Saving Knowledge

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John 4:10

Jesus answered and said to her, If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that said to you, Give me to drink…

One difficulty lay in the way of this woman's salvation — ignorance of Christ. She was not an uninstructed woman. She was acquainted with portions of Bible history. She was versed in sectarian peculiarities. She shared the hopes of the Jewish and Samaritan people. In this age there are hundreds who know something about everything save Christ. Our text speaks —

I. OF A GIFT, AND OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF IT.

1. It informs that the gift is Christ Himself.

(1)  In the eternal purpose;

(2)  in promise;

(3)  in history;

(4)  in experience;

(5)  the faith that receives Christ is a gift; and

(6)  the eternal life in which it issues is a gift.

2. The definite article shows this to be God's gift beyond all others; the gift which comprehends and sanctifies all others.

(1)  It is an unrivalled gift.

(2)  It sweetens other gifts, and makes them effective.

(3)  A most precious gift, because he who has it has, as the richest without it has not, the favour of God.

(4)  If thou hast it, thou must prize it, because it is a token of thine everlasting salvation.

3. Knowledge is put with the gift.

(1)  Till her eyes were opened Hagar could not see the well, nor can you see this gift of God.

(2)  This knowledge is the gift of God. "No man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost.

(3)  This knowledge is personal, not second-hand, of a personal Christ.

II. IF thou knowest the gift of God, WHAT THEN?

1. It supposes that many have not this knowledge.

2. It suggests that all may know it, and that a great change will come over them.

(1)  The unconverted would be much happier.

(2)  The scoffer would become a sympathizer.

(3)  The trifler would make the present moment his convenient season.

(4)  Darling sins would be renounced for the greater sweetness of Christ.

(5)  The very worst would hope, believe, and find mercy.

3. Every point in Christ's character, if known, would work good for us.

4. If we take a walk abroad, to how many could we apply the text, and its suggestions. If they knew the gift of God —

(1) The working classes would spend their sabbaths differently.

(2) The formal worshippers in churches and chapels would worship the Father in spirit and in truth.

(3) The Christless preacher would abandon his eloquent flights, and declare the preciousness of Christ's salvation.

(4) The ritualist would lay aside his robes, and confess the sinfulness of his priestly assumptions.

(5) The sinner, dying without hope, would depart in joy and peace.

III. HOW DOES THE "IF" CONCERN BELIEVERS? There are tens of thousands who know now, "this gift. Is this your fault?

1. How shall they hear without a preacher?

2. Have you spoken so as to be understood?

3. If not, resolve that for the future no man shall perish for lack of knowledge through your fault.

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