Psalm 23:2b

Introduction

Let’s rephrase what we have learned so far: Jesus Christ is my very own shepherd, because He is my shepherd I shall not lack, and He provides contentment for our life. Today we are going to look at the phrase He leadeth me beside the still waters.

Leadeth= (transposed) to conduct, and (by inference) to protect, sustain :- carry, feed, guide, lead (gently, on).

Looking up Lead in the dictionary, find 3 really good definitions.

To guide by going in advance

To direct one’s course or direction

To serve as a channel for

Let’s address #3. Jesus Christ, our Shepherd, died, was buried, & on the 3rd day rose from the dead to provide our salvation. When we place our faith in Him, we are placed in the family of God. He is our channel for salvation, justification, and inheritance .

Number 2, upon conversion the HS indwells us. It is through the HS & the Word that we receive direction in this life.

That leaves us with #1, He leads us or guides us by going in advance. Think about the Exodus from Egypt:

Exodus 13:21-22 (KJV) 21  And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: 22  He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.

2 Passages with 1 thought=

King James Version Chapter 5

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

King James Version Chapter 4

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

No matter what adversity we face; Jesus is out front , leading us through it. If He was out there, imagine how bad it could be.

That’s kinda deep for an introduction, but the best is yet to come. But we must discuss water; something we all take for granted. (Rodger-clean water teams) Some people all water they have in a day=one commode flush. Our body is 60% water, but looking at sheep 70% of their body is water. Without water, suffer dehydration, even death. We’ve said sheep are dumb animals, therefore notice they are led to water. You would think they should have enough sense to find water.

Sheep and Water:

Sheep obtain water from 1 of 3 sources: dew, wells, & streams. When sheep are deprived of water they become restless, will search for water on their own, & will drink any kind of water. Muddy-polluted.

I believe we are not only born with a sin nature, but with a hole in our heart that only God can fill.

Ps. 109: 22 For I am poor and needy,And my heart is wounded within me.

Even after salvation, when the hole is filled, Christians should cry as the Psalmist :

King James Version Psalm 42

1  As the hart panteth after the water brooks,

So panteth my soul after thee, O God.

2  My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God:

When shall I come and appear before God?

Three lessons to be learned from the sheep:

Have to have pure water. As we have stated, they are dumb animals. They are thirsty, following the shepherd, but see a puddle out of the corner of their eye and off they go. Pure, clean, fresh water just ahead, but they are off to the puddle.

We are a lot like that, side-tracked. See the goal .

King James Version Chapter 12

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Keep eyes on the shepherd, not personalities. (Mrs. Grantham-rocks cry out).

King James Version Chapter 4

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

We keep our eyes on Jesus and our mind in the Word.

2. Have to have satisfying water. So we have these sheep that have wandered over to the puddle trying to satisfy their thirst. Today we have sheep that have wondered off into knowledge or science (Dr. Bill), travel (just one more place), arts, music, culture (emptiness), sports & hobbies (consumes them), substance abuse-both ETOH & drugs.

King James Version Chapter 2

13 For my people have committed two evils; kthey have forsaken me lthe fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

John 4:13-14 (KJV) 13  Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

John 6:35 (KJV) 35  And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

King James Version Chapter 7

37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39

King James Version Chapter 5

6  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

3. Have to Have still water.

Gen. 3 Adam & Eve heard God walking in the cool of the day.

1 Sam 3 Samuel heard God whisper his name.

1 Kings 19 Elijah…wind, earthquake, fire, still small voice.

Jesus…alone on mountain top to pray,

Ps. 46:10 Be still and know that I am God.

Need to meet with God-Get the clutter out of the way. Maybe have a Moses experience, take off shoes-on Holy ground.

Let’s go back to the beginning and rephrase what we have learned so far: Jesus Christ is my very own shepherd, because He is my shepherd I shall not lack, and He provides contentment for our life. My soul is satisfied.