A Seat @ the Table

Psalm 23  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented
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Intro
What is the craziest/silliest thing you have every said or done to impress someone you had a crush on?
Chris grabbing me on roller blades
Through our study of Psalm 23, we’ve learned about God, our Shepherd, who cares for us no matter where we are in life. We’ll see this week how much he likes us, how he expresses his delight in us, and how we did nothing to deserve it.
Body
Review
Let’s think back to what we have learned in previous weeks
Truth that with the Lord as our shepherd we lack nothing Psalm 23:1
Psalm 23:1 NIV
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He provides us with rest, righteousness, guidance, and protection Psalm 23:2-4
Psalm 23:2–4 NIV
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
And why? For His names sake! Psalm 23:3
Psalm 23:3 NIV
3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Not out of obligation
But because it further displays his glory to the world when we find all of our needs met in him.
Because of his deep love for all sheep
So that all will see and desire his love.
The truth is that God genuinely loves you right here, right now
Let’s see what that looks like:
Psalm 23:5 NIV
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
How do you think about God? Is he more of a distant king in your mind? Demanding worship and servitude? Or can you picture him as a caring shepherd? (Hopefully we are changing our views as we explore the word of God in Psalm 23)
Very illustrative - This verse creates a whole scene for us to imagine - let’s break it down
Prepares a feast
not no ordinary supper - A feast fit for a King - no fast food McDonalds or Pizza Hut thrown on a table
Feast like Christmas or Thanksgiving - invited guests (He invites you as an honored guest)
Really even more than that - in old days they would feast for hours/days! So much food
Only the best choice food & drink
Table was low and they would set on ground or recline
In the presence of my enemies
Public display of affection!
Again, a meal for several hours all while enemies watch
The mere fact that He points out that they are your enemies tells me that you don’t have to be completely proper with them - stick out your tongue at them!
He is not embarrassed by you - but he does delight in you - wants to show you off to the world
You anoint my head with oil
Again something done for honored guests
Persons & things were anointed with oil in the OT, to signify holiness
In biblical days people also had oil poured over them to refresh their look as they had been in a time of mourning or fasting (shadow of death) - did not have concealer - makeup
My cup overflows
Guest of honor would be given extra portions, or glass filled and overflowed to show that they are special
What a visual!
And these are not my words, they are God’s!
Conclusion
Jesus said in John 10:10 that
John 10:10 NIV
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
This is what God thinks/see in you
Psalm 23:5 builds to an overwhelming vision of God’s delight in his people, one we often struggle to incorporate into our own views of God. It is easier to think of God as a distant judge - one who gives us rules to live by and who doles out punishment when we come up short. BUT, that is NOT the picture of God we receive here in Psalm 23. If you belong to the Lord’s flock, He delights in you today.
I hope you have noticed throughout Psalm 23 that there is not if/then statements
If I do this, then God will do this
You don’t earn this
You can’t earn this - don’t waste time trying to, I have
This is true right now - He wants to delight in you and bless you now!
Take a minute and close your eyes
God genuinely loves you right here, right now!
How does that truth sit with you? What feelings come to the surface when you reflect on the idea that God actually likes having you near to him?
How does it make you feel to know that God wants to put on a public display of affection for you?
God is inviting you to sit at His table, will you accept the invitation?
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