What Did Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Mean by Knowing God Personally?

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones mean by "knowing God" versus just knowing about God?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, knowing God is fundamentally different from merely knowing about God. In the sermon, he explains that the word "know" as used in the Bible "carries the sense of a certain intimacy. It conveys the whole notion of fellowship, of a trafficking taking place. A personal living, communicative knowledge." He contrasts this with the superficial knowledge of those who say "I've always believed in God" but have no personal relationship with Him. True knowledge of God involves real fellowship, communion, and communication with God—God being "real to you" rather than just a concept.

Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe Jesus is the only way to know God?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Jesus made an exclusive claim about being the only path to knowing God when He said, "If ye had known me, ye should have known my father also." Lloyd-Jones presents several reasons for this exclusivity:

1. Because of who Jesus is - the Son of God, not merely a human teacher
2. The incarnation and crucifixion would have been unnecessary if other paths to God existed
3. Only Jesus provides perfect knowledge of God as "the brightness of his glory"
4. Only Jesus can remove our sin and reconcile us to God
5. Only Jesus can impart new spiritual life that enables communion with God
6. Only Jesus serves as our eternal High Priest who "ever liveth to make intercession"

Why were the Pharisees offended by Jesus according to the sermon?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the Pharisees were deeply offended by the "uniqueness, the exclusiveness of his claim." Despite being highly religious leaders and moral people, Jesus told them "you don't know my father" and claimed that they couldn't know God except through Him. This was "the rock of offense" because Jesus was "virtually saying that all their religion was useless. They're fasting twice in the week and giving attempts of the goods to the poor. They might as well not have done it. It availed them nothing." The Pharisees understood the implication of Jesus' teaching—that salvation was entirely in Him with no alternatives—and this is what ultimately "infuriated them" and led them to crucify Him.

What are the main reasons Dr. Lloyd-Jones gives for seeking to know God?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones presents several compelling reasons why people should seek to know God:

1. Because of who God is - the glorious, infinite, omnipotent Creator
2. Because God is our maker and creator - we can only understand ourselves and human nature by understanding God
3. Because God is the source of all blessings - peace, rest, joy, and happiness
4. Because our life and times are in His hands - true security is found only in Him
5. Because God is the eternal judge - we will all stand before Him after death

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones address objections to Christianity's exclusive claims?

Lloyd-Jones acknowledges that many find Christianity's exclusivity offensive, with people asking "Why are you so exclusive? Why not say other religions have their insights too?" He responds to this objection primarily by focusing on:

1. The uniqueness of Christ as the Son of God compared to mere human teachers
2. The logic that God would not have allowed His Son to endure the incarnation, suffering, and crucifixion if there were other ways to salvation
3. The unique ability of Christ to meet humanity's deepest needs which no other religious figure can address:
4. Perfect knowledge of God
5. Reconciliation with God through removal of sin
6. New spiritual life
7. Ongoing intercession as our High Priest

His argument is that Christianity's exclusivity isn't arbitrary but follows necessarily from who Jesus is and what He alone can do for humanity.