The King is Coming: He is Our Great and Unmatched Shepherd

Main Point: When we look to the Lord, we find a God beyond our wildest dreams and life in abundance—even though we experience discipline from God’s hands!

When we are disciplined, comfort is found within God’s presence. ()

· Comfort (neham): means to find consolation following regret, sorrow, grief.

· “Speak tenderly”: means to speak to the heart—it has the idea of wooing and winning the affections of another.

· Though we deserve eternal judgment, and receive temporal discipline, the Lord works to so we can REPENT and LOVE Him—Jesus brought our redemption (vs. 3) & ().

o God sends prophets to speak His word (vs. 3)

o God sends kings (and the KING) to comfort us (vs. 11)

o God corrects the obstacles that keep us from Him (vs. 3)

The eternal God is coming to rule in might and gently shepherd His people! ()

· Life is fleeting, but God is powerful (vs. 7)

· The world is fading, but God’s word is unfailing (vs. 8)

· God’s attributes demand we look at Him (vs. 9)

· The Lord’s strength is our source of protection (vs. 10)

· The Lord’s eternal power is our source of eternal, loving, and gentle care (vs. 11)

The First Question: Who works, thinks, and evaluates like God? ()

· The Lord’ greatness, actions, and work is beyond what we deem impressive (vs. 12)

· God is beyond our counsel (vs. 13-14)

· We are insignificant when contrasted to the Lord (vs. 15-17)

The Second Question: Who and what can we compare to God? ()

· Nothing crafted compares to God (vs. 18-20)

· God is the creator and sustainer (vs. 21-24)

· No one compares to God (vs. 25-26)

· God has an account of all things (vs. 26)

The Third Question: Why do we act like God does not see or care? ()

· We think our way is hidden from God

· We think God disregards what we do

· God is not tire in His work

· God strengthens His children

· Those who wait for God are strengthened by God

How should I respond?

Inspect your life based upon the seven churches in Revelation:

1. Sardis = The dead church

2. Ephesus = The loveless church

3. Laodicea = The indifferent church

4. Thyatira = The immoral church

5. Pergamos = The untruthful church (compromised by false teaching)

6. Philadelphia = The faithful church

7. Smyrna = The suffering church

What are you hiding from God? Remember… He knows our thoughts and works!

Seek to see God—what are you doing to draw near to the Lord?

1. Christianity is not about reading the Bible—it is about knowing God through the Bible.

2. Christianity is not about performance based prayer—it is about interacting with the Lord through prayer and His Word.

3. Christianity is not about attending church—it is about glorifying God and testifying to His greatness with others.

4. Christianity is not about molding your life to fit a set of rules—it is about separating yourself unto God.

5. Christianity is not about advancing the church into the surrounding world—it is about inviting others to join a family that experiences true and authentic love

When we water Christianity down to mere rules and habits, we miss the dynamic relationship with have with the ONE, TRUE, MIGHTY, GREAT, AND AWESOMELY-LOVING GOD!

Here’s a tough question: Can you describe God from your experience of Him?