Known And Loved Series

If you need the ppt, email me.

the series carries a condense note.

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INTRODUCTION

Over the last two weeks in The Inner Journey, we stood in the tension of the soul.

In Psalm 42, we walked through depression - “Why are you cast down, O my soul?” We saw the internal dialogue of a believer fighting despair.

Last week, from Proverbs 12:25, we talked about anxiety - how “anxiety in the heart of man causes depression.” We said anxiety can be the seedbed of depression if left unchecked.

But today, we take the journey deeper.

Because underneath depression…

Underneath anxiety…

Underneath insecurity…

Is one burning question:

If I were fully known… would I still be loved?

To be known and loved is almost unbelievable.

Think about it for a moment.

To be known - really known - and still loved?

Not the version you post.

Not the version you perform.

Not the church version.

Not the strong version.

But the anxious version.

The doubting version.

The struggling version.

There is a song by Tauren Wells called “Fully Known.” The lyrics say:

“You see right through the mess inside me

And You call me out to pull me in…

It’s hard truth and ridiculous grace…

I’m fully known and loved by You.”

That’s frightening.

And freeing.

To a young person - and honestly to anyone - hear this clearly:

God is not afraid of your mess.

Psalm 139 is the clearest biblical expression of being fully known.

It reveals God’s intimate involvement in our formation.

It moves from knowledge ? presence ? love ? purpose.

It speaks directly to identity, insecurity, and inner struggle.

Sermon Angle:

You are not accidentally known. You are intentionally loved.

Psalm 139 gives us:

• Anthropology - who we are

• Theology - who God is

• Psychology - inner awareness

• Worship - our response

Let’s walk the text.

POINT 1: GOD KNOWS YOU COMPLETELY (vv. 1–6)

“O LORD, You have searched me and known me.”

David does not say, “You are getting to know me.”

He says, “You have searched me.”

The Hebrew word for “searched” implies examination - digging deep, investigating thoroughly.

God doesn’t skim your life.

He studies it.

“You know when I sit and when I rise.”

“You perceive my thoughts from afar.”

“You are acquainted with all my ways.”

Not some.

All.

Before a word is on your tongue - God knows it.

This is terrifying if you’re pretending.

But liberating if you’re tired.

Because anxiety grows in hiding.

Depression deepens in isolation.

But Psalm 139 says:

You are already known.

God knows:

• Your intrusive thoughts.

• Your silent tears.

• The smile you fake.

• The insecurity you mask with strength.

And David says in verse 6:

“Such knowledge is too wonderful for me.”

Notice - he doesn’t say it’s oppressive.

He says it’s wonderful.

Because being known by God means you don’t have to perform for God.

POINT 2: GOD PURSUES YOU RELENTLESSLY (vv. 7–12)

“Where shall I go from Your Spirit?”

Now the Psalm shifts from knowledge to presence.

David imagines escape:

• If I ascend to heaven…

• If I make my bed in Sheol…

• If I take the wings of the morning…

• If I dwell in the farthest sea…

Even there.

God’s hand will lead him.

This is not surveillance.

This is covenant presence.

When anxiety whispers, “You’re alone.”

Psalm 139 says, “Even there.”

When depression says, “God has abandoned you.”

Psalm 139 says, “Even there.”

Even in darkness.

Verse 12:

“Even the darkness is not dark to You.”

Darkness blinds us.

It does not blind God.

He sees you in the night season.

This is theology meeting psychology.

Your emotional darkness does not equal divine absence.

POINT 3: GOD FORMED YOU PURPOSEFULLY (vv. 13–18)

Now we move from knowledge ? presence ? love ? purpose.

“For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother’s womb.”

The Hebrew language here is intimate craftsmanship.

Knitted.

Woven.

Embroidered.

This is not random biology.

This is divine intentionality.

“You formed my inward parts” - literally kidneys - the seat of emotion in Hebrew thought.

God didn’t just form your body.

He formed your emotional wiring.

Your personality.

Your temperament.

Your design.

You are not an accident.

You are authored.

Verse 14:

“I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

Fearfully - with reverence.

Wonderfully - with distinction.

And here’s the love:

Before you did anything…

Before you achieved anything…

Before you sinned…

Before you succeeded…

God formed you.

That is love prior to performance.

Verse 16:

“In Your book were written… the days that were formed for me.”

Purpose precedes your awareness.

You are not accidentally known.

You are intentionally loved.

THE CLIMAX: THE COURAGE TO BE SEARCHED (vv. 23–24)