Opening; During Shanas’ Pregnancy we both spent time reading books about the developing baby. It was some exciting times as we prepared for the birth of our first child.. I really honed in on how babies bond within the first few hours after birth because the senses of sight and smell, are heightened. When the time came I felt I was in the rush of angels wings as Maria was entering the world. Stephanie Stauber asked me to come near to hold the baby when the time came. Suddenly in a flash I was ripping my shirt off with no shyness what so ever and held the baby near my chest for warmth. Maria eyes were wide open and she began to suck on my skin. it was intense. A few days later we took Maria home. I was lying down on my back and set her down on my stomach, she inched her self up to my face and began sucking on my nose. My daughter was showing signs of Bonding with me.
Since I was asked to teach on Johns 1st Epistle I have begun to study the book and John. When I think of John and who he was I think of the disciple who leaned his head on the chest of his Lord. A man who heard the heart beat of Jesus, a man bonded to his Lord
Title; THREE MEN AND TWO BABIES
Subject; KNOWING GOD
READ 1st John 1:1-4
1. PHYSICALLY KNOWING Vs SPIRITUALLY KNOWING
A. PHYSICALLY NOT KNOWING
By What the Disciples did...
1. Peter walks and sinks on the water
Demonstrates he has faith but is over powered by what he comprehends physically
2. Disciples bail out on Jesus during his persecution
Mark 14:20 "Then they all forsook Him and fled." What they saw happening to Jesus was a cause for them to stumble. Though Jesus did tell them what was to happen. they could not see beyond their eyes.
3. On the road to Emmaus. (Luke 24:13-27)
Scriptures says their eyes where restrained, perhaps by sadness. They did not know it was Jesus, until evening when he broke bread and blessed it as he had done several nights earlier.
4. Thomas doubts and must see.
For Thomas seeing is believing. But Jesus himself quickly adds "Thomas because you have seen you believe. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
If Thomas belief was based strictly on just seeing, I am quite confident that in time his belief would fade with his memory. In reminiscing with my sisters this past vacation, some stories we told did not line up with each others what I saw and what they saw where three different things. The memory in the mind can soon be over come by a thick London fog.
5. Peter slow to recognize (John 21:6) (Luke 5:5-6)
You would think Peter would have known it was the Lord as soon as he was instructed to cast his net on the right side.. But John has to tell him its the Lord.
B. SPIRITUALLY KNOWING
What Jesus had said/prayed
John 17:6-10
I have manifested Your name to the men whom you have given Me out of the world. They are Yours, you gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.
Now they have known that all things which you have given me are from You.
For I have given to them the words which You have given to Me; and they have received them , and have known surely that I came from You; and they believed that You sent Me.
I pray for them . I do not pray for the world but those whom You have given Me, for they are yours.
And all Mine are yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them.
What Peter confessed and the father revealed
Matthew 16:15-17
Not Physical but Spiritual Revelation
modern day example; Anchorage Mission Trip with ABI
look at the verse in 1st John
Statement; John wants us to know that we share in a fellowship, that there is something that we have in common with him. That is with him our eyes have seen, our ears have heard, and we to can and do declare the life of Jesus as having been revealed openly to us because the father has revealed it us. Also That we have in common a relationship with the Son and the Father, that we to can rest our head on the chest of Jesus and hear his heart beat and know what he desires of us. Though we never where physically with him, but as though we where.
READ 1st John 2:3-11, 15-17
2. A TEST OF KNOWING GOD
A. OBEDIENCE
.Through out the Scriptures obedience is linked to faith in God.
Dennis spoke on Abraham’s Obedience in offering up his Son of promise
Hear the connection in this verse; 1 Peter 1:13-16
Obeisance is a vehicle to Holiness, Holiness comes from drawing near God.
"A Dog does not bark to become a Dog, he barks because he is a dog.
Likewise
We don’t obey to become Christ’s, We obey because we are Christ’s."
B. LOVES ONE ANOTHER
Portuguese saying "A dog does not wag his tail for you, but for your bread."
On the other hand and back to my message
"We are to demonstrate Love as love has been demonstrated to us."
Forgive us our debts as we forgive others. Remember the connection Dana made. If we can not forgive others, then we show ignorance in how we are forgiven, or perhaps are not forgiven at all. . Showing Love for one another reveals an understanding that God has Loved us.
Romans 5:8 But God Demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
C. NOT OF THIS WORLD
1st John 2:15-17.
The world as a toilet. Its going to be flushed. I realize that this is a sick and disgusting way to put it. But maybe its the right way to think of it. There is a cruel thing kids do to others the put another kids head in it and flush. They come out wet and with a their hair all swirled. So to is the awkward appearance of the Christian who has got his head in the world.
Statement: The other day I noticed Joseph making his bed. He called me into his room to help place a neatly folded blanket onto his bed. It demonstrated to me reflection of his Mothers upbringing. A reflection of his nearness, love for, and obedience toward his Mom. So to is this test seeing if we are reflection of how well we know Jesus. John encourages us to test what exactly we are reflecting in life.
Do we Obey, Do we love, are we Separated? Here's another test. When your not obeying, When your not loving, when you become Worldly are grieved? Praise god for the Holy Spirit.
3. STAGES OF KNOWING GOD
1st John 2:12-14
A. As a Child-
Babes in Christ-
Need to Start with the basics of Salvation
Suck and can not chew
1st Peter 2:1-3
The need to be discipled. The Bible study for new believers
Colostrium and Discipleship very much a like in that they are Rich with Nutrients Crucial to a healthy growth of an Infant.
B. As a Youth-
Young in Christ-
In the midst of the Battle that Wars against their faith
Can chew their food but eat so fast they rarely taste.
Need to drive home verses like repeatedly
Epheisans 6:10-20
C. As an Adult-
Mature in Christ-
Tend to be ruminators chewing on the deeper issues in Christ
They Can Chew and do Taste
They are true doers of the word and grow increasingly
Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the Lord is God;
Statement: Like Dennis touched on last weak. We are in the process of being Sanctified by God. Sanctification is a progressive state of growing and conforming into the image of Christ More and More. "Be ye Holy as I am Holy" If this is strictly a requirement then we are all in trouble, but if it is a direction in which one takes in the Christian life then we should be going that way. John seems to be addressing his readers from where they are at, in their progression of knowing God.

Closing; Our knowledge of God is By revelation from God, and that knowledge can be Tested. From the day we where BORN AGAIN our knowledge of God is to grow from infancy to maturity. John laid his chest on the Lord , like wise are we to draw near to God heart that we might bond with our Lord. Knowing Him/ His heart beat through eating his word, through discussions in prayer, through Fellowship with his children, and service to Him.
My challenge is this. Joseph and Maria are very much like their Parents because they have known us from the beginning, we grow progressively closer and older each day.
From your beginnings Have you grown to Know your Heavenly Father? Do you Know Him in such a way that you reflect his likeness? In what ways do you and in what ways don’t you? Follow the sign which says, "Be ye Holy as I am Holy" by following Christ.
Song: "I want to know you more" Steve Fry
Benediction: EPHESIANS 3:14-19
And now, may our great and eternal Father bless you.
May He strengthen your inner being with power from the holy Spirit.
May Christ dwell in your heart through faith.
May you be rooted and grounded in love so that you will comprehend with
the saints the breadth and length and height and depth of the love of
Christ which surpasses knowledge.
May you be filled up to all the fullness of God according to the riches of his
glory.
And may you exalt His glorious name forever and ever.
Amen