The Relational Shepherd

Introduction:

This afternoon we have gathered here to celebrate the life of a beautiful lady, Ruth White. She leaves a legacy of love & faith and she had a walk with God that was very evident. We have no doubt that on Sunday night, Oct. 14 there was a great joy present in heaven. There for sure was dancing and shouting and celebrating.

Today and in the past number of days we have heard and shared wonderful stories about Ruth and how she lived her life. I feel so priviledged to have been able to know her in the short time I have been here in CBS. I remember the first time I visited with her in the hospital she wanted prayer. She lived believing that prayer changed things, and definitely changed lives. She was a woman of prayer a prayer warrior.

Gord shared with me a story that when Ruth and Pat were at the church here in the prayer room praying one day. A man came to the church to do some work and the door to the prayer room was closed and there was a no way he could tell the number of people present. But he could sure hear them. There was a lot of “noise” coming from the prayer room. The man said my goodness there must be a lot of people there praying. Gord laughed and said there are only two there. She was a woman of faith and a prayer warrior.

So when Ruth requested that I would come into the hospital and visit with her again I was all too pleased to go see her. I accounted it to be a pleasure and highlight to spend time with her. Gord told her no Ruth we don’t have to ask the pastor to come in to pray, I can pray with you she responded saying no her prayers are better. Coming from this prayer warrior I take it as a great compliment. She had that way about her that made you feel special and appreciated.

Earlier in the service we had Psalm 23 read by her beautiful granddaughter. This fits how Ruth lived. She had a relationship with the Shepherd

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.

1. Relationship

Her family would tell you that Ruth made sure they knew about the things of God. She taught her family about faith, prayer, attending church and knowing Christ.

Psalm 23:1–2 NKJV

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.

David wrote this Psalm from personal experience because he too was a shepherd. David knew God. He spent time with God. He was refreshed by God. God provided for him and he lacked nothing. David was satisfied. David called the Lord his shepherd. David knew his shepherd well and the Lord knew David too.

We need to know our position in Christ. We know our position in Christ by having a relationship with Him. Through our talking to Him, surrendering our life to Him, trusting Him and having faith in Him.

The story was told of a wealthy businessman from London who searched many years for his runaway son. One afternoon he was preparing to board a train to London when he spotted a man in ragged, dirty clothing begging for money from passengers along the station platform. His first impulse was to avoid the beggar, but there was something strangely familiar about him. When the beggar approached and asked the man if he could spare some money, the businessman realized he had found his long lost son. When he realized this he responded “A few shillings? you are my son - everything I have is yours!”

Unlike the businessman’s son, David knew he belonged to the Lord. The Good shepherd provided for him. God’s provisions are certainly available, but only if the Lord is your Shepherd.

2. Restoration

Psalm 23:3 NKJV

He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.

Sheep wander it is their nature to do so. Therefore, they need a shepherd to keep them on the right path.

1 Peter 2:25 NKJV

For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

We wander and stray but the Good Shepherd restores us and makes us right with God again. Only He can make us right with God again. The restoration He gives is forgiveness of sin and peace with God. This is the reason why Jesus came to earth in the first place.

We can be restored through repentance and faith.

The word repent means that we stop going our own way and return to the good shepherd

Isaiah 53:6 NKJV

All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

We ask Jesus to restore our souls.

John 10:11 NKJV

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

This is the legacy that Ruth leaves behind. She had asked the Good Shepherd to come in and restore her soul. And He did and that was a game changer for her, because of this restoration she received she lived it out loud. Ruth loved people of all walks of life. She had time for those others did not have time for. She treated them well and went out of her way to make them feel special.

She loved her church and served as a pillar of the church in Sunday School, Children’s ministry, VBS, women’s world day of prayer, board member, prayer ministry, change matters. She served on the WM executive until May of this year.

She would book two tables for the Christmas Candlelight service for her family to attend with her. Her pride and joy was her family and to have them with her. She was going up to sing one time in church and forgot her glasses and part way up Gord came over to her rescue with his glasses to give her so she could do her thing. She just laughed at herself and went on. She was herself, she was real. She had restoration from the Good Shepherd and nothing was going to stop her from serving Him well.

3. Reassurance

Psalm 23:4 NKJV

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.

There are a lot of people today wondering how can one have assurance when facing death?

I don’t believe for one minute Ruth feared death. She lived through a lot but her faith in God was what brought her peace and assurance.

You gain assurance by making this journey with the Shepherd. He knows the way.

If you travel through the mountains of Tibet you need a guide to get you through because the weather closes in on you and you can’t see where you are going. But a guide can get you through because he knows the way so well. He has made the journey many times before.

The Good shepherd has journeyed through death and came out VICTORIOUS!! Jesus Christ conquered death and came out the victor! He defeated death, sin, Hell and the grave. He knows the way and He will personally lead you home if you are His sheep.

This is the reassurance that is present today for Ruth’s family. She’s home! No pain, no suffering because she put her faith in Jesus and she was one of His sheep. Take comfort in this today.

4. Reward

Psalm 23:5–6 NKJV

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.

Those who belong to the Good Shepherd receive a lavish welcome when they arrive home. The table that is spoken of here speaks of feasting and fellowship. This will continue forever and ever. God’s sheep will never again leave His house.

Verse 6 summarizes really well the life of those who follow the Good Shepherd. Goodness and mercy follows them all their lives and then they dwell in the house of the Lord FOREVER!

That’s the reward of a faithful life serving Jesus. Ruth is experiencing that reward today!

Today we hurt because parting is hard. We love her and it is hard to imagine not seeing that beautiful smile. One of the things I loved to see when I walked in the room was her smile. She said to me Pastor do you ever not smile. I laughed and responded I can’t answer that you’ll have to ask my husband that one. We laughed at that together.

When I would walk in and she knew I was there she was thrilled to have me there. She made me feel welcome and special. I am so happy to have had this time with her. She has made an impact on my life. I feel a connection to this beautiful family. This evening I want to remind you that Ruth is celebrating her eternal reward. Take hope in this and be ready to join her. She is there saying wait until you see all that awaits you. She will be looking to celebrate and feast together that the table together FOREVER!

We don’t doubt where she is today, she lived her life for Jesus and would want all who knew her and loved her to know, love and serve the Jesus she knew, loved and served. She has left a legacy behind for her family and friends that she knew God, loved God, was dramatically changed by God and we too can have the same.

Conclusion:

Today, we have looked at a beautiful life and looked at such a comforting scripture. I pray the peace of God would rule and reign in the lives present here today. May you surrender yourselves to the Good Shepherd and experience relationship with Him, let Him restore your soul, give you reassurance of where you stand and then you can celebrate your life because you know that you have an eternal reward waiting for you. This is how I know Ruth lived her life and would want the same for you.

I came across an illustration that I thought would be fitting to share to close this message with:

A famous entertainer was once asked to recite the 23rd Psalm in a performance. A large audience filled a large auditorium. After he finished everyone gave him a generous round of applause. After this an old man was asked to present the same Psalm. When he finished there was not a dry eye in the place. Everyone was touched by his devotion to the Shepherd. The entertainer came back to continue the program. Before starting the program he said, I know the Psalm, but he knows the Shepherd!

Ruth new the Shepherd, her life displayed it. Does yours?