2020 08 09 - He Will Give You Rest - Rest From Fear

Welcome

Today’s Passage

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A relevant illustration or story to hook interest in today’s idea

SERIES INTRODUCTION

Information about the current series

Theme Verse:

Matthew 11:28–30 ESV

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

God cares deeply about your rest.

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RECAP PREVIOUS WEEKS IN SERIES

The last two weeks, we have been looking at Psalm 23 as this beautiful picture of what it means to find rest in the Lord centered around the image of the sheep and the shepherd.

Rest begins with trust

We have to grow in our relationship as the sheep of the Good Shepherd.

When we do we find that his provision is better than ours which we covered last week.

Our striving for more keeps us restless, but God brings rest when we find contentment in him.

CONNECT THIS WEEK’S MESSAGE

This week we look at the next section of this Psalm as we see how God brings

Rest When I Should be Afraid

EXPLORE

PRIMARY SCRIPTURE

Psalm 23:4 ESV

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

UNDERSTANDING THE CONTEXT OF THE SCRIPTURE

Any relevant exegetical notes to better understand the scripture

MAIN IDEA

Transition from scripture to main idea

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THE MAIN THING: Fear threatens our ability to rest, but in the presence of the Good Shepherd we find the courage to rest.

Explore the Main Idea

1. The valley is just part of the Shepherd’s path.

The same shepherd who leads to the green pastures leads through the valley of shadow.

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2. The Shepherd is equipped for the valley.

A. The Rod

Psalms 1–72: An Introduction and Commentary The Shepherd (23:1–4)

The rod (a cudgel worn at the belt) and staff (to walk with, and to round up the flock) were the shepherd’s weapon and implement: the former for defence (cf. 1 Sam. 17:35), the latter for control—since discipline is security.

B. The Staff

The Rod means he can defend me and the staff means he can defend me from me.

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3. Intimacy with the Shepherd brings courage.

The Psalms as Christian Worship: A Historical Commentary 5. Provides Protection v. 4

Comfort me (yenaḥamūnî) “does not mean to sympathize but to encourage.” H. J. Stoebe notes: “that comfort, if necessary and possible, includes real assistance

The Book of Psalms Psalm 23: You Are with Me

The verb translated here as give me courage (nḥm) is normally translated as “comfort.” But comfort is not a strong enough word. It does not convey the power of the emotion that the psalmist is able to feel because of God’s presence. The concept of courage gives a better sense of the emotion.

The key to rest in environments of fear is that HE is with US.

Transform

Coming Back to the Main Thing: Fear threatens our ability to rest, but in the presence of the Good Shepherd we find the courage to rest.

Bring to Primary Application

1. Accept the Path

2. Acknowledge the Presence

Lead Application to Commitment

Commitment steps

Invitation

Announcements and Service Closing