23 You anoint my head oil

Title: YOU ANOINT MY HEAD WITH OIL

Text:

The Lord is my shepherd (Jehovah Rohi) I shall not want (Jehova Jireh). He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul (Jehovah Nissi); He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake (Jehovah Tsidkenu). Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me (Jehovah Shammah) Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies (Jehovah Shalom) You anoint my head with oil (Jehovah Rophe) My cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Intro: 1. A shepherd looks at the 23rd Psalm- Phillip Keller who grew up as a shepherd in East Africa

2. The 23rd Psalm is a year in the life of a shepherd

3. You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows

4. Anointing with oil in scripture primarily deals with healing or service

I. HEALING

A. You anoint my head with oil

1. Summertime is fly time

a. Nasal flies cause sheep all kinds of irritation, inflammation and infection

b. The infection can often lead to blindness or even keep the sheet from eating

c. At the first signs of flies the shepherd will apply and antidote to their heads typically this is a homemade remedy composed of linseed oil, sulfur and tar which is smeared over the sheep's nose and head to protect against flies

2. Summertime is also scab time

a. Scab is a contagious disease caused by a microscopic parasite

b. Sheep rub their heads together and this spreads scab among them

c. The sacrificial lamb had to be without blemish which typically meant without scab

d. Shepherds would dip the sheep in a solution or ointment to clear them of this disease

e. In Palestine the old remedy for scab was olive oil mixed with sulfur and spices

3. It’s easy to get irritated with people

a. Church isn’t the only place this happens. Job, school, sports teams, around people

b. Problem comes when the irritation gets inflamed and becomes and infection

c. Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. 17 This kind of talk spreads like gangrene (cancer)

1) Gangrene is an inflammation that spreads through the body and eats away the bone

d. Herodias nursed a grudge against John the baptizer

e. Watch out that root of bitterness rises up among you, for many are corrupted by its poison

f. How can we go to church and avoid people- it doesn’t mix

4. Sometimes the irritation is from the outside, oppression

a. It is not God’s will for Christians to be oppressed

1) Christian can’t be demon possessed

2) They can be demon oppressed (harassed, beat down, troubled)

b. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd

c. The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free

B. My cup overflows

1. He has enough of the healing oil for our healing, both physical and spiritually

2. In The Good Samaritan bandaged the wounds of the beaten man and poured oil on his wounds for healing

3. if any one is sick they should call for the leaders of the church and through prayer and the anointing of oil pray for healing

4. They cast out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them

* He has plenty of oil for healing

II. SERVICE

A. You anoint my head with oil

1. A setting apart for service

a. Jacob poured oil on a rock to dedicate it as an altar

b. poured oil over Aaron the High Priest

c. them and their clothes

d. the tabernacle and everything in it

e. She poured this oil on my body, to prepare me for burial

2. An anointing to lead

a. Saul, David was amounted King

1) Represented ability, responsibility and accountability for leadership

2) the shield of Saul lies neglected without oil

b. We talk about the anointing when someone ministers

3. An anointing to serve

a. Leadership is serving

1) Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant

b. In the autumn during the rut sheep will hurt themselves fighting for position

1) The shepherd that uses oil to heal that wound

2) What did Jesus do when the disciples fought to position- He washed their feet

3) How good and how pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity. It is like fine oil poured on the head which flows down Aaron’s beard and then down his garments

4) The Holy Spirit works where there is unity

a) Acts- “in one accord”

b) is all about unity- v30 Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit

B. My cup overflows

1. He has more than enough equip us and empower us

2. He will equip us

a. The God of peace will equip you in every good thing to do His will

b. Jeremiah

1) Before you were born I set you apart

2) Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you,” declares the Lord. 9 Then the Lord stretched out His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me, “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. 10 “See, I have appointed you this day over the nations and over the kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”

c. Paul

1) Set apart Barnabas and Paul for the work I have called them to

2) And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; 10 for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.” 11 And he settled there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them

d. God still sets people apart and equips them and empowers them

e. We have been set apart, called out for God’s purposes

3. We should minister from the overflow

a. When the containers were full, she said to one of her sons, “Bring me another container.” But he answered her, “There are no more.” Then the olive oil stopped flowing

b. As long as we are available the oil will keep flowing

c. How do we keep our cup overflowing- we give it away

d. Don’t be drunk with wine, but be filled with the Holy Spirit

e. I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly (overflowing)

f. Sabbath cup- Kiddush Cup

g. - Ten virgins- sad part is they didn’t have enough to share

* He has plenty of oil to equip and empower us

Cncl: 1. Some here have been hurt, irritated, etc… don’t let it lead to bitterness, silence

2. Some have been equipped and empowered. You need to step out into your purpose

Altr: 1. Prayer for healing

2. Prayer for ministry, gifting, what God is asking me to do

3. Anoint you with oil