Shepherd and Host

Intro: memorizing with Reese, convicted about this as a father.

Song of David he was shepherd as a boy and host as a king

interesting that he writes not from these perspectives but from a sheep and a guest

Scripture is often read at funerals but..... it is so much more applicable for life. it deals with:

Provision, sanctification, peace, comfort, connection, joy, everlasting love of Christ

2 goals: convict better fatherhood. Take comfort in Jesus as shepherd and host

Pray

Scripture:

Psalm 23 “A Psalm of David. 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 paths of righteousness for his name’s 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 life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

v. 1 I Lack Nothing

“The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want”

v. 2 I do not lack peaceful provision

Gives me opportunity to eat in peace....

V. 3 I do not lack purpose

Soul is restored- conversion, made new

I am being made righteous to glorify God. my purpose is made in him. I’m being brought closer to His perfection

v. 4 I do not lack protection

God is present in the valley, God is present in difficulty. He comforts with with his rod and staff.

Walking with God steering us through the valley, protecting us against threats.....

V. 5 & 6 change metaphors

David view of God changes from a benevolent shepherd to a gracious host.

V. 5

Elevate cleanse bless

v. 6

Nearness

the result of God in your life

Perpetual presence of God is desired

Fatherhood

We are to shepherd, we are to host our family

Do we look like this?

Elevate, are we near, do we bless them, do we lead them in righteousness, do we encourage their purity, protect, guide them toward their purposes, do we make peace a priority? Our kids need not lack because of their father

Luke 14:16-24

Luke 14:16-24 “But he said to him, “A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet”

John 10:1-11

John 10:1–11 ESV

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.