Created to Be Known

Introduction:

·       Canvas wall hangings: These words are beautiful enough to frame

WHAT I WANT TO LOOK AT IS the JOY OF LIVING IN GOD’S PRESENCE, THE FEAR OF LIVING IN GOD’S PRESENCE AND FINALLY THE HOPE FOR LIVING IN GOD’S PRESENCE.

I)             The Joy of God’s Presence (vv. 1-6)

A.    God Knows us Thoroughly

                                               i.     God’s Omniscience: His wonderful knowledge of our inner thoughts

1.     Fear & Longing: to be known & loved vs. known and rejected

2.     EXAMPLE: 1st day at school, 1st date: “If I share mself, will I still be loved?”

                                             ii.     The Scope of God’s knowledge: (vv. 1-5)

1.     Thoughts, words, desires – nothing in all of you is hidden from God!

2.     EXAMPLE: Desiring a spouse; longing for a child; struggle w. colleague

B.    God is With Us Everywhere (vv. 7-12)

                                               i.     God’s omnipresence: God is with us everywhere we Go

1.     From east to west, top to bottom, God is always with us

2.     EXAMPLE: running to the store; travelling around the world, OR, Doctors office? Job interview?

                                             ii.     God’s Omnipresence: God is with us from beginning… (vv. 13-16)

1.     We are fearfully and wonderfully: from a zygote to complex human!

2.     EXAMPLES: facts about the human body, and the complexity of a layup

                                           iii.     God is with us until the end (vs. 16)

1.     Every day of our life is recorded in God’s eyes

2.     APPLICATION: the day of your birth is recorded, but so is the day of your death when you will take your very last breath.

NOW; TAKE A LOOK AT THOSE LAST TWO VERSES.

II)          The Fear of God’s Presence (vv. 19-22)

A.    The Dreadful Assumption of God’s Presence

                                               i.         The part not written on the wall-hangings

1.     The end is of God hating people, and joining in that hatred

                                             ii.         The Psalmist’s Assumption:

1.     “Search me…and you’ll find me innocent!” (But will he?) (vv. 23-24)

2.     we don’t always welcome “being known” and God

3.     EXAMPLE: Google, Alexa;

B.    What it Really Means to Be known

                                               i.         God knows our inner thoughts:

1.     Before a word is on our tongue…and we change our mind: God still knows

2.     And what about: “Grudges against MIL;  Temptations.

                                           ii.         God is always with us (see vv. 5, 7)

1.     The Psalmist contemplates “fleeing” from God, to get away (vs.

2.     EXAMPLE: Temptation;

3.     SHAME: since sin, to be known is terrifying (vv. 11-12)

NOW: WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT THIS?

III)        The Hope for Living In God’s Presence

A.    The Solution for God’s Presence

                                               i.         Our solution

1.     We hide ourselves from others – we don’t share who we eally are

2.     EXAMPLE: The online versin of ourselves

                                             ii.         God’s Solution

1.     God sees into the deepest part of who we are and knows it all

2.     Yet Jesus was abandoned into the depths of Sheol, and covered n the darkness of death

3.     The one who knows you best loves you the most (Rom. 8:31-34)

B.    The Application for Being Known

                                               i.         Vertically: With God:

1.     Develop a prayer life in which you share yourself with God

2.     EXAMPLE: Sometimes: forgiveness; or healing of past/present; comfort

                                             ii.         Horizontally: With Others:

1.     When you rest confidently in the assurance that God knows – and loves you, it liberates you for authentic relationship

2.     APPLICATION:

Transition:

Conclusion

The Joy of friendship with God

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