INTRODUCTION
Story: He Knew the Shepherd
1. Three men gave a presentation from the 23rd Psalms.
It went like this,
a. The first man read from the Psalms with superb diction, clarity, and reverence. The audience stood up and gave him a standing ovation.
b. The second man quoted the entire Psalms without one error or misquotation. The audience shouted praise and gratitude to him for his stunning recall and fervor.
c. The third man spoke from the Psalms noting the words that spake of the Shepherd. The audience was so moved by His care and provisions for the sheep that there was no dry eye in the assembly (they wept in humble gratitude).
2. There were three different reactions from the audience in each presentation.
Consider,
a. The first man knew how to speak with superb diction, clarity, and reverence as he read the Psalms.
b. The second man knew how to speak with precise recall from his memory about the Psalms.
c. The third man knew not only how to read and quote the sacred text but also the Shepherd in the Psalms.
3. Jesus said: "If I am lifted above the earth, I will draw all men unto me," John 12:31-33; John 3:14-17. Jesus is the great Shepherd of His sheep, Psalms 23:1-6.
4. When ministers read, quote, and present Christ from the sacred text, they must lift the Lord in their preaching to draw all men unto Him and enlighten all in the assembly through the word of God. I call this “Christ-Centered Preaching.” Ministers are the messengers. Christ “being lifted”: is the message!
This illustration is offered by: David Seay, Minister, Church of Christ at Pickensville, on 4/10/2022.
Visit and worship with the Church of Christ at Pickensville, AL, every Sunday at 11:00 AM and Wednesday at 6:00 PM. Call-in number is: 1-302-202-1110, Pin # is 214733. These men “know the Shepherd!”