Introduction:

A. Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.”

1. The context of this passage relates to the people of Israel and the failure of the priests.  [Christians are the priests today – I Peter 2:5; 2:9, and Revelation 1:5-6].
2. Our lesson is going to deal with the fact that a lack of knowledge leads to destruction.

B. Knowledge defined:

1. Webster’s New World College Dictionary: “the fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or association (2) : acquaintance with or understanding of a science, art, or technique b (1) : the fact or condition of being aware of something (2) : the range of one's information or understanding <answered to the best of my knowledge> c : the circumstance or condition of apprehending truth or fact through reasoning : COGNITION d : the fact or condition of having information or of being learned <a man of unusual knowledge>”
2. Brown – Driver – Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon: “1) knowledge, 1a) knowledge, perception, skill, 1b) discernment, understanding, wisdom”

A. Those who are led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14-18 and Galatians 4:6-7).

1. God promised He would write His law in the hearts of men (Jeremiah 31:33 and Hebrews 8:10).

a. Prior to the completion of the New Testament it was miraculous (I Corinthians 12:8).

*But there was a point where the miraculous was to end (I Corinthians 12:31; 13:8-10 and James 1:25).

b. Today we have the completion of the New Testament and the written word works on our hearts (Colossians 3:16, Matthew 13:19, and Romans 10:10; 17). 

2. The Spirit then (revealed word now) is like a mirror, when we look into it we see whether or not we are truly the children of God (Hebrews 4:12-13 and James 1:21-25).

B. Those who are baptized (Galatians 3:26-27).
C. Those who love God  (I Corinthians 8:3). 

1. Those that love God will obey God:

a. John 14:15
b. I John 5:2-3 

D. Those who follow God, and are in light are God’s people today (Ephesians 5:1; 8).

1. We are in the light when we are brought out of darkness into the kingdom / church of Christ (Colossians 1:13).

A. Through the written word (Ephesians 3:1-4).

1. By studying it:

a. John 5:39 
b. Acts 17:10-11
c. II Peter 3:18
d. We can study and never learn  (II Timothy 3:1-7).

2. By being taught it:

a. Taught – Baptized – Taught (Matthew 28:19-20).
b. II Timothy 2:2 

B. We are commanded to grow in knowledge (II Peter 3:18). 

1. I Peter 2:2
2. Hebrews 5:12-14
3. God wants us to have knowledge (I Timothy 2:3-4).
4. We do not want to err (Matthew 22:29).

C. Knowledge gives us the way to Heaven (II Peter 1:2-4 and Ephesians 1:17-18).
D. Knowledge is needed so that you can give an answer and prove all things (I Peter 3:15 and I Thessalonians 5:21).

1. We will need to “earnestly” [seriously, working hard at] contend for the faith and defend the truth. 

a. Jude 3
b. Philippians 1:17 
c. Acts 19:8-9

A. In O.T. times it was physical bondage (Isaiah 5:13). 

1. Proverbs 1:27-31

B. Today, those who lack knowledge:

1. Choose to be ignorant (Ephesians 4:17-19)

a. If they seek, they will find (Matthew 7:7). 

2. Those who do not know God will have vengeance taken upon them (II Thessalonians 1:8-9).

C. The old saying “What you don’t know won’t hurt you.”  Hmmm – Acts 17:30.

Conclusion:
 

A. Once you have obtained knowledge you must APPLY that knowledge:

1. James 4:17 

B. Notice Paul’s attitude:

1. Philippians 3:7-11
2. II Timothy 2:11-12