Sermon Tone Analysis
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/Proposition: We are like sheep.
We cannot provide for ourselves, we cannot find our way, neither can we protect ourselves.
We must learn to lean on the only good shepherd: God.
/
!!! Introduction: Sometimes we want to do it ourselves.
Sometimes as father of small children I must learn a delicate balance between doing for my children and letting them do for them selves.
On the one hand if I do not allow my child to experience the process of trial and error, then the growth and development of this child into an adult can be hindered.
On the other hand if I allow a child to perform a task that is clearly beyond his capabilities, either mentally or physically, then I risk either emotional or bodily harm, if not death.
It would be so easy if a child had something like a thermometer with markings and a scale that told a parent just what tasks would be acceptable.
The scale could be as simple as the words “too hard” on one side and the words “too easy” on the other side.
Maybe there could be a thick line exactly in the middle to represent “Just right”.
This scale could be called the “G.
L. Factor” of a task to the child.
(G.
L. Factor= Goldie Lochs Factor).
With no such tool to measure the task to the child I am left to make mistakes.
I usually ask a great deal from my children, and then I swing to the other extreme and don’t allow them to do the task at hand.
It is then that a strange thing happens.
My child wants to do that which is clearly out of his capacity.
The task may be entirely too difficult for him, but he insists on continuing to try without the benefit of help or guidance.
Does he want to impress or please me?
Do we do the same with God?
Do we sometimes want to do for ourselves when we clearly need help?
There are some things in life that we cannot handle by ourselves.
Will we turn to God, or will we keep trying until we give up in defeat and frustration?
!!! (Transition: The Psalm writer understood not only his limitations, but he also knew who provided him with help in times of trouble.)
!!! I.
The qualities of a shepherd
*1.
*Tender
*2. *Strong
*3. *Giving
* II.
**The relationship of shepherd*
* *
*1. **Is the Lord your shepherd?
(v.1)*
David was very familiar with the life and responsibilities of a shepherd, because that is where he was when he was called to the office of king.
Not only did he understand the life of a shepherd he also understood the life of the sheep.
He knew how helpless the sheep were.
As a shepherd David had to provide not only for needs such as food and water, but he also had to provide for their safety and guidance.
By identifying God as his shepherd, David is admitting at least two things: One, he is identifying himself as one who is very dependant, and two, he is claiming to depend on God to provide for him.
As Christians we must also have this frame of thought.
To not affirm both of these sentiments may actually disqualify someone as a Christian.
If one feels self sufficient, why would they call out to any one for help?
If one does feel the need to ask for help, but depends on someone or something other than Our Lord and Savior, then how can one say that he is a Christian?
Are you like a sheep?
Are you helpless?
Do you need help?
Is the Lord you shepherd?
If the Lord is your shepherd, then you know him and He knows you.
*2.
**The Lord knows and is known of his sheep.
(John.
10:3-5,14)*
In the tenth chapter of John, Jesus describes us as the sheep of his pasture, and Jesus describes himself as the Good Shepherd.
As Shepherd Jesus has an intimate relationship with us (His flock).
In Palestine shepherds would gather all their flocks together for safety.
In the morning a shepherd would call to all the sheep, but only his sheep would respond to his voice.
The sheep would know that voice as one that they have herd so many times over their life.
If Jesus is you Shepherd, then you will know Him when he calls
Another thing about the Good Shepherd is that he knows us more intimately than we know him.
He knows us person by person, name by name, and soul by soul.
If the Lord is your Shepherd, then he knows where you are, what you’ve done, and how you feel.
He knows what you are going through.
He knows what you need.
* III.
**The providence of shepherd*
*1.
**Needs are met (v.1)*
The term, “I shall not want”, simply means that the Psalmist has need of nothing.
To lack or to be without something that is needed is not the state of David.
We often salivate over material things in this world, and we say that we ‘need’ them.
We may even get them on our own only to find out that we are not the better but rather the worse for having them.
The hardest thing for us to do is reconciling our sense of need to God’s determination of our needs.
We work more hours, borrow more money, and are delinquent on more bills in order to get what we ‘need’.
Relationships are strained, children are left to their own devices, and marriages fail because we are trying to get and give what we feel is ‘needed’.
What do we really need?
Do we need the latest style and color of shoes?
Do we need to have bigger houses, the best car on the block, or new furniture in the dining room?
David knows that he has everything he needs.
This is commentary on the job that God is doing.
David is saying in essence, “My shepherd is doing a perfect job providing my needs.”
This is not to say that having nice and new things is sin, but what is our perspective?
Will we charge God foolishly if we don’t have everything that we think is needed?
Will we envy others who have what we don’t have?
Will we cut the service to God short; because we are chasing things?
Can we be content to have food and clothing?
Better yet: could we be content with food and clothing even if we don’t get to choose the kind and style?
Sometimes our perspective is so out of whack that the Lord has to get us in line.
*2.
**Relaxation, nourishment, and refreshment (v.
2)*
We are like the little sheep that gets out of line and strays away.
The shepherd has to grab them to get them on track.
There was not much water or grazing land in the deserts of Palestine.
The shepherds of the sheep had to forcibly ‘make’ the sheep stop and get water and food when time permitted.
Another convenient time to stop for water may not be for a long time, so sheep were ‘made’ to stop and get some nourishment and refreshment.
Have you ever stopped at a convenience store while driving a long distance?
Most likely if you have small children with you, then you ‘make’ them go to the restroom.
This is the picture here.
God makes David to lie down in green pastures.
God leads him to still waters.
Green pastures speak of nourishment, and still waters speak of refreshment.
Just like the child is made to do certain things while the car is stopped, God makes us to lie down in green pastures and leads us by the still waters.
The Child might not make it to the next off ramp, so he is made to stop.
We sometimes in our quest for bigger, better; faster, taller, shinier, and slicker forget about what is important.
God has to make some of us lie down as it were.
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