Intro: Recall Ps 22 sermon ‘My God, My God why have you abandoned me”?
Jesus experienced the worst that sinful people and Satan could bring against him so that he totally can identify with us in troubles and trials we face. He cried out to God and so God wants to hear our cries as well. Ps 22 is about the suffering and death of Jesus to bring us salvation and healing. Ps 23 is about the risen Shepherd who brings us resurrection life and comfort and hope. Later we will teach about Ps 24 which is a celebration of Jesus mighty victories and reign from Heaven.
Today Ps 23... perhaps the most popular and well known psalm because it is a psalm that has been of great comfort for over 2000 years to people in times of loss and grief.
Start: Who has a pet cat or dog? Talk about how our family feed and provide for Flynn our dog. This is a simple illustration of how a shepherd cares for his sheep.
“The Lord is my Shepherd”
A) WHO IS THIS SHEPHERD?
3 major Biblical figures show us the Shepherd heart of God
1. Moses worked as a shepherd looking after his father-in-law Jethro’s sheep before God called him to look after His people and lead them out of slavery in Egypt. He was perhaps the greatest leader in the world at that time because, by God’s strength, he took that group of dispirited Hebrew slaves and through many trials turned them into a warrior nation of the 12 tribes of Israel. He confronted Pharaoh the most powerful tyrant in the world with miraculous signs from God to deliver the people from his power and brought them by another miracle through the Red Sea to Mt Sinai where with the Lord he established them again as a nation. Then he with God led them around the desert for many years enduring 10 major trials from them and God’s provision each time.(read the book of Exodus)
2. David the 2nd outstanding leader of Israel was called by God from shepherding sheep to shepherding God’s people and leading them to overcome their enemies and establish the worship of Yahweh in Jerusalem. On the way David gathered a group of dejected and downtrodden people around him and turned them into a victorious army. Like Moses David faced many trials including betrayal by Saul and even by his son Absalom.(read 1 Samuel 16 to 2 Samuel and1 Kings 1-2)
3. Jesus identified with the both Moses and David by feeding the people and showing even greater signs and wonders from God. He said he was ‘the Good Shepherd’ and contrasted himself with thieves and robbers from Satan who only came to steal and kill and destroy. He said, “I have come that you may have life and life in all it’s fullness.”(John 10:10) read Jn 10:11 -18 and Jn 10: 2 -5.
4. NZ examples of Shepherd and sheep and sheep dogs… “Get in behind Blue!“
Fr Dennis Bennett said he was like the Lord’s sheep dog helping Jesus gather in his sheep. Pastoral ministry is carried out by many caring people in our Church such as: Drug Arm; Prison Ministry; ministry to the elderly; ministry to children ; ministry to the sick, carrying out ministry to Jesus as in Math 25:40. Our primary ministry and love must always be to Jesus the Chief Shepherd as Peter’s call was in John 21:15 -19.
(B) WHO IS THE LORD?
The name Lord is a divine name in the O.T. Jehovah or Yahweh.
In the N.T. Jesus was acknowledged as Saviour in his Name Jesus which means Saviour and Lord particularly by his disciples by his resurrection. Even Thomas fell down and called Him, “My Lord and my God”!(Jn 20:28) On the Day of Pentecost when the Spirit came in power for the first time Peter boldly proclaimed Jesus to the people, “God has made Him both Lord and Messiah this Jesus whom you crucified.’ (Acts 2: 37) He exhorted the people to turn away from “this corrupt generation” and follow Jesus as Lord and God.
(C) We must now acknowledge and submit to Jesus as our Lord and so we come to him as our Shepherd and truly say: “ the Lord is my Shepherd.” Only those who surrender themselves to him as Lord have a right to come to him as Shepherd. Have you made him your Lord and are you willing do what he calls you to do. Are you ready to “Get in behind Blue?”
(D) HOW DOES THE SHEPHERD PROVIDE FOR US?
Just like we feed and care for and protect our animals the Shepherd cares for us.
Jesus our risen Lord and Shepherd gives us:
Ÿ REST Math 11:28 - 30 ‘Come unto me all who are weary…. and I will give you rest’
Ÿ REFRESHING with still water (Isaiah 43:20)
Ÿ FOOD Jesus told us to pray in faith, ‘Give us this day our daily bread.’ (Math 6:11)
Ÿ RESTORATION of our mind , emotions and will (2 Tim 1:7; Mark 5:15)
Ÿ LEADING IN RIGHT RELATIONSHIPS righteousness (justice restored) Romans 14:17)
Ÿ DELIVERANCE FORM FEAR from the fear of death and all fears( Ps 27: Ps 34:6)
Ÿ PROTECTION FROM EVIL the rod to kill enemies and the staff to rescue his sheep(1 Sam 17:34-36; Luke 15:4)
Ÿ SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT a table in the wilderness (Ps79:19)
Ÿ ANOINTING of His presence with us always (Math 28:19 Ps 23:4)
Ÿ FILLING with His Spirit for overflowing to others (John 7.39)
Ÿ GOODNESS and MERCY like angels following us
Ÿ ETERNAL SECURITY everlasting life with Jesus in Heaven (Rev 7;17)
Jesus Christ is our redeeming GOOD SHEPHERD (John 10:11);
our resurrected GREAT SHEPHERD (Hebrews 13:20) and
our returning CHIEF SHEPHERD (1 Peter 5:4)
Finish with everyone standing and proclaiming:
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want
He makes me lie down in green pastures
He leads me beside still waters
He restores my soul
He leads me in right paths, for his names sake
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no
evil: for you are with me
Your rod and your staff they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me, in the presence of my enemies
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my lifeAnd I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
