I John 2:13 (Part 1)

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I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.

I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.

I write to you, children, because you know the Father.

THE STUDY:

           We see John starting this verse with the same phrase found in verse 12, I am writing to you, but this time addressing fathers. He starts with children (vs 12) and now gets more specific. Out of the 414 times the word “father” is used in the N.T. John uses it the most (136). In this instance John is not referring to a family structure but different age groups. Fathers are considered the “older” age group who would have more experience with the knowledge of God.

          John further defines the fathers as someone who knows God. This word “know” (ginōskō) means to not just to know God but to understand His ways, purpose, and love. This can only be discovered in a lengthy relationship with God.

          So there is no confusion, John makes sure He describes who these fathers know: him who is from the beginning. The scripture is very clear to the fact that God is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end (Rev 21:6).

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We can walk away with the understanding that a lengthy relationship with the God is one that will help us to get to know the Father in heaven! Some of us this morning might be thinking I know OF the Father, but do we really KNOW the Father? Each and every day I learn more and more about God; His love for me, His purpose for my life, His ways, and His power. The older I get the more I realize how much I didn’t know about the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

CONCLUSION:

         

          When King’s College, now COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, opened in 1754, the following was part of an advertisement published for the school: “The chief thing that is aimed at in this college is to teach and engage children to know God in Jesus Christ.” In a short 257 years later the mission statement for this University reads as followed:

Columbia University is one of the world's most important centers of research and at the same time a distinctive and distinguished learning environment for undergraduates and graduate students in many scholarly and professional fields. The University recognizes the importance of its location in New York City and seeks to link its research and teaching to the vast resources of a great metropolis. It seeks to attract a diverse and international faculty and student body, to support research and teaching on global issues, and to create academic relationships with many countries and regions. It expects all areas of the university to advance knowledge and learning at the highest level and to convey the products of its efforts to the world.

Oh, how far we have drifted from wanting to “Know God!” I pray this does not happen to us. May we want to seek Him more and more each and every day.

         

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod