Know God to know yourself

Topics: God knows you, God made you, God hears you, God is with you

I. God knows you!

* The Omniscience of God is a personal and intimate truth!

1. Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways (Psalm 139:1-3).
2. Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, You know it all. You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it (Psalm 139:4-6).

II. God is with you!

* The Omnipresence of God is a calming hope in all situations!

1. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will lay hold of me (Psalm 139:7-10).
2. Review Psalm 139:11, 12.

III. God made you!

* The Omnipotence of God is exhibited in the sanctity of life!

1. For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them (Psalm 139:13-16).
2. Review Psalm 139:17, 18.

IV. God hears you!

* The Impeccability of God inspires us to always trust Him!

1. Review Psalm 139:19-22.
2. Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way (Psalm 139:23, 24).

Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, January 28^th, 2024

Life group flow and discussion questions

"Know God to know yourself"

An important Guideline of Life Groups: What we know about God is the most important understanding in our life. Make your Life Group a place where people can joyfully grow in their knowledge of our Lord (2 Peter 3:18).

Getting Started:

1. How does knowing God help us to know ourselves (Isaiah 43:10-13)?
2. In what ways is Psalm 139 both profoundly theological and also deeply personal? (Theologians call it applied theology; truth for life -not just some abstract teaching)

Discussing Truths:

1. What is the most comforting truth of Psalm 139 to you personally?
2. How does God's (omniscience), His all-inclusive knowledge of you impact your relationship with Him (Hebrews 4:13; 1 John 3:20)?
3. How does God's (omnipresence), His being always present with you impact your relationship with Him (Isaiah 41:10; Matthew 28:20)?
4. How does God's (omnipotence), His sovereign power and creation of your unique person impact your relationship with Him (Jeremiah 1:5; Job 42:2)?
5. How does God's (impeccability), His absolute holiness and righteousness - yet He hears our prayers - how does that impact your relationship with Him (1 Peter 2:22)?
6. What does the biblical understanding of the Sanctity of Life have to say about suicide, abortion and active euthanasia?

Now What? Application:

1. Make a plan to study the attributes of God in Scripture so you will better know yourself and your purpose in life.
2. Pray Psalm 139:23, 24 with earnest introspection each day this week and write out God's answers to His searching of your heart.