My Cup Overflows Series

My Cup Overflows

April 16th, 2006 Psalm 23:5-6

These are my actual notes and sermon handouts and they probably mean more to me than they do to you. If you don’t understand something in my notes – feel free to e-mail me for clarification (stevenmary7@hotmail.com). Here’s some deciphering hints: I use hyphens (-) to separate key elements in a thought progression. I use quotation marks when I’m illustrating what some one in the congregation might be thinking or asking at that particular point in the message or to illustrate different character voices in an illustration. Bullets are springboards for thought progressions associated with main points in a thought.

INTRO: Welcome – final message as pastor – final message in series – great truths of the 23rd Psalm – not really Easter message but truths we possess because Jesus rose from the dead.

• The Lord is my Shepherd – no want – personal and powerful care

PS 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

• He Restores my Soul – Makes me lie down – green pastures

PS 23:2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul.

• He Comforts me – paths of righteousness – dark valleys – rod and staff

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 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.

Four final benefits for having the Lord as you shepherd…

PS 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

PS 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Talk about a great infomercial for why I have the Lord as my Shepherd!

5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

1. Abundant _Vindication_ by the Lord.

Enemies = persecutors, adversaries, afflict and distress me, actively oppose

• Understand – not people who we have offended

• Enemies because we have done the right thing – spoken truth

“I don’t have any enemies…” - sad! – because can’t live the life of a child of God without compromise and not make any enemies!

“Well I have!” – Well Jesus couldn’t! – He who combined perfect godliness with purity, sensitivity – yet committed to the truth – made enemies!

If you’re walking with Christ – stand for truth w/o compromise – enemies!

LK 6:26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.

“Yea, but He also said… “Blessed are the peace makers” – Luke 6:26

• But didn’t say –“at all costs” – otherwise – “blessed are compromisers”

A time will come when your stand for truth will cause opposition in this life

• Possibly even from those who are close

ILLUS: David had enemies – Saul – loved David until jealousy – insane – turns out that the person who loved David passionately also hated passionately – even hated those who loved David – tried to kill own son

• David had enemies – knew about a table in presence of enemies

• Absalom – philistines – heathen armies…

ILLUS: Imagine all of David’s enemies in a great hall – seated around the edges – table in the middle - David seated at table – all around people who hated him – wanted to straighten him out – say a few things to him – tenseness in the room – who’s going to speak first? – icy stares, cut it with a knife – door opens – Great Shepherd – long flowing robes – eyes like flame of fire – walks across room – enemies say “Now he’ll get what’s coming to him!… Tell him what he needs to hear! – straighten him out!” – what’s He doing? – is He going to eat with David? – no – He’s going to serve him! – in the presence of his enemies – wait on him hand an foot – “David is there anything else?” – “can I get you some more…” – “you should try some of this…” - Table = great banquet / feast! - Lord Himself serves

What is that if not vindication? – if David in the flesh might say – “You think I’m so lame? – apparently the Lord doesn’t think so!”

• This is God’s confirmation on David’s life.

• Was David perfect? – NO – made mistakes – but “Man after God’s heart!”

Make note this - because I have abundant vindication – I know who I am!