Unlock the Power of Sharing Jesus with Others

Introduction (5m)

The world can often feel overwhelming because so much is happening

Change:

1920s: First commercial aircraft flights

1950s-60s: Motorways

1960s: Virtually eliminated epidemic polio, pneumonia, measles, and tuberculosis

1970s: Washing machines, dryers, televisions became standard home appliances

Laptops, mobile phones, and smartwatches used to be the stuff of science fiction, but now use them every day without thinking!

Stress and uncertainty:

Two world wars

Constant threat of nuclear war

Terrorism

Now living through pandemic

In an overwhelming, fast-changing, often chaotic world we need a God who lets us rest, renews our strength and guides along right paths

Be still, and know that I am God!

Explanation (5m)

The Good Shepherd Provides the Abundant Life

Psalm 23:2 NLT

He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.

Sheep will not lie down unless they are free from fear, friction, and hunger

Promise that God will look after us physically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.

We cannot do this for ourselves

Finding green meadows and peaceful streams is difficult work - the Holy Land is dry, rocky, with only sparse, tough grass.

If we try, we will never satisfy our hunger.

Sheep need wells and springs to drink from. They run the risk of being swept away by fast-flowing rivers.

If we try to slake our own thirst, we too risk being swept away by powers outside of our control.

We need the Good Shepherd to guide us along the right paths

Psalm 23:3 NLT

He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.

He will get us where we need to go - he will ensure that what we do with our lives fulfils the purposes he has for us.

We are not left to our own devices. In a choatic, overwhelming world, that’s what we need most.

Application (5m)

Do you need to confess your need for the Good Shepherd again this morning?

Feel in the darkest valley? The “shadowiest of all shadows”? Under threat? Full of fear?

Psalmist pictures the flock passing into a deep, rugged wadi - the dry stream beds cut through the semi-desert hills by seasonal torrents caused by winter rains.

Air is heavy with rising heat of day, canyon is so deep it is cast in dark shadows.

The dream of green meadows and peaceful streams seems a world away. No grass. No water. Oppressive heat. Flock must struggle up the steep sides of the canyon to find the next feeding place.

Maybe that’s how you feel today. Shadow of grief, depression, fear. Filled with care. Lost. Relief seems a world away. Long time since you experienced green meadows and peaceful streams.

Promise:

Psalm 23:4 NLT

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

God’s provision is a gift to us that we need to share

Psalm 23:1 LBP

Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need!

Like the psalmist, simply invited to put our trust in the Good Shepherd - “Because”

Lean on, rely on, have faith in God.

The abundant life is not a reward to be earned, it is a gift to be accepted

Don’t have to wear ourselves out trying to earn the abundant life

John 10:10 NLT

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

Give!

Is today the day you need to accept the green meadows, the peaceful streams, the rest God wants to give you? Do you need to accept the gift of the renewal of your strength? The gift of guidance? The gift of protection and security? The gifts of goodness and unfailing love?

The abundant life is a gift to be shared

People out there filled with care, lost and wandering, people in your lives with private pain no one knows about, people living in fear, people who fall apart in tears when they close their doors behind them, people grieving and in pain.

Jesus challenges us to extend his compassion to them

Take what the Good Shepherd gives us - the abundant life - and share it with those around us.

Being kind, helping those around us, actively listening to someone. Giving hospitality. Welcoming them when they come through these doors. Giving to ministry and mission of corps. Cooking and distributing meals to those in need. So many different ways!

Psalm 23:6 NLT

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

This is the place to live. This is the abundant life to share with others. People need the Lord.

Next Steps

Band: People Need the Lord

Every day they pass me by,  I can see it in their eyes; Empty people filled with care,  Headed who knows where.  On they go through private pain,  Living fear to fear;  Laughter hides the silent cries only Jesus hears.  People need the Lord, people need the Lord;  At the end of broken dreams he?s the open door.  People need the Lord, people need the Lord;  When will we realise people need the Lord. 2 We are called to take his light  To a world where wrong seems right;  What could be too great a cost For sharing life with one who?s lost? Through his love our hearts can feel  All the grief they bear;  They must hear the words of life only we can share.  People need the Lord, people need the Lord;  At the end of broken dreams he?s the open door.  People need the Lord, people need the Lord;  When will we realise that we must give our lives, For people need the Lord. Greg Nelson and Phill McHugh © 1983 Shepherd?s Fold Music & River Oaks Music/EMI CMP/Small Stone Media BV Holland (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org).  Used By Permission. CCL Licence No. 135015 Copied from The Song Book of The Salvation Army Song Number 418