Sunday Service

Well, for those of you who are not here for the first two installments of the series of the 23rd psalm. I'm going to preach all three storms. No don't panic. Let me give you an overview though, because this week we entered into this song. It's so familiar. We've been looking to see it from different angles to see if there's something that we missed by the familiarity. And the first thing that I noticed and I shared them the first part of this song. Is it David Begins the 23rd psalm speaking as though to an audience to his friend to those who read his poem later on to those who will pray it to those who will sing it as our flyer did today. It is as though he is telling his story to all who will listen but in the second part when he gets to that part about the Valley of the shadow of death. the most dramatic heart of it you suddenly addresses only one person and that is God himself. No longer is he just sharing his experiences with other believers or those who would be to be Believers? He is now just praising God for God's Karen God being his Shepherd in the darkest times the most frightening time the Valley of the shadow of death. He says when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil because you my shepherd King are with me. Your Rod and your staff Lord Of My Life they comfort me And I was working on the final part and I was thinking okay, what's more dramatic than dealing with the Valley of the shadow of death? And then you get two tables oil cops yada yada yada.

That's why I have to go back and take another look at it prayerfully. I got bras from Recollections to mine. Some of them might be silly. But they open to my vision to something a little bit different. When David says you prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies What on earth does that mean? But what a silly memories that came to mind when we lived in Port St. Lucie. We would go down to Palm Beach. I would take the youth group and the children in the son from VBS and various group including my own family to the zoo that you probably never even heard of the Palm Beach Zoo is not exactly the National Zoo. But it's a nice little compact zoo in a park. I'm right where the lion's cage was which was kind of a centerpiece and this really vicious huge carnivore. Was just a few feet behind the fence at a picnic table along the sidewalk. and I was thinking about the irony of that that here you might see a family with this little tiny girl like the littlest who in Whoville Separated from a carnivore by what 510 ft?

And she is perfectly at ease. They're having a picnic. She has her sandwich in her hand. She might even pretend to be saying Hey or mr. Lian, would you like a bite of my sandwich not a care in the world? No fear of this printer who could take her in one bite. I don't think it's because she sees the fence and she says old pencils are good. I know all that pensive, but she trusts the people who brought her. Her parents there her Shepherds and her little life. They are the equivalent of Our Shepherd. I prepare a table for her be at a picnic table in the presence of one of the deadliest enemies in the Wild Kingdom. I think about that.

Because the imagery here is not just I will feed you when your enemies are pressing and around you but I will prepare a table as it goes off.

I know I have another sprained your memory. I remember watching some great epic motion picture about the life and conquest of Napoleon Bonaparte. And you know, he is always always has his hand in his coat and I'm sure you actually did that. But here he is out on the battlefield. And in that scene the enemies of the Napoleonic army or round about him and he is getting ready for the next battle. They could be a turning point in the war and it comes out of his tent and there in front of his tent his aides have set up a banquet table. A table a large size table with a thrown like dining room chair candelabra on it a tablecloth. And they bring him a Sumptuous Michelin 5 Star French cuisine meal and a fresh bottle of Chateau troescher. Here is this man? Who is on the verge of going to the battle? And yet we see him sitting in an opulent table as though he's having a party. His was a one-man party, but it's an interesting image because that's what David a sort of describing here. It doesn't say God feeds us but he set a table before us and I was thinking throughout the scriptures to sit down at a table for a meal with anybody is an act of fellowship and acts of Charity, if you will or Goodwill a sharing of community.

And the most famous table in all human history. Was set for a party. It was set for commemoration. It was set for the number-one holiday in the life of God's people. It was the Last Supper of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now you might say well that wasn't an opulent banquet but in a way it was because of the ancient world if you went to the home of a rich person as a guest Not only would they seat you in a place of honor at the table that was prepared for you, but as Jesus demonstrated that the Last Supper they also attended your every need a servant would wash your feet of course of the Last Supper. It was not a servant. It was The Lord Of Life the son of God.

In a wealthy house. They would give you rich oil. scented with spices Hospitality but also to care for you people would come out of the hot desert heat and they would be given oil Jesus at one point says where the Pharisees you didn't give me a water wash my feet you can give me any oil to anoint my head was that about It was the first entry version of sunscreen. first it was to comfort the person who's been out in the heat of the Mideast add to help heal the burning of the Sun and help protect them from the sun when they leave that place. It was a occulent Hospitality. It is an extravagant hospitality. And this is the table that that David sees in his illustration of his phone and he still addressing God did not say some rich cousin invited me to a wedding and they got really good reception food. He's talking about the God of the universe his Shepherd sets before him a table in the middle of being surrounded by enemies. I'm taking time to give you the little finishing touches oil to comfort and soothe you from the heat of the world in which you operate every day. And then he comes to a very interesting part. He says my car. We all know it really sucks running over because we all grew up with King changed over flows.

You got just messy. What's his overflowing cup routine? If you want to see it over flowing cup go to the home of anyone who has toddlers. And the more important the dinner when you have important visitors the more likely it is that tommee tippee will tip without a lid. An overflowing cup for us does not sound like good news, but let me draw your attention something you might have seen that is a powerful image of the opulence extravagance that David is talking about in the god provides how many of you know, what a champagne Tower looks like. It's okay. We're not Baptist. You can confess you've actually seen one.

On TV, of course. Okay. This if you're busy today, this is how it works. You're coming. I ask people how you ever done this seeing this or in the part about this and then I have to confess. Yeah, I know all about it. But a champagne power is where it's at the center of the reception Celebration The Host has set out in a square pattern absolutely identical glasses that are empty and then the next layer on top of those glass that you put some other stack of them a little bit smaller until the pyramid Rises up high above the table and there's one glass on top and it was great ceremony. He brings out the best champagne cork. And begins to feel that one glass on top and he feels and it feels until finally it spills over and as it does it trickles into the next layer of glasses until they fill to overflowing and spill over into the next level until finally pouring into that one cup it overflows to a hundred glasses filled to overflowing and finally that overflows onto the tray beneath is a sign that extravagant started in France everything to do drinking started France. I'm pretty sure Back in the 1600s, but it is if it's a symbol of opulence of extravagant almost as wasteful hospitality. But when David talks about it, he is giving us exactly that same scenario that when God cares for us and God celebrate with us. It flows over blessings are beyond our capacity to take in God always gives opulently.

Did Jesus do that? Well at the Last Supper there was no mention of overflowing cups.

But his first miracle was just left. You remember the story of the wedding Feast at Cana first century Jewish festivals like that would go on for days. They not only have the wedding ceremony and what we would call reception but people would drop in 4 days on hand after the wedding should congratulate the couple congratulate the family and of course have refreshments and in the homes that have the greatest Hospitality, they would serve wine just flowing continually and you remember the story that when Jesus went there with his disciples his mother daughter beside and said Son, we've got a problem. They're running out of wine. And Jesus great response was woman, which by the way was not imply. That was just the way they spoke to that point. What does this have to do with me? And she's giving him the Mamas. Are there a Jewish mother knows and most Christian Mother's know. My time has not yet. Come. And in my mind I picture of The Mamas there continues. If you sort of ignores what he said and turns to the servants and said whatever he tells you to do do it.

And I think that's one of the times where you know, we don't have pictures in our Bibles. I'm pretty sure Jesus probably rolled his eyes inside.

But what did he do? Did he say? Hey guys, bring me some of those empty wine bottles. Bring the ones they expensive labels will refill those know I'll bring you some of the wineskins. They'll hold it more know you see those ceremonial jars and jars. It wasn't this kind of a jar. It was a jar that you see at nurseries. They turn them into water features. They write this High pottery and hold gallon for ceremonial cleansing. In the Jewish rituals of that day, and he said that then fill all of them to the brim.

And then draw out and take that to the master of the feast and you know the story it turned into not only one but the choicest of wine you see when Jesus throws a party when he is actually the founder of the feast there is great. Great. Well, there's a great pouring out of hospitality far beyond in the actual need because he is the Son of God at all that he put together is beyond the imagination. Stop the cup overflow at the Last Supper. No. What are the Last Supper what did Jesus say? He gave them back up after dinner. And he said this cup is the New Covenant my blood which will be shed for the remission of sins of many all of you drink of it in remembrance of me. And we always repeat that will become to the communion table. But what Heather thinks he said is I will not drink of this cup again. I will Until I break it a new with you and my father Kingdom. What is he saying for me? The final cup of Celebration will take place when the job is done. When we go to the Fulfillment of this meal when we go to the wedding Feast of the Lamb. The one making that comparison well last week about walking through the valley of the shadow of death.

But you know those seem to be the occasional deep dark places that we go but we live in a world where death is all around us. The shadows of sin and Corruption of selfishness are all around us and one of the things that Jesus said to his disciples they gathered them for that last Passover meal is I have greatly desire to eat this Passover with you. It was a special commemoration for him what he's surrounded by enemies around that table. Oh, yeah. One of them was at the table. The Pharisees wanted him dead. The Sadducees wanted him dead. The Romans wanted him dead. The zealots wanted him dead and after a while that list would multiply as a disciples went out of the world and others. Wish they would go away. And we know from our history that as a matter of fact not only were enemies surrounding Jesus and his disciples at that point, but as they went out to spread the gospel throughout the world all of his disciples. Were martyred eventually so many of those who followed Christ followed him to their death and to this day outside the walls. Of the family of God, there are those who despise but we believe they despise what is dear to us. We still live in a world where we are surrounded by enemies. Sometimes they are in the church with us. See who's here today?

But Jesus had with him, Judas. Do we consider the greatest villain of all history? How did Jesus treat Matt enemy at this table, which was the greatest copulas he could provide in this world when he was in self penniless.

It says that he gave Judas the spa. We use that term in a derogatory way these days. We'll just throw me a sob. But it's not the rocket or at all. It's a high honor. Now. Let me bring it into something. Most of you will understand. If you grew up in a Southern home at least which is the best homes of all Thanksgiving or Christmas. It's on festival or you gather the family together to give thanks to God and celebrate the family coming together you prepare turkey and I don't care what the health department says a real turkey has the stuffing inside of it. You argue about cornbread versus age, but the stopping is inside the bird and how many you can remember growing up in a home where you can smell it coming all day long. And your nose just kept drawing you towards the kitchen is finally the bird came out. And there it is golden brown and a thing about a well-prepared celebration of turkey is that at the opening where the stopping goes in is this little mound of crunchy crispy stuffing? met for lunch at and it's soaking up the juice from the skin crackling around it. And if you're lucky enough or you're the fastest child you get to be the first one to take a piece of that and popping in your mouth.

That's essentially What Judas would given? Jesus a turkey's ready Judas here. Juicy Pete piece just a little skin on it and the crispy outside you get the first bite. So why am I telling you that detail because the enemy of Christ actor was not Judas. It was the one who inhabited the heart of Judas who is our enemy as well and Jesus. Feel free to Judas Priest. Jesus created all the typos and he longed to be with them. I got something that just started my heart a special way this week because I think of Jesus being at that Gathering and he's at a greatly long to celebrate this Passover dinner with you. I so long as your Shepherd to have this table in the presence of your enemies. Anoint you to bathe your feet. To let the cup of my love and sacrifice overflow. So they're not only overflows from you and to others and to the others and two others just like that champagne Tower. But his heart was filled with love for the men with him and all who come after him because remember when he got to get somebody, what did he pray for? Father make them one just as you and I are one that I might be in them and they in me. And their enemies and they are in you and you are and then I want the unity. I want the fellowship. I want that overflowing cup to feel everybody to overflowing. And yet Jesus knew Not only was he going to his death. But his disciples eventually will be going to The Heirs. arriving up in Gainesville

and one of the amazing things in the laws of physics is that when you're coming home to Tallahassee I-75 and I-10 are longer then when you go someplace else it stretches while you're gone. And I was just praying. Thinking about what I wanted to share in the in the message this morning. And I started to think of the people. That I have encountered.

At the table that God has prepared for me. throughout my life some of them you're aware of.

If you've known me long enough, you know that I am I'm a really ugly crier. You know some of you I'm so jealous you can get moved by something in your house either. Let's hear running on your cheek. Mary and I are perfect match for each other when we get touched by something. We break loose weave.

And we don't look you in for 3 days. But I haven't experienced since I started to think of some of the people. They're not around God's table. People no longer here with me. I started to have tears come down my face. the kind of the Hollywood decent-looking ones And I thought what's wrong with me? Am I depressed? Why am I fixated on my sense of loss at about the time because it wasn't just remembering one person. It was remembering. This is cloud of witnesses. They were part of developing my spiritual formation before I ever knew that I needed Christ and then go on before me long ago the pastor who baptized me who used to gather the children around him and then Pat The Velvet on his Pulpit robe. And he loved us. The couple up in Pennsylvania that have no children we moved with Laura. They loved us unless they moved to Florida and became sir grandparents. They gave you my first Bible. Pictures that did not present themselves are as Christians and the public school and yet they inspired. a desire for excellence in spiritual purity and the names came to me in the face is came to me from Port St. Lucie Mets hike a hero in my life. I got to leave him to Christ late in life. And then he began to disciple me as well. when it came to Hope Mary Madsen Betsy Copeland some of the people that were here to briefly. and then Covenant I can't tell you how many times I'm standing at that microphone and I look over to the spot next to me and have a look at the floor. My mind's eye sees another microphone standing. This is Nora. She love me. She love you. And she was one of those people around the table that I miss. my goodness, Ernie Stevenson Journey Stevenson, we used to joke with him. I said Ernie, sometimes you can be a pill but usually you're a tonic. and he was he wants a heel of Christ that he loved me Bobby crooms. I tried them at her hugs and I get Highmark but not like Bobby.

And I realize about that point. I was not in sorrow. I would not in grief. It was a longing. A longing for that day when we would gather again. And that's when I realized what what day was real message was here. Is that the god of promise not only sees us through those deep valleys when we feel helpless when we are the most lost and fearful of sheep. But even when we go through your collections of this world, he directs our attention to head and says I will feed you here. I will provide for you graciously. But remember the next time I share a cup with you. It's going to be at the marriage Feast of the Lamb of God and you are the guest of honor. And that's when all those people will come together and I will see them again and some of them that I haven't even thought of four years. They're all flooding into my heart this weekend. As though. Cloud of witnesses was whispering to me. Whatever we go through in this life is transient. Whatever seemed to be defeating us is not for nothing that is valuable in the size of God's will ever be in ruin. Remember I said that's what that word evil really means to be spoiled to be ruined to be made worthless. Even if we die in the Valley of the shadow of death or death is not meaningless. It is not an evil. It is not a spoilage is not a ruling. What have you guys been through recently? That's a rhetorical question because you don't tell stories. What have you been through that has been crushing your heart. And David and Paul and Jesus are all telling us the same truth. Whatever. It is. God will not only bring you through it. But when he brings you through it, he will bring you to something better something more glorious something that makes all of that challenge. Seem to be meaningless by comparison.

I'm so if we long for that day of reunions. I was reminded of what to David long for. You know, we all know the 23rd. So I'm hungover, you know the 27th Psalm. What?

I have it written down. I'm cheating but it's one of my favorite verses Psalm 27 verse 4 and there's a David crying out to God again. He said one thing I ask of the Lord. This is what I see right babe dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his Temple. David in all of his challenges. We're sometimes it on family. Wanted to be his enemy David looked ahead and said, this is what I desire. This is what I claimed you that I may dwell with you. I want to live with you. I don't want to ever go away from your presence so I can lie. I want to be able to gaze upon the beauty of who you are open my eyes Lord of the song says, let me see Jesus. I said I want to require of you knows I don't have fellowship with you. I want to have conversation. I want to be like with Adam before the fall would walk with you in the cool of the evening. That's my desire. That's my longing and to come to that table that you were preparing for your people at the end of The Journey when all of the Dark Shadows are vanquished when Freud when every path has been merged into the One path that leads to Jesus Christ's death is defeated. The enemy has gone and we dwell together. celebrating the marriage Feast of the Lord no wonder no wonder David raps of all up by saying surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord. forever wherever you are in your life right now.

Look to the finish line. That's what it's all made complete. That's when everything that made no sense will make sense. And that's when your heart will be cleansed of far out filled with joy and you will dwell with the Lord forever. Let's stand and sing together.