I Can’t Run From This | Philip Anthony Mitchell | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

I Can’t Run From This

Philip Anthony Mitchell

2819 Church • Mar 14, 2022 • 59 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

In this teaching from Psalm 139:7-12, Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell explores the inescapable nature of God's omnipresence. Whether a believer attempts to flee out of guilt, shame, and fear, or an unbeliever runs out of pride and rebellion, no person can successfully hide from God's Spirit. Rather than a source of dread, God's constant presence guarantees that we are never abandoned, and it points us to the profound truth that the Lord Himself is our ultimate reward.

Themes

Omnipresence of GodGod's PresenceConviction and RedemptionSurrender and LeadershipJesus as the Ultimate Reward

Pastor's Points

1.

God is present in life and in death.

2.

God is present in proximity and distance.

3.

God is present in light and darkness.

Key Points

1.
God is present in life and in death.
2.
God is present in proximity and distance.
3.
God is present in light and darkness.
4.
Running from God's presence always leads downward and rebellion always costs something.
5.
When believers try to hide from God after sinning, the comforting aspects of His presence convert into loving conviction to draw them back into fellowship.
6.
God built intentional limitations into our lives so that we would remain dependent on Him and mutually reliant on others.
7.
The scriptures should be approached like a medicine chest for the soul rather than a newspaper for idle information.
8.
The ultimate reward of the Christian faith is not material gain, platform, or human achievement—the ultimate reward is the Lord Himself.

Sermon Moments

“God rescued me in a bathroom over a toilet seat in a season of my life when I was extremely suicidal.”

“Don't read the word of God like a newspaper for just information... use the word of God like a medicine chest.”

“Anytime we run from God we are always on our way down, and anytime we rebel against His voice it's always going to cost us something.”

“When we sin and we run from God, all of those good things simply convert into conviction.”

“How is it we trust the GPS but we don't trust God's Spirit?”

“The ultimate reward is not acquisition or accumulation—the ultimate reward is the Lord Himself.”

This Week

Stop running from God when you fall short or feel ashamed; yield instead to the Holy Spirit's conviction that woos you back into fellowship.

Approach scripture as a medicine chest for your daily spiritual needs rather than reading it purely for academic knowledge.

Stop grieving over your personal limitations and recognize that God gave them to you so you would connect with and rely on others.

Shift your heart away from seeking 'Jesus plus' material success, and actively praise God for being your highest reward.

Surrender daily decision-making to the Holy Spirit's guidance instead of trying to direct your own path.

Continue praying faithfully for unsaved family and friends, trusting that no person is too distant or far gone for God's Spirit to reach.

Take your heavy emotions, sadness, and fatigue straight into God's presence through meditating on the Psalms.

Remember This

You can never successfully run or hide from God's Spirit, but His inescapable presence means you are never truly alone, abandoned, or beyond His reach.

A Challenge for You

Stop seeking 'Jesus plus' material success or social validation to satisfy your heart, and surrender completely to Jesus as your sole and ultimate reward today.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.