June 14 sermon, "Inside Out"

Mark and 1 Samuel

Notes:

I think we’ve all had the experience of a schoolyard pick, haven’t we? Everyone stands up in a row so the two team captains can get a good look at us, then one begins picking, back and forth, until everyone is chosen.

Perhaps no prayers of desperation are more heartfelt than those of the kids who are typically chosen last. “God, please, please, please, let me be picked next.” I know, because I’ve prayed these prayers. What does it feel like to be picked first? I don’t know.

That’s what we have here in this scripture lesson. And God is




The way that Lara reads a book, I can see what is going on in the book by the expressions on her face.

stress the importance of the inner life and the genuineness of our commitment to Christ.

God tells Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the LORD does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”

God knows our inmost thoughts and desires. God sees the shape of our hearts.

We must be diligent to guard against resentment, jealousy, pride, etc. because they can spoil our insides. Those are the traits that ruin Saul once David's career takes off.


Our inner life may seem containable and private, but more often than not, it is on display to others in ways that we're not aware.

In the end, God is our judge and we are known "inside out" by God. So, we might as well come clean with who we are, and ask for God to forgive us our weaknesses and mold us into God's image.