Being known by Jesus | Aug. 16, 2026 | Ps. Raph

Beyond the Crowd: True Intimacy with God

Introduction

Many believers fall into the trap of a false intimacy, going through religious motions, attending services, and sitting in a crowd without truly knowing God or being known by Him. This sermon explores Jesus' warning against superficial religion and calls us into a vibrant, individual, and transformative relationship with our Creator.

Main Points

1. The Danger of False Intimacy and Religious Routine

• Superficial Religion vs. Real Relationship: Sharing the same physical space, attending church, or partaking in traditions does not equate to knowing Jesus. He desires a genuine connection, not empty rituals or performance-based salvation (drawing from Luke 13:25–27).
• Hiding in the Crowd: God does not view us as an anonymous mass; He knows each of us individually. Relying on "going with the flow" or hiding behind cultural Christianity leads to spiritual stagnation and a dead routine.

2. The Path to Being Known by God

• Loving Because We Were Loved First: True Christian life flows from first understanding and receiving God's unconditional love for us. As 1 Corinthians 8:3 notes, “If anyone loves God, he is known by God,” and we love Him because He first loved us.
• Obedience as an Expression of Love: Genuine love for God naturally translates into keeping His commandments (John 14:15), moving us away from legalism and self-reliance.
• Rejecting False Teachings: Believers must remain steadfast in sound doctrine, heeding Paul's warning in 2 Timothy 4:3–5 against those who accumulate teachers to suit their own passions rather than enduring sound teaching.

Conclusion

Our ultimate purpose is to know Jesus and to be known by Jesus. By moving past religious pretense, embracing His grace, and allowing His love to renew us daily, we step out of stagnant routines and live fully as transformed disciples—true "little Christs" empowered to impact our families, workplaces, and communities.