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IGNORANCE

IGNORANCE. IGNORANCE. I. REASONS FOR OUR IGNORANCE. A. God’s judgments are unsearchable and his ways past tracing out , Rom. 11:33; Eccl. 11:5; Gen. 37; 45:5-8; Isa. 10:5-7. B. Our inability to know the future on this earth , Jas. 4:13-14. C. The uncertainties of life , Eccl. 9:11-12.

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IGNORANCE

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  1. IGNORANCE

  2. IGNORANCE I. REASONS FOR OUR IGNORANCE A. God’s judgments are unsearchable and his ways past tracing out, Rom. 11:33; Eccl. 11:5; Gen. 37; 45:5-8; Isa. 10:5-7 B. Our inability to know the future on this earth, Jas. 4:13-14 C. The uncertainties of life, Eccl. 9:11-12

  3. The Uncertainties of Life, Eccl. 9:11-12 • the race is not to the swift • nor the battle to the strong • neither yet bread to the wise • nor yet riches to men of understanding • nor yet favor to men of skill -- but time and chance happeneth to them all.

  4. IGNORANCE I. REASONS FOR OUR IGNORANCE A. God’s judgments are unsearchable and his ways past tracing out, Rom. 11:33; Eccl. 11:5; Gen. 37; 45:5-8; Isa. 10:5-7 B. Our inability to know the future on this earth, Jas. 4:13-14 C. The uncertainties of life, Eccl. 9:11-12 D. Our inability to know men’s thoughts, Matt. 9:4; 1 Sam. 16:7; 1 Cor. 2:11

  5. IGNORANCE I. REASONS FOR OUR IGNORANCE II. WAYS NOT ACCEPTING SUCH IGNORANCE CAN AFFECT PEOPLE A. We miss opportunities in God’s service, Jas. 4:13-17; Matt. 6:33-34; Lk. 12:16-21; Matt. 25:31-46; Jno. 4:24 B. Our view of others can be perverted, 1 Cor. 2:11; 4:1-5; Matt. 10:37 C. It has led religious people to believe in premillen- nialism, Matt. 24:35-39; 2 Pet. 3:10 D. It can lead to agnosticism or atheism, Prov. 8:17; Heb. 11:1, 6

  6. Due sense of the general ignorance of man would …beget in us a disposition to take up and rest satisfied with any evidence whatever, which is real. I mention this as contrary to a disposition, of which there are not wanting instances, to find fault with and reject evidence, because it is not such as was desired. If a man were to walk by twilight, must he not follow his eyes as much as if it were broad day and clear sunshine? or, if he were obliged to take a journey by night, would he not ‘give heed to any light shining in the darkness, till the day should break and the day-star arise?’ It would not be alto- gether unnatural for him to reflect, how much better it were to have day-light: he might perhaps have great curiosity to see the country round about him: he might lament that the darkness concealed

  7. many extended prospects from his eyes, and wish for the sun to draw away the veil: but how ridiculous would it be to reject with scorn and disdain the guidance and direction which that lesser light might afford him, because it was not the sun itself! …Our ignorance is the proper answer to many things which are called objections against religion; particularly, to those which arise from the appearances of evil and irregularity in the constitution of nature, and the government of the world. (Joseph Butler, “Upon the Ignorance of Man--Eccles. viii. 16, 17,”http://anglicanhistory.org/butler/rolls/15.html)

  8. First, We may learn from it (the knowledge of our own ignorance, sw), with what temper of mind a man ought to inquire into the subject of religion; namely, with expectation of finding difficulties, and with a disposition to take up and rest satisfied with any evidence whatever which is real. He should beforehand expect things mysterious, and such as he will not be able thoroughly to comprehend, or go to the bottom of. To expect a distinct comprehensive view of the whole subject, clear of difficulties and objections, is to forget our nature and condition; neither of which admit of such knowledge, with respect to any science whatever. And to inquire with this expectation, is not to inquire as a man, but as one of another order of creatures.

  9. Since the constitution of nature, and the methods and designs of Providence, in the government of the world, are above our comprehension, we should acquiesce in, and rest satisfied with our ignorance, turn our thoughts from that which is above and beyond us, and apply ourselves to that which is level to our capacities, and which is our real business and concern. (Butler)

  10. IGNORANCE I. REASONS FOR OUR IGNORANCE II. WAYS NOT ACCEPTING SUCH IGNORANCE CAN AFFECT PEOPLE III. ACCEPTING OUR IGNORANCE A. What is normalcy? 2 Tim. 3:12; 1 Tim. 6:17, “uncertainty of riches” Phil. 4:12

  11. ACCEPTING OUR IGNORANCE A. What is normalcy?2 Tim. 3:12; 1 Tim. 6:17; Phil. 4:12 B. Guard against related temptations, Phil. 2:14 C. Cultivate the necessary characteristics and virtues

  12. Cultivate the Necessary Characteristics and Virtues • Diligence, Eccl. 9:10 • Humility, 1 Pet. 5:6 • Faith, Eccl. 3:11; Heb. 11:6; Eccl. 8:17 • Patience, Lk. 21:19 • Resign future plans to the Lord’s overruling power, Jas. 4:15; Eccl.8:17; 12:13-14

  13. ACCEPTING OUR IGNORANCE A. What is normalcy?2 Tim. 3:12; 1 Tim. 6:17; Phil. 4:12 B. Guard against related temptations, Phil. 2:14 C. Cultivate the necessary characteristics and virtues D. Work now, Eccl. 11:2; Matt. 6:19-21; Gal. 6:10; Eccl. 11:5-6; Eph. 5:15-16 E. Enjoy the fruits of your labors, 1 Tim. 6:17; Eccl. 2:24; 3:13, 22; 5:18; 8:15; 9:7-10 F. Attitude toward others, 1 Cor. 2:11; Rom. 2:11; Lk. 6:27-28; Heb. 6:9 G. Do not think too highly of men, 1 Cor. 4:1-5; Deut. 29:29 H. Be not anxious, Matt. 6:25-34

  14. IGNORANCE I. REASONS FOR OUR IGNORANCE A. God’s judgments are unsearchable and his ways past tracing out, Rom. 11:33; Eccl. 11:5; Gen. 37; 45:5-8; Isa. 10:5-7 B. Our inability to know even the future on this earth, Jas. 4:13-14 C. The uncertainties of life, Eccl. 9:11-12 D. Our inability to know men’s thoughts, Matt. 9:4; 1 Sam. 16:7; 1 Cor. 2:11

  15. IGNORANCE I. REASONS FOR OUR IGNORANCE II. WAYS NOT ACCEPTING SUCH IGNORANCE CAN AFFECT PEOPLE A. We miss opportunities in God’s service, Jas. 4:13-17; Matt. 6:33-34; Lk. 12:16-21; Matt. 25:31-46; Jno. 4:24 B. Our view of others can be perverted, 1 Cor. 2:11; 4:1-5; Matt. 10:37 C. It has led religious people to believe in premillen- nialism, Matt. 24:35-39; 2 Pet. 3:10 D. It can lead to agnosticism or atheism, Prov. 8:17; Heb. 11:1, 6

  16. ACCEPTING OUR IGNORANCE A. What is normalcy?2 Tim. 3:12; 1 Tim. 6:17; Phil. 4:12 B. Guard against related temptations, Phil. 2:14 C. Cultivate the necessary characteristics and virtues

  17. Cultivate the Necessary Characteristics and Virtues • Diligence, Eccl. 9:10 • Humility, 1 Pet. 5:6 • Faith, Eccl. 3:11; Heb. 11:6; Eccl. 8:17 • Patience, Lk. 21:19 • Resign future plans to the Lord’s overruling power, Jas. 4:15; Eccl.8:17; 12:13-14

  18. ACCEPTING OUR IGNORANCE A. What is normalcy?2 Tim. 3:12; 1 Tim. 6:17; Phil. 4:12 B. Guard against related temptations, Phil. 2:14 C. Cultivate the necessary characteristics and virtues D. Work now, Eccl. 11:2; Matt. 6:19-21; Gal. 6:10; Eccl. 11:5-6; Eph. 5:15-16 E. Enjoy the fruits of your labors, 1 Tim. 6:17; Eccl. 2:24; 3:13, 22; 5:18; 8:15; 9:7-10 F. Attitude toward others, 1 Cor. 2:11; Rom. 2:11; Lk. 6:27-28; Heb. 6:9 G. Do not think too highly of men, 1 Cor. 4:1-5; Deut. 29:29 H. Be not anxious, Matt. 6:25-34

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