conditions Rev. 10:7. To know the mysteries of God, you must know Jesus Christ and be known by Him Hos. 6:3; Phil.3:10, Jn. 10:14. No one would reveal their deepest secret to a total stranger or mere acquaintance. The more we grow our intimate relationship with Christ, the more our knowledge of spiritual things will grow 2 Pet. 3:18. Christ will become our source of spiritual wisdom 1 Cor.1:30, every mystery of God is hidden in Christ Col. 1:17, 19. To know Christ fully is to know all there is to know.
The second prerequisite for spiritual knowledge is to fully always commit to do God’s will Rom.12:2; Eph.6:6; 1 Jn.2:17. The more you do His will, the more of Himself He will reveal, because doing His will implies that you love Him Jn. 14:15.
Absolute surrender is a third prerequisite for those who want to know the mysteries of God Phil. 3:7-10. No one can truly do the will of the Lord if they are not willing to surrender all. Furthermore, unquenchable, and insatiable thirst, hunger, desire, passion and yearning to know Him more than anything is another prerequisite Matt. 5:6; Jer. 29:13; Prov. 25:2. Few people have exemplified their desire to pursue the knowledge of God like Paul the Apostle Phil 3:7-10
Finally, if one possesses deep spiritual knowledge, they will become meek Jam.3:13, having discovered their own gross insignificance in the light of the vast schemes of God. They will become more like Christ in humility daily Eph.4: 13. The more you know of Christ the easier it will be for you to stop glorifying yourself and start glorifying Jesus Christ.
CONCLUSION
To know Jesus Christ is to know the Truth, the Way, and the Life Jn. 146. To know Jesus is to know all.