The Good Shepherd
Notes
Transcript
What do I want them to know? The Lord is a Good Shepherd
Why? We all are trying to following something good
What do I want them to do? Be a sheep that follows
Why? It leads to provision, guidance, protection, and blessing
ME
Who are you following? What are you going after?
If you would have asked me at an early age I would have said I gave my life to sports… “I want to be like Mike” I want to be like Michael Jordan. That is who I am following.
Then after I realized I was too short to play basketball....Michael Jordan is not 5’4”.
Then I moved on from trying to be like Mike to wanting to be popular....If you would have asked me for most of my life I wanted to be seen as cool, I wanted to be popular, I wanted people to like me, so I sought the trendy styles,
Then you know what was interesting is when I became a youth pastor in my early years, do you know what I wanted to be the cool youth pastor with a cool youth group.
We want to make Jesus famous, which for many people means cool...
YOU
What about you?
What are you following after?
We live in a culture that says follow this and that.
Give your life to money…you want to be rich and famous…maybe famous but definitely rich.... you want to have loads and loads of money.
THEN YOU WILL BE HAPPY
Give your life to having a perfect family....but when family is the ultimate thing family falls apart because it was never the ultimate thing we are to follow
THEN YOU WILL BE HAPPY
Give your life to a is following a a relationship....the person is what is wrapped our whole lives around and I have seen over and over people fall away from Jesus and be destroyed
THEN YOU WILL BE HAPPY
TENSION
What is so bad about these things?
Is having a money a good thing, and a relationship a good thing, and a good family a good thing.
YES
BUT DO THESE THINGS DELIEVER ON THE PROMISES THEY SET
but it becomes a bad thing we it becomes an ultimate thing or the thing we seek above God then IT BECOMES THE WORSE THING
Look at what God says
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
I have seen in my own life
One of the people who knew this is a man, not a Christian, but a brilliant writer named David Foster Wallace. He said this in a commencement speech at Kenyon College.
The outstanding reason for choosing to worship and follow God — is that pretty much anything else you worship will eat you alive. If you worship money and things — if they are where you tap real meaning in life — then you will never have enough. Never feel you have enough. It's the truth. Worship your own body and beauty and sexual allure and you will always feel ugly, and when time and age start showing, you will die a million deaths before they finally plant you in the ground. Worship power — you will feel weak and afraid, and you will need ever more power over others to keep the fear at bay. Worship your intellect, being seen as smart — you will end up feeling stupid, a fraud, always on the verge of being found out. And so on. On one level, we all know this stuff already — it's been codified as myths, proverbs, parables: it’s the skeleton of every great story.
Look, the insidious thing about these forms of worship is not that they are evil or sinful (some are); it is that they are unconscious. They are default-settings of the human heart. They're the kind of worship you just gradually slip into, day after day, And the world will not discourage you from operating on your default-settings, because the world of men and money and power hums along quite nicely on the fuel of fear and contempt and frustration and craving and the worship of self.
If we follow all only depress us, destroy us, and depress us.
WHAT HOPE IS THERE FOR US?
IS THERE SOMETHING OR SOMEONE WE CAN FOLLOW THAT WILL BRING US THE GOOD LIFE?
I have Good News there is some one we can follow, someone we can go after, follow in the footsteps that will give us…life, guidance, provision, blessing, protection, and intimacy.
Who is person we can follow?
THE GOOD SHEPHERD WHO IS THE LORD
Our Good Shepherd will give us everything we have ever wanted and more.
How?
We are going to unpack what those things are in minute…there are 4 things we will uncover.
But I also want to reveal to us that as we follow the Good Shepherd there are wolves that are in sheep’s clothing that are going to want to stop us.
What might trip us up?
If God is a Shepherd what does that make us?
If God is a shepherd? What does that make us
Sheep
A sheep
And when I look at sheep on the surface level it would not be my first pick of the all the animals I would choose.
We do not see Cleveland Sheep....God sheep (though we will find out in a couple of months that God uses sheep to change the world and bring the Good News to the World)
1 Cor 1:27
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;
God’s disciples in the world’s eyes were not the best of the best, neither was Paul....
Be do we want to be? We want to be something that is in control?
What do we want to be?
Lions....I want to be a lion this big strong, animal
The problem with wanting to be a lion is that in scripture when someone is called is acting like a lion and their name is not God it is not a positive thing… Why? What do lions eat? Sheep
POSITIVE
The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.
This is the only positive verse that is positive for believers
But the problem with lions is that in the Bible lions when it is referred to often refereed wicked kings
Prov 28:15
Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
Jer 50:17
“Israel is a hunted sheep driven away by lions. First the king of Assyria devoured him, and now at last Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has gnawed his bones.
When humans are called lions it is bad news for the sheep.
Or a lion is referred as the Devil
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”
As we are going to see as we open up Psalm 23 that in order for a sheep to follow we need to realize that there are lions that are hear to take us out, to devour us.
Not only do we have to watch out for lions, there are also wolves in sheep’s clothing who are trying to rob us of the goodness of the good shepherd
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
They are going to appear genuine....but I will say some of
The Lord is the Good Shepherd blesses us by Caring for us.
He cares for you more than you care about yourself
How does the Good Shepherd Care for Me?
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
I shall not want means, I shall not lack not a thing....that when you walk with the Lord as your shepherd you are not going to lack.
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
this is such a huge blessing
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Do we believe that? Do we believe if we follow God, God will meet all of our needs? In the midst of what is happening he sees what’s going on…He sees your bank account, he sees your relational need, he sees what your heart needs…
2 LIES
So often the wolf wants to come and say, do not follow the Good Shepherd He will not meet all your needs....come follow us and we will meet your needs....but does the wolf and lion meet our needs? NO
When has God not provided what we needed?
Some of our greatest stories and testimonies is when God comes through in the 11th hour
Or the wolf will says that you will not lack a thing, which is good but don’t you want MORE....yes God gives all you need, but that is not the American/human way you need more.
This is why we have credit cards.....do you think if you needed God would not give it to you?
Matt 7:7
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Do you think the Good Shepherd says “well I know they need this but I am going to withhold it?”
If you do not have it you do not need it
My marriage 22, not 29.
It’s hard!
Not only will you not want....he also provides rest…we are in a culture that is not stopping…it is a culture of energizer bunnies that things the juice never runs out…sheep need rest…and some of us are plan tired....it has been a LONGGGG year and
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Some of us walk past the Good Shepherd and not resting with the Good Shepherd....I’ve been hear…I had burn out in my first couple years of ministry.
The wolf says keep working
He makes you like in green pastures. The word used for green pastures is The word for “grass,” deshe (דֶּשֶׁא), refers specifically to fresh or green grass, as opposed to mature grass or hay, ḥatsir (חָצִיר; cf. Prov 27:25).
I want you to think of that perfect picturesque field....it’s like heaven on earth
God the good shepherd is not taking you the beat up pasture that has rocks and hay, but he is taking you to field that has the BEST grass that is green and fluffy.
God says come to me, I will give you rest....Don’t worry about your financies or the pandemic…rest in me....take a Sabbath....6 days you shall work and on the 7th you shall cease from labor
The WOLF says keep going, keep walking.
PHOTO
Not only is going to a green field of rest but He is going to lead you by waters of rest....water that is pure, no bugs or diseases in them, but the best refreshing waters in the world.
“Still waters” is probably not the best translation of the Hebrew, which literally means “waters of rest” (mey-menuḥoth, מֵי מְנֻחוֹת). The idea seems to be of water that the flock can rest beside, or where the flock can find refreshment—not necessarily placid water.
Water that you can drink and feel so refreshed.
PHOTO
Not only does he give you green pasture to rest, waters of resting, he also restores soul.
RESTORES my SOUL
One of the things a lot of us need and a lot of us do not get is RESTORED....
The Wolf say we have no time for God....
Some of us are too busy to be with the LORD and as a result our SOUL IS WEARY not RESTORED
Your most important thing of the day is to have time with your Good Shepherd....It brings restoring....7 days with Jesus is better than one.
How the Lion and wolf sneak into your life is you will go…the enemy will get you to believe the lie that the restoring did not take place because you did not feel it.
I do not know about you but some days, my soul is heavy laden. My soul has been heavy this last year at times....It has not been easy some days, but the Good News is that
“Restoring” the soul refers to the renewing and sustaining of life. The Hebrew word for “soul” here, nephesh (נֶפֶשׁ), refers to all of one’s being (life), not just to man’s immaterial part. The Hebrew word translated “restore,” shuv (שׁוּב), literally means “bring back.” It is not uncommon to see a shepherd carrying a lost or tired lamb
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
When a sheep is cast down it means it is on its back and cannot get to it’s feet.....
The reason we are cast down sometimes is because our hope is not on the Lord but our mind is on the problems.
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
God says hope in my and restoration happens.
How many of us singing today or reading the Word being close to the Good Shepherd and our Hope meter goes up.
2. Good Shepherd does He leads us in Paths of Righteousness
He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
When we follow the Good Shepherd He is going to lead us down the right paths…he is going to show us what paths to go down....and For His name sake.....
Why? Why doesn’t it say for His name sake?
God has a reputation to uphold…is this the God who is going to always be able to show us the way to live or is He going to fail at times…we see this in the Exodus story, God continued to seek and rescue Israel for God’s name sake so that people will see how good God is.
If it’s for His name sake it is also for you name sake to.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Think about this there is only 1 right path and million other ones and the wolf says to us maybe the other paths are good too.
But what does scripture say?
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.
For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
Are you sure that is the path God?
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Narrow is the path that leads to life
Wide = death, narrow
The Good Shepherd Cares, Leads, and Protects
3. The Lord Protects us in Valley of the Shadow of Death against
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.
The Goodness and the Good Shepherd is that when the lions, Bears, tigers, wolves, you name it, come out....the Good Shepherd is quipped for battle.
The Good Shepherd says bring it on…these are my sheep and you are not getting them.
DO WE REALIZE THE PROTECTION OF THE LORD??
The Wolf brings up our fears....Do you know if you follow the Good Shepherd what will happen to you?
People will not like you
Your worst nightmares will come true
You will be misrable
You will have an unfulfilling life
You will be persecuted
You are going to have to leave safety and security and you like that.
God wants you to walk forward and watch Him WORK.
The Valley of the Shadow of death is the most dangerous spot, but there is not thing to fear because the Good Shepherd has a rod to beat the lions and wolves and bears and a rod to pull a sheep back from when it is going back.
PHOTO
Some of us the Good Shepherd is saying trust me yes this scary. Yes, this is hard, but it is good.
Moses went through the valley of the shadow of death
David went through the valley of the shadow of death
Paul went through the valley of the shadow of death.
Esther went through the valley of the shadow of death.
To be all that God has called you to be you need to face your fears and trust your God.
Here’s the thing even when you get too when you get to the other side the enemies do not leave but the Lord feeds you.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
David eats with His enemies surrounds you.
PHOTO
4. The Good Shepherd Blesses David with Provision, Healing, Goodness, Love, Life, and Relationship
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Anoint my head with oil means healing…he blesses by healing me.
My cup is overflowing....never runs out
Goodness and chesed (steadfast love) shall follow me all the days of my life.
And I shall in the house of the Lord forever
And the reason we are able to DWELL IN THE HOUSE FOREVER IS BECAUSE THE GOOD SHEPHERD LAYED DOWN HIS LIFE FOR US.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.
He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,
just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.
And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.