What does God know about me? pt.2

Key idea: Identity requires someone who loves you and someone who knows you perfectly (only God). Without identity you have no purpose or meaning to your existence. Your true identity comes from God because He knows everything about you.

Read Psalm 139:1 “O Lord, You have searched me and known me.”

Intro https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2021/november/family-with-no-fingerprints.html

Apu Sarker and his family live in Bangladesh.

The males in the family have a rare genetic mutation:

they have no fingerprints.

This wasn’t a problem with their grandparents.

But with technology in the modern world

fingerprints are so important.

They are used at the airport

they are used to unlock smartphones.

And in 2016 in Bangaladesh a law was passed

that made it mandatory to have a matching fingerprint

in the national database

in order to buy a sim card for your cell phone.

So without the sim you would have no cell service on the phone.

And when he tried to buy a sim

the software froze everytime he put his finger on the sensor

and was denied the purchase.

Now later on he got a new national ID

that says ‘no finger print’.

And also on the card allows him to use other scans

such a retina scan

and facial recognition.

Be he still can’t buy a sim card

or get a driver’s license.

Imagine not being able to drive!

There are so many problems

when you are unable

to be identified.

And just like Apu

who couldn’t get a driver’s license

or travel

because of no fingerprints,

people today have so many problems

because they lack identity.

A mom who puts all her identity

in being the best mom

will suddenly bite and rage

when her parents act even a little

out of line.

A football coach who puts his identity

in his coaching

will yell and scream

at his players

if they don’t do exactly what they say.

A student who puts all their identity

in being a straight A student

when getting a B

will become so discouraged.

What other things do people put their identity in today?

The problem is that an identity requires two things:

to be loved

and

to be known.

So maybe you think

well I’ll just get a bf or gf

and that will solve it!

But no.

Because a romantic interest

will not love you perfectly

at all times

nor knows you perfectly either.

But you know someone that does?

God.

So today we are finishing our lesson about

God knowing us

and learn

What does God know about me?

So that your identity is in the right place.

And so you don’t be discouraged

and wondering who you are

why you exist

and question if you have a meaning in life.

Let’s find that out:

God knows where you are

You can’t hide from him

Psalm 139:7–12 “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” Even the night shall be light about me; Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You.”

According to v.7 how does God’s knowledge of where we are affect the author’s actions?

He can’t hide

Is it good that we can’t hide from God? Why or why not?

For Christians it’s good because we know that no matter we are He is with us.

Psalm 46:7 (ESV)

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

According to v.10 what does God do knowing where you are?

- God promises to lead you and guide you.

How does protection and guidance give a person identity?

One of the reasons young people join gangs. Is because they give a sense of protection and guidance to those who feel lost.

When your identity is in the ultimate protector and guide, Jesus

John 10:11–15 (ESV)

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

How does knowing that Jesus knows you and even lays down his life for you help you have identity?

It makes me trust Him more no matter when I want to question my identity

God knows you completely because He made you

Psalm 139:13–16 “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.”

According to v.13- How does God know us so well?

He created us

According to v.14- Are we made well? Poorly?

He made us fearfully and wonderfully

What does it mean that God made us fearfully and wonderfully?

God took great care in making us and that we are not of little value. Sometimes we like to call ourselves trash or worthless, but God says we are of wonderful value.

According to v.16 when did God know about us?

Before we were even made, God knew us.

How does it feel to be not known by anybody?

Feels bad

Feels like no one cares about you.

But that’s a lie.

God knows

and cares about you.

God knows every good thing

and even every flaw

about you

and yet

He loves you

and knows you

completely

because He made you.

How does knowing that God made you give you true identity?

Just like the instruction manual when you get a new phone. Only the manufacturer, the creator, can tell you who you are.

God is the only one he can give you identity because He made you.

So put your faith in HIm.

Which of the two points stick out to you the most and why?