James Burger

JAMES BURGER

James suffered from Korsakoff Syndrome.

According to to the testimony of friends and family he kept to himself but was kind and considerate.

For eighteen years he worked at the steel mill. Unfortunately, after the steel mill closed James was never quite the same.

I’ve been told that James spent much of his life searching for himself.

Fortunately, the Grace House in Athens significantly helped him.

James spent his last years at a longterm care facility, but held on to his faith.

If you are able I would like for you to responsively read psalm 23 with me. I will read the first verse you the second and we will alternate.

Psalm 23 NKJV

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, 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 runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

I. The Lord is my shepherd.

The that we can have is in the understanding that Jesus is our shepherd. Apart from Him there is no direction that we can have that will leave us with fulfilment and certainty.

A. The Lord

This is Jesus Christ.

Throughout the Bible He is called the Lord Jesus Christ. The reason is that if we are to be His sheep we must allow Him to reign in our hearts.

B. My Shepherd

This means that we submit to His authority and follow Him as He leads us.

Often people want a heavenly grandfather that gives to us our every desire. However, He is more than a nice figure that caves to our every whim. Jesus desires to lead our lives.

II. Green pastures and still waters.

Revelation 7:17 NKJV

for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

The still waters is a reference that literally means a place of rest.

When we follow Christ, we will find rest for our souls.

Matthew 11:29 NKJV

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

III. Your rod and staff comfort me.

Hebrews 13:5 NKJV

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

The rod and staff represent the divine protection that is afforded those who follow Christ. Now, don’t be deceived into believing that this means that no sorrow will ever cross our path. However, it does mean that in our sorrow we have the loving hand of the shepherd to comfort us in our distress.

IV. Goodness and Mercy now.

David recognized that hardship, pain, and loss would happen in this life. Yet, Gods goodness and mercy would prevail.

Being a child of God does not remove suffering. Jesus, God incarnate was a man acquainted with sorrow according to Isaiah. Yet, Hos suffering did not mean that He was not good to Himself. Rather, it is a reminder of the fallen, sin-filled world that we live in and our need for a redeemer. Jesus is that redeemer and He stands willing to forgive all of our sin and redeem us to Himself. Not because we are are good and deserving but because of His goodness.

V. God’s presence to come.

John 14:2–3 NKJV

In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

Sometimes people are under the impression that when the children of God die, they go to heaven and get wings. There are angelic beings that have six wings, but that is not for you and I. Furthermore, there are som who believe that when we get to heaven we will all have our own palace. However, when John said mansion he was referring to the old English word for living quarters within a castle. Davis said thatHe would dwell in Gods house forever. For those who die in Christ we will have the blessing of living with our heavenly Father for all eternity. There it will be perfect peace and rest.

Conclusion

Surrender your life to Christ.

Submit to His Lordship and Shepherding of your life.

Receive the blessings of finding still waters in the midst of life’s sorrows. Find your rest in Him.

Experience His grace in this life.

Know His presence in the next life.