Following The Shepherd Part 2 Fo 6 Series

Following the Shepherd

Part 2

Psalm 23:1-2

Ps 23

The LORD is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

3 He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.

4 Yea, 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.

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

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. NKJV

Review: Part One

• The Lord We need the power of the Lord

• Is My Sheppard who care for His Sheep

I.) I Shall not want:

Illustration: If I can get you to look carefully today I would point out to you the largest prison in the country.

The facility has more inmate than bunks, more prisoners than plates. If you speak to these inmates they will tell you that they are overworked and underfed.

No prison is so populated or oppressive or permanent.

Most inmates never leave, never escape and never get released.

The name of the prison is WANT:

Those in this prison just want:

Something bigger

Something new like a car or a house

Something faster, nicer, better, or just different

Some inmates even receive what they want: only to fine out that what they wanted did not satisfy very long so they were only in the prison of wanting again.

Are you in this prison today?.... Symptoms of the WANT prison

Do you feel better when you have more?

Do you feel worst when you have less?

Is Joy receiving……?

One transfer

One delivery,

One make over

One award

If your happiness comes from something you ……?

Drive

Deposit

Drink

Digest

Ps 23:1

The LORD is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

NKJV

The place where the discontent of life begins to die is where the Sheppard is able to guide you to the pasture of satisfaction.

Questions:

Do you own a house, a car, some cloths? How about some fishing or hunting gear? What about other hobbies like crafts, sports, painting. Think about the jewelry, stocks or the retirement fund.

Truth: First it is not ours:

We really don’t own any of these things. None of this stuff is ours!

Eccl 5:15… As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return,

To go as he came; And he shall take nothing from his labor

Which he may carry away in his hand.

Truth : Second it is not you!

Luke 12:14-15

15 Beware! Don’t always be wishing for what you don’t have. For real life and real living are not related to how rich we are."

TLB

The lord does not know you by the clothes you wear or the car you drive

1 Sam 16:7

7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

NKJV

When God thinks of you he is seeing your compassion, devotion, sacrifice, obedience, your love, your relationships your integrity, your honesty.

We know we are locked in the prison of WANT when we identify ourselves or others with material possessions.

Illustration: Missionary on Tobago Island was only her for a few weeks. She went to the leper colony eachday to lead a song service and preach a short sermon.

During the song service she decided to take request and asked he lepers if they had a favorite song;

On woman began to speak. Her ears were missing, lips eaten away very little hair left. Her face was much disfigured and missing the nose completely. She made the request, “Could we sing “Count Your Blessings”?

The missionary started the song but could not finish it. She said she would sing the song again but never sing it the same.

1. If your are hoping that a change in circumstances will change your attitude you are locked in the prison of WANT

2. If you believe when you receive the cherished item that your values will adjust than your locked ion the prison of WANT.

What is the one thing separating you from Joy?

How would you fill in this blank? I will be happy when ________________?

• When I am Healed

• When I am Promoted

• When I am Married

• When I am Single

• When I am rich……..