RARELY DO MINISTERS know whether they are making lasting impressions on their congregation, but finding out can have a profound effect on all.
The Narrative
JESUS AND HIS DISCIPLES had come to the region of Caesarea Philippi.
And he asked, “Who do people say the son of man is?”
“Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets,” they replied.
But Jesus said, “Who do you say, I am?”
And Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:13-20)
It’s Personal
IT WASN’T ENOUGH for his disciples to walk with Him. They needed to know Him.
We live in a world where many believe information is golden. And when you acquire it, you feel more important than other people.
But that’s not the case here; it’s the godly knowledge.
The knowledge that gives us grace and peace. It’s like a conduit that lights up our lives.
It’s our key to practical living; it makes our lives work. For a believer, nothing can replace it.
Our present world puts information at our fingertips and wisdom out of reach – Dave Lewis.
Knowing Jesus is like a personal relationship between a husband and wife—this is not casual.
It takes time
TO BE FAMILIAR with His name does not get you there. It comes with experience.
God wants you to know Him personally and intimately.
He called you to gain insight into His passion and personality—loving what he likes and hating what he dislikes.
And I cannot say, I love the world and say that I love God. (1 John 2:15)
Paul knew Jesus wasn’t a checklist, and he got to a point where he dumped everything that he might know Christ. (Philippians 3:8)
For him, it stopped being what you know, but Who you know.
With David, life was meaningless and worthless without God’s presence.
He said, “O God, thou art my God, early will I seek You: my soul thirsts for You; my life longs for You in a dry and thirsty land.” (Psalm 63:1)
All God wants from you is to keep on knowing Him
It’s lifelong
PETER intended to know the facts. His learning was an ongoing pursuit—a constant one.
We need to know there is a gap in our understanding of God.
When everything we touch turns to gold, we may feel that God is happy with us, but that may not be the case.
We do not always have a full picture of how he thinks because He’s mysterious. (Isaiah 55:8)
But the knowledge we receive from God makes us respond to Him appropriately—and that is enough.
This understanding makes us act like Paul, who said, “I know how to survive in tight situations, and I know how to enjoy plenty.” (Philippians 4:12-13)
BRINGING IT TOGETHER
THE PATH to understanding Christ is achieved only in a relationship with Him, and Peter knew it was worth it.
“Whatever comes into your mind when you think about God is the most important thing about you”- A.W. Tozer.
This thought determines how you will live your life. But all that God requires of you is to keep on knowing Him.