Good Shepherd_2.

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Reference:
GRACE

Church:

PSALM 23:4-6
Date: 01/11/2015

The Good Shepherd, Part 2

Purpose: To see Jesus as the Good Shepherd; what should it mean for us?

Introduction
John 10:11 I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays
down His life for the sheep.

Last week we began to look at this wonderful Psalm

Using it to see what we can learn about Jesus as our Good Shepherd
Psalm 23 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes
me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3
He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For
His names sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the
shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and
Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the
presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My
cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me
all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

Looked at first 3 verses from a spiritual point of view

Opening verse sets the tone He is my Shepherd I do not lack
Dont lack food, safety, rest Green pastures of the Word
Dont lack nurture and drink quiet waters of the Spirit
Dont lack correction and guidance restores my soul
Dont lack tender leadership gently leads, guides in good path
Jesus does this for His Names sake that is at stake.
It is the same for NT believers, just as Paul said:
Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply all your needs according
to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Now we want to look at the final verses of the psalm

Continuing theme that there is no lack for the sheep of this Shepherd:
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Our souls shall not lack His presence v4
You are with me
What happens to Jesus sheep in the worst moments of life?
When they walk through the valley of the shadow of death?
shadow of death is a strong word deep darkness, gloom and terror:
Job 24:17 For the morning is the same to him as thick darkness,
For he is familiar with the terrors of thick darkness.

Ever been to the moaning caverns when they turn out the lights?
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What kind of life events are in view here?
Perhaps a time of danger where death is a real possibility
Surrounded by enemies seeking to destroy (e.g. sheep among wolves)
Perhaps deep spiritual affliction such as believers can know
Satan prowls as a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour!
Perhaps a time of serious and prolonged illness physical affliction
And it certainly also includes that time as we approach the grave:
Beset with temptations to fear and to doubt
These times belong to the sheep of this Shepherd
Many households in this fellowship are in such a valley today
What happens in these times? Does the abundant supply of v1-3 fail?
Not at all! Look what David says:
First, note the sheep dont lie down in this valley they pass through!
They can be sure that they will come out on the other side. Why?
Because the Shepherd is with them right through! You are with me
Jesus isnt like the hired hand who runs away at the first sign of danger
This Shepherd stays with the sheep through thick and thin!
Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with
you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you
walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame
burn you.

Think of the 4th man who appeared with Daniels friends in furnace
And consider Who this Shepherd is Who is with us:
He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Almighty!
Isaiah 40:1118 Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm
He will gather the lambs And carry them in His bosom; He will gently
lead the nursing ewes. 12 Who has measured the waters in the
hollow of His hand, And marked off the heavens by the span, And
calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, And weighed the
mountains in a balance And the hills in a pair of scales? 13 Who has
directed the Spirit of the LORD, Or as His counselor has informed
Him? 14 With whom did He consult and who gave Him
understanding? And who taught Him in the path of justice and
taught Him knowledge And informed Him of the way of
understanding? 15 Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket,
And are regarded as a speck of dust on the scales; Behold, He lifts up
the islands like fine dust. 16 Even Lebanon is not enough to burn,
Nor its beasts enough for a burnt offering. 17 All the nations are as
nothing before Him, They are regarded by Him as less than nothing
and meaningless. 18 To whom then will you liken God? Or what
likeness will you compare with Him?

Are you in a valley of deep, thick darkness this morning?

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A time of fear and depression for your soul?
Its possible David was in this situation as he wrote no stranger to it!
We need to respond as he did:
Even though we walk in the midst of the thickest darkness
In perhaps the most difficult time of our lives
The Shepherd is with us and He will bring us through!
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Because He is with us, we should fear no evil.

Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I
fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?

He is with me why should I be afraid? My soul is as safe as can be!

Stonewall Jackson:
Captain, my religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in
bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about
that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me.
Captain, that is the way all men should live, and then all would be
equally brave.
Why? He knew the Shepherd was with Him in the valley of darkness
2.2 Because He is with us, we should be comforted
His rod to count, correct and defend the sheep we will be protected
His staff to draw us to Himself, care for us, guide us
These things are a huge comfort when we are in that valley
And remember He is with us forever, wherever we may be
There can never be a time or a place when He is not with us!
Think of Psalm 139 where can I go, but you are there?
Also Hebrews:
Hebrews 13:5 Make sure that your character is free from the love
of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has
said, I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,

So even when the time comes to face that last enemy death itself
He will be with us in that valley too
He will most certainly bring us through if we are His sheep
Hes the death of death, and hells destruction for those who are His
1 Corinthians 15:55 O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O
DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?

Oh friends - you who are in a valley of deep darkness today

He is with you in the midst of it
Therefore you must, you will come through!
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In shades of the valleys dark terror
Where hell and its horror hold sway
My Jesus will reach out in power
And save me by His only way!
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Our souls shall not lack His lavish provision v5
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies
Having come through the valley with the Shepherd ever present,
Picture changes to a feast prepared for the one who is the Lords
Before = in his/her full view not a hidden thing
We need to think of this banquet in spiritual terms
But imagine what kind of a feast is prepared for those God loves!
For those He loves as He loves His own Son!
What do you think would be lacking?
What do you think would be overcooked or underdone?
What would be harmful? What would taste bad?
Nothing, nothing, nothing the perfect meal - exquisite dishes for soul!
This is no spiritual equivalent of a McDonalds Happy Meal!
Here is meat, marrow, fatness, every good thing!
And see it is the Lord Himself Who prepares this banquet!
Reminded of Jesus washing His disciples feet
And He does yet more for those whose for whom the feast is set:
He anoints their heads with oil
He fills their cups to overflowing
Signs of welcome, honor and blessing
This is lavish! Nothing is held back!
Now think on this - we are only His because of Him!
And yet He blesses us like this!
How great is this blessing! The infinite God deluges good things upon us
Have you ever sat at a spiritual feast like this?
Its well worth enduring a dark valley to sit at such a table!
And what about the enemies who were threatening you in that valley?
Will they spoil the feast?
No God will not permit it!
He prepares this table before you in your full view
But it is also done very conspicuously and prominently in their presence
In their faces, if you like!
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Enemies can only look on as God lavishes good things on His loved ones
Job how God blessed him and spread a table for him after his trial!
Ever imagined the heavenly conversations afterwards?
This is what is done for the one the King delights to honor (Mordecai)
The enemies thought to destroy Gods people
But you might say the tables are turned on them now
They are made to watch as we sit at this extraordinary feast!
They are totally confounded!
And when we come through that last valley, death itself
We shall take our seats at the marriage supper of the Lamb!
All Satans efforts will be overturned in his presence (I am quite sure)
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Our souls shall not lack assurance v6
Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Well now, we might say, as David did
If this is the situation I am in through Gods grace;
If I have this green pasture to eat, these quiet waters to drink;
If I am sustained by His Word and His Spirit;
And if when I go through the thickest of darkness;
He is right there with me to protect me and make sure I dont get lost;
And if when I come through by His help
He spreads a banquet for me, anoints me, fills my cup to overflowing
And my enemies can only look on, powerless to prevent my blessing.
If all that is true, then this is my lot here on earth
goodness and compassion from God!
And nothing shall separate me from His love
Nothing shall prevent me from entering His house
And dwelling in glory in His presence forever!
This is the irrefutable logic of all the psalmist has been saying:
Paul knew this too:
Philippians 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who
began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

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5 Conclusions
Believer
What a Good Shepherd you have!
How this should speak peace and comfort to your soul
How you should rejoice
How you should be filled with expectation and hope for the future
Even if now you have to go through trials of various kinds
These too have been sent for your good!
Praise Him, adopted child of God
Love Him, brothers and sisters of the Good Shepherd
Worship Him, you kingdom and priests of His heavenly calling!
He has given you everything, so you might be His without fail forever!
Psalm 27:46 One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall
seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my
life, To behold the beauty of the LORD And to meditate in His
temple. 5 For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His
tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift
me up on a rock. 6 And now my head will be lifted up above my
enemies around me, And I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts
of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.

Unbeliever
I hardly know what to say to you
What do you have this morning?
Who is your shepherd?
Where are you being led?
Your souls are lifeless wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked
You possess nothing of value here on earth
You have a desperate and desolate eternity ahead of you
And the fault is entirely yours
For the Shepherd is offered to you every week
The Shepherd calls to you every week
He reaches out for you every week
And you proudly, obstinately, willfully, rebelliously WILL NOT COME
Who will you blame?
Have you got your protest speech ready for the Day of Judgment?
It will do no good for then you see He is right; you were so very wrong
Then your mouth will be stopped you will find nothing to say
You can blame no one else for your fate if you decide not to turn
May God have mercy on your souls.
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