Our Knowledge of the Bible Turns Into a Relationship With Jesus
The sermon emphasizes the importance of having a close, personal relationship with Jesus, rather than just knowledge of the Bible, in order to sustain us in trials and persecution and make serving others a burden-free experience.
K.P. Yohannan emphasizes that true knowledge of the Bible must transform into a personal relationship with Jesus, as exemplified by the Apostle Paul and the three Hebrew young men. He warns that without this relationship, believers may falter in the face of life's challenges and temptations. The sermon highlights that genuine faith and love for the Lord provide the strength to endure trials, as seen in biblical figures like Moses. Yohannan calls for a commitment to follow Jesus, serving others and spreading the Gospel as a joyful privilege. Ultimately, he encourages believers to pursue a deeper connection with Christ, who invites us to follow Him.
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When we read through the book of Acts and all the letters Paul wrote, we see the result of one man's commitment to know the Lord. Everything Paul did--evangelism, missions, sacrifice, hard work day and night--it all came out of one thing: loving Jesus, knowing the Lord.
Unless our knowledge of the Bible turns into a relationship with Jesus, the strong winds of persecution, discouragement, enticement from the world, a better job, higher salaries, concerns for the future, life struggles and relationship problems will knock us down; we will no longer closely follow the Lord.
There is no doubt that the three Hebrew young men survived the fiery furnace because of their love for the Lord. That's the reason the fourth one, the unseen One, was there with them. And Moses rejected his position in Egypt, for by faith he saw "Him who is invisible" (Hebrews 11:27).
Every individual in the Bible who really came through and was approved by the Lord didn't get there because of his or her achievements. It was because of a close, personal relationship with the Lord. That was the sustaining power. It takes this kind of love to go through trials and persecution just as those 50 families did who gladly walked away, willing to lose all and live and sleep under some trees in the jungle. Somehow, in their newfound faith, they saw "Him who is invisible" more visibly and tangibly than some of us do, who have learned everything and know our theology inside and out.
Today, the call of Jesus remains fresh and real: "Come, follow Me" (Luke 18:22). His footsteps will take us to the most unreached, to the suffering, to lost and dying millions. But serving them, interceding on their behalf and sacrificing to send missionaries to them will never be a burden for us because it's all for Him. If we truly see the invisible One, all we do is because of Him, and it is truly our privilege and joy.
His arms are open wide--let us run after Him
Sermon Outline
- I. The Importance of Knowing Jesus
- A. The result of knowing the Lord is seen in the lives of Paul and others in the Bible
- B. A close, personal relationship with Jesus is the sustaining power in trials and persecution
- II. The Dangers of Knowledge Without Relationship
- A. Without a relationship with Jesus, we will be knocked down by the strong winds of life
- B. We will no longer closely follow the Lord
- III. The Power of Love for Jesus
- A. The three Hebrew young men survived the fiery furnace because of their love for the Lord
- B. Moses rejected his position in Egypt because of his faith in the invisible God
- IV. The Call of Jesus
- A. The call of Jesus remains fresh and real: 'Come, follow Me'
- B. Serving others is a privilege and joy when we truly see the invisible One
Key Quotes
“Unless our knowledge of the Bible turns into a relationship with Jesus, the strong winds of persecution, discouragement, enticement from the world, a better job, higher salaries, concerns for the future, life struggles and relationship problems will knock us down; we will no longer closely follow the Lord.” — K.P. Yohannan
“His arms are open wide--let us run after Him” — K.P. Yohannan
“It takes this kind of love to go through trials and persecution just as those 50 families did who gladly walked away, willing to lose all and live and sleep under some trees in the jungle.” — K.P. Yohannan
Application Points
- We must prioritize having a close, personal relationship with Jesus in order to sustain us in trials and persecution.
- Serving others is a privilege and joy when we truly see the invisible One.
- We must do everything for Him, because it is truly our privilege and joy when we truly see the invisible One.