The Simple Disciple Maker Plan 2 of 4

The Simple Disciple Maker Plan part 2 of knowing God

From part 1 we can conclude this type of out of balance disciple has knowledge of the book yet not knowledge of God and is summed up this way, “Knowledge puffs up but love builds up” 1Corinthians 8:1.

Knowledge that is NOT building a loving relationship with the Lord will end up building an intellectual Christian instead one deeply rooted in the love of God.

Love builds up and it is this personal experience of God’s love that will build up the disciple. The Lord reveals Himself to those who seek Him and Love Him.

“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 NASB

"THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM." For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:9,10

This is a journey – the journey to know the Lord. God revealed himself to the prophet Samuel through the Word.

“Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor had the word of the LORD yet been revealed to him... ..And the LORD appeared again at Shiloh, because the LORD revealed Himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the LORD.” 1 Samuel 3:7,21 NASB

The Lord revealed Himself to Job through experience with God.

"I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You; “Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes." Job 42:5,6 NASB

The two wings or parts to knowing God - as stated before - are:

A. Knowing about God – Head knowledge via Reading & Studying the Bible, Hearing Sermons & Teachings, Conferences, Reading Christian commentaries & books, Bible School, Seminary, etc.

B. Experiencing God – Heart knowledge via Relationship, Prayer, Meditation, Revelation, Dealings and Personal Direct Interaction with our Lord.

This is summed up in -" FOR THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAELAFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD:I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR MINDS,AND I WILL WRITE THEM ON THEIR HEARTS.AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD,AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. AND THEY SHALL NOT TEACH EVERYONE HIS FELLOW CITIZEN, AND EVERYONE HIS BROTHER, SAYING, 'KNOW THE LORD,' FOR ALL WILL KNOW ME, FROM THE LEAST TO THE GREATEST OF THEM.” Hebrews 8:10,11 NASB

The out of balance disciple can be weak in the Word and strong in experience and this must be guarded against as well.

“For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.” Romans 10:2 NASB

“It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.” Proverbs 19:2 NIV

The often repeated story of a lady who took hours to put on a pair of socks waiting for the Lord to tell her which color to wear is an example of a person caught up with experience but without knowledge.

Another form of out of balance is the disciple who has dreams and visions all the time but is without knowledge -

“For in many dreams and in many words there is emptiness. Rather, fear God.” Ecclesiastes 5:7 NASB

“Like clouds and wind without rain Is a man who boasts of his gifts falsely.” Proverbs 25:14

"The prophet who has a dream may relate his dream, but let him who has My word speak My word in truth What does straw have in common with grain?" declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 23:28

Experience should be encouraged but balanced with knowledge. Knowledge should be encourage but balanced with experience. It takes both to really Know God.

Two strong wings is the goal:
“Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.” Isaiah 40:31 NASB

Jeremiah 9:24 " let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me the Lord..." --

this is what the Apostle Paul boasted about even though he was not a good speaker.

2 Corinthians 11:6 "But even if I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not so in knowledge; in fact, in every way we have made this evident to you in all things."

more later..

May the Lord Jesus make you into His Disciple today,

Disciple Maker