Knowing ABOUT God vs. Knowing God

Pastor Darryn Scheske | Matthew 2:1–12, Galatians 2:20 | January 4, 2026
| First Sunday of the Year – Epiphany

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Gospel Reading

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea…” Then Herod called the Magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and worship him.” After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way. Matthew 2:1–12

“It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me.” Galatians 2:20

Epiphany means “received revelation”

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus…Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

Luke 1:30–31, 38

Life doesn’t happen until it’s received

Behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus.” Matthew 1:20-21, 24-25  

He was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. Luke 2:21

And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger… So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. Luke 2:12, 16

“When they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt.” Matthew 2:13-14  

“When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel.” Matthew 2:19-21  

God honors those who receive revelation.

The way you keep receiving is acting on the revelation you’ve received.

What are you doing with the revelation God is giving to you?

Not everyone has an epiphany

There is a massive difference between knowing about God and actually knowing God

 Some things are not downloadable

To follow Jesus means becoming an apprentice to the way of the Master 

“Come and see.” John 1:39

We’re not just learning pray
It’s about who we are becoming

 Jesus taught his disciples to pray the way he prayed because he knew that prayer itself would form them to live the way he lived. It changes how you see God, how you see yourself, how you see the world and how you live your life.

Find the Center
“It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me.” Galatians 2:20

21 Days of Prayer & Fasting, Jan 4-25
Mon-Fri 6:00 a.m. – Sat 9:00 a.m.