The Lord Is My Shepherd
August 26, 2007 6:03 pmPsalm 23 Series, part 1. Preached by Chris Broom and Mike O’Donnell, 8/26/2007 with sharing by Pam O’Donnell
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| Mike and Pam O’Donnell (left) share about our good shepherd |
The Lord Is My Shepherd
Read Psalm 23. Is that how you fell about your relationship with God? If the Lord really is your shepherd, then do you respond daily to his authority?
Series inspired by book “A Shepherd Looks at the 23rd Psalm.”
This is more than flowery poem for feel-good purposes. It implies a profound yet practical working relationship between a human being and their maker. Sheep to Shepherd.
David himself was a shepherd. The Shepherd King. He understood the relationship between a shepherd and his sheep. He was taught lessons by God while tending the sheep, and then taken to shepherd God’s people. (Similar training for Elders in Titus 1:6 / 1 Tim 3:1)
I’ve come to learn that Sheep are one of most difficult animals to care for. The amount of work is tremendous. To be a shepherd takes endless attention and meticulous care. 24 hrs.a day to meet the needs of the sheep. A good shepherd has no greater satisfaction than to see his sheep contented well fed safe and flourishing under his care. Truly, the destiny of a sheep is dependent on the Shepherd that owns it. Does God own you? Do you even believe you need an owner, manager, shepherd? Sheep can’t do it on their own, they are very needy creatures … social animals with a mob mentality. As a sheep, your destiny is dependent on the Shepherd that owns you … Whether you will flourish or starve or be devoured by a predator.
In 1 Samuel 17:34 Saul and Israel are facing a Giant of predator in Goliath and the Philistines and no one had Courage or Confidence to face him. David’s confidence came from his experience as a shepherd. He had defended the sheep and God had delivered him from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear, so David reasoned that God would deliver him from the hand of the Philistine. That’s why David says in Psalm 23 … Guess who my shepherd is? God Almighty!!
Tragic truth is that many who claim “The Lord is my Shepherd” have never really come under his management or direction, but are still under the direction of the world. The people of the world suffer so much under sin and satan. (Example: NBC’s “To Catch a Predator.”
I want to convince you that you need a shepherd in a very practical day to day sense. Don’t treat God like a good luck charm, but a Manager.
I also want to convince you that God is the only one qualified to be your shepherd.
Maybe you aren’t sure who God is or if He has the character and ability to be your shepherd?
GOD’S RESUME:
NAME: GOD
ADDRESS: Everywhere
PHONE: (123) 456-PRAY
EXPERIENCE:
From the beginning of time. Before the beginning of time.
From everlasting to everlasting. I made time.
ABILITY:
All Powerful
PRIOR EMPLOYMENT:
Created the universe, put the galaxies in place, formed man.
Established heaven and earth by My spoken Word and am currently holding up the world by My power.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING:
I AM and I have all knowledge.
CHARACTER REFERENCE:
Love — 1 John 4:16
Light — 1 John 1:5
Life — John 14:6
Wisdom — James 1:5
Comfort — 2 Corinthians 1:3
Truth — John 8:32
Healer — 1 Peter 2:24
Strength — Phil. 4:13
Forgiveness — 1 John 1:9
Provider — Phil. 4:19
Mercy — Ephesians 2:24
Good — Matt. 19:17
AVAILABILITY:
Willing and ready to take over your life. Able to put your life together again. Will bring all of who I AM into your life. Can start now. Will transform your life if you let Me.
SALARY REQUIREMENT:
Work in your life has already been paid for through the blood of My Son, Jesus. Your only responsibility is to commit initially and on a daily basis. To trust and obey what Jesus has done and wants to do in your life.
When you reflect on Christ… his power, his achievements, his love for us … you are blown away.
When you come under Christ’s care, He puts his special mark on you as a shepherd does to identify his sheep. The mark of a true Christian is the mark of the cross. The mark of self-denial in our lives should distinguish us. Luke 9:23.
Romans 10:15 says, “And how can they preach unless they are sent?” As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
God spoke to leaders and the his human leaders spoke to the masses. Jesus and Paul called a few to be with them that they might send them out to preach. Matthew 28:18-20
To come under the Shepherd’s care, you must hear the word (Romans 10:17). Having heard the gospel you must believe in it with all you heart (John 3:16, Romans 1:16-17), and you must obey it (Hebrews 5:9). The gospel says that having believed you must repent, turn away from your sins (Acts 17). Then you must be baptized into Christ, buried with him in baptism, for the forgiveness of your sins (Acts 2:38, 22:16, Galatians 3:26-27). Then when you come up out of that watery grave of baptism, a new creature in Christ Jesus. Walk in the Light and allow that Great Shepherd of the Sheep to manage your life.
As the song “There is a Balm in Gilead” says so beautifully:
If you cannot sing like angels
If you cannot preach like Paul.
You can tell the love of Jesus
And say He died for all.
If you are struggling with the question, “Why should I trust God?” then this entire 12 part series is for you.
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