What More Shall I Want
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· 3 viewsThis uplifting sermon delves into the profound relationship between Jesus, our Shepherd, and His followers. It emphasizes the transformative power of God's guidance, illustrating how Jesus not only restores our souls but also leads us along righteous paths that offer peace and purpose. With relatable language and heartfelt examples, the message encourages the congregation to embrace their divine calling—to shine brightly in a world often shrouded in darkness. By walking in righteousness, individuals become living testimonies of God's goodness, illuminating the way for others and drawing them closer to His love. This sermon serves as a powerful reminder of the vital role believers play as beacons of hope in their faith journey.
Notes
Transcript
Scripture Invitation
Scripture Invitation
As we prepare our hearts for God's Word, I summon your senses and invite your intellect to the book of Psalm 23.
It is there that the Holy Spirit has highlighted our context for our sermonic time together this morning.
Bible Passage
Bible Passage
A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth 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 thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Prayer
Prayer
Consecrate me now to thy service, Lord,
By the power of your grace divine;
Let our souls look up with a steadfast hope,
And our will be lost in thine,
This is our Prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus We Pray, Amen.
Introduction
Introduction
This morning, I want to delve deeply into this sacred verse, to grasp the profound assurance that David, the Psalmist, was declaring.
The Lord
The Lord
The psalm begins with a bold declaration, “The Lord!” And right there, we find the foundation of our faith!
This is where David finds his solace and strength.
In a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, he turns to the only One who can truly provide comfort—the LORD, Yahweh, the eternal, sovereign, and delivering God, who is his Shepherd!
Now, I need you to understand something profound here!
David isn’t just talking about any shepherd; he’s talking about the Good Shepherd!
But here’s the truth, my friends: so many people place their trust and faith in all manner of things—money, power, influence, even in people!
But let me remind you what the Psalmist says: “Some trust in chariots and some in horses.”
These are they who put their faith in the might of armies and the strength of earthly things.
But what does the Word say? “But we trust in the name of the LORD our God!”
That’s where our confidence lies!
Oh, the name of the LORD is a strong tower!
It’s a fortress where the righteous run in and are safe!
When the storms of life come raging, when the enemy tries to attack, I run to that tower!
I take refuge in His name!
And let me tell you, there’s power in that name!
Demons tremble at the name of Jesus!
Sickness has to bow at the name of Jesus!
Fear cannot stand in the presence of the name of the LORD!
So, I ask you today, where do you place your trust?
Are you leaning on your own understanding, or are you resting in the arms of the Shepherd?
When you declare, “The Lord,” you’re saying, “I have everything I need!”
You’re proclaiming that your faith & hope is anchored in the One who never fails!
Is
Is
The verse continues with "Is"
Can you make that declaration today?
Can you proclaim with confidence that the Almighty God IS your Shepherd right now?
Not “was,” as if He only acted in the past, nor “will be,” anticipating a future action, but IS—a present, active Shepherd in your life!
You see, David held unwavering confidence in who God IS at this very moment!
He knew that the Lord wasn’t just a memory of past victories or a promise for tomorrow.
No, the Lord IS his Shepherd right here, right now!
And if there’s one thing I want you to grab hold of today, it’s this: God is not distant; He is present!
He’s not just a figure in history; He’s a living reality in your life!
Oh, I need you to understand the power of that present tense!
It means that His provision is available to you right now!
When you face trials, He IS your comfort!
When you walk through darkness, He IS your light!
When you feel lost, He IS your guide!
He’s not just the Shepherd of yesterday; He’s the Shepherd of today, leading you through every storm, every valley, and every battle!
My
My
The Psalmist goes on with the word “My,” and oh, what a declaration that is!
The beauty of this psalm lies in its intimacy!
It’s not just a lofty, abstract concept; it’s a personal relationship!
Notice how personal it is!
Throughout these six verses, we see terms like 'I', 'my', 'me', 'he', and 'his' used over and over again—about 30 times, if you count them up!
It’s a reminder that the Lord is not just a distant overseer of a vast flock; no, my friends, He is MY Shepherd!
He is intimately concerned with each of His sheep, and that includes you!
You are not just a face in the crowd; you are known by name!
He knows your struggles, your hopes, your dreams, and yes, even your fears!
You see, this isn’t just about a collective group; it’s about a personal connection.
He knows us individually, and He cares for us deeply!
When David wrote this psalm, he wasn’t just speaking about a generic God; he was speaking from the depths of his heart!
He knew what it meant to be cared for, to be protected, and to be loved by the Shepherd.
And let me tell you, that same Shepherd is here with us today!
He’s not too busy to notice you.
He’s not too far away to hear your prayers.
He’s right here, ready to guide you, comfort you, and provide for you!
He is a personal Savior!
He is MY Shepherd!
When you cry out, “Lord, help me!” He responds, “I’m right here, My child! I’ve got you!”
Shepherd
Shepherd
Let’s take a moment to reflect on the profound imagery that the Psalmist paints when he refers to God as his “Shepherd.”
What a vivid picture that is!
And what makes this especially profound is that David himself was a shepherd!
Oh yes, he knows what he’s talking about!
His experience tending to sheep gave him unique insight into this beautiful relationship.
You see, being a shepherd requires a deep understanding of the needs of the flock.
It’s not just about leading them; it’s about providing nourishment, ensuring safety, and guiding them toward the right paths.
David learned firsthand the responsibilities and care that come with shepherding.
He knew what it meant to protect the weak, to nurture the hungry, and to guide the lost!
And through this, he recognizes the profound nature of God’s guidance in his own life.
When David says, “The Lord is my Shepherd,” he’s speaking from a place of deep understanding!
He knows that just as he cared for his sheep, God cares for him!
Now, let me take you to the New Testament, where Jesus often likened Himself to a shepherd to illustrate His relationship with believers.
In John 10:11, He boldly declares, “I am the Good Shepherd.”
He lays down His life for the sheep!
That’s love, my friends!
When we affirm that “The LORD is my shepherd,” we embrace the assurance that with His protection and provision, we will lack nothing essential.
Our desires may be many, but it is God who supplies our true needs!
He knows what you need before you even ask!
He sees your struggles, hears your prayers, and provides in His perfect timing!
So, I ask you today, do you possess the same confidence that David had?
Can you trust in the Good Shepherd with your life?
Understand this, beloved: this is not a promise of a life devoid of trials, but it reassures us that the Shepherd knows exactly what we need and when to provide it!
He makes me… He leads me
He makes me… He leads me
The Psalmist continues by saying in verses Psalms 23:2
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
Jesus, our Shepherd, knows exactly what we need, and He supplies nourishment and rest for our souls!
You see, often in life’s trials, we exhaust ourselves searching for solutions, running here and there, trying to figure it all out on our own.
But let me remind you today, it’s Jesus—not us—who knows when and where to provide rest and refreshment!
He sees us in our hustle, He hears our weary hearts, and He gently calls us to Himself, saying, “Come to me, all you who are weary, and I will give you rest!”
Then the text says, “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.”
It tells us that the Lord orchestrates times of rest!
He knows that we need those green pastures, those places of peace and abundance!
He doesn’t just throw us into the chaos of life and leave us to fend for ourselves; no, He provides for us!
He provides for us spiritual sustenance!
He nourishes us with the Word of God, that living bread that fills our souls!
When we feast on His Word, we find strength for the journey, hope for the hopeless, and joy in the midst of sorrow!
It’s in those quiet moments with Him that He fills us up and empowers us to keep moving forward!
And He brings us to quiet waters that refresh and restore our souls!
Oh, can I tell you, there’s nothing like the peace of God that surpasses all understanding!
When the world is raging around us, when the storms of life threaten to overwhelm us, our Shepherd invites us to those still waters where we can find tranquility!
Paths of Righteousness
Paths of Righteousness
Then in verse Psalms 23:3 the Psalmist says
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
In this profound declaration, we see that the Shepherd not only restores our souls but also guides us along the paths of righteousness.
These aren’t just ordinary roads we walk, they are divine pathways that lead us to true rest and abundant provision.
While the journey may be fraught with challenges, each step taken on these righteous paths is a step toward the fulfillment of God’s purpose in our lives.
God’s unwavering desire is to mold us into sons and daughters who radiate His glory and reflect His light in a world that often dwells in darkness.
Romans 8:29 reminds us that we are predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.
This transformation is not a mere suggestion; it is a divine mandate rooted in His love for us.
As we walk in righteousness, we become living testimonies to the goodness and faithfulness of God.
Our lives are meant to shine brightly, illuminating the way for others.
Jesus calls us to be beacons of hope, declaring, "Let your light shine before men."
When we embrace the paths our Shepherd lays before us, we not only find restoration for our souls, but we also become vessels of His love and truth, drawing others to Him.
Shadow of Death
Shadow of Death
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Let’s take a moment to dive deep into this mighty word!
The Psalmist says, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.”
Now, I want you to stop right there and think about that word: shadow.
A shadow, my friends, is just an imperfect and faint representation.
It has no substance!
So the question I have for you this morning is, when has a shadow ever harmed you?
Allow me to illustrate this for you.
You see, if you are outdoors, in order to see a shadow, there has to be a light shining from the Sun!
You can’t have a shadow without a light source, and so when we are outside the Sun can cast shadows.
You cant see a shadow without the S.U.N. just like you can’t have the victory without the S.O.N.!
When Jesus, the light of the world, is shining in your life, that shadow of fear, that shadow of doubt, it can loom large, but it can’t touch you!
Thats why we can declare “I will fear no evil, for thou are with me!”
With Jesus as your Shepherd, you’ve got nothing to fear!
Those shadows are but whispering threats, but they’re just that—whispers!
They can’t destroy you!
When you walk through your darkest hours, when the enemy tries to press in, remember that the Son is shining bright beside you!
His rod and staff, they will comfort you!
They protect you!
They guide you!
So, when those shadows come creeping in, lift your head up high and declare, “As long as the Son is with me, I have no fear!”
Somebody Shout Hallelujah!
The Table
The Table
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Church, let me tell you something powerful today!
Everybody in this world is looking for a seat at the table.
They’re hustling, bustling, and trying to squeeze into places that were never meant for them!
But I’m here to remind you of a glorious truth: you don’t need to fight for a spot at someone else’s table, because God is preparing a table just for you!
Yes, I said it
He’s got a table set up with your name on it!
When God prepares that table, He lays out everything you need.
He fills it to the brim with blessings, favor, and abundance!
And guess what?
While He’s setting the table for you, your enemies can only watch from a distance!
They can’t touch what God has ordained for you.
Oh, they may try to whisper doubts and cast shadows, but all they can do is sit back and see how God prepares your feast!
You see, after you have feasted at His table, He’s going to anoint your head with oil!
That oil represents His favor, His blessing, & His empowerment!
He’s going to appoint you to places where your enemies said you couldn’t go, places where people said you were unqualified to be!
Oh, I feel it in my spirit!
Places where your family and friends couldn’t make it, but God does not call the qualified, he qualifies the called!
Don’t you let anyone tell you that you don’t belong!
Don’t you let anyone convince you that you’re not worthy!
God is elevating you to heights that others only dreamed about!
And when He is done blessing you, the Word of God tells us that your blessings will overtake you!
Like a cup that runneth over, your life will spill over with goodness and mercy!
So, lift your hands and give Him praise, because He’s setting the table, He’s pouring out blessings, and your enemies?
They can only watch as you dine in the presence of the Lord!
You’ve got a seat at the King’s table, and it’s time to feast!
Somebody shout glory!
And I Shall Dwell
And I Shall Dwell
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
We have reached the climax of this powerful Psalm, where the Psalmist proclaims,
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life!”
Now, let me break this down for you, because this right here is a promise that should set your soul on fire!
Goodness my brothers & sisters is the divine favor of God that chases you down!
It’s the blessings that you didn’t even see coming!
You woke up this morning, that’s goodness!
You took a breath in your lungs, that’s goodness!
You’ve got food on your table and clothes on your back—that’s goodness!
It’s that overflowing grace that God pours into your life, even when you don’t deserve it!
And mercy!
Oh, mercy!
That’s the love of God that doesn’t give you what you do deserve.
It’s the forgiveness that washes away your sins and the grace that lifts you when you fall!
When the enemy tries to remind you of your past, mercy steps in and says, “Not today!
You are covered by the blood!”
Mercy is that gentle reminder that no matter how far you’ve strayed, God is right there, ready to welcome you back with open arms!
Now, let’s not overlook that word “follow.”
Oh, I need you to catch this!
Goodness and mercy aren’t just casually strolling behind you; they’re chasing after you!
They’re pursuing you with relentless love!
When you wake up in the morning, goodness and mercy are right there, waiting to greet you.
When you step out into the world, they’re right there beside you, guiding you on your way!
And then the Psalmist declares, “And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
That’s where it gets real good!
To dwell means to live, to abide, to make your home in the presence of the Almighty!
Can you see it?
You’re not just a guest; you are a permanent resident in the house of the Lord!
In His house, there’s peace that surpasses all understanding!
In His house, there’s joy that the world cannot give!
In His house, there’s love that never fails!
And it’s not just for a season; it’s for all eternity!
So let me tell you, you have a place at His table, a room in His mansion, and a spot in His heart!
As I close
I’m grateful to know that:
The Lord is my Shepherd, That’s Relationship!
I shall not want, That’s Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, That’s Rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters, That’s Refreshment
He restoreth my soul, That’s Healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness, That’s Guidance!
For His name sake, That’s Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, That’s Testing!
I will fear no evil, That’s Protection!
For Thou art with me, That’s Faithfulness!
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me, That’s Relief!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies, That’s Hope!
Thou annointest my head with oil, That’ s Con-se-cration!
My cup runneth over, That’s Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, That’s Blessings!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever, That’s Eternity!