2 Peter 1:3-4 - "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." (NIV)
What will knowing God bring us?
Is there anything left out?
​What does this tell us about God?
Through his glory and goodness, he has given us his great and precious __________________.
​Why?

We have been given a way to know God through his promises.

What does that tell you about God's character?

The Pursuit of God

THIS TEACHING IS ABOUT ACTIVATING THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD IN OUR LIVES. IT IS IN THE ACTIVATION OF WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW THAT WE ACTUALLY GROW CLOSER TO HIM… THAT WE COME TO KNOW HIM MORE. GREATER STUDY DOES NOT MEAN GREATER KNOWLEDGE. GREATER OBEDIENCE WILL RESULT IN GREATER KNOWLEDGE OF GOD. BE AWARE OF BECOMING EDUCATED BEYOND YOUR OBEDIENCE.
Read Mark 10:46-52

What did the blind man do when the crowd told him to be quiet?

What did Jesus ask the man?
Why?
Read Mark 5:21-34.

What stopped Jesus in his tracks?

What does Jesus say healed the woman?
What were the two characteristics of those who were healed in the passages above?

"Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time."

1 Peter 5:5-6 NIV

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."

Matthew 5:6 NIV

Humility & Hunger

Humility and hunger are the key ingredients to pursuing and finding Jesus. Humility and hunger will ensure that you seek him wholeheartedly.

Jeremiah 29:13 - "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (NIV)

The Pursuing God

  • Genesis 3:1-9 - "Where are you?"
  • Genesis 4:1-16 - God goes with humans outside the garden. He goes with them on their punishment.
  • Genesis 12:1-3 - God comes to Abram, a godless man in a godless city.
  • Genesis 18, 21 - God comes to Abraham and Sarah and gives them a child.
  • Exodus 3:7-8 - God comes to Moses, because he sees the suffering of the Israelites.
  • Exodus - God leads his people through the desert, to the edge of the Promised Land and back to the wilderness. He goes with his people on their discipline.
  • Hosea - God remains faithful to his people, though they have become adulterers. (Hosea 3)
  • Isaiah 61:1-3 - The promise of God coming to bind up the broken-hearted.
  • John 1:1, 14 - Jesus comes to us. What does this say about God?
  • John 4:23 - God is seeking worshippers.
  • Luke 15:20 - The Father runs to his wayward son.
  • John 14:18 - When Jesus ascends to heaven, the Father sends the Holy Spirit. He doesn't leave. He keeps coming.
  • Acts 2 - the Holy Spirit comes.
  • Mark 13:26-27 - Jesus is returning.
What connects you to the pursuing God?

The Promises of God

Do you know them?

The Inclusive God with the Exclusive Message


From the vast variation of creation, God's inclusive nature shines forth.

There's a reason He made us all different.

Can you spot the country?

Our Inclusive God

From the beginning of time, God showed himself to be One who includes more and more people.

Genesis 2:18-25

 God includes women.

Genesis 12:1

God includes Abram.

Genesis 12:3

God includes all nations.
Follow the model of Jesus.
Read Luke 5:27-32
Read Luke 7:36-50
Read Luke 22:47-53
And they sang a new song:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased men for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth.”

Revelation 5:9-10

The Inclusive Manner of Jesus

Jesus didn't just create variety, but he treats each one as special.

Meeting the First Disciples

John 1:35-42

The Woman at the Well

John 4:1-26

Zacchaeus

Luke 19:1-10
The Exclusive Message of Jesus
Mark 1:15
Mark 4:35 - 5:20
John 6:14, 21, 33-35, 40, 46, 51, 66; 8:58
John 14:6

The Attractive God

His Beauty is Compelling

The creation

Genesis 1; Psalm 19:1-6

The law

Psalm 19:7-14; 119

The tabernacle

Exodus 25-31
Adobe Spark Page

The God of Hope Who Weeps

Hope

Romans 15:13

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Psalm 42:5

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.

Psalm 62:5

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.

John 11:1-43

The God of Hope Who Weeps


Luke 19:41-44
​Matthew 9:36-38

The God of Risk and Courage

Genesis 1:27-28

God makes man in his own image.
God shares his authority with man.

Genesis 12:1-3

God puts the fate of a people group in a man's hands.

Exodus 3:10

God puts the deliverance of a nation in a man's hands.

The God of Risk and Courage

Luke 1:35

The Father puts his Son into the hands of a young woman.

Matthew 10

Jesus sends out the twelve with authority.

Matthew 16:19

The church is given the keys of authority again!
Jesus took a big risk with humans. Look at Isaiah 53 and Mark 14:50-52.
He still takes a big risk with us.

Where does the courage come from?


John 14:1-17
If Jesus can rely on the Holy Spirit, so can you. 
​This is where your courage comes from.

The Holy Spirit

Power for Evangelism

Acts 1:8

Gifts

1 Corinthians 12 - 14

Fruit

Galatians 5:22-23
Galatians 5:22-26 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."