For His Name's Sake
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Opening Prayer
Opening Prayer
The message tonight
God’s will to be revealed
Softening of hearts
Revival in this church...
Revival in this neighborhood...
Revival in this town...
This county...
This state...
This country
And the farthest regions in this world
And the farthest regions in this world
May the gospel reach the remotest of areas
All the Glory to our heavenly Father
In Jesus Name...
Amen
Opening Illustration
Opening Illustration
Today we will focus on the first half of .
As you open your Bibles to this Psalm I would like to open with this illustration:
In one of the Superman movies, Superman saves a man from a burning building.
He rescues him from the top floor and is carrying him to safety by flying through the skies.
IN ONE of the Superman movies, Superman saves a man from a burning building. He rescues him from the top floor and is carrying him to safety by flying through the skies. The man looks at Superman and then looks down to the ground. “I’m scared, Superman. Look how far down that is.”
The man looks at Superman and then looks down to the ground.
“I’m scared, Superman. Look how far down that is.”
Superman gives him a great answer. “Now if I delivered you from the burning fire, what makes you think I am going to drop you when I’m carrying you to safety?”
Superman gives him a great answer.
“Now if I delivered you from the burning fire...
What makes you think I am going to drop you when I’m carrying you to safety?”
If God has delivered you from a burning hell, what makes you think He will drop you before He safely puts you down?
If God has saved us from hell...
If He saved us from the chains of sin...
If He saved us ultimately from the wrath that was set before us...
Tony Evans, Tony Evans’ Book of Illustrations: Stories, Quotes, and Anecdotes from More than 30 Years of Preaching and Public Speaking (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2009), 90.
What makes you think He will drop you before He safely puts you down?
So, lets look at the fist half of ...
As we dive deeper on what it means for God to be our Shepherd
Reading of the Text
Reading of the Text
Today we will focus on the first half of Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.
3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
Background
Background
Let’s look at some background information before we diesect the text
This passage is part of a psalm that is probably one the best known passages of the Old Testament
It is a testimony by David to the Lord’s faithfulness throughout his life
It is a hymn of confidence
Charles Spurgeon in his masterpiece commentary on Psalms, titled, The Treasury of David said this about :
John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), .
“The position of this Psalm is worthy of notice. It follows the twenty-second, which is peculiarly the Psalm of the Cross. There are no green pastures, no still waters on the other side of the twenty-second Psalm. It is only after we have read, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me!” that we come to “The Lord is my Shepherd.” We must by experience know the value of the blood-shedding, and see the sword awakened against the Shepherd, before we shall be able truly to know the sweetness of the good Shepherd’s care.”
C. H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David: , vol. 1 (London; Edinburgh; New York: Marshall Brothers, n.d.), 353.
So, I would like to focus on six facts about God from this passage:
God’s Shepherding
God’s Provisions
God’s Leading
He Leads
God’s Restoring
God’s Guidance
God’s Motivation
God’s Shepherding
God’s Shepherding
Verse 1a: The LORD is my shepherd
Before we understand the shepherd we must first understand the sheep
The LORD is my shepherd,
The sheep are the people of God, His elect, genuine followers of Christ
And the attributes of the sheep are as follows:
First, sheep are dumb, actually one of the dumbest animals in the world
Maybe this sounds mean...
You be the judge...
This is a excerpt from a real news report:
Hundreds of sheep followed their leader off a cliff in eastern Turkey, plunging to their deaths this week while shepherds looked on in dismay. Four hundred sheep fell 15 meters to their deaths in province near Iran and broke the fall of another 1,100 sheep who survived.
So, one sheep wandered off a cliff and 1,499 others just followed along. Yes, 1,500 sheep, each walked off a cliff, one after the other.
Second, sheep are directionless
Even if a sheep has all it needs in a particular area, they are prone to randomly wander off and get lost
Peter talks about this in his letter:
25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
Finally, sheep are defenseless
Sheep can’t fight, they can’t run away, and they can’t scare away predators....
So what does a sheep do when danger comes?
They flock together with others in a pack and run in circles in complete panic
Sheep are in desperate need of a shepherd
The Shepherd is God
The image of God as shepherd is rich with meaning...
The shepherd stays with the flock...
His sheep are totally dependent upon him for food, water, and protection from wild animals
R. C. Sproul, ed., The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (2015 Edition) (Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust, 2015), 854.
The image of God as a shepherd points to his continual direction, guidance and care for his people.
The image of God as a shepherd points to his continual direction, guidance and care for his people.
The church is God’s flock
Psalms mentions this:
52 But He led forth His own people like sheep And guided them in the wilderness like a flock;
Attributes of a shepherd include:
The shepherd leads and guides his sheep to safety...
Provides for his sheep their needs...
Protects his sheep from danger...
And saves his sheep who are lost or scattered
An amazing fact:
A Shepherd would actually live with his sheep 24 hour a day with unwavering devotion...
Day and night, in good weather and in bad weather...
For the purpose to nurture, guide and protect his sheep...
Even risking his life for there protection
To the sheep, the shepherd is their everything, a constant provider and protector
Again, the Scripture capture this characteristic of the shepherd:
11 Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs And carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.
Sheep know his their shepherd’s voice...
Just as the elect, genuine Christians, know Jesus’ voice
14 “I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me,
Also note in the passage, there is no “if” or “but,” or even an “I hope so;” but David says, “The Lord is my shepherd”...
We must cultivate the spirit of assured dependence upon our heavenly Father...
C. H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David: , vol. 1 (London; Edinburgh; New York: Marshall Brothers, n.d.), 354.
The sweetest word of the whole is that of the word “My”...
He does not say, “The Lord is the shepherd of the world at large”...
Instead, David says “The Lord is my shepherd”...
So even if He is a Shepherd to no one else...
He is a Shepherd to me...
He cares for me…
He watches over me...
He preserves me
Also note that the words are in the present tense...
So, whatever is the believer’s position...
He is even now under the pastoral care of Jehovah.
God’s Provision
God’s Provision
I shall not want.
Verse 1b: I shall not want
If we are in fellowship with God...
If we are in Christ...
He will provide for all our needs
We will lack nothing
We will be completely satisfied with Him
Does He not feed the ravens?
Does He not cause the lilies to grow?
How, then, can he leave his children to starve, physically?...
How, then, can he leave his children to starve, spiritually?...
We know that his grace will be sufficient for us
C. H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David: , vol. 1 (London; Edinburgh; New York: Marshall Brothers, n.d.), 354.
It is not only “I do not want,” but “I shall not want”
C. H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David: , vol. 1 (London; Edinburgh; New York: Marshall Brothers, n.d.), 354.
Others, far wealthier and wiser than I, may want, but I shall not
The wicked always want...
C. H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David: , vol. 1 (London; Edinburgh; New York: Marshall Brothers, n.d.), 354.
But the righteous never do...
A sinner’s heart is far from satisfacfied...
C. H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David: , vol. 1 (London; Edinburgh; New York: Marshall Brothers, n.d.), 354.
C. H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David: , vol. 1 (London; Edinburgh; New York: Marshall Brothers, n.d.), 354.
But a gracious spirit dwells in the palace of content
God’s Leading
God’s Leading
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
Verse 2a: He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters
Green pastures are where the sheep get necessary food
says:
14 “I will feed them in a good pasture, and their grazing ground will be on the mountain heights of Israel. There they will lie down on good grazing ground and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel.
R. C. Sproul, ed., The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (2015 Edition) (Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust, 2015), 854.
Quiet waters refers to the place where sheep get both the water and rest that they need
He calms us down...
Due to the easily frightened nature of sheep, running water would spoke the sheep...
R. C. Sproul, ed., The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (2015 Edition) (Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust, 2015), 854.
A shepherd would need to find large stones and dam up a part of the running water....
This was done in order to slow down the stream of water...
So that the sheep would be able to drink in peace
So, He leads us not just to serenity but He also provides for our needs
He leads me to my physical needs of food and drink...
Even when we we are in panic or dismay or wondering
Our daily bread...
The usage of the word “makes” indicates we are strong willed and filled with anxiety...
And our spiritual needs
But He steps in and forces us to a sense of peace and joy
says:
He
17 for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”
He Leads
He Leads
He leads me beside cquiet waters.
And in :
Verse 2b: He leads me beside quiet waters
He leads not just to serenity but also provides for my needs
He leads me to my physical needs of food and drink...
My daily bread
14 “I will feed them in a good pasture, and their grazing ground will be on the mountain heights of Israel. There they will lie down on good grazing ground and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel.
3 For You are my rock and my fortress; For Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me.
17 for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”
19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Spurgeon goes on to say regarding this:
“What are these “green pastures” but the Scriptures of truth—always fresh, always rich, and never exhausted? There is no fear of biting the bare ground where the grass is long enough for the flock to lie down in it. Sweet and full are the doctrines of the gospel; fit food for souls, as tender grass is natural nutriment for sheep.”
Another note about sheep, they are so fearful and easily panicked, that when scared....
C. H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David: , vol. 1 (London; Edinburgh; New York: Marshall Brothers, n.d.), 354.
They will not lie down to rest...
Only the shepherd can provide the calm that the sheep need to make them lie down
This is speaking to the peace and true satisfaction that only God can provide His flock
God’s Restoration
God’s Restoration
3 He restores my soul;
Verse 3a: He restores my soul
This idiom refers to the physical renewal that sheep experience once they get the needed food, water, and rest mentioned in the previous verse
When the soul grows sorrowful he revives it; when it is sinful he sanctifies it; when it is weak he strengthens it
R. C. Sproul, ed., The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (2015 Edition) (Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust, 2015), 855.
C. H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David: , vol. 1 (London; Edinburgh; New York: Marshall Brothers, n.d.), 355.
However He restores us more than just physically...
But more importantly He restores us spiritually
When the soul grows sorrowful he revives it...
When it is sinful he sanctifies it...
When it is weak he strengthens it
C. H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David: , vol. 1 (London; Edinburgh; New York: Marshall Brothers, n.d.), 355.
He restores us completely...
When we were dead to ourselves He makes us a new creation
He makes us born again
He resurrects us
He brings life into our dead bones
God’s Guidance
God’s Guidance
He guides me in the cpaths of righteousness
Verse 3b: He guides me in the paths of righteousness
He guides us to stay on the narrow road
He keeps us on the path that are for the righteous
He preserves us to the end
Though we may stumble...
We will never fall away
Think of it this way...
The Holy Spirit testifies and points us to Jesus who is the the only Way to the Father...
Faith in Jesus leads to justification and taking on His righteousness
This leads to a life of sanctification, becoming more Christlike and...
When our life ends or He returns...
We will be glorified in our new resurrected bodies
God’s Motivation
God’s Motivation
For His name’s sake.
Verse 3c: For His name’s sake
Everything God does for us is for a purpose...
New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), .
Everything is done for His namesake
God functions as the shepherd of his people for the glory of his own name
We see this over and over again throughout all of Scripture...
Tremper Longman III, Psalms: An Introduction and Commentary, ed. David G. Firth, vol. 15–16, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Nottingham, England: Inter-Varsity Press, 2014), 135.
This is just a few handful of verses:
3 For You are my rock and my fortress; For Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me.
11 For Your name’s sake, O Lord, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.
8 Nevertheless He saved them for the sake of His name, That He might make His power known.
9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; And deliver us and forgive our sins for Your name’s sake.
9 “But I acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations among whom they lived, in whose sight I made Myself known to them by bringing them out of the land of Egypt.
21 But You, O God, the Lord, deal kindly with me for Your name’s sake; Because Your lovingkindness is good, deliver me;
,
25 “I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, And I will not remember your sins.
9 “For the sake of My name I delay My wrath, And for My praise I restrain it for you, In order not to cut you off.
Why?
There is nothing in all of existence...
Nothing seen or unseen that is greater than Him...
Nothing is greater than our Almighty God
When God makes a promise...
He swears by His own name
He is the great “I Am”
All glory, all praise, all our worship, all our focus is to be on Him
The reality is that the Bible is not about us...
We are not the heroes...
Let me make this clear...
We are not David and your problems are not Goliath
No, Jesus is the hero of this story and He defeated Satan, sin and death
What does that make us?
That make us the scared Israelites
The Bible is ultimately about God
God is doing all this fist and foremost for His Glory...
For His glory
We are rebellious, selfish, liars, murderers, hateful, disobedient, enemies of the most high God...
As we discussed with the sheep...
We are dumb, directionless, and defenseless...
God is not doing all this for our “great personalities” and “lovable nature”
God is for God and that is a good thing...
Why is that a good thing you ask?
This is
Because He is for Himself...
Because His attributes are consistent and never changing...
Because God is for the Glory of His name...
His attitude towards us will not change...
No matter how depraved we are
reads:
11 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
Because of Jesus’ perfect completed work on the cross...
11 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
Because of Jesus’ righteousness that is imputed and transferred to us...
We now have fellowship with God...
And benefit by having God work out all things for the Glory of His Name
Because we have a trinitarian God, He is three persons in one...
God’s attribute of love always existed because he has always been relational...
God’s attribute of love always existed...
God did not have to create an object to love...
God, by His own nature, is love...
Therefore, because He is love...
He loved us
If He loved us primary for who we are...
Then, just like with the Fall, we would have messed it up a long time ago...
But thank God...
That God is for God and therefore God is for us
Closing Illustration
Closing Illustration
Closing Illustration
Closing Illustration
In closing, I would like to leave you with a story...
There is this story about Psalm 23 I would like to share with you...
The story is told of an outstanding actor who was asked to entertain one evening at an immense dinner party.
As the great actor arose to speak the room was filled with excitement as the eager guests anticipated his message.
The story is told of an outstanding actor who was asked to entertain one evening at an immense dinner party. As the great actor arose to speak the room was filled with excitement as the eager guests anticipated his message.
The star of the day said that he was going to recite the Twenty-third Psalm.
The star of the day said that he was going to recite the Twenty-third Psalm. This he did in a dramatic and eloquent manner. As soon as he had finished the chamber roared with applause as the audience arose in a standing ovation.
This he did in a dramatic and eloquent manner. As soon as he had finished the chamber roared with applause as the audience arose in a standing ovation...
The next speaker of the evening was an elderly white-haired man who was bowed and feeble, worn by many long years of steadfast, patient labor as a missionary. A hush fell over the audience as he arose. After a moment’s silence he said humbly, “I, too, would like to recite the Shepherd’s Psalm.”
The next speaker of the evening was an elderly white-haired man who was bowed and feeble...
worn by many long years of steadfast, patient labor as a missionary.
A hush fell over the audience as he arose.
After a moment’s silence he said humbly, “I, too, would like to recite the Shepherd’s Psalm.”
Then, lifting his face slightly toward Heaven he closed his eyes and began:
Then, lifting his face slightly toward Heaven he closed his eyes and began:
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth 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 thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
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.”
When the servant of the Lord finished, a pin could have been heard if one had dropped on the floor.
This time there was no applause. There was no standing ovation. Not a sound was heard.
When the servant of the Lord finished, a pin could have been heard if one had dropped on the floor. This time there was no applause. There was standing ovation. Not a sound was heard. Yet, throughout the room there was not a dry eye. Tears were flowing freely.
Yet, throughout the room there was not a dry eye. Tears were flowing freely...
Shortly afterward, a man approached the outstanding actor and said, “I don’t understand. You both said the same thing. Your presentation was perfect in every way. Yet, when he spoke in his halting, imperfect manner, people were moved too deeply for words. What made the difference?”
Shortly afterward, a man approached the outstanding actor and said, “I don’t understand...
You both said the same thing....
Your presentation was perfect in every way.
Yet, when he spoke in his halting, imperfect manner, people were moved too deeply for words...
What made the difference?”
The actor hesitated and then replied, “The answer is simple. I knew the Twenty-third Psalm and I knew it well, but he knows the Shepherd!”
The actor hesitated and then replied,
“The answer is simple. I knew the Twenty-third Psalm and I knew it well...
But he knows the Shepherd!”
Billy Apostolon, Fifty-Two Invitation Illustrations, Preaching Helps Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1972), 11–12.
Call Up Band and Pastor Wayne to Close Out Service
Call Up Band and Pastor Wayne to Close Out Service
So, as Pastor Wayne and the band can make their way up here
Altar Call
Closing Illustration
Closing Illustration
So, as Pastor Wayne and the band make their way up
I would like to ask you
Do you know the Shepherd?
If not, will you receive the Lord Jesus Christ today as your personal Saviour?
Will you accept Jesus as the Lord of your life?
Will you surrender to Him everything you got?
Are you not tired of carrying a weight you cannot bear on your own?
Have you realized how helpless we all truly are yet?
Without the Shepherd, we are lost...
wondering all about...
easily frighted...
completely defenseless...
In need of a Savior
So, come to the Shepherd
Come experience green pastures and quiet waters
Come into fellowship with the most High, the Almighty God
Mark today as the day you made Jesus your personal Lord and Savior