“We Are KNOWN Completely” ~ Psalm 139: 1-18
January 19, 2003
Purpose: Since we are “known” we don’t have to perform for God. He knows our faults as well as our merits, so we are free to be the people He’s created us to be.
Introduction – Sebastian Kresge started a five and dime in 1899 and it grew – people came to his store for good prices on decent products – his idea of a “blue-light” special reinvigorated the retail industry…at it height thousands upon thousands of stores serving millions and millions of people…
But then, something happened…something happened. Some claim it was do to increased competition – another company started by a young man named Sam Walton was giving Kresge’s stores a run for their money. Still some claim Kresge’s stores just built too much too fast…by over-expanding they found themselves deep in debt.
But today, I’ll tell you why the once mighty Kmart, the eventual product of Kresge’s five and dime, is in bankruptcy today, and its actually a simple reason…they forgot what they were known for.
Instead of continuing to offer great prices on decent products…they began to compete with the Targets and the Meijers in quality merchandise beyond their customers reach, while on the other end facing the low-pricing of Sam Walton’s creation, Walmart, at every turn. (When Kmart announced they were bringing back the blue-light special and lowering prices throughout the store, then I knew they were doomed. If Kmart has too announce that they have lowered prices, then they’ve lost their identity.)
Soon, being pulled at both ends, Kmart finds itself with the agony of closing stores and firing workers because instead of continuing as they were “known” they tried to change…and failed.
Why do I tell you this story?…because we are “known” too! God knows us. But often we try to be someone different than the way we are known. And if we continue to be something that God knows we aren’t, we are going to end up in a spiritual bankruptcy where God has planned so much more.
How does God know us?
First, the Psalmist says we have been searched out….
Scripture is “God’s search for man” not “man’s search for God.”
Luke 15 talks of the woman’s coin that was lost, the sheepherder who left to find the sheep that went astray, and finally of the prodigal son that lost his
identity, but eventually returned.
God, as our father, searches for us, like we lost kids.
Parents…have you ever lost your child…that intensity is felt within the heart of God.
Verses 1-5 tell us that God knows when we sit and when we stand, every thought in our heads, our times of living out the journey and our times of needed
rest. Everything we think, do, and experience, God’s acquainted with. In fact, God knows what we’re going to say even before we say it.
My study Bible says that “God is active to search and test His servants. In short,He knows His servants completely.”
I don’t know about you but this sounds a little intrepedating…I mean the supreme creator, redeemer, and sustainer knowing everything about me at every
point in my life leaves me a little nervous (Amen?)…
But it’s verse five that brings some comfort…God searches us out so that he may protect us as we move forward, as well as “have our backs” from those
things that threaten us from behind.
We are known completely because we have been searched out by a gracious and loving God…
Second, it’s comforting to know that no matter where we run, no matter what situations may face us, no matter what dilemmas come our way…we are known because
there’s no place to hide…no place to hide because wherever we go God is there.
Adam and Eve tried to hide, but God found them.
Jonah tried to hide, but God tracked him down.
The young servant hid his master’s talent, because he lacked faith,but he was called to task because God knew his heart.The scribes, Pharisees, and Sadduccess hid behind their Law,but Jesus challenged their hearts with the truth and some were found.The disciples sat hidden in the upper room after Jesus’ death,only to be greeted by the risen Lord himself.And one of them present, Peter hid after denying he knew Jesus three times,but the risen Christ found Peter and asked simply, “Do you love me?”
We can run, but we can’t hide…God knows.If we flee, God is there.
David said…
If I ascend into heaven, You are there.
If I make my bed in hell, You are there also.
If I take wings…you are there.
If I dwell in the sea…you are there.
"Darkness and light are the same" David said, “just because You are there.”
v. 10 tells us why…”Even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.”
It’s not that God is stalking us to see what we do wrong or where we’ve failed, but because he wants to provide his leadership and his protection with his presence.
I personally believe that God is not looking forward to the day when punishment will come although He knows full well that it will.
In our Scriptures…
…God sent his son for the salvation of the world.
…God sent his son so that we may have life and have it
more abundantly.
…God said through his son, that it was more important
to love than to do anything else.
I have to believe that our Lord would overturn the very structure of our universe in order to save just one.
We don’t have to hide…God is already there with us, just has he has always been.
Lastly, we are known because we are created by a Creator.
Did you know that engineers claim that we shouldn’t be able to walk? our feet shouldn’t be so small.
Did you know that even evolutionist, those who believe that we all evolved from a big bang…still cannot explain where the big bang came from.
Did you know that even in the process of cloning, it takes a creation of God, called DNA to make it all happen?
David said we are “fearfully and wonderfully” made. Meaning…we are a awesome wonder…because, according to our Scriptures, each and every one of us are made in the image of the One who created us.
In fact, Psalm 8 says, “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For you have made him a little lower than the angels, and you have crowned Him with glory and honor.”
Isn’t it safe to assume that the carpenter knows his wares, that the inventor knows his innovations that the architect knows the blueprints?
We are known because we are created by Creator.
Conclusion…
So we are known because we have been searched out.
We are known because there’s no place to hide.
And we are known because we are created by a Creator.
So what?
The verses we didn’t read from this chapter this morning are ones probably familiar to you. And I believe they answer the so what question pretty well…
v. 23-24 – Search me O God and know my heart, try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me…and lead me in the way everlasting.
When we come to realization that God “KNOWS” us completely, we have no alternative but to turn and ask that God for directions….
“Search me…try me…know me…and lead me.”
Let that be our prayer as this new year begins…
God’s not interested in a bunch of performers living out their religion…what He wants is a relationship with those whom he has searched out, called out of their hiding places, and created for His purpose.
We are KNOWN completely…thanks be to God.
And the church says…Amen.
Will you join me in prayer…
All knowing God,
Search us…try us…know us…and lead us.
We in this very moment commit our life…past, present, and future…into your hands.
We don’t know it all, but we realize that you do, so we ask for your guidance, your power, and
your strength, your love, and your understanding…to lead us into the future you have set
before us.
Help us to be all that you have created us to be, so that the peace of heart and mind that passes all
of our comprehension, will be shown to us.
Help us to follow your Son more closely in this following year.
So that all the he knows about us may allow the Sprit to fill us and sustain us as we continue to
follow you.
In the name of Christ we pray…Amen.
United Methodist Hymnal #347 – Spirit Song
Benediction…
May the God who knows you be with you.
May the God who searched, found, and created astound you.
May the God who guides, leads, and directs, show us the way.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, may this be our prayer…Amen
NOTE: If you did not find this sermon helpful, please contact me (gb@clergy.net) and tell me why. I appreciate everyone’s advice. Thanks.
