Knowing Jesus – Richard Sutton -11_26_2023
Teachers
Lesson Summary
Richard Sutton taught on the vital distinction between knowing *about* Jesus and knowing Jesus intimately. He opened by using President Joe Biden as an illustration—while Americans know about Biden, believe he exists, and recognize his authority, few have an intimate relationship with him. Sutton then contrasted this with his own marriage of 50 years to his wife Lori, where intimate knowledge developed through years of shared life, communication, and affection. He applied this principle to our relationship with God, noting that while many believe God exists and acknowledge His authority as Creator and moral authority, the question remains: Do we know God intimately? Sutton emphasized that God, though infinitely great and majestic, desires an intimate relationship with His creation. This is why God sent Jesus into the world—not only to save humanity, but to make intimate knowledge of God possible. The class presented the biblical truth that God's desire is for believers to know Him personally and warmly, not merely as a distant supreme being, but as one with whom we share a close, familiar, and affectionate relationship.