I Left That Out | Jonathan Josephs

I have an exciting announcement. [music] I have an exciting announcement. [music] Elevation Nights is back this October Elevation Nights is back this October Elevation Nights is back this October the 9th through the 18th and we might be the 9th through the 18th and we might be the 9th through the 18th and we might be coming to a city near [music] you. So if coming to a city near [music] you. So if coming to a city near [music] you. So if you are in Kansas City, Memphis, you are in Kansas City, Memphis, you are in Kansas City, Memphis, Birmingham, San Antonio, Leach, Dallas, Birmingham, San Antonio, Leach, Dallas, Birmingham, San Antonio, Leach, Dallas, Oklahoma City or Houston, we want to Oklahoma City or Houston, we want to Oklahoma City or Houston, we want to invite you to come and worship with us. invite you to come and worship with us. invite you to come and worship with us. I am telling [music] you, there is I am telling [music] you, there is I am telling [music] you, there is nothing like being in an arena full of nothing like being in an arena full of nothing like being in an arena full of other [music] other [music] other [music] Jesus lovers. It is such an amazing Jesus lovers. It is such an amazing Jesus lovers. It is such an amazing night. Elevation worship is going to be night. Elevation worship is going to be night. Elevation worship is going to be there. Elevation Rhythm is going to be there. Elevation Rhythm is going to be there. Elevation Rhythm is going to be there. Pastor Steven is going to bring a there. Pastor Steven is going to bring a there. Pastor Steven is going to bring a powerful word that is going to speak powerful word that is going to speak powerful word that is going to speak straight to your heart. So, if you are straight to your heart. So, if you are straight to your heart. So, if you are near any of those cities, grab your near any of those cities, grab your near any of those cities, grab your tickets, invite your friends, and we tickets, invite your friends, and we tickets, invite your friends, and we will see you there. will see you there. will see you there. [music] [music] [music] >> So, good to be with you guys today. Um, >> So, good to be with you guys today. Um, >> So, good to be with you guys today. Um, my name is Jonathan. Everyone calls me my name is Jonathan. Everyone calls me my name is Jonathan. Everyone calls me JJ. I get to serve here as our Valentine JJ. I get to serve here as our Valentine JJ. I get to serve here as our Valentine campus pastor. And uh I'm grateful campus pastor. And uh I'm grateful campus pastor. And uh I'm grateful [music] to be able to share God's word [music] to be able to share God's word [music] to be able to share God's word with you today. You know, I'm so we were with you today. You know, I'm so we were with you today. You know, I'm so we were just thinking, God, I'm just grateful just thinking, God, I'm just grateful just thinking, God, I'm just grateful for you. And I feel so grateful [music] for you. And I feel so grateful [music] for you. And I feel so grateful [music] uh this week. Not only grateful for the uh this week. Not only grateful for the uh this week. Not only grateful for the opportunity to share God's word, but I opportunity to share God's word, but I opportunity to share God's word, but I was just thinking, too. And in just a was just thinking, too. And in just a was just thinking, too. And in just a couple weeks, we'll celebrate 10 years couple weeks, we'll celebrate 10 years couple weeks, we'll celebrate 10 years since this Valentine location opened.

since this Valentine location opened. since this Valentine location opened. Isn't that crazy? 10 years already. Isn't that crazy? 10 years already. Isn't that crazy? 10 years already. [applause] [applause] [applause] And uh even as I look around this room, And uh even as I look around this room, And uh even as I look around this room, I'm so grateful. I see people who have, I'm so grateful. I see people who have, I'm so grateful. I see people who have, you know, come at [music] different you know, come at [music] different you know, come at [music] different points along the journey, but so many points along the journey, but so many points along the journey, but so many OGs in the room. Uh Katrina and Antonio, OGs in the room. Uh Katrina and Antonio, OGs in the room. Uh Katrina and Antonio, all 10 years you've been serving with us all 10 years you've been serving with us all 10 years you've been serving with us here. Yeah. And who else? Tom and Lisa here. Yeah. And who else? Tom and Lisa here. Yeah. And who else? Tom and Lisa are on the floor. And Craig and you've are on the floor. And Craig and you've are on the floor. And Craig and you've been here all 10, too. Yeah. Yeah. It's been here all 10, too. Yeah. Yeah. It's been here all 10, too. Yeah. Yeah. It's amazing. Thank you. And Anna said in the amazing. Thank you. And Anna said in the amazing. Thank you. And Anna said in the car, she's like, "Can you believe that car, she's like, "Can you believe that car, she's like, "Can you believe that you were just 29 years old when Pastor you were just 29 years old when Pastor you were just 29 years old when Pastor Steven asked you to come help launch Steven asked you to come help launch Steven asked you to come help launch this Valentine campus?" And I don't know this Valentine campus?" And I don't know this Valentine campus?" And I don't know what he was thinking, but I'm so glad what he was thinking, but I'm so glad what he was thinking, but I'm so glad that he uh saw something in me and that he uh saw something in me and that he uh saw something in me and believed. I'm so grateful for a pastor believed. I'm so grateful for a pastor believed. I'm so grateful for a pastor who would let me grow with the ministry. who would let me grow with the ministry. who would let me grow with the ministry. And uh these last 10 years being able to And uh these last 10 years being able to And uh these last 10 years being able to be a part of so many of your lives has be a part of so many of your lives has be a part of so many of your lives has been such a privilege. And I want to been such a privilege. And I want to been such a privilege. And I want to thank Pastor Steven for the opportunity thank Pastor Steven for the opportunity thank Pastor Steven for the opportunity to preach today. [music] And even as I to preach today. [music] And even as I to preach today. [music] And even as I look back over this 10 years, I've been look back over this 10 years, I've been look back over this 10 years, I've been a part of the church longer than that. a part of the church longer than that. a part of the church longer than that. But so many moments where the messages But so many moments where the messages But so many moments where the messages that God gave him hit me exactly in the that God gave him hit me exactly in the that God gave him hit me exactly in the place that I needed it the most. Even on place that I needed it the most. Even on place that I needed it the most. Even on this Father's Day weekend, I was getting this Father's Day weekend, I was getting this Father's Day weekend, I was getting tearary thinking about how my first born tearary thinking about how my first born tearary thinking about how my first born [music] when I first became a dad, just [music] when I first became a dad, just [music] when I first became a dad, just a week later, we ended up back in the a week later, we ended up back in the a week later, we ended up back in the hospital with him. Remember turning on.

hospital with him. Remember turning on. hospital with him. Remember turning on. Oh, excuse [clears throat] me. Oh, excuse [clears throat] me. Oh, excuse [clears throat] me. But turning on the stream in that But turning on the stream in that But turning on the stream in that hospital room, watching pastor preach in hospital room, watching pastor preach in hospital room, watching pastor preach in a series called How to be brave. And at a series called How to be brave. And at a series called How to be brave. And at a moment where I needed courage, how his a moment where I needed courage, how his a moment where I needed courage, how his words gave me courage and so many other words gave me courage and so many other words gave me courage and so many other moments along the way when I wanted to moments along the way when I wanted to moments along the way when I wanted to give up. and he'd preach moments uh give up. and he'd preach moments uh give up. and he'd preach moments uh sermons like staying power [music] sermons like staying power [music] sermons like staying power [music] or where I felt lonely and he'd preach or where I felt lonely and he'd preach or where I felt lonely and he'd preach lonely places. All these amazing lonely places. All these amazing lonely places. All these amazing messages that have just carried me messages that have just carried me messages that have just carried me [music] through season to season, glory [music] through season to season, glory [music] through season to season, glory to glory, strength to strength. Are we to glory, strength to strength. Are we to glory, strength to strength. Are we so grateful for our pastors? Can we so grateful for our pastors? Can we so grateful for our pastors? Can we thank the Lord for them and [music] thank the Lord for them and [music] thank the Lord for them and [music] and uh this whole summer's been amazing and uh this whole summer's been amazing and uh this whole summer's been amazing so far. I mean, we've had so many great so far. I mean, we've had so many great so far. I mean, we've had so many great people bringing the word of God to us. people bringing the word of God to us. people bringing the word of God to us. Pastor Jabin preached a powerful word Pastor Jabin preached a powerful word Pastor Jabin preached a powerful word for us last week [music] and Pastor for us last week [music] and Pastor for us last week [music] and Pastor Robert Moo. What was that me? Robert Moo. What was that me? Robert Moo. What was that me? Unbelievable. And uh uh who else pre LB Unbelievable. And uh uh who else pre LB Unbelievable. And uh uh who else pre LB preached one weekend. I'll be at a great preached one weekend. I'll be at a great preached one weekend. I'll be at a great word for us and Priscilla Sh like what word for us and Priscilla Sh like what word for us and Priscilla Sh like what was Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness. So, was Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness. So, was Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness. So, but I have a scripture I'm excited to but I have a scripture I'm excited to but I have a scripture I'm excited to share with you today. I've never share with you today. I've never share with you today. I've never preached on a psalm before and I just preached on a psalm before and I just preached on a psalm before and I just came across this psalm in my daily came across this psalm in my daily came across this psalm in my daily reading and it ministered to me so much reading and it ministered to me so much reading and it ministered to me so much that I thought I want to preach that.

that I thought I want to preach that. that I thought I want to preach that. And as I began to study this passage, And as I began to study this passage, And as I began to study this passage, the Lord began to reveal more and more the Lord began to reveal more and more the Lord began to reveal more and more to me through it and really challenged to me through it and really challenged to me through it and really challenged me in a way that was pretty profound and me in a way that was pretty profound and me in a way that was pretty profound and personal. It's a long passage of personal. It's a long passage of personal. It's a long passage of scripture. You good to stand for a scripture. You good to stand for a scripture. You good to stand for a little bit while we read this together? little bit while we read this together? little bit while we read this together? I want to read Psalm 139. And it's so I want to read Psalm 139. And it's so I want to read Psalm 139. And it's so rich. I don't know if the sermon will rich. I don't know if the sermon will rich. I don't know if the sermon will bless you today, but I know this passage bless you today, but I know this passage bless you today, but I know this passage of scripture will bless you today. Let's of scripture will bless you today. Let's of scripture will bless you today. Let's read this together. The psalmist said, read this together. The psalmist said, read this together. The psalmist said, "You have searched me, Lord, and you "You have searched me, Lord, and you "You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I know me. You know when I sit and when I know me. You know when I sit and when I rise. You perceive my thoughts from rise. You perceive my thoughts from rise. You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my afar. You discern my going out and my afar. You discern my going out and my laying down. You are familiar with all laying down. You are familiar with all laying down. You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, you, Lord, know it completely. You hem you, Lord, know it completely. You hem you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before you lay your me in behind and before you lay your me in behind and before you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too hand upon me. Such knowledge is too hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to wonderful for me, too lofty for me to wonderful for me, too lofty for me to obtain. Where can I go from your spirit? obtain. Where can I go from your spirit? obtain. Where can I go from your spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If Where can I flee from your presence? If Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there. I go up to the heavens, you are there. I go up to the heavens, you are there. If I make my bed in the depths, you are If I make my bed in the depths, you are If I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the there. If I rise on the wings of the there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, sea, even there your hand will guide me, sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I your right hand will hold me fast. If I your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me say, "Surely the darkness will hide me say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me.

and the light become night around me. and the light become night around me. Even the darkness will not be dark to Even the darkness will not be dark to Even the darkness will not be dark to you. The night will shine like the day, you. The night will shine like the day, you. The night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you for darkness is as light to you. For you for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being, you knit me created my inmost being, you knit me created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise together in my mother's womb. I praise together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and you because I am fearfully and you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderfully made. Your works are wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. I know that full well. My wonderful. I know that full well. My wonderful. I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was frame was not hidden from you when I was frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was made in the secret place. When I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths [music] of woven together in the depths [music] of woven together in the depths [music] of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed the earth, your eyes saw my unformed the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were body. All the days ordained for me were body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them written in your book before one of them written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your came to be. How precious to me are your came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, God. How vast is the sum of thoughts, God. How vast is the sum of thoughts, God. How vast is the sum of them. Were I to count them, they would them. Were I to count them, they would them. Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I outnumber the grains of sand. When I outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, still I am with you. Search me, awake, still I am with you. Search me, awake, still I am with you. Search me, God, and know my heart. Test me and know God, and know my heart. Test me and know God, and know my heart. Test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any my anxious thoughts. See if there is any my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the offensive way in me and lead me in the offensive way in me and lead me in the way [music] everlasting. way [music] everlasting. way [music] everlasting. Before I give you my title, would you Before I give you my title, would you Before I give you my title, would you just make David's words your prayer this just make David's words your prayer this just make David's words your prayer this morning? Would you just say, "Search me, morning? Would you just say, "Search me, morning? Would you just say, "Search me, God. Search me."

God. Search me." God. Search me." >> Now say it to your father in heaven. >> Now say it to your father in heaven. >> Now say it to your father in heaven. Say, "Search me, God. Search me, God." Say, "Search me, God. Search me, God." Say, "Search me, God. Search me, God." >> The title of my message today is, "I >> The title of my message today is, "I >> The title of my message today is, "I left that out." I left that out. You may left that out." I left that out. You may left that out." I left that out. You may be seated. It's uh this is always a big week in our It's uh this is always a big week in our household. Uh two of my kids had household. Uh two of my kids had household. Uh two of my kids had birthdays this week and uh of course birthdays this week and uh of course birthdays this week and uh of course Father's Day. And then just a week ago, Father's Day. And then just a week ago, Father's Day. And then just a week ago, me and Anna celebrated 16 years of me and Anna celebrated 16 years of me and Anna celebrated 16 years of marriage. marriage. marriage. Praise the Lord. They said we wouldn't Praise the Lord. They said we wouldn't Praise the Lord. They said we wouldn't make it. Look at us. make it. Look at us. make it. Look at us. Um, one of the things we've really made Um, one of the things we've really made Um, one of the things we've really made a priority in our marriage and our life a priority in our marriage and our life a priority in our marriage and our life over the last several years now is doing over the last several years now is doing over the last several years now is doing a marriage counseling together. And it's a marriage counseling together. And it's a marriage counseling together. And it's been so helpful. Every time I say that, been so helpful. Every time I say that, been so helpful. Every time I say that, people go like, "Oh no, what's wrong?" people go like, "Oh no, what's wrong?" people go like, "Oh no, what's wrong?" But for us, it's uh it was uh, you know, But for us, it's uh it was uh, you know, But for us, it's uh it was uh, you know, we just thought, wouldn't it be good to we just thought, wouldn't it be good to we just thought, wouldn't it be good to talk with someone regularly, get talk with someone regularly, get talk with someone regularly, get perspective, get healthy before perspective, get healthy before perspective, get healthy before something goes wrong? You know, something goes wrong? You know, something goes wrong? You know, especially as life becomes more complex especially as life becomes more complex especially as life becomes more complex as we're trying to raise kids and all as we're trying to raise kids and all as we're trying to raise kids and all that. And so, we've been doing this for that. And so, we've been doing this for that. And so, we've been doing this for a few years now, and it's been so a few years now, and it's been so a few years now, and it's been so helpful for us. 99% of our time with the helpful for us. 99% of our time with the helpful for us. 99% of our time with the counselor is Anna working through counselor is Anna working through counselor is Anna working through things. Um but things. Um but things. Um but now and then there's something that now and then there's something that now and then there's something that comes up that pertains to me and um comes up that pertains to me and um comes up that pertains to me and um [laughter] [laughter] [laughter] uh anyone who knows knows us knows uh anyone who knows knows us knows uh anyone who knows knows us knows that's very far from the truth. Okay. Uh that's very far from the truth. Okay. Uh that's very far from the truth. Okay. Uh but one of the things that the but one of the things that the but one of the things that the counselor's been really trying to work counselor's been really trying to work counselor's been really trying to work with me on that I can tell she keeps with me on that I can tell she keeps with me on that I can tell she keeps nudging and it's taken me a while to get nudging and it's taken me a while to get nudging and it's taken me a while to get the hint is just being more open and the hint is just being more open and the hint is just being more open and being a little bit more vulnerable. I being a little bit more vulnerable. I being a little bit more vulnerable. I can be a pretty guarded person. I'm a can be a pretty guarded person. I'm a can be a pretty guarded person. I'm a nice person, but I can be a pretty nice person, but I can be a pretty nice person, but I can be a pretty guarded person. And I can tell the guarded person. And I can tell the guarded person. And I can tell the counselor's been working with me, trying

counselor's been working with me, trying counselor's been working with me, trying to work with me on on that. Because even to work with me on on that. Because even to work with me on on that. Because even in mine and Anna's relationship, it's in mine and Anna's relationship, it's in mine and Anna's relationship, it's like I'll come home from work and I'm so like I'll come home from work and I'm so like I'll come home from work and I'm so interested in her day and what the kids interested in her day and what the kids interested in her day and what the kids were up to and we'll listen to her were up to and we'll listen to her were up to and we'll listen to her stories from throughout the day. And stories from throughout the day. And stories from throughout the day. And when she asks me, "How was your day?" I when she asks me, "How was your day?" I when she asks me, "How was your day?" I normally give her this answer. It was normally give her this answer. It was normally give her this answer. It was good. good. good. It was good. And it's not a lie. It's It was good. And it's not a lie. It's It was good. And it's not a lie. It's just limited. That's kind of all I give just limited. That's kind of all I give just limited. That's kind of all I give her. And then I'm realizing something's her. And then I'm realizing something's her. And then I'm realizing something's wrong with me when I see her using wrong with me when I see her using wrong with me when I see her using little tricks on me that she uses on our little tricks on me that she uses on our little tricks on me that she uses on our boys. Like she'll ask them around the boys. Like she'll ask them around the boys. Like she'll ask them around the dinner table, "What were your highs and dinner table, "What were your highs and dinner table, "What were your highs and lows?" And they seem to talk a little lows?" And they seem to talk a little lows?" And they seem to talk a little bit more. So when she started asking me, bit more. So when she started asking me, bit more. So when she started asking me, "What was your highs and lows?" I go, "What was your highs and lows?" I go, "What was your highs and lows?" I go, "Oh my goodness, I need to grow. God "Oh my goodness, I need to grow. God "Oh my goodness, I need to grow. God help me." help me." help me." And so the counselor's been she's been And so the counselor's been she's been And so the counselor's been she's been trying to help me in this. And I had a trying to help me in this. And I had a trying to help me in this. And I had a friend this week. He said it this way. friend this week. He said it this way. friend this week. He said it this way. He he said, "Full act full intimacy He he said, "Full act full intimacy He he said, "Full act full intimacy requires full access." Full intimacy requires full access." Full intimacy requires full access." Full intimacy requires full access. And even as I requires full access. And even as I requires full access. And even as I think about it in my relationship with think about it in my relationship with think about it in my relationship with Anna and other relationships in my life, Anna and other relationships in my life, Anna and other relationships in my life, I'm realizing more and more that even I'm realizing more and more that even I'm realizing more and more that even when it comes to my relationship with when it comes to my relationship with when it comes to my relationship with God, God, God, >> there's a lot of things that I leave out >> there's a lot of things that I leave out >> there's a lot of things that I leave out when it comes to my prime and prayer when it comes to my prime and prayer when it comes to my prime and prayer with him, my walk with him.

with him, my walk with him. with him, my walk with him. >> There's things that I think, "Oh, that's >> There's things that I think, "Oh, that's >> There's things that I think, "Oh, that's just too small for God to care about. just too small for God to care about. just too small for God to care about. Other people are going through way Other people are going through way Other people are going through way harder things than why would God care harder things than why would God care harder things than why would God care about this? I'll just I'll just leave about this? I'll just I'll just leave about this? I'll just I'll just leave that out." or things that I feel are too that out." or things that I feel are too that out." or things that I feel are too messy, too shameful to bring to God. So, messy, too shameful to bring to God. So, messy, too shameful to bring to God. So, I just leave that out. But more and more I just leave that out. But more and more I just leave that out. But more and more I'm realizing that to have an intimate I'm realizing that to have an intimate I'm realizing that to have an intimate relationship with God, to really know relationship with God, to really know relationship with God, to really know him, it requires that I give him full him, it requires that I give him full him, it requires that I give him full access to my life. Last, this time last access to my life. Last, this time last access to my life. Last, this time last year on Father's Day, I preached a year on Father's Day, I preached a year on Father's Day, I preached a message called All I Know. It was about message called All I Know. It was about message called All I Know. It was about personally experiencing the power of personally experiencing the power of personally experiencing the power of God, the testimonies we build through God, the testimonies we build through God, the testimonies we build through that. It really is such a theme of my that. It really is such a theme of my that. It really is such a theme of my life because I think that deep down I life because I think that deep down I life because I think that deep down I have such a desire to know know the have such a desire to know know the have such a desire to know know the Lord. My one of my favorite scriptures, Lord. My one of my favorite scriptures, Lord. My one of my favorite scriptures, my life verses, Philippians 3:10, where my life verses, Philippians 3:10, where my life verses, Philippians 3:10, where Paul says, "My one purpose is that I Paul says, "My one purpose is that I Paul says, "My one purpose is that I would know Christ." would know Christ." would know Christ." >> That resonates with me. That really >> That resonates with me. That really >> That resonates with me. That really resonates with me. And yet, I think as resonates with me. And yet, I think as resonates with me. And yet, I think as deeply as I desire to know the Lord, deeply as I desire to know the Lord, deeply as I desire to know the Lord, there's a part of me that really there's a part of me that really there's a part of me that really hesitates to let the Lord know me. But hesitates to let the Lord know me. But hesitates to let the Lord know me. But full intimacy requires full access. full intimacy requires full access. full intimacy requires full access. >> This psalm is so beautiful because David >> This psalm is so beautiful because David >> This psalm is so beautiful because David is laying forth a theology that tells us is laying forth a theology that tells us is laying forth a theology that tells us so much about God. There's a simple so much about God. There's a simple so much about God. There's a simple structure to this. It goes six verses, structure to this. It goes six verses, structure to this. It goes six verses, six verses, six verses. For the first six verses, six verses. For the first six verses, six verses. For the first six verses, he's talking about the six verses, he's talking about the six verses, he's talking about the simple idea that God knows everything.

simple idea that God knows everything. simple idea that God knows everything. The theological term for that is God is The theological term for that is God is The theological term for that is God is omnisient. Means there's nothing that he omnisient. Means there's nothing that he omnisient. Means there's nothing that he doesn't know. David says, "You know when doesn't know. David says, "You know when doesn't know. David says, "You know when I sit, you know when I lie, you know the I sit, you know when I lie, you know the I sit, you know when I lie, you know the words I speak before they even come out words I speak before they even come out words I speak before they even come out of my mouth." Touch your neighbor, say, of my mouth." Touch your neighbor, say, of my mouth." Touch your neighbor, say, "God knows everything." "God knows everything." "God knows everything." >> God knows everything. So, he spends six >> God knows everything. So, he spends six >> God knows everything. So, he spends six verses talking about how God knows every verses talking about how God knows every verses talking about how God knows every single detail of your life. And then the single detail of your life. And then the single detail of your life. And then the next six verses he talks about the how next six verses he talks about the how next six verses he talks about the how God is everywhere. The word for that is God is everywhere. The word for that is God is everywhere. The word for that is he's omniresent. Everyone say God is he's omniresent. Everyone say God is he's omniresent. Everyone say God is everywhere. everywhere. everywhere. >> God is everywhere. >> God is everywhere. >> God is everywhere. >> He says even if I go to the darkness >> He says even if I go to the darkness >> He says even if I go to the darkness you're there. God it becomes light to you're there. God it becomes light to you're there. God it becomes light to you. If I go to the heavens you're you. If I go to the heavens you're you. If I go to the heavens you're there. If I go to the there's nowhere I there. If I go to the there's nowhere I there. If I go to the there's nowhere I can go that your presence doesn't go can go that your presence doesn't go can go that your presence doesn't go with me. And then for the next six with me. And then for the next six with me. And then for the next six verses, David begins to talk about the verses, David begins to talk about the verses, David begins to talk about the power of God. He's omnipotent. He says, power of God. He's omnipotent. He says, power of God. He's omnipotent. He says, "God, you're the one who made me in the "God, you're the one who made me in the "God, you're the one who made me in the depths. only you could form me and depths. only you could form me and depths. only you could form me and declare over me that I am fearfully and declare over me that I am fearfully and declare over me that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. David gives this wonderfully made. David gives this wonderfully made. David gives this beautiful structure. God knows beautiful structure. God knows beautiful structure. God knows everything. God's the one who created everything. God's the one who created everything. God's the one who created me. God is everywhere. And yet, as I me. God is everywhere. And yet, as I me. God is everywhere. And yet, as I read through this psalm, as beautiful as read through this psalm, as beautiful as read through this psalm, as beautiful as it was, you know, every single one of it was, you know, every single one of it was, you know, every single one of these lines, you could put on a t-shirt these lines, you could put on a t-shirt these lines, you could put on a t-shirt and sell them and sell sell a coffee and sell them and sell sell a coffee and sell them and sell sell a coffee mug, sell a t-shirt. It's filled with so mug, sell a t-shirt. It's filled with so mug, sell a t-shirt. It's filled with so many amazing verses. And yet, as I was many amazing verses. And yet, as I was many amazing verses. And yet, as I was reading this psalm, I don't know if you reading this psalm, I don't know if you reading this psalm, I don't know if you noticed, but there was a part that I noticed, but there was a part that I noticed, but there was a part that I left out when I read it to you. I left left out when I read it to you. I left left out when I read it to you. I left it out because it was dark. I left it it out because it was dark. I left it it out because it was dark. I left it out because it gets messy. I left it out out because it gets messy. I left it out out because it gets messy. I left it out because honestly, as I read through this because honestly, as I read through this because honestly, as I read through this psalm, I thought, I don't know how psalm, I thought, I don't know how psalm, I thought, I don't know how that'll work on a Sunday morning. I left that'll work on a Sunday morning. I left that'll work on a Sunday morning. I left it out because it almost feels so random it out because it almost feels so random it out because it almost feels so random like David goes just right off track.

like David goes just right off track. like David goes just right off track. And in the midst of all these beautiful And in the midst of all these beautiful And in the midst of all these beautiful words that David is saying, you know, he words that David is saying, you know, he words that David is saying, you know, he ends in verse 18 where I had to count ends in verse 18 where I had to count ends in verse 18 where I had to count them, they would outnumber the grains of them, they would outnumber the grains of them, they would outnumber the grains of the sand. When I awake, I am still with the sand. When I awake, I am still with the sand. When I awake, I am still with you. And then here's what I left out. If you. And then here's what I left out. If you. And then here's what I left out. If only you, God, would slay the wicked. only you, God, would slay the wicked. only you, God, would slay the wicked. Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty. Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty. Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty. They speak of you with evil intent. Your They speak of you with evil intent. Your They speak of you with evil intent. Your adversaries misuse your name. Do I not adversaries misuse your name. Do I not adversaries misuse your name. Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord, and abort hate those who hate you, Lord, and abort hate those who hate you, Lord, and abort abhore those who are in rebellion abhore those who are in rebellion abhore those who are in rebellion against you? I have nothing but hatred against you? I have nothing but hatred against you? I have nothing but hatred for them. I count them my enemies. for them. I count them my enemies. for them. I count them my enemies. Search me, oh God, and know my heart. Search me, oh God, and know my heart. Search me, oh God, and know my heart. Test me and see. You're like, whoa, Test me and see. You're like, whoa, Test me and see. You're like, whoa, David went schizophrenic on David. Where David went schizophrenic on David. Where David went schizophrenic on David. Where did that where did that come from? all did that where did that come from? all did that where did that come from? all this amazing scripture telling us about this amazing scripture telling us about this amazing scripture telling us about who God is, how God knows everything, who God is, how God knows everything, who God is, how God knows everything, the intricate details of my life, how the intricate details of my life, how the intricate details of my life, how there's nowhere I can go, nowhere I can there's nowhere I can go, nowhere I can there's nowhere I can go, nowhere I can run, that God isn't with me. And then run, that God isn't with me. And then run, that God isn't with me. And then you're going into I hate my enemies. I you're going into I hate my enemies. I you're going into I hate my enemies. I wish you would kill them, David. Where wish you would kill them, David. Where wish you would kill them, David. Where did that come from? And yet, I'm so did that come from? And yet, I'm so did that come from? And yet, I'm so thankful that God didn't leave that part thankful that God didn't leave that part thankful that God didn't leave that part out. out. out. >> So, I was thinking through, how do I >> So, I was thinking through, how do I >> So, I was thinking through, how do I preach this message? I'll just have to preach this message? I'll just have to preach this message? I'll just have to leave that part out. It God began to leave that part out. It God began to leave that part out. It God began to speak to me more and more. He goes, "No, speak to me more and more. He goes, "No, speak to me more and more. He goes, "No, no, no, no. I left that in for a reason.

no, no, no. I left that in for a reason. no, no, no. I left that in for a reason. I'm so glad he left that part in because I'm so glad he left that part in because I'm so glad he left that part in because it teaches me something about how I it teaches me something about how I it teaches me something about how I relate to God. I wonder if when God was relate to God. I wonder if when God was relate to God. I wonder if when God was putting together the scriptures what putting together the scriptures what putting together the scriptures what through the inspiration of his spirit through the inspiration of his spirit through the inspiration of his spirit whether they were the ones writing it or whether they were the ones writing it or whether they were the ones writing it or whether someone was writing it. How many whether someone was writing it. How many whether someone was writing it. How many times some of these Bible characters times some of these Bible characters times some of these Bible characters were like hey God uh can you leave that were like hey God uh can you leave that were like hey God uh can you leave that part out? Like I wonder if Moses was part out? Like I wonder if Moses was part out? Like I wonder if Moses was like cool tell them about how I was like cool tell them about how I was like cool tell them about how I was rescued out of the basket. That's pretty rescued out of the basket. That's pretty rescued out of the basket. That's pretty cool. Or and how I split the Red Sea. cool. Or and how I split the Red Sea. cool. Or and how I split the Red Sea. That's pretty cool. But the part where I That's pretty cool. But the part where I That's pretty cool. But the part where I got angry and just killed the guy. Do got angry and just killed the guy. Do got angry and just killed the guy. Do you think we could leave that out? Or you think we could leave that out? Or you think we could leave that out? Or Abraham, the father of our faith? Do you Abraham, the father of our faith? Do you Abraham, the father of our faith? Do you think he was ever like, "Hey, do you think he was ever like, "Hey, do you think he was ever like, "Hey, do you think you could leave the part out where think you could leave the part out where think you could leave the part out where I mistreated Hagar?" And or when I I mistreated Hagar?" And or when I I mistreated Hagar?" And or when I conceived, I was too impatient to wait conceived, I was too impatient to wait conceived, I was too impatient to wait with Sarah, so I conceived a child with with Sarah, so I conceived a child with with Sarah, so I conceived a child with Hagar or how I lied about who my wife Hagar or how I lied about who my wife Hagar or how I lied about who my wife was a couple times. Tell them the good was a couple times. Tell them the good was a couple times. Tell them the good things about how, you know, I left the things about how, you know, I left the things about how, you know, I left the city I knew in faith believing God for city I knew in faith believing God for city I knew in faith believing God for some. Tell them that part, but uh the some. Tell them that part, but uh the some. Tell them that part, but uh the parts about my mistakes. Could you leave parts about my mistakes. Could you leave parts about my mistakes. Could you leave that out? that out? that out? Or if Rahab was like, "Yeah, yeah, tell Or if Rahab was like, "Yeah, yeah, tell Or if Rahab was like, "Yeah, yeah, tell them about how I helped rescue the them about how I helped rescue the them about how I helped rescue the spies, how I helped save them, but uh spies, how I helped save them, but uh spies, how I helped save them, but uh about my career choices, about my career choices, about my career choices, [laughter] [laughter] [laughter] do you think you could leave that out?"

do you think you could leave that out?" do you think you could leave that out?" Or even Saul, Paul, the guy who planted Or even Saul, Paul, the guy who planted Or even Saul, Paul, the guy who planted so many churches and reached the gentile so many churches and reached the gentile so many churches and reached the gentile world with the gospel, do you think he world with the gospel, do you think he world with the gospel, do you think he was like, "Hey, yeah, tell them about was like, "Hey, yeah, tell them about was like, "Hey, yeah, tell them about the leaders I raised up and the churches the leaders I raised up and the churches the leaders I raised up and the churches I planted, but God, maybe don't tell I planted, but God, maybe don't tell I planted, but God, maybe don't tell them about how I was the one standing them about how I was the one standing them about how I was the one standing there when they stoned Stephen." all there when they stoned Stephen." all there when they stoned Stephen." all these moments in the scripture that these moments in the scripture that these moments in the scripture that people we read about. I'm so grateful people we read about. I'm so grateful people we read about. I'm so grateful that God left those details in because that God left those details in because that God left those details in because it tells me about some tells me it tells me about some tells me it tells me about some tells me something about the way God wants to something about the way God wants to something about the way God wants to relate to us. I'm so glad that David relate to us. I'm so glad that David relate to us. I'm so glad that David left this part of the psalm in in the left this part of the psalm in in the left this part of the psalm in in the midst of all his language about who God midst of all his language about who God midst of all his language about who God is and the characteristics of God. I'm is and the characteristics of God. I'm is and the characteristics of God. I'm so grateful that he got to a moment of so grateful that he got to a moment of so grateful that he got to a moment of vulnerability and honesty where he said, vulnerability and honesty where he said, vulnerability and honesty where he said, "God, I want to tell you where I really "God, I want to tell you where I really "God, I want to tell you where I really am right now." It's so deeply personal am right now." It's so deeply personal am right now." It's so deeply personal that it almost feels like uncomfortable that it almost feels like uncomfortable that it almost feels like uncomfortable for us on a Sunday morning. I hate my for us on a Sunday morning. I hate my for us on a Sunday morning. I hate my enemy. Those bloodthirsty people. I wish enemy. Those bloodthirsty people. I wish enemy. Those bloodthirsty people. I wish you would kill them, God. You're like, you would kill them, God. You're like, you would kill them, God. You're like, what? What you have to remember is this what? What you have to remember is this what? What you have to remember is this is David's personal diaries that they is David's personal diaries that they is David's personal diaries that they turned into songs that the whole nation turned into songs that the whole nation turned into songs that the whole nation would sing. That's wild. Y'all imagine would sing. That's wild. Y'all imagine would sing. That's wild. Y'all imagine coming to church on a Sunday morning and coming to church on a Sunday morning and coming to church on a Sunday morning and Tiff gets done singing, "God, you've Tiff gets done singing, "God, you've Tiff gets done singing, "God, you've been so so good to me." And then we go been so so good to me." And then we go been so so good to me." And then we go next song and I and I I grab Eric. Oh, next song and I and I I grab Eric. Oh, next song and I and I I grab Eric. Oh, Eric. No, Eric's journal would be too Eric. No, Eric's journal would be too Eric. No, Eric's journal would be too messy. Okay. I grabbed Deanna's journal.

messy. Okay. I grabbed Deanna's journal. messy. Okay. I grabbed Deanna's journal. I say, "All right, throw these up on the I say, "All right, throw these up on the I say, "All right, throw these up on the screens. We're all going to sing it screens. We're all going to sing it screens. We're all going to sing it together, y'all. The whole nation would together, y'all. The whole nation would together, y'all. The whole nation would sing this psalm." And I'm so glad that sing this psalm." And I'm so glad that sing this psalm." And I'm so glad that David left it in. He want He left in the David left it in. He want He left in the David left it in. He want He left in the parts that we want to leave out. And I parts that we want to leave out. And I parts that we want to leave out. And I wonder sometimes if the reason we come wonder sometimes if the reason we come wonder sometimes if the reason we come into God's presence, the reason we come into God's presence, the reason we come into God's presence, the reason we come to church sometimes and hear a powerful to church sometimes and hear a powerful to church sometimes and hear a powerful word and leave unchanged. I wonder if word and leave unchanged. I wonder if word and leave unchanged. I wonder if the reason we leave unchanged is because the reason we leave unchanged is because the reason we leave unchanged is because we're leaving out some of the things we're leaving out some of the things we're leaving out some of the things that we're meant to bring to God. that we're meant to bring to God. that we're meant to bring to God. There's things that we left in the car There's things that we left in the car There's things that we left in the car this morning. this morning. this morning. >> There's issues you're going through that >> There's issues you're going through that >> There's issues you're going through that you left at home. And I wonder what it you left at home. And I wonder what it you left at home. And I wonder what it would look like for us to bring those would look like for us to bring those would look like for us to bring those things into God's presence in prayer, in things into God's presence in prayer, in things into God's presence in prayer, in submission, in worship. What would it submission, in worship. What would it submission, in worship. What would it look like to bring the parts to God that look like to bring the parts to God that look like to bring the parts to God that we're so tempted to leave out time and we're so tempted to leave out time and we're so tempted to leave out time and time again because we think they don't time again because we think they don't time again because we think they don't belong? Because we think God can't belong? Because we think God can't belong? Because we think God can't handle it. Because we think they're too handle it. Because we think they're too handle it. Because we think they're too messy, too dark, too ugly. What would it messy, too dark, too ugly. What would it messy, too dark, too ugly. What would it look like to bring those very things look like to bring those very things look like to bring those very things into the presence of God and lay them into the presence of God and lay them into the presence of God and lay them down at the altar and say, "God, would down at the altar and say, "God, would down at the altar and say, "God, would you meet me in this place where I need a you meet me in this place where I need a you meet me in this place where I need a touch of your presence right now? Where touch of your presence right now? Where touch of your presence right now? Where I need your healing power, where I need I need your healing power, where I need I need your healing power, where I need your hand to deliver me." [applause] your hand to deliver me." [applause] your hand to deliver me." [applause] And yet, the enemy will fight so hard to And yet, the enemy will fight so hard to And yet, the enemy will fight so hard to keep us stuck running and running and keep us stuck running and running and keep us stuck running and running and running and hiding and hiding and running and hiding and hiding and running and hiding and hiding and hiding. So, we never bring those things hiding. So, we never bring those things hiding. So, we never bring those things into the presence of God. And like I into the presence of God. And like I into the presence of God. And like I said earlier though, but full intimacy said earlier though, but full intimacy said earlier though, but full intimacy requires full access. What does it look requires full access. What does it look requires full access. What does it look like to say, God, here I am. Have like to say, God, here I am. Have like to say, God, here I am. Have everything. I want to relook at this everything. I want to relook at this everything. I want to relook at this scripture together through that lens of scripture together through that lens of scripture together through that lens of some of the things that we do because some of the things that we do because some of the things that we do because one by one, David is giving us a

one by one, David is giving us a one by one, David is giving us a theology that leads us to a place of theology that leads us to a place of theology that leads us to a place of honesty. See, I read those verses and I honesty. See, I read those verses and I honesty. See, I read those verses and I thought those are too random. And yet I thought those are too random. And yet I thought those are too random. And yet I realize everything David is laying out realize everything David is laying out realize everything David is laying out from verses 1-18, he is laying a belief from verses 1-18, he is laying a belief from verses 1-18, he is laying a belief about God that actually leads him to the about God that actually leads him to the about God that actually leads him to the place where he can say those things. place where he can say those things. place where he can say those things. >> Do you understand what I'm saying? His >> Do you understand what I'm saying? His >> Do you understand what I'm saying? His theology, his view of who God was led theology, his view of who God was led theology, his view of who God was led him to the place where he says, "God, I him to the place where he says, "God, I him to the place where he says, "God, I can trust you with all this. I can tell can trust you with all this. I can tell can trust you with all this. I can tell you how I really feel. I can tell you you how I really feel. I can tell you you how I really feel. I can tell you what I'm going through right now." And what I'm going through right now." And what I'm going through right now." And so, one by one, he dismantles it. And so, one by one, he dismantles it. And so, one by one, he dismantles it. And the first point that I want to talk to the first point that I want to talk to the first point that I want to talk to you about from those first six verses is you about from those first six verses is you about from those first six verses is this. He says essentially, what's the this. He says essentially, what's the this. He says essentially, what's the point in hiding if God knows everything? point in hiding if God knows everything? point in hiding if God knows everything? What's the point of hiding if God knows What's the point of hiding if God knows What's the point of hiding if God knows everything? everything? everything? One of our tendencies in our One of our tendencies in our One of our tendencies in our relationship with God is to hide. And relationship with God is to hide. And relationship with God is to hide. And David keeps going, David keeps going, David keeps going, why would you hide from God if he knows why would you hide from God if he knows why would you hide from God if he knows when you sit? He knows when you stand.

when you sit? He knows when you stand. when you sit? He knows when you stand. If he knows every word that comes out of If he knows every word that comes out of If he knows every word that comes out of your mouth before you even speak it, your mouth before you even speak it, your mouth before you even speak it, what's the point in hiding what's the point in hiding what's the point in hiding >> if God knows everything? >> if God knows everything? >> if God knows everything? >> When I read these verses to my oldest >> When I read these verses to my oldest >> When I read these verses to my oldest son on the porch one day, I read those son on the porch one day, I read those son on the porch one day, I read those verses. I said, "Hey, what do you think verses. I said, "Hey, what do you think verses. I said, "Hey, what do you think this means?" He goes, "God sees this means?" He goes, "God sees this means?" He goes, "God sees everything I do." everything I do." everything I do." >> And he said it like that. And he said it >> And he said it like that. And he said it >> And he said it like that. And he said it in a way that I think a lot of us feel in a way that I think a lot of us feel in a way that I think a lot of us feel when we think about the omniscience of when we think about the omniscience of when we think about the omniscience of God, how he knows everything. We still God, how he knows everything. We still God, how he knows everything. We still think that God is like the NSA just think that God is like the NSA just think that God is like the NSA just surveilling us, waiting for us to mess surveilling us, waiting for us to mess surveilling us, waiting for us to mess [snorts] up or he's Santa Claus. He [snorts] up or he's Santa Claus. He [snorts] up or he's Santa Claus. He knows when you're sleeping. He knows knows when you're sleeping. He knows knows when you're sleeping. He knows when you're away. He knows if you've when you're away. He knows if you've when you're away. He knows if you've been bad or good. And we think God is been bad or good. And we think God is been bad or good. And we think God is out to catch us. And so we keep trying out to catch us. And so we keep trying out to catch us. And so we keep trying to hide, hide, hide from God because we to hide, hide, hide from God because we to hide, hide, hide from God because we think he's a father waiting for us to think he's a father waiting for us to think he's a father waiting for us to mess up so he can strike us. But that's mess up so he can strike us. But that's mess up so he can strike us. But that's not what David is saying. He's saying not what David is saying. He's saying not what David is saying. He's saying God knows every God is so intimately God knows every God is so intimately God knows every God is so intimately connected to our lives. When it says connected to our lives. When it says connected to our lives. When it says that you hem me in before and behind, that you hem me in before and behind, that you hem me in before and behind, some of us view that like a prison. But some of us view that like a prison. But some of us view that like a prison. But David wants you to see this as an David wants you to see this as an David wants you to see this as an embrace. He's saying God's right there embrace. He's saying God's right there embrace. He's saying God's right there with you. Whatever you're walking with you. Whatever you're walking with you. Whatever you're walking through, whatever you're going through, through, whatever you're going through, through, whatever you're going through, he's right in it with you. He knows he's right in it with you. He knows he's right in it with you. He knows everything already. So what's the point everything already. So what's the point everything already. So what's the point in hiding if God knows everything? You in hiding if God knows everything? You in hiding if God knows everything? You can tell him the truth. He already knows can tell him the truth. He already knows can tell him the truth. He already knows everything you've been through, everything you've been through, everything you've been through, everything you're going through, everything you're going through, everything you're going through, everything you're feeling. You can bring everything you're feeling. You can bring everything you're feeling. You can bring it to God. There's a story in John 4 it to God. There's a story in John 4 it to God. There's a story in John 4 where Jesus goes and sits down at a well where Jesus goes and sits down at a well where Jesus goes and sits down at a well in an area called Samaria. And at noon in an area called Samaria. And at noon in an area called Samaria. And at noon in the heat of the sun, a woman comes up in the heat of the sun, a woman comes up in the heat of the sun, a woman comes up to catch w to get some water. She's to catch w to get some water. She's to catch w to get some water. She's coming at noon because she's hiding.

coming at noon because she's hiding. coming at noon because she's hiding. She's hiding from people. She doesn't She's hiding from people. She doesn't She's hiding from people. She doesn't want to be seen by anybody else. So, she want to be seen by anybody else. So, she want to be seen by anybody else. So, she goes to the well at a time when she goes to the well at a time when she goes to the well at a time when she knows nobody else will be there. She's knows nobody else will be there. She's knows nobody else will be there. She's hiding from her mistakes. She's hiding hiding from her mistakes. She's hiding hiding from her mistakes. She's hiding from her past. And yet, when she gets to from her past. And yet, when she gets to from her past. And yet, when she gets to this well, Jesus is there waiting for this well, Jesus is there waiting for this well, Jesus is there waiting for her. And Jesus asks her a simple her. And Jesus asks her a simple her. And Jesus asks her a simple question. He says, as they're question. He says, as they're question. He says, as they're interacting, he says, "Where's your interacting, he says, "Where's your interacting, he says, "Where's your husband?" And she says, "Ah." He doesn't husband?" And she says, "Ah." He doesn't husband?" And she says, "Ah." He doesn't ask her that question because he needs ask her that question because he needs ask her that question because he needs information. Right? information. Right? information. Right? >> He's asking her that question because he >> He's asking her that question because he >> He's asking her that question because he wants access. wants access. wants access. >> Access. >> Access. >> Access. >> Full intimacy requires full access. >> Full intimacy requires full access. >> Full intimacy requires full access. Where's your husband? She says, "Oh, I Where's your husband? She says, "Oh, I Where's your husband? She says, "Oh, I don't have a husband." He says, "You're don't have a husband." He says, "You're don't have a husband." He says, "You're right. You've had five, and the man right. You've had five, and the man right. You've had five, and the man you're living with isn't your husband." you're living with isn't your husband." you're living with isn't your husband." He didn't bring all this up to condemn He didn't bring all this up to condemn He didn't bring all this up to condemn her, but he brought it up so he could her, but he brought it up so he could her, but he brought it up so he could offer her something better. offer her something better. offer her something better. >> He offers her living water so that she >> He offers her living water so that she >> He offers her living water so that she wouldn't have to keep running to other wouldn't have to keep running to other wouldn't have to keep running to other people to find satisfaction. He brings people to find satisfaction. He brings people to find satisfaction. He brings it up to say, "I already know everything it up to say, "I already know everything it up to say, "I already know everything you've done. I already know everything you've done. I already know everything you've done. I already know everything you're going through. So, why don't you you're going through. So, why don't you you're going through. So, why don't you just be honest about it so I can give just be honest about it so I can give just be honest about it so I can give you the solution to what you've been you the solution to what you've been you the solution to what you've been going through? And something so powerful going through? And something so powerful going through? And something so powerful happens in this story because after happens in this story because after happens in this story because after Jesus brings up everything she's done, Jesus brings up everything she's done, Jesus brings up everything she's done, it says in John 4:28, "Then leaving the it says in John 4:28, "Then leaving the it says in John 4:28, "Then leaving the water jar, the woman went back to the water jar, the woman went back to the water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people,"Well, what town and said to the people,"Well, what town and said to the people,"Well, what people? The very people she was hiding people? The very people she was hiding people? The very people she was hiding from, she's now running to. And she from, she's now running to. And she from, she's now running to. And she says, "Come, come and see a man who told says, "Come, come and see a man who told says, "Come, come and see a man who told me everything I ever did. the very me everything I ever did. the very me everything I ever did. the very things that she was trying to hide. She things that she was trying to hide. She things that she was trying to hide. She says, "Come see a man who told me all says, "Come see a man who told me all says, "Come see a man who told me all about the things I was trying to keep about the things I was trying to keep about the things I was trying to keep hidden. HE ALREADY KNEW IT ALL." SHE hidden. HE ALREADY KNEW IT ALL." SHE hidden. HE ALREADY KNEW IT ALL." SHE SAID, "COULD THIS be the Messiah?" And

SAID, "COULD THIS be the Messiah?" And SAID, "COULD THIS be the Messiah?" And this woman who was hiding in shame this woman who was hiding in shame this woman who was hiding in shame became an evangelist for the goodness of became an evangelist for the goodness of became an evangelist for the goodness of God. God. God. >> Is it possible today that the things >> Is it possible today that the things >> Is it possible today that the things that we're trying to leave out are that we're trying to leave out are that we're trying to leave out are actually the places that not only does actually the places that not only does actually the places that not only does God want to heal, but that God wants to God want to heal, but that God wants to God want to heal, but that God wants to use in our lives to impact and reach use in our lives to impact and reach use in our lives to impact and reach other people? What does it look like to other people? What does it look like to other people? What does it look like to bring the things that we've been hiding bring the things that we've been hiding bring the things that we've been hiding to God and lay them out at his feet? But to God and lay them out at his feet? But to God and lay them out at his feet? But the enemy will tempt us to view God the the enemy will tempt us to view God the the enemy will tempt us to view God the wrong way so that we keep things hidden wrong way so that we keep things hidden wrong way so that we keep things hidden because he knows that what goes in the because he knows that what goes in the because he knows that what goes in the dark grows in the dark. dark grows in the dark. dark grows in the dark. >> And God cannot heal what you keep >> And God cannot heal what you keep >> And God cannot heal what you keep hidden. hidden. hidden. >> So what does it look like to bring >> So what does it look like to bring >> So what does it look like to bring everything to God? Because David says he everything to God? Because David says he everything to God? Because David says he already knows. He knows everything. already knows. He knows everything. already knows. He knows everything. Before a word ever came out of your Before a word ever came out of your Before a word ever came out of your mouth, he knew about it. The next thing mouth, he knew about it. The next thing mouth, he knew about it. The next thing David wants to confront is our tendency David wants to confront is our tendency David wants to confront is our tendency to run. And for six verses, he talks to run. And for six verses, he talks to run. And for six verses, he talks about how God is everywhere. Touch your about how God is everywhere. Touch your about how God is everywhere. Touch your neighbor again. Say, "God is neighbor again. Say, "God is neighbor again. Say, "God is everywhere."

everywhere." everywhere." >> And what's the point in running if God >> And what's the point in running if God >> And what's the point in running if God is everywhere? is everywhere? is everywhere? >> All of us have a tendency to run. >> All of us have a tendency to run. >> All of us have a tendency to run. Whether that's from God, whether that's Whether that's from God, whether that's Whether that's from God, whether that's from our reality, whether that's from from our reality, whether that's from from our reality, whether that's from our emotions or situations in our lives our emotions or situations in our lives our emotions or situations in our lives that get heavy. But what's the point in that get heavy. But what's the point in that get heavy. But what's the point in running if God is everywhere? You know, running if God is everywhere? You know, running if God is everywhere? You know, running only works if there's a place running only works if there's a place running only works if there's a place that God can't go. And the psalmist says that God can't go. And the psalmist says that God can't go. And the psalmist says there isn't. Even if I go into the there isn't. Even if I go into the there isn't. Even if I go into the depths, you're there. Even darkness, if depths, you're there. Even darkness, if depths, you're there. Even darkness, if you show up, it just becomes light. you show up, it just becomes light. you show up, it just becomes light. >> There's nowhere I can't go that his >> There's nowhere I can't go that his >> There's nowhere I can't go that his presence hasn't already gone. So what's presence hasn't already gone. So what's presence hasn't already gone. So what's the point in trying to run if his the point in trying to run if his the point in trying to run if his presence goes with me? As I was reading presence goes with me? As I was reading presence goes with me? As I was reading this passage, I don't know why. I think this passage, I don't know why. I think this passage, I don't know why. I think it was the Holy Spirit, but it brought it was the Holy Spirit, but it brought it was the Holy Spirit, but it brought to mind a memory of a woman, I already to mind a memory of a woman, I already to mind a memory of a woman, I already mentioned, a woman named Hagar. Her mentioned, a woman named Hagar. Her mentioned, a woman named Hagar. Her story in Genesis is so powerful. Hagar story in Genesis is so powerful. Hagar story in Genesis is so powerful. Hagar was Abraham's Egyptian slave. She's an was Abraham's Egyptian slave. She's an was Abraham's Egyptian slave. She's an Egyptian. She's outside of the covenant. Egyptian. She's outside of the covenant. Egyptian. She's outside of the covenant. And and Abraham and his wife Sarah And and Abraham and his wife Sarah And and Abraham and his wife Sarah really mistreated her. And there's a really mistreated her. And there's a really mistreated her. And there's a moment in the scriptures where she moment in the scriptures where she moment in the scriptures where she starts running to escape her situation.

starts running to escape her situation. starts running to escape her situation. See, sometimes we're hiding from the See, sometimes we're hiding from the See, sometimes we're hiding from the things that we've done. Other times things that we've done. Other times things that we've done. Other times we're running because of the things that we're running because of the things that we're running because of the things that have been done to us. She's running from have been done to us. She's running from have been done to us. She's running from the mistreatment, the betrayal, the the mistreatment, the betrayal, the the mistreatment, the betrayal, the abuse. And she's on the run in the abuse. And she's on the run in the abuse. And she's on the run in the wilderness. And even in her running, wilderness. And even in her running, wilderness. And even in her running, it's so beautiful. God meets her there. it's so beautiful. God meets her there. it's so beautiful. God meets her there. And he calls to her in the wilderness, And he calls to her in the wilderness, And he calls to her in the wilderness, and he says, "Hagar, where are you and he says, "Hagar, where are you and he says, "Hagar, where are you coming from? And where are you going?" coming from? And where are you going?" coming from? And where are you going?" Again, he's not asking because he needs Again, he's not asking because he needs Again, he's not asking because he needs the information. He's asking because he the information. He's asking because he the information. He's asking because he wants access. And he encounters her in wants access. And he encounters her in wants access. And he encounters her in her running. He encounters her in the her running. He encounters her in the her running. He encounters her in the wilderness, her trying to escape wilderness, her trying to escape wilderness, her trying to escape everything that she's going through. God everything that she's going through. God everything that she's going through. God meets her there and calls her by name. meets her there and calls her by name. meets her there and calls her by name. And she becomes the first person in all And she becomes the first person in all And she becomes the first person in all of scripture to give God a personal of scripture to give God a personal of scripture to give God a personal name. She calls him Elroy. The God who name. She calls him Elroy. The God who name. She calls him Elroy. The God who sees me. sees me. sees me. >> Not a priest, not a patriarch, not >> Not a priest, not a patriarch, not >> Not a priest, not a patriarch, not someone, not not a Hebrew. The first someone, not not a Hebrew. The first someone, not not a Hebrew. The first person in all of scripture to give God a person in all of scripture to give God a person in all of scripture to give God a personal name is an Egyptian slave who personal name is an Egyptian slave who personal name is an Egyptian slave who on the run encounters the Lord and says, on the run encounters the Lord and says, on the run encounters the Lord and says, "I found the God who sees me." How "I found the God who sees me." How "I found the God who sees me." How beautiful is that?

beautiful is that? beautiful is that? >> And later, she ends up going back to >> And later, she ends up going back to >> And later, she ends up going back to Abraham's household. And fast forward a Abraham's household. And fast forward a Abraham's household. And fast forward a little bit, she has a son with Abraham little bit, she has a son with Abraham little bit, she has a son with Abraham and they're on the run. Abraham and and they're on the run. Abraham and and they're on the run. Abraham and Sarah eventually kick her out of the Sarah eventually kick her out of the Sarah eventually kick her out of the house. And this ministered to me so much house. And this ministered to me so much house. And this ministered to me so much when I saw it because she's back in the when I saw it because she's back in the when I saw it because she's back in the wilderness again, running, running, not wilderness again, running, running, not wilderness again, running, running, not because it was her own fault, but just because it was her own fault, but just because it was her own fault, but just the reality of her life caused her to the reality of her life caused her to the reality of her life caused her to run. And she's running out of water and run. And she's running out of water and run. And she's running out of water and she realizes her son is about to die. she realizes her son is about to die. she realizes her son is about to die. And so she places him under a bush and And so she places him under a bush and And so she places him under a bush and walks away. She wants to be at a walks away. She wants to be at a walks away. She wants to be at a distance because she doesn't want to distance because she doesn't want to distance because she doesn't want to watch her son take his last breath. And watch her son take his last breath. And watch her son take his last breath. And once again, the Lord shows up for her in once again, the Lord shows up for her in once again, the Lord shows up for her in the middle of the wilderness because the middle of the wilderness because the middle of the wilderness because remember friends, there's nowhere you remember friends, there's nowhere you remember friends, there's nowhere you can go that his presence can't find you. can go that his presence can't find you. can go that his presence can't find you. And she says, look at this. In Genesis And she says, look at this. In Genesis And she says, look at this. In Genesis 21:17, it says, "And God heard the voice 21:17, it says, "And God heard the voice 21:17, it says, "And God heard the voice of the boy. And the angel of the Lord of the boy. And the angel of the Lord of the boy. And the angel of the Lord called the Hagar from heaven and said to called the Hagar from heaven and said to called the Hagar from heaven and said to her, "What troubles you, Hagar? Fear her, "What troubles you, Hagar? Fear her, "What troubles you, Hagar? Fear [snorts] not." Look at this. For God has [snorts] not." Look at this. For God has [snorts] not." Look at this. For God has heard the boy's cry from where he is. heard the boy's cry from where he is. heard the boy's cry from where he is. >> Wow. >> Wow. >> Wow. >> From where he is.

>> From where he is. >> From where he is. >> Yeah. That blessed me to know that God >> Yeah. That blessed me to know that God >> Yeah. That blessed me to know that God will hear you from where you are, will hear you from where you are, will hear you from where you are, >> not where you pretend to be, >> not where you pretend to be, >> not where you pretend to be, >> not where you think you should be, >> not where you think you should be, >> not where you think you should be, >> not with all your polished words that >> not with all your polished words that >> not with all your polished words that you clean up for church. God will hear you clean up for church. God will hear you clean up for church. God will hear you from where you are. Henry now and he you from where you are. Henry now and he you from where you are. Henry now and he said it this way. I hope I can find it said it this way. I hope I can find it said it this way. I hope I can find it in Mo. He says, "Crying out to God is in Mo. He says, "Crying out to God is in Mo. He says, "Crying out to God is not a sign of weakness. It's a sign of not a sign of weakness. It's a sign of not a sign of weakness. It's a sign of faith." faith." faith." >> Cries out to God. I have heard the boys >> Cries out to God. I have heard the boys >> Cries out to God. I have heard the boys cry from where he is. Just the other cry from where he is. Just the other cry from where he is. Just the other day, it was such a God moment. I'd been day, it was such a God moment. I'd been day, it was such a God moment. I'd been reading this psalm just personally, not reading this psalm just personally, not reading this psalm just personally, not knowing if I was going to preach it. And knowing if I was going to preach it. And knowing if I was going to preach it. And I decided to reach out to a friend of I decided to reach out to a friend of I decided to reach out to a friend of mine who lives in the UK. She used to mine who lives in the UK. She used to mine who lives in the UK. She used to work for us here at the church. A few work for us here at the church. A few work for us here at the church. A few years ago, while she was still here, her years ago, while she was still here, her years ago, while she was still here, her mom had a brain aneurysm and uh and mom had a brain aneurysm and uh and mom had a brain aneurysm and uh and passed pretty quickly. It was so so passed pretty quickly. It was so so passed pretty quickly. It was so so tragic. And I texted her the other day tragic. And I texted her the other day tragic. And I texted her the other day just to check in and she said, "I'm so just to check in and she said, "I'm so just to check in and she said, "I'm so glad you've reached out. I've been glad you've reached out. I've been glad you've reached out. I've been meaning to text you." She said, "My dad meaning to text you." She said, "My dad meaning to text you." She said, "My dad just got diagnosed with brain cancer and just got diagnosed with brain cancer and just got diagnosed with brain cancer and had surgery on Wednesday. He just got had surgery on Wednesday. He just got had surgery on Wednesday. He just got out of the hospital today." She said out of the hospital today." She said out of the hospital today." She said they're giving them 12 months to live. they're giving them 12 months to live. they're giving them 12 months to live. So I pick up the phone. I call her So I pick up the phone. I call her So I pick up the phone. I call her parents were amazing. They've served parents were amazing. They've served parents were amazing. They've served their life. Served God their whole life.

their life. Served God their whole life. their life. Served God their whole life. Their pastor's over there. And I pick up Their pastor's over there. And I pick up Their pastor's over there. And I pick up the phone and I call her and she's just the phone and I call her and she's just the phone and I call her and she's just talking me through all the details. And talking me through all the details. And talking me through all the details. And she said, "You know, my dad's so she said, "You know, my dad's so she said, "You know, my dad's so amazing. He's so full of faith right now amazing. He's so full of faith right now amazing. He's so full of faith right now believing that God is fully going to believing that God is fully going to believing that God is fully going to heal them." heal them." heal them." >> And she said, "But I'm really >> And she said, "But I'm really >> And she said, "But I'm really struggling." She said, "I don't feel struggling." She said, "I don't feel struggling." She said, "I don't feel like I have the faith he does." like I have the faith he does." like I have the faith he does." She said, "Because when my mom got sick, She said, "Because when my mom got sick, She said, "Because when my mom got sick, I prayed and believed for her healing I prayed and believed for her healing I prayed and believed for her healing and God didn't heal her." So, she said, and God didn't heal her." So, she said, and God didn't heal her." So, she said, "So, if I'm being honest right now, I "So, if I'm being honest right now, I "So, if I'm being honest right now, I don't know if I believe God can heal my don't know if I believe God can heal my don't know if I believe God can heal my dad." dad." dad." And I said to her, she said that I know And I said to her, she said that I know And I said to her, she said that I know that kind of sounds like weak face that kind of sounds like weak face that kind of sounds like weak face faith. I said, "Gabby, that's not weak faith. I said, "Gabby, that's not weak faith. I said, "Gabby, that's not weak faith. That's honest faith." faith. That's honest faith." faith. That's honest faith." And it blessed me to know that God will And it blessed me to know that God will And it blessed me to know that God will hear you from where you are, not where hear you from where you are, not where hear you from where you are, not where you think you should be. See, sometimes you think you should be. See, sometimes you think you should be. See, sometimes when we come to God, we think we have to when we come to God, we think we have to when we come to God, we think we have to have it all cleaned up. have it all cleaned up. have it all cleaned up. >> But God will hear your cry from the >> But God will hear your cry from the >> But God will hear your cry from the realest place. God will hear your cry realest place. God will hear your cry realest place. God will hear your cry when you say, "God, I don't know how to when you say, "God, I don't know how to when you say, "God, I don't know how to believe you for this right now because believe you for this right now because believe you for this right now because last time you left me disappointed." last time you left me disappointed." last time you left me disappointed." >> How powerful is that to think that faith >> How powerful is that to think that faith >> How powerful is that to think that faith isn't just certainty in his promises. It isn't just certainty in his promises. It isn't just certainty in his promises. It can be both. You can say, "God, I can be both. You can say, "God, I can be both. You can say, "God, I believe you have the power to heal. God, believe you have the power to heal. God, believe you have the power to heal. God, I believe you have the power to I believe you have the power to I believe you have the power to deliver." But if God is big enough to do deliver." But if God is big enough to do deliver." But if God is big enough to do all those things, what does it look like all those things, what does it look like all those things, what does it look like to trust his character and believe that to trust his character and believe that to trust his character and believe that he's big enough to handle our doubts, he's big enough to handle our doubts, he's big enough to handle our doubts, handle our fears, handle our questions, handle our fears, handle our questions, handle our fears, handle our questions, handle our concerns? Do you think God is handle our concerns? Do you think God is handle our concerns? Do you think God is big enough to handle all that? And so I big enough to handle all that? And so I big enough to handle all that? And so I loved her honestly cuz she says, "God, loved her honestly cuz she says, "God, loved her honestly cuz she says, "God, last time I believed you for it and you last time I believed you for it and you last time I believed you for it and you didn't do it, so I'm struggling to trust

didn't do it, so I'm struggling to trust didn't do it, so I'm struggling to trust you right now." That's the type of faith you right now." That's the type of faith you right now." That's the type of faith that God responds to. She gave him that God responds to. She gave him that God responds to. She gave him access. And God will always hear your access. And God will always hear your access. And God will always hear your honest prayer. God will hear you, honest prayer. God will hear you, honest prayer. God will hear you, church, from where you are. And David church, from where you are. And David church, from where you are. And David says, you don't have to keep running. says, you don't have to keep running. says, you don't have to keep running. You don't have to keep running away from You don't have to keep running away from You don't have to keep running away from everything that you're facing. Just everything that you're facing. Just everything that you're facing. Just bring it to God and he will meet you in bring it to God and he will meet you in bring it to God and he will meet you in that place. that place. that place. >> Amen. >> Amen. >> Amen. >> Amen. >> Amen. >> Amen. >> Amen. >> Amen. >> Amen. >> So good. that really ministered to me >> So good. that really ministered to me >> So good. that really ministered to me because I think sometimes in church we because I think sometimes in church we because I think sometimes in church we can become so conditioned to always can become so conditioned to always can become so conditioned to always bring God the right answer. You know, bring God the right answer. You know, bring God the right answer. You know, >> it's like maybe you're maybe there's >> it's like maybe you're maybe there's >> it's like maybe you're maybe there's someone in this room who time and time someone in this room who time and time someone in this room who time and time again, it's been your fourth time going again, it's been your fourth time going again, it's been your fourth time going to the fertility doctor and they said, to the fertility doctor and they said, to the fertility doctor and they said, "Not this time." And your tendency is "Not this time." And your tendency is "Not this time." And your tendency is just to go, "God, I trust your timing." just to go, "God, I trust your timing." just to go, "God, I trust your timing." And it's okay to say, "God, I do trust And it's okay to say, "God, I do trust And it's okay to say, "God, I do trust your timing, but I'm also really your timing, but I'm also really your timing, but I'm also really disappointed right now." It's okay to disappointed right now." It's okay to disappointed right now." It's okay to say, "And God, it's really hard for me say, "And God, it's really hard for me say, "And God, it's really hard for me to be happy for other people while we're to be happy for other people while we're to be happy for other people while we're going through this ourselves." God can going through this ourselves." God can going through this ourselves." God can handle all that. handle all that. handle all that. >> Some of us come to church and we can't >> Some of us come to church and we can't >> Some of us come to church and we can't even lift our hands cuz we're white even lift our hands cuz we're white even lift our hands cuz we're white knuckling our way through an addiction.

knuckling our way through an addiction. knuckling our way through an addiction. And God is saying, "You don't have to And God is saying, "You don't have to And God is saying, "You don't have to hide all that. You can say it over and hide all that. You can say it over and hide all that. You can say it over and over again." God, I believed you for over again." God, I believed you for over again." God, I believed you for deliverance and it didn't happen and I deliverance and it didn't happen and I deliverance and it didn't happen and I relapsed again. You can bring all that relapsed again. You can bring all that relapsed again. You can bring all that to God and I want you to know that he to God and I want you to know that he to God and I want you to know that he will hear you from where you are. David will hear you from where you are. David will hear you from where you are. David says, "There's nowhere I can go that God says, "There's nowhere I can go that God says, "There's nowhere I can go that God isn't with me." And then perhaps most isn't with me." And then perhaps most isn't with me." And then perhaps most powerfully, powerfully, powerfully, David in the next few verses, he David in the next few verses, he David in the next few verses, he addresses our tendency to pretend. And addresses our tendency to pretend. And addresses our tendency to pretend. And he says, "What's the point in pretending he says, "What's the point in pretending he says, "What's the point in pretending if God's the one who made me? You if God's the one who made me? You if God's the one who made me? You created my inmost being. You knit me created my inmost being. You knit me created my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother's womb. Every day together in my mother's womb. Every day together in my mother's womb. Every day of my life was ordained and written in of my life was ordained and written in of my life was ordained and written in your book of life." He's saying, "God your book of life." He's saying, "God your book of life." He's saying, "God already knows everything about you. He's already knows everything about you. He's already knows everything about you. He's the one who made you. So what's the the one who made you. So what's the the one who made you. So what's the point in pretending?" You know, point in pretending?" You know, point in pretending?" You know, pretending is some in some ways one of pretending is some in some ways one of pretending is some in some ways one of the most sophisticated ways that we the most sophisticated ways that we the most sophisticated ways that we leave things out from God's presence. leave things out from God's presence. leave things out from God's presence. You know, running can be exhausting. The You know, running can be exhausting. The You know, running can be exhausting. The thing about running is that we end up thing about running is that we end up thing about running is that we end up circling the same issues and running circling the same issues and running circling the same issues and running away from the very person who can heal away from the very person who can heal away from the very person who can heal us. See, I don't know a lot about us. See, I don't know a lot about us. See, I don't know a lot about running. The one thing I know is, and running. The one thing I know is, and running. The one thing I know is, and the most important thing is that it's the most important thing is that it's the most important thing is that it's exhausting.

exhausting. exhausting. We run, we run, we run. Someone just We run, we run, we run. Someone just We run, we run, we run. Someone just someone just testified over there. Okay. someone just testified over there. Okay. someone just testified over there. Okay. We can run. We can run. We can try to We can run. We can run. We can try to We can run. We can run. We can try to hide, but maybe one of the most hide, but maybe one of the most hide, but maybe one of the most sophisticated things we do is we try to sophisticated things we do is we try to sophisticated things we do is we try to pretend. And I think we do it to pretend. And I think we do it to pretend. And I think we do it to preemptively avoid rejection. Sometime preemptively avoid rejection. Sometime preemptively avoid rejection. Sometime there's a belief that if people really there's a belief that if people really there's a belief that if people really knew who we were, they would reject us. knew who we were, they would reject us. knew who we were, they would reject us. And maybe we built that defense And maybe we built that defense And maybe we built that defense mechanism because it's true. Maybe mechanism because it's true. Maybe mechanism because it's true. Maybe people have rejected you. But what David people have rejected you. But what David people have rejected you. But what David wants you to know is God will never wants you to know is God will never wants you to know is God will never reject you. He's the one who made you. reject you. He's the one who made you. reject you. He's the one who made you. And when he created you with all your And when he created you with all your And when he created you with all your quirks, he declared over you that you quirks, he declared over you that you quirks, he declared over you that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. So, are fearfully and wonderfully made. So, are fearfully and wonderfully made. So, when it comes to God, you don't need to when it comes to God, you don't need to when it comes to God, you don't need to pretend. You don't need to act like you pretend. You don't need to act like you pretend. You don't need to act like you have it all together. You don't need to have it all together. You don't need to have it all together. You don't need to act like you don't have hang-ups. You act like you don't have hang-ups. You act like you don't have hang-ups. You don't need to act like there's things don't need to act like there's things don't need to act like there's things that you're not ashamed of. You can that you're not ashamed of. You can that you're not ashamed of. You can bring it all to him because he created bring it all to him because he created bring it all to him because he created you. He knit you together by his power you. He knit you together by his power you. He knit you together by his power and by his will. He designed you. He and by his will. He designed you. He and by his will. He designed you. He placed you here. And every single thing placed you here. And every single thing placed you here. And every single thing you've gone through and every single day you've gone through and every single day you've gone through and every single day of your life, he says it was written in of your life, he says it was written in of your life, he says it was written in his book. His sovereign hand has been his book. His sovereign hand has been his book. His sovereign hand has been guiding you the whole time. And so guiding you the whole time. And so guiding you the whole time. And so David's saying, "You don't have to David's saying, "You don't have to David's saying, "You don't have to pretend. This is the God who created pretend. This is the God who created pretend. This is the God who created you." And yet I think so often. And you." And yet I think so often. And you." And yet I think so often. And maybe I'm just speaking for myself. I maybe I'm just speaking for myself. I maybe I'm just speaking for myself. I come into church and I feel like I need come into church and I feel like I need come into church and I feel like I need to pretend with God. Anybody else that I to pretend with God. Anybody else that I to pretend with God. Anybody else that I need to act like I have it all together.

need to act like I have it all together. need to act like I have it all together. There's a a parable that Jesus gives in There's a a parable that Jesus gives in There's a a parable that Jesus gives in Luke 18. He says, "Two men went up onto Luke 18. He says, "Two men went up onto Luke 18. He says, "Two men went up onto the temple to pray. One a Pharisee and the temple to pray. One a Pharisee and the temple to pray. One a Pharisee and the other the a tax collector." He's the other the a tax collector." He's the other the a tax collector." He's talking about the best and the worst talking about the best and the worst talking about the best and the worst right here. He's given a contrast. And right here. He's given a contrast. And right here. He's given a contrast. And the Pharisee stood by himself and the Pharisee stood by himself and the Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, "God, I thank you that I'm not prayed, "God, I thank you that I'm not prayed, "God, I thank you that I'm not like other people, like other people, like other people, robbers, evildoers, adulterers, or even robbers, evildoers, adulterers, or even robbers, evildoers, adulterers, or even like this tax collector." How awkward is like this tax collector." How awkward is like this tax collector." How awkward is this? The guy can probably hear him. this? The guy can probably hear him. this? The guy can probably hear him. God, I thank you so much that I'm not a God, I thank you so much that I'm not a God, I thank you so much that I'm not a adulterer. I thank you that I'm not a adulterer. I thank you that I'm not a adulterer. I thank you that I'm not a tax collector. I'm thank you that I'm tax collector. I'm thank you that I'm tax collector. I'm thank you that I'm not a Pharisee. God, I thank you so much not a Pharisee. God, I thank you so much not a Pharisee. God, I thank you so much that I'm not like Chris sitting over that I'm not like Chris sitting over that I'm not like Chris sitting over there. God, I just I don't know if I there. God, I just I don't know if I there. God, I just I don't know if I have a lot to praise you for, but I'm have a lot to praise you for, but I'm have a lot to praise you for, but I'm just glad I'm not like that guy. That's just glad I'm not like that guy. That's just glad I'm not like that guy. That's what he's doing. It's so arrogant. It's what he's doing. It's so arrogant. It's what he's doing. It's so arrogant. It's crazy. He says, "I'm thank you that I'm crazy. He says, "I'm thank you that I'm crazy. He says, "I'm thank you that I'm not like this tax collector. I fast not like this tax collector. I fast not like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and I give a tenth of all I twice a week and I give a tenth of all I twice a week and I give a tenth of all I get." Y'all, he's treating his prayer get." Y'all, he's treating his prayer get." Y'all, he's treating his prayer time like a performance review. time like a performance review. time like a performance review. >> He's coming to God and he's listing all >> He's coming to God and he's listing all >> He's coming to God and he's listing all the things. Do you ever do that the things. Do you ever do that the things. Do you ever do that sometime? Negotiating with God. Hey God, sometime? Negotiating with God. Hey God, sometime? Negotiating with God. Hey God, uh, hey, I'm here just checking in. Uh, uh, hey, I'm here just checking in. Uh, uh, hey, I'm here just checking in. Uh, want to let you know I've been doing want to let you know I've been doing want to let you know I've been doing I've been doing really good lately.

I've been doing really good lately. I've been doing really good lately. And, uh, God, I've been going to church And, uh, God, I've been going to church And, uh, God, I've been going to church a lot more regularly. I even started a lot more regularly. I even started a lot more regularly. I even started tithe. I signed up for an E team. I'm tithe. I signed up for an E team. I'm tithe. I signed up for an E team. I'm going to start serving at the church. going to start serving at the church. going to start serving at the church. And God just want to let you know. See And God just want to let you know. See And God just want to let you know. See what the Pharisees saying, it's not a what the Pharisees saying, it's not a what the Pharisees saying, it's not a lie. It's just limited. lie. It's just limited. lie. It's just limited. >> He probably did fast. >> He probably did fast. >> He probably did fast. >> He probably did tithe. The question is >> He probably did tithe. The question is >> He probably did tithe. The question is not what he did. The question is what is not what he did. The question is what is not what he did. The question is what is he leaving out? he leaving out? he leaving out? >> What were the secret things that he was >> What were the secret things that he was >> What were the secret things that he was struggling with that he didn't bring struggling with that he didn't bring struggling with that he didn't bring before God? What about the pride he was before God? What about the pride he was before God? What about the pride he was carrying? He, you notice he left that carrying? He, you notice he left that carrying? He, you notice he left that out. He says, "God, I just thank you out. He says, "God, I just thank you out. He says, "God, I just thank you that I'm not like these other people. that I'm not like these other people. that I'm not like these other people. Look at all the things I do." And then Look at all the things I do." And then Look at all the things I do." And then Jesus by contrast shows us the the tax Jesus by contrast shows us the the tax Jesus by contrast shows us the the tax collector says he wouldn't even look up collector says he wouldn't even look up collector says he wouldn't even look up to heaven but beat his breast and said to heaven but beat his breast and said to heaven but beat his breast and said God have mercy on me a sinner. Jesus God have mercy on me a sinner. Jesus God have mercy on me a sinner. Jesus says I tell you that this is the man who says I tell you that this is the man who says I tell you that this is the man who will walk away justified. Why? Because will walk away justified. Why? Because will walk away justified. Why? Because he was honest. he was honest. he was honest. >> One man came before God saying, "Hey >> One man came before God saying, "Hey >> One man came before God saying, "Hey God, this is what I've done. Look at God, this is what I've done. Look at God, this is what I've done. Look at me." But he left a lot out. The other me." But he left a lot out. The other me." But he left a lot out. The other came before God and said, "God, I just came before God and said, "God, I just came before God and said, "God, I just got to be real with you. I need your got to be real with you. I need your got to be real with you. I need your mercy. I need you, God. I'm a sinner. I mercy. I need you, God. I'm a sinner. I mercy. I need you, God. I'm a sinner. I don't deserve this, but this is who I don't deserve this, but this is who I don't deserve this, but this is who I am, and you know me. Would you meet me am, and you know me. Would you meet me am, and you know me. Would you meet me in this place just as I am? One man in this place just as I am? One man in this place just as I am? One man walked away justified. And I think walked away justified. And I think walked away justified. And I think sometimes in our walk with God, we do sometimes in our walk with God, we do sometimes in our walk with God, we do the same thing where we come before him the same thing where we come before him the same thing where we come before him and we feel like we need to pretend to and we feel like we need to pretend to and we feel like we need to pretend to earn his love. We feel like we need to earn his love. We feel like we need to earn his love. We feel like we need to pretend to convince him that we're worth pretend to convince him that we're worth pretend to convince him that we're worth blessing. We feel like we need to blessing. We feel like we need to blessing. We feel like we need to pretend to convince him that we have it pretend to convince him that we have it pretend to convince him that we have it all together. And David's saying, "Are all together. And David's saying, "Are all together. And David's saying, "Are you joking me? He knits you together in you joking me? He knits you together in you joking me? He knits you together in your mother's womb. He knows everything your mother's womb. He knows everything your mother's womb. He knows everything about you. He saw when you stood up. He

about you. He saw when you stood up. He about you. He saw when you stood up. He saw when you laid down. He knows saw when you laid down. He knows saw when you laid down. He knows everything already. So what are we everything already. So what are we everything already. So what are we pretending for? pretending for? pretending for? >> And I wonder what encounter would look >> And I wonder what encounter would look >> And I wonder what encounter would look like. What kind of encounters with God like. What kind of encounters with God like. What kind of encounters with God we would have? What kind of intimacy we would have? What kind of intimacy we would have? What kind of intimacy with the father we would experience if with the father we would experience if with the father we would experience if we came to God and refused to pretend? we came to God and refused to pretend? we came to God and refused to pretend? It's wild. It's wild. There's a story It's wild. It's wild. There's a story It's wild. It's wild. There's a story back to Genesis. You know, I've back to Genesis. You know, I've back to Genesis. You know, I've mentioned Abraham. Abraham had a son mentioned Abraham. Abraham had a son mentioned Abraham. Abraham had a son named Isaac. Isaac had a son named named Isaac. Isaac had a son named named Isaac. Isaac had a son named Jacob. Tracking with me? Jacob was the Jacob. Tracking with me? Jacob was the Jacob. Tracking with me? Jacob was the secondborn, but he wanted the firstborn secondborn, but he wanted the firstborn secondborn, but he wanted the firstborn blessing. blessing. blessing. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And there's a story in Genesis >> And there's a story in Genesis >> And there's a story in Genesis 32 where he goes to his father or sorry, 32 where he goes to his father or sorry, 32 where he goes to his father or sorry, in Genesis 27 where he goes to his in Genesis 27 where he goes to his in Genesis 27 where he goes to his father and he wants the firstborn father and he wants the firstborn father and he wants the firstborn blessing. And to get that, he has to blessing. And to get that, he has to blessing. And to get that, he has to pretend to be his older brother, Esau. pretend to be his older brother, Esau. pretend to be his older brother, Esau. So, he puts fur on his back cuz his So, he puts fur on his back cuz his So, he puts fur on his back cuz his brother was hairy. Abraham's gone blind brother was hairy. Abraham's gone blind brother was hairy. Abraham's gone blind at this point, but he goes, "If my dad at this point, but he goes, "If my dad at this point, but he goes, "If my dad touches me, I he'll feel the fur. He'll touches me, I he'll feel the fur. He'll touches me, I he'll feel the fur. He'll think I'm Esau." And he changes his think I'm Esau." And he changes his think I'm Esau." And he changes his voice. And so he goes to his father and voice. And so he goes to his father and voice. And so he goes to his father and he and he asks uh and and Jacob asks his he and he asks uh and and Jacob asks his he and he asks uh and and Jacob asks his father Isaac for the blessing. And and father Isaac for the blessing. And and father Isaac for the blessing. And and Isaac go, "What's your name? Who are Isaac go, "What's your name? Who are Isaac go, "What's your name? Who are you?" That's the question he asks. And you?" That's the question he asks. And you?" That's the question he asks. And he answered, "I'm Esau." He was he answered, "I'm Esau." He was he answered, "I'm Esau." He was pretending to be someone else. And in pretending to be someone else. And in pretending to be someone else. And in his pretending, he's got his blind his pretending, he's got his blind his pretending, he's got his blind father's blessing, but the rest of it, I father's blessing, but the rest of it, I father's blessing, but the rest of it, I don't know if it was really a blessing don't know if it was really a blessing don't know if it was really a blessing because he would spend from that for because he would spend from that for because he would spend from that for point forward having to outrun and live point forward having to outrun and live point forward having to outrun and live in the consequences of his deceit.

in the consequences of his deceit. in the consequences of his deceit. living in the consequence. See, the living in the consequence. See, the living in the consequence. See, the thing about pretending is you got to thing about pretending is you got to thing about pretending is you got to keep up that image time and time again. keep up that image time and time again. keep up that image time and time again. Day after day, he had to keep it up. He Day after day, he had to keep it up. He Day after day, he had to keep it up. He spends his life on the run. But there's spends his life on the run. But there's spends his life on the run. But there's this beautiful moment of redemption that this beautiful moment of redemption that this beautiful moment of redemption that happens in Genesis 32. Because remember happens in Genesis 32. Because remember happens in Genesis 32. Because remember when he went to his father with fur on when he went to his father with fur on when he went to his father with fur on his back with his voice changed, his back with his voice changed, his back with his voice changed, pretended to be something else. His pretended to be something else. His pretended to be something else. His father asked him a simple question. Who father asked him a simple question. Who father asked him a simple question. Who are you? And he said, "My name's Esau." are you? And he said, "My name's Esau." are you? And he said, "My name's Esau." But later in Genesis 32, God shows up But later in Genesis 32, God shows up But later in Genesis 32, God shows up with him in his running and meets with with him in his running and meets with with him in his running and meets with him and they begin to wrestle in the him and they begin to wrestle in the him and they begin to wrestle in the wilderness. And as they wrestle, as God, wilderness. And as they wrestle, as God, wilderness. And as they wrestle, as God, an angel of the Lord wrestles with an angel of the Lord wrestles with an angel of the Lord wrestles with Jacob, he asked him the same question Jacob, he asked him the same question Jacob, he asked him the same question that his father asked him. He says, that his father asked him. He says, that his father asked him. He says, "What's your name?" And this time, Jake, "What's your name?" And this time, Jake, "What's your name?" And this time, Jake, this time he answers, "Jacob." this time he answers, "Jacob." this time he answers, "Jacob." The last time he was asked this The last time he was asked this The last time he was asked this question, he said, "Esau." This time question, he said, "Esau." This time question, he said, "Esau." This time he's done pretending. He says, "My name he's done pretending. He says, "My name he's done pretending. He says, "My name is Jacob." And the scripture says that is Jacob." And the scripture says that is Jacob." And the scripture says that God blessed him there because there is a God blessed him there because there is a God blessed him there because there is a blessing that you can only receive blessing that you can only receive blessing that you can only receive through being honest. There's a blessing through being honest. There's a blessing through being honest. There's a blessing that you can only receive when you that you can only receive when you that you can only receive when you decide to be who God really created you decide to be who God really created you decide to be who God really created you to be. See, I want you to know today to be. See, I want you to know today to be. See, I want you to know today that God does not love the version of that God does not love the version of that God does not love the version of you of you that you created.

you of you that you created. you of you that you created. >> He loves the version he created. >> He loves the version he created. >> He loves the version he created. >> That's the version God wants to counter. >> That's the version God wants to counter. >> That's the version God wants to counter. [applause] [applause] [applause] [music] Jacob says, "My name is Jacob." And the Jacob says, "My name is Jacob." And the Lord blessed him there. What a beautiful Lord blessed him there. What a beautiful Lord blessed him there. What a beautiful moment of redemption to know that at any moment of redemption to know that at any moment of redemption to know that at any moment we can come before God and be moment we can come before God and be moment we can come before God and be completely honest. God, I've been completely honest. God, I've been completely honest. God, I've been pretending. I've been trying to have it pretending. I've been trying to have it pretending. I've been trying to have it all together. I've been I've been all together. I've been I've been all together. I've been I've been wearing a mask. I've been showing up wearing a mask. I've been showing up wearing a mask. I've been showing up time and time again trying to be time and time again trying to be time and time again trying to be something I'm not. But God, you created something I'm not. But God, you created something I'm not. But God, you created me. You know me. You know exactly who I me. You know me. You know exactly who I me. You know me. You know exactly who I am. And you love that version of me. So am. And you love that version of me. So am. And you love that version of me. So God, when you ask me my name, I'm gonna God, when you ask me my name, I'm gonna God, when you ask me my name, I'm gonna tell you my name. See, you might be able tell you my name. See, you might be able tell you my name. See, you might be able to fool your kids. You might be able to to fool your kids. You might be able to to fool your kids. You might be able to fool your spouse. You might be able to fool your spouse. You might be able to fool your spouse. You might be able to fool your blind father. But you can't fool your blind father. But you can't fool your blind father. But you can't fool the father who created your eyes. fool the father who created your eyes. fool the father who created your eyes. He knows exactly who you are. He knows exactly who you are. He knows exactly who you are. And David says, "If he knows you, what's And David says, "If he knows you, what's And David says, "If he knows you, what's the point of pretending?" You see, I the point of pretending?" You see, I the point of pretending?" You see, I think dads, and maybe I'm stereotyping, think dads, and maybe I'm stereotyping, think dads, and maybe I'm stereotyping, but I think sometimes as men, we have a but I think sometimes as men, we have a but I think sometimes as men, we have a tendency to do this more. And I want you tendency to do this more. And I want you tendency to do this more. And I want you to know, even on this Father's Day to know, even on this Father's Day to know, even on this Father's Day weekend, that your kids don't need you weekend, that your kids don't need you weekend, that your kids don't need you to pretend. We're so wired to pretend to to pretend. We're so wired to pretend to to pretend. We're so wired to pretend to be strong, to pretend we have it all be strong, to pretend we have it all be strong, to pretend we have it all together, to pretend like we have all together, to pretend like we have all together, to pretend like we have all the answers. And then our kids start to the answers. And then our kids start to the answers. And then our kids start to grow up and they start to see through grow up and they start to see through grow up and they start to see through all those cracks, don't they? They see all those cracks, don't they? They see all those cracks, don't they? They see it anyway. And I've been really it anyway. And I've been really it anyway. And I've been really challenged because my kids don't need to challenged because my kids don't need to challenged because my kids don't need to see my strength. Why am I trying to see my strength. Why am I trying to see my strength. Why am I trying to build their confidence around my build their confidence around my build their confidence around my strength, my perfection, my ability?

strength, my perfection, my ability? strength, my perfection, my ability? I want to be honest and show them my I want to be honest and show them my I want to be honest and show them my doubts and show them my fears and show doubts and show them my fears and show doubts and show them my fears and show them my struggles so that their them my struggles so that their them my struggles so that their confidence isn't in my strength, but in confidence isn't in my strength, but in confidence isn't in my strength, but in God's strength. God's strength. God's strength. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> It's what it means to stop pretending >> It's what it means to stop pretending >> It's what it means to stop pretending and to just be honest and to just be honest and to just be honest and allowed them to experience the and allowed them to experience the and allowed them to experience the blessing of the Lord that comes from blessing of the Lord that comes from blessing of the Lord that comes from only from his hand when we get real with only from his hand when we get real with only from his hand when we get real with him. David says, "You've search me, you him. David says, "You've search me, you him. David says, "You've search me, you know me. You know my heart. You know know me. You know my heart. You know know me. You know my heart. You know when I sit. You know when I lie down." when I sit. You know when I lie down." when I sit. You know when I lie down." He says, "If I go to the heavens, you're He says, "If I go to the heavens, you're He says, "If I go to the heavens, you're there. If I go to the depths, you're there. If I go to the depths, you're there. If I go to the depths, you're there. If I go to the edge of the sea, there. If I go to the edge of the sea, there. If I go to the edge of the sea, you're there. You created me in the you're there. You created me in the you're there. You created me in the depths. You knit me together in the depths. You knit me together in the depths. You knit me together in the secret place, God. That was all you. secret place, God. That was all you. secret place, God. That was all you. That was all you." And then he gets to That was all you." And then he gets to That was all you." And then he gets to the point where he says, "And so if all the point where he says, "And so if all the point where he says, "And so if all that's true, if all that's true about that's true, if all that's true about that's true, if all that's true about you, God, I might as well be honest." you, God, I might as well be honest." you, God, I might as well be honest." And he says, "Can I tell you where I am And he says, "Can I tell you where I am And he says, "Can I tell you where I am right now?" Because it's likely that right now?" Because it's likely that right now?" Because it's likely that David was writing this psalm while he David was writing this psalm while he David was writing this psalm while he was hiding in a cave from people who was hiding in a cave from people who was hiding in a cave from people who were trying to kill him. But even though were trying to kill him. But even though were trying to kill him. But even though he was hiding from people, I love that he was hiding from people, I love that he was hiding from people, I love that he refused to hide from God. he refused to hide from God. he refused to hide from God. And David begins to say, "I hate these And David begins to say, "I hate these And David begins to say, "I hate these people who hate you, Lord." He starts people who hate you, Lord." He starts people who hate you, Lord." He starts processing what he's going through with processing what he's going through with processing what he's going through with the Lord. You see, David's trying to the Lord. You see, David's trying to the Lord. You see, David's trying to say, [music] "I don't want the evil say, [music] "I don't want the evil say, [music] "I don't want the evil that's happening to me to become evil that's happening to me to become evil that's happening to me to become evil within me. So, I need to bring this to within me. So, I need to bring this to within me. So, I need to bring this to you, Lord."

you, Lord." you, Lord." >> And he starts laying it all out there. >> And he starts laying it all out there. >> And he starts laying it all out there. He's being honest. See, I love that the He's being honest. See, I love that the He's being honest. See, I love that the Bible says that David was a man after Bible says that David was a man after Bible says that David was a man after God's own heart. I always wrestled with God's own heart. I always wrestled with God's own heart. I always wrestled with what that meant because David had a lot what that meant because David had a lot what that meant because David had a lot of mistakes in his life. The infidelity, of mistakes in his life. The infidelity, of mistakes in his life. The infidelity, a lot of poor decisions that David made a lot of poor decisions that David made a lot of poor decisions that David made in his life. And yet, scripture says he in his life. And yet, scripture says he in his life. And yet, scripture says he was a man after God's own heart. And I was a man after God's own heart. And I was a man after God's own heart. And I think as I read this passage, I'm think as I read this passage, I'm think as I read this passage, I'm starting to realize more and more that starting to realize more and more that starting to realize more and more that [music] what made David a man after [music] what made David a man after [music] what made David a man after God's own heart is that he was a man who God's own heart is that he was a man who God's own heart is that he was a man who was willing to let God into his. And I was willing to let God into his. And I was willing to let God into his. And I want to be like that. want to be like that. want to be like that. >> I want to be the type of person who >> I want to be the type of person who >> I want to be the type of person who says, "God, come on in. Have all of me." says, "God, come on in. Have all of me." says, "God, come on in. Have all of me." So David starts saying, "God, I'm just So David starts saying, "God, I'm just So David starts saying, "God, I'm just going to be honest. I hate them. I going to be honest. I hate them. I going to be honest. I hate them. I [music] wish you would kill them. [music] wish you would kill them. [music] wish you would kill them. It's where I am right now." But this is It's where I am right now." But this is It's where I am right now." But this is not a message about authenticity because not a message about authenticity because not a message about authenticity because David doesn't say all that to stay David doesn't say all that to stay David doesn't say all that to stay there. He brings it to God so God can there. He brings it to God so God can there. He brings it to God so God can lead him somewhere else. lead him somewhere else. lead him somewhere else. >> And he moves on from that place and he >> And he moves on from that place and he >> And he moves on from that place and he ends with, "Search me, God, and know my ends with, "Search me, God, and know my ends with, "Search me, God, and know my heart. Test me and know my anxious heart. Test me and know my anxious heart. Test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there's any offensive thoughts. See if there's any offensive thoughts. See if there's any offensive way in me and lead me in the way way in me and lead me in the way way in me and lead me in the way everlasting." God, in my running, would everlasting." God, in my running, would everlasting." God, in my running, would you find me? In my search, in my in in you find me? In my search, in my in in you find me? In my search, in my in in my pretending, God, would you see me? In my pretending, God, would you see me? In my pretending, God, would you see me? In my hiding, God, would you know me? And my hiding, God, would you know me? And my hiding, God, would you know me? And God, would you lead me? It's God, would you lead me? It's God, would you lead me? It's interesting. This psalm ends similar to interesting. This psalm ends similar to interesting. This psalm ends similar to the way it begins. At the beginning of the way it begins. At the beginning of the way it begins. At the beginning of the psalm, David says, "You have the psalm, David says, "You have the psalm, David says, "You have searched me and you know me." Now, he searched me and you know me." Now, he searched me and you know me." Now, he ends the psalm with saying, "So, search ends the psalm with saying, "So, search ends the psalm with saying, "So, search me, God, and know my heart." I wondered

me, God, and know my heart." I wondered me, God, and know my heart." I wondered if David was saying it that way because if David was saying it that way because if David was saying it that way because really, when it comes to being honest really, when it comes to being honest really, when it comes to being honest with God, it's not a one-time thing. with God, it's not a one-time thing. with God, it's not a one-time thing. >> It's a cycle. >> It's a cycle. >> It's a cycle. >> You searched me once before, God. You >> You searched me once before, God. You >> You searched me once before, God. You knew me once before. I need you to knew me once before. I need you to knew me once before. I need you to search me once. Search me once again. search me once. Search me once again. search me once. Search me once again. Know me once again. I wonder if that's Know me once again. I wonder if that's Know me once again. I wonder if that's the reason he ended the psalm the same the reason he ended the psalm the same the reason he ended the psalm the same way he started it or way he started it or way he started it or or isn't it interesting that what he or isn't it interesting that what he or isn't it interesting that what he first declared as a fact about God, you first declared as a fact about God, you first declared as a fact about God, you have searched me. You know me, God, he have searched me. You know me, God, he have searched me. You know me, God, he now turns into an invitation. now turns into an invitation. now turns into an invitation. So search me God. [music] So search me God. [music] So search me God. [music] So search me God So search me God So search me God >> and know my heart. Test me. See, lead me >> and know my heart. Test me. See, lead me >> and know my heart. Test me. See, lead me God. He says God I want to invite you God. He says God I want to invite you God. He says God I want to invite you in. I want to give you full access in. I want to give you full access in. I want to give you full access because I want to experience full because I want to experience full because I want to experience full intimacy with you. What does that look like for us to What does that look like for us to approach God differently? Not out of approach God differently? Not out of approach God differently? Not out of fear of what he might do when he sees us fear of what he might do when he sees us fear of what he might do when he sees us or catches us. Not trying to run, not or catches us. Not trying to run, not or catches us. Not trying to run, not trying to hide, not trying to pretend, trying to hide, not trying to pretend, trying to hide, not trying to pretend, but to come before God and say, "God, but to come before God and say, "God, but to come before God and say, "God, you already know. You already see.

you already know. You already see. you already know. You already see. You're already with me. So here I am." You're already with me. So here I am." You're already with me. So here I am." And lay those things down at the altar. And lay those things down at the altar. And lay those things down at the altar. Would you stand to your feet as I close? And I know we started this way, but one And I know we started this way, but one more time, would you make it a prayer? more time, would you make it a prayer? more time, would you make it a prayer? Would you say, "Search me, God? Would you say, "Search me, God? Would you say, "Search me, God? >> Search me, God. >> Search me, God. >> Search me, God. >> Search me, God." Tim Keller, he said, "To be loved but Tim Keller, he said, "To be loved but not known not known not known is comforting but superficial." Did you is comforting but superficial." Did you is comforting but superficial." Did you catch that? To be loved but not known is catch that? To be loved but not known is catch that? To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. comforting but superficial. comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our To be known and not loved is our To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and greatest fear. But to be fully known and greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved, [music] well, that's a lot truly loved, [music] well, that's a lot truly loved, [music] well, that's a lot like being loved by God. like being loved by God. like being loved by God. >> What do you need to bring to the Lord >> What do you need to bring to the Lord >> What do you need to bring to the Lord today? What have you been leaving out today? What have you been leaving out today? What have you been leaving out that you need to surrender in his that you need to surrender in his that you need to surrender in his presence today? What have you been presence today? What have you been presence today? What have you been trying to keep out of the story because trying to keep out of the story because trying to keep out of the story because it was too dark, too messy, too it was too dark, too messy, too it was too dark, too messy, too shameful? Maybe it felt too small. Maybe shameful? Maybe it felt too small. Maybe shameful? Maybe it felt too small. Maybe it's too hard to pro. What were the it's too hard to pro. What were the it's too hard to pro. What were the things that you've been leaving out that things that you've been leaving out that things that you've been leaving out that you need to bring into God's presence you need to bring into God's presence you need to bring into God's presence today so that he can touch it? So that today so that he can touch it? So that today so that he can touch it? So that he can heal it, so that he can redeem he can heal it, so that he can redeem he can heal it, so that he can redeem it. So that he can set you free. Just it. So that he can set you free. Just it. So that he can set you free. Just with your hands out where you are right with your hands out where you are right with your hands out where you are right now, [music] just bring that thing to now, [music] just bring that thing to now, [music] just bring that thing to mind.

mind. mind. Not going to make you tell your neighbor Not going to make you tell your neighbor Not going to make you tell your neighbor right now. It's not for them to know. right now. It's not for them to know. right now. It's not for them to know. But you can let your father know, can't But you can let your father know, can't But you can let your father know, can't you? And just lay that thing before him you? And just lay that thing before him you? And just lay that thing before him and [music] say, "God, I trust you. I and [music] say, "God, I trust you. I and [music] say, "God, I trust you. I trust your character. The things I trust your character. The things I trust your character. The things I believe about you lead me to the place believe about you lead me to the place believe about you lead me to the place where I can be confident, God, that you where I can be confident, God, that you where I can be confident, God, that you are compassionate enough and big enough are compassionate enough and big enough are compassionate enough and big enough and merciful enough that I can be real and merciful enough that I can be real and merciful enough that I can be real with you and bring these things to you. with you and bring these things to you. with you and bring these things to you. There's someone in the room, it's so There's someone in the room, it's so There's someone in the room, it's so hard to show up to your married egroup hard to show up to your married egroup hard to show up to your married egroup and have conversations because you and and have conversations because you and and have conversations because you and [music] your spouse haven't talked for 3 [music] your spouse haven't talked for 3 [music] your spouse haven't talked for 3 weeks. There's someone in the room who weeks. There's someone in the room who weeks. There's someone in the room who who feels like they can't be used by God who feels like they can't be used by God who feels like they can't be used by God because you keep going back to the same because you keep going back to the same because you keep going back to the same thing over and over again. What's that thing over and over again. What's that thing over and over again. What's that thing [music] that you've been trying to thing [music] that you've been trying to thing [music] that you've been trying to leave out? Would you bring it to the leave out? Would you bring it to the leave out? Would you bring it to the father today? father today? father today? So, Father, we want to give you full So, Father, we want to give you full So, Father, we want to give you full access to our lives, full [music] access access to our lives, full [music] access access to our lives, full [music] access to our hearts. You're the one who made to our hearts. You're the one who made to our hearts. You're the one who made us. You're the one who knows us. And you us. You're the one who knows us. And you us. You're the one who knows us. And you declared over us that we're fearfully declared over us that we're fearfully declared over us that we're fearfully [music] and wonderfully made. You love [music] and wonderfully made. You love [music] and wonderfully made. You love us, Lord. You love us, Lord. So, we us, Lord. You love us, Lord. So, we us, Lord. You love us, Lord. So, we don't have to hide and we don't have to don't have to hide and we don't have to don't have to hide and we don't have to be ashamed. be ashamed. be ashamed. We don't have to keep pretending to be We don't have to keep pretending to be We don't have to keep pretending to be something that we're not, God. But, something that we're not, God. But, something that we're not, God. But, Lord, we know that you bless us when we Lord, we know that you bless us when we Lord, we know that you bless us when we come before you just as we are. God, I come before you just as we are. God, I come before you just as we are. God, I want to know your heart. And so today, I want to know your heart. And so today, I want to know your heart. And so today, I invite you to know mine. H bring these invite you to know mine. H bring these invite you to know mine. H bring these things before you, God. I refuse to keep things before you, God. I refuse to keep things before you, God. I refuse to keep putting fur on [music] my back. I refuse putting fur on [music] my back. I refuse putting fur on [music] my back. I refuse to keep trying to trick other people, to keep trying to trick other people, to keep trying to trick other people, God. Lord, I want to come to you just as God. Lord, I want to come to you just as God. Lord, I want to come to you just as I am and ask that you would meet the I am and ask that you would meet the I am and ask that you would meet the real me, the version of me that you made real me, the version of me that you made real me, the version of me that you made in this place today.

in this place today. in this place today. I don't know what's coming to mind for I don't know what's coming to mind for I don't know what's coming to mind for people in this room, God, but with our people in this room, God, but with our people in this room, God, but with our hands out, we just lay them at the altar hands out, we just lay them at the altar hands out, we just lay them at the altar before you. And we ask God that these before you. And we ask God that these before you. And we ask God that these would be the places [music] that you would be the places [music] that you would be the places [music] that you would touch, that you would heal, that would touch, that you would heal, that would touch, that you would heal, that you would minister to in your perfect you would minister to in your perfect you would minister to in your perfect presence today. Thank you, Lord. presence today. Thank you, Lord. presence today. Thank you, Lord. [snorts] [snorts] [snorts] Right now, I want to give an invitation Right now, I want to give an invitation Right now, I want to give an invitation to someone who's been running from God. to someone who's been running from God. to someone who's been running from God. You've never made a decision to place You've never made a decision to place You've never made a decision to place your faith in him. And maybe the message your faith in him. And maybe the message your faith in him. And maybe the message today was simply to let you know that today was simply to let you know that today was simply to let you know that you have a father in heaven who's never you have a father in heaven who's never you have a father in heaven who's never left your side. [music] left your side. [music] left your side. [music] Maybe you thought you were too far gone. Maybe you thought you were too far gone. Maybe you thought you were too far gone. Maybe you thought the things that you've Maybe you thought the things that you've Maybe you thought the things that you've been through, the mistakes that you've been through, the mistakes that you've been through, the mistakes that you've made made you unlovable and that God made made you unlovable and that God made made you unlovable and that God couldn't find you there. But the word of couldn't find you there. But the word of couldn't find you there. But the word of the Lord for you today is that God's the Lord for you today is that God's the Lord for you today is that God's been there the whole time. been there the whole time. been there the whole time. And and I want to give you an invitation And and I want to give you an invitation And and I want to give you an invitation to make a decision to surrender your to make a decision to surrender your to make a decision to surrender your life to him. When you give your life to life to him. When you give your life to life to him. When you give your life to Jesus because of what he did for us on Jesus because of what he did for us on Jesus because of what he did for us on the cross, when he died for the the cross, when he died for the the cross, when he died for the forgiveness of our sin, it wiped the forgiveness of our sin, it wiped the forgiveness of our sin, it wiped the slate clean. He his his his death on the slate clean. He his his his death on the slate clean. He his his his death on the cross is what makes you righteous cross is what makes you righteous cross is what makes you righteous because of what he did. And the Bible because of what he did. And the Bible because of what he did. And the Bible says that if you are in Christ one day says that if you are in Christ one day says that if you are in Christ one day you're going to get to heaven. Oh, and you're going to get to heaven. Oh, and you're going to get to heaven. Oh, and you're going to stand before God and you're going to stand before God and you're going to stand before God and God's not going to bring up all the God's not going to bring up all the God's not going to bring up all the mistakes you made. He's going to look at mistakes you made. He's going to look at mistakes you made. He's going to look at you and say, "Well done, good and you and say, "Well done, good and you and say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." You're going to be faithful servant." You're going to be faithful servant." You're going to be like, "God, you left some things out."

like, "God, you left some things out." like, "God, you left some things out." And you said, "No, no, no, no, no. Well And you said, "No, no, no, no, no. Well And you said, "No, no, no, no, no. Well done, good and faithful servant." done, good and faithful servant." done, good and faithful servant." Not because of anything we've done, but Not because of anything we've done, but Not because of anything we've done, but because of his grace, his mercy, and the because of his grace, his mercy, and the because of his grace, his mercy, and the work of Jesus on the cross. If you've work of Jesus on the cross. If you've work of Jesus on the cross. If you've been far from God, you've been running, been far from God, you've been running, been far from God, you've been running, you've been hiding, you've been you've been hiding, you've been you've been hiding, you've been pretending. But today is your day to pretending. But today is your day to pretending. But today is your day to come into a relationship with your come into a relationship with your come into a relationship with your heavenly father who knows you, created heavenly father who knows you, created heavenly father who knows you, created you, and loved you. I want to give you you, and loved you. I want to give you you, and loved you. I want to give you an invitation to receive the gift of his an invitation to receive the gift of his an invitation to receive the gift of his grace [music] and mercy. We're going to grace [music] and mercy. We're going to grace [music] and mercy. We're going to pray out loud together as a church pray out loud together as a church pray out loud together as a church family today for the benefit of those family today for the benefit of those family today for the benefit of those who are making the decision to come to who are making the decision to come to who are making the decision to come to Christ. Can we pray together with heads Christ. Can we pray together with heads Christ. Can we pray together with heads bowed and eyes closed? Repeat after me. bowed and eyes closed? Repeat after me. bowed and eyes closed? Repeat after me. Say, "I believe Say, "I believe Say, "I believe >> I believe >> I believe >> I believe >> that Jesus Christ >> that Jesus Christ >> that Jesus Christ >> Jesus Christ >> Jesus Christ >> Jesus Christ >> is the son of God >> is the son of God >> is the son of God >> the son of God >> the son of God >> the son of God >> and the savior of the world. >> and the savior of the world. >> and the savior of the world. >> Savior of the world. >> Savior of the world. >> Savior of the world. >> I believe he died >> I believe he died >> I believe he died >> and rose again. >> and rose again. >> and rose again. >> rose again >> rose again >> rose again >> to forgive my sin. >> to forgive my sin. >> to forgive my sin. >> Forgive my s. >> Forgive my s. >> Forgive my s. >> And give me life. >> And give me life. >> And give me life. >> I receive your grace. >> I receive your grace. >> I receive your grace. >> I receive your grace. >> I receive your grace. >> I receive your grace. >> By faith. >> By faith. >> By faith. >> By faith. >> By faith. >> By faith. >> Come into my life. >> Come into my life. >> Come into my life. >> And make me new. >> And make me new. >> And make me new. >> Make me new." >> Make me new." >> Make me new." >> Head still bowed, eyes still closed. If >> Head still bowed, eyes still closed. If >> Head still bowed, eyes still closed. If you just made that decision today, when you just made that decision today, when you just made that decision today, when I count to three, would you throw your I count to three, would you throw your I count to three, would you throw your hand up in the air? I want to celebrate hand up in the air? I want to celebrate hand up in the air? I want to celebrate the work the Lord has done in your life the work the Lord has done in your life the work the Lord has done in your life today. Don't hesitate. Even online, let today. Don't hesitate. Even online, let today. Don't hesitate. Even online, let us know in the chat. At other campuses, us know in the chat. At other campuses, us know in the chat. At other campuses, shoot your hand up in the air there, shoot your hand up in the air there, shoot your hand up in the air there, too. 1 2 3. If that was for you today, too. 1 2 3. If that was for you today, too. 1 2 3. If that was for you today, [music] hands up in the air. Yeah. Yeah.

[music] hands up in the air. Yeah. Yeah. [music] hands up in the air. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Praise the Lord. God bless you. Yeah. Praise the Lord. God bless you. Yeah. Praise the Lord. God bless you. God bless you. Yeah. Keep your hand up. God bless you. Yeah. Keep your hand up. God bless you. Yeah. Keep your hand up. God bless you. I see our ushers coming God bless you. I see our ushers coming God bless you. I see our ushers coming around with a gift for you. Hey, thank you for watching the Hey, thank you for watching the Elevation Church [music] YouTube. I want Elevation Church [music] YouTube. I want Elevation Church [music] YouTube. I want you to subscribe. That way you can know you to subscribe. That way you can know you to subscribe. That way you can know when we go live and post new content. when we go live and post new content. when we go live and post new content. Make sure to leave me a comment. Let me Make sure to leave me a comment. Let me Make sure to leave me a comment. Let me know what spoke to you today, where know what spoke to you today, where know what spoke to you today, where you're watching from, and what we you're watching from, and what we you're watching from, and what we [music] can pray for you about. And if [music] can pray for you about. And if [music] can pray for you about. And if you'd like to support the ministry you'd like to support the ministry you'd like to support the ministry financially, you can click the give financially, you can click the give financially, you can click the give button [music] now and help us continue button [music] now and help us continue button [music] now and help us continue reaching people around the world for reaching people around the world for reaching people around the world for Jesus Christ. Thanks again. I'll see you Jesus Christ. Thanks again. I'll see you Jesus Christ. Thanks again. I'll see you [music] next time.