God is with us Series: FROM THE INSIDE OUT

Sermon 1: “From the Inside Out”

Psalm 139 NKJV 

Psalm 139:1 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. O LORD, You have searched me and known me  

2 You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. 

3 You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. 

4 For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. 

5 You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. 

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it. 

INTRODUCTION

Psalm 139, attributed to David, expresses the profound knowledge and presence of God in the speaker's life. David acknowledges that God knows every aspect of his existence, from thoughts to actions, and is present everywhere, even in the darkest places. The speaker marvels at their creation, recognizing they are fearfully and wonderfully made. They reflect on the countless thoughts God has for them and express a desire for divine guidance. The psalm concludes with a plea for God to search their heart and lead them away from wickedness towards everlasting life. One of the most comforting, recurring themes in scripture is the assurance that “God is With Us”.  So important is this concept that one of the Names of Jesus is Immanuel – God with Us.  I think this is important because God knew we would face days and even stretches of days – SEASONS – where even when we are surround by people, we feel ALONE.  Loneliness is one of the hardest emotions to cope with and is therefore one of the enemy’s choicest tools. 

But Psalm 46 reminds us: “God is our refuge and strength – a very PRESENT help in trouble.” No matter what we are going through, no matter where we are – we have the confidence that GOD IS WITH US!

Even when Jesus was preparing to leave the disciples. John 14: 18 & 26, 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”

26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Later in John, he gives His disciples keys to remaining in Him: John 15:7, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

So today let’s examine these first 6 verses of Psalm 139 with this sermon title, FROM THE INSIDE OUT.

1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me.

This should be comforting and sobering all at the same time. Search:  try to find something by looking or otherwise seeking carefully and thoroughly.

What is God looking for when he SEARCHES us?

John 4:23-24. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. *

Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. That was Jesus’ mission - to seek and to save those who are lost!

Ezekiel 34:11 For thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out.

 2 You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. 

He knows when you wake up and when you go to bed – the beginning of your day and the end of your day. He’s with you all throughout your day – whatever happens between the time you wake up and the time you go to bed, He’s right there with you. We can’t fool God – He knows our thoughts and our motivations.  We can fool others…we can even fool ourselves, but we can’t fool God.  He knows!  And yet He loves us!  He knows!  Yet He’s patient with us!  He knows!  Yet He continues to bear with us!

 3 You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. 

He sees where we are going long before we even get on the road to that destination!  That’s why we must stay in constant communication with Him so that he can KEEP US FROM DANGERS SEEN AND UNSEEN!  There’s old song that said,

Have a little talk with Jesus!  Tell him all about your troubles.  He will hear your faintest cry and He’ll answer by and by.  When you feel a little prayer wheel turning and you know that the fire is burning.  Just a little talk with Jesus makes it right!

4 For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. 

God knows the power of WORDS!  He upholds the world with the power of His word!  He made everything that is based on His SPOKEN word!  That’s why He wants us to be careful what WE say!  Because we have been endowed with His creative ability to turn nothing into something based on what we SAY! Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue.

I have a question for you:  What have you been saying over yourself?  Over your children?  Over your spouse?  Over your body?  Over your job?  Over your money?  Over your future? Be careful what you say! For your mouth speaks from the abundance of the heart! What’s in your heart?

 5 You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. 

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. And because His knowledge of us is so inconceivably absolute, He can guard us behind and before. Forever and always His hand is protecting us. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us!

 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it.

God's infinite knowledge boggles the mind. Our human brains strain under the weight of the idea. It is too exalted for us to comprehend. But when we come to the frontier of our capacity to understand and can go no farther, we can still bow in worship at the immensity of the knowledge of God!

Why is this sermon entitled, From the Inside Out? Because God knows us from the inside out. Man may judge you from the outside, your actions or expressions but God judges the heart. What’s on the inside. The real you that you try to hide from other people. You may wear the mask at church but does not hide you from God! HOLY GHOST TAKE US HOME!

**Summary of the Sermon: ** In this sermon, we explored the first six verses of Psalm 139, reflecting on the profound truth that God knows us intimately—our thoughts, actions, words, and even our hidden motivations. David’s words remind us that God’s presence is constant, and His knowledge of us is both comforting and humbling. We considered how God searches us, not to condemn, but to seek true worshippers and to save the lost. The sermon emphasized the importance of honest communication with God, the creative power of our words, and the security found in God’s protective hand. Ultimately, we are called to marvel at the mystery of God’s knowledge and to live authentically before Him, knowing He sees us from the inside out. **Key Takeaways:** - **God’s Search is Redemptive, Not Condemning:** When God searches us, He is not looking for reasons to reject us, but seeking opportunities to draw us closer. He desires worshippers who are honest and open, and He pursues the lost with relentless love. This means we can approach God without fear, trusting that His search is always for our good and restoration. - **Authenticity Before God is Freedom:** We may be able to fool others or even ourselves, but we cannot fool God. He knows our thoughts and motivations, yet He continues to love and bear with us. Embracing this truth frees us from the exhausting work of hiding and invites us into a relationship where we can be fully known and fully loved. - **The Power of Our Words Reflects God’s Image in Us:** God created the world with His spoken word, and He has given us a measure of that creative power. The words we speak over ourselves and others have real impact—shaping attitudes, destinies, and even faith. Being mindful of our speech is not just about positivity, but about stewarding the creative authority God has entrusted to us. - **God’s Protection is Comprehensive and Unseen:** God hedges us in—behind and before—guarding us in ways we often do not perceive. His hand is upon us, guiding and protecting through dangers both visible and invisible. Trusting in this unseen protection allows us to walk through life with courage, knowing we are never truly alone or unguarded. - **Worship Begins Where Understanding Ends:** The knowledge of God is too wonderful and vast for us to fully grasp. When we reach the limits of our understanding, we are invited not to frustration, but to worship. Bowing before the mystery of God’s omniscience leads us to humility, awe, and a deeper trust in the One who knows us from the inside out.