Good Shepherd, Bad wolf

Exegetical Idea: God

Homiletical Idea: God looks out for us, so we can follow him in the valley.

Purpose: Listeners will come away with a desire to look for God’s presence in their life and greater confidence to follow him into the unknown with confidence and faith.

Perspective: A wolf talking to a flock who doesn’t realize they have been protected by their shepherd.

Psalm 23 NIV

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Introduction:

This psalm tells the story of God taking care of David like a shepherd takes care of his sheep. I was thinking about what that means. Sheep don’t choose their shepherd. They don’t hire him to lead them around. In fact, sheep don’t even understand shepherds. They probably have no idea what the shepherd is doing most of the time. And yet the shepherd keeps them safe, and they love him and trust him.

So today, to help us see this from a different angle, we’re going to look at the story through one of the characters that is kinda hidden in the margins.

The Wolf

Hi, my name is Lupe, I’m a wolf. I’m serving 5 to 10 up in Levenwolf prison for sheeplifting. I’m here as part of the sheared-straight program. Sheep like you have been straying from their shepherds, so they send us out to tell you about the dangers of wolves.

They sent me here because I was one of the wolves that chased your flock the last time the shepherd took you out to graze. That’s right, I was out there trying to eat you, and I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren’t for that meddling shepherd.

Outline:

Picture 1: Green Pasture

He led you to good pastures and still waters.

Most of this area is desert.

This is that time when your shepherd provided for you in a generous way, and he didn’t have to. He doted on you.

Picture 1B: Desert

I patrol those areas because sheep get lost, and tired, and I gobble them up!

Picture 2: Path

Remember when he led you on the path, and he took you the long way? Maybe you didn’t want to do that way? He even had to grab a few of you with his stick?

You silly sheep, I was waiting for you on the short path! That’s where I get my tastiest meals, too!

Picture 3: Shepherd

You didn’t see me for most of the trip. Remember that time when nothing happened? When everything just kinda happened according to plan? Of course not! You never remember those times.

And you also don’t remember that I was there, hiding in the bushes, waiting for that shepherd to turn his back. But he never did. He didn’t even check his phone!

Picture 4: Dark Valley

Do you remember when the shepherd led you through that really scary valley? Everything was dark, and you couldn’t see where you were going? Do you remember hearing those scary noises?

That was me. No really! Remember this? Well, I did have a few friends with me. Maybe you’ll remember if you do it with me?

But you stayed close to the shepherd. You didn’t even realize it, because you just cowered next to the shepherd.

Picture 5: Feast

Well now you’re here, sitting at your tables, thinking you’re all safe, and you don’t even realize that there are wolves around you.

That shepherd watches over you, even when you don’t see it.

Conclusion

Turn to your tables and talk for a few minutes. Give everyone a chance to talk if they want, and share an example from your life:

When God was especially generous

When God led you away from danger

When “nothing happened” because God was with you

When God helped you through a dark valley