Why I Serve the Lord
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I have often been asked, “Why are you a christian?”.
I have often been asked, “Why are you a christian?”.
Often with a note of incredulity
Often seen as weakness
Yet, on the other hand, when you look at what is happening in the US I see why it would seem odd that a rational person would be a christian…
Statistics on religion in the US.
Statistics on religion in the US.
In the US
#1 Nearly one-fifth of all U.S. adults have no religious affiliation whatsoever. Back in 1972, only 7 percent of all U.S. adults had no religious affiliation.
#2 The number of Americans with no religious affiliation has grown by 25 percent over the past five years.
#3 The younger you are the more likely you are not to be affiliated with a religion. 9 percent of all U.S. adults that are 65 or older have no religious affiliation, but a whopping 32 percent of all U.S. adults under the age of 30 have no religious affiliation.
#4 88 percent of those that are religiously unaffiliated “are not looking for religion”.
#5 LifeWay Research has also found that 46 percent of all Americans never even think about whether they will go to heaven or not.
After reading these statistics, it’s no wonder people ask the question; “Why are you a christian!”.
After reading these statistics, it’s no wonder people ask the question; “Why are you a christian!”.
I could literally write a book and entitle it; “Why I serve the Lord”.
But this morning I wan to take one small chapter of the bible - very familiar - and leave it as the answer as to why I come to the House of God every Sunday…
Read together
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 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.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
Thou lanointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 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.
This passage best encapsulates the why in my service to God.
This passage best encapsulates the why in my service to God.
This passage best encapsulates the why in my service to God.
More than any other passage…
More than any other reasoning…
Davids words stands as an answer to all!
It is no wonder that he would wright…
For he is our God; And we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,
Know ye that the Lord he is God: It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Look at the passage…
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Really, this answers the question…
Why am I a christian? Because he leads me and fulfills my every need!
BUT let’s continue on and let these verses continue to answer the question.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the
still waters.
“He maketh me” - He knows what is best…
Sometimes we can all be obstinate and even childish, BUT the shepherd knows best!
knows best!
And he makes me lie down in green pastures beside stilll waters…
3 He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
his name’s sake.
Why restoration?
1. He understands that life can be rough and leave you with gaping wounds…
2. He also understands that sometime in my ignorance, I don’t listen to him when we are in the green pastures and at the sill waters and he has to come find me and heal my wounds!
This is where I learn the paths of righteousness!
“…for his names sake…” - His reputation depends on your well being!
4 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.
no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
In the darkest times of life God is with me!
This verse is directly tied to - God will never leave or forsake us!
Rod and staff are weapons to protect the sheep from all danger!
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
lanointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
When my enemies are all around, my shepherd prepares a banquet hall and all
is well!
My cup runneth over - more blessings then I can contain!
6 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.
6 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.
In modern English, the word surely indicates hope - Surely he will come…
In biblical times quite opposite: Of a surety goodness and mercy…
Goodness: ability to discern right and wrong (paths of righteousness)
Mercy: favor of God
Because of all this, David said - I will live in Gods house all my life.
Modren translation: I will serve Him because of the above…
I will be a christian because of all the above…
Conclusion
Conclusion
Conclusion
In 1936 a young girl by the name of Mary Stevenson wrote a poem that has encouraged many.
In 1936 a young girl by the name of Mary Stevenson wrote a poem that has encouraged many.
I believe it could be referred to as a modern day
You may recognize this poem…
One night I had a dream…
One night I had a dream…
I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord, and Across the sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; One belonged to me, and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of my life flashed before us, I looked back at the footprints in the sand. I noticed that many times along the path of my life, There was only one set of footprints.
Across the sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; One belonged to me, and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of my life flashed before us, I looked back at the footprints in the sand. I noticed that many times along the path of my life, There was only one set of footprints.
I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest
and saddest times in my life
This really bothered me, and I questioned the Lord about it.
“Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,
You would walk with me all the way;
But I have noticed that during the
most troublesome times in my life,
There is only one set of footprints.
I don’t understand why in times when I
needed you the most, you should leave me.
The Lord replied, “My precious, precious
child. I love you, and I would never,
never leave you during your times of
trial and suffering.
When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you.
Don’t forget Jesus Loves YOU!
Don’t forget Jesus Loves YOU!