Are You A Good Sheep?
Scripture: Psalm 23; Proverbs 16:18
Introduction
As I look at each of you, I want you to know that I believe in my heart that each of you are stupid. I will explain why I feel this way later. This morning I want to pose a question to you for you to consider. You do not have to tell me your answer, but I want you to really answer it truthfully within yourself. The question is this, “Are You A Good Sheep?” In John the 10th chapter, Jesus said that He was the Shepherd and we are His sheep. This morning I want you to consider whether or not you are a “good sheep”. Most of you have heard the term “the black sheep or the bad sheep of the family.” This term when referencing a sheep, was given to that sheep that was not into conforming or following the rules. That sheep believed that it knew better or had the “right” to follow its own path. When this term is used to describe an individual, it generally refers to that person who is “different” from the rest of the family. He’s the troublemaker, the non-conformist, and the one who follows his own path versus someone else’s. When you consider whether or not you are a good sheep, the focus should be on one area, your ability to follow.
During the messages on faith, I shared with you that your faith is based on what you know of God through His Word. However, it does not end there. With that acceptance, you must choose to obey His Word and that leads me to my earlier question, “Are you a good sheep?”
I. Understanding Sheep
I have shared with you before the characteristics of sheep. Generally sheep are considered to be very stupid. They are so timid that blowing paper in the wind will cause them to flee and storms will send them into a panic. If they fall into water, they will drown without even fighting and they will burn in a fire without trying to run away because they are so tightly gripped by fear. If they fall over on their backs, they cannot get up because of the weight of the wool. All of these characteristics of sheep make them prime targets for attacks by wolves and other predators. These same characteristics also make them totally dependant on their shepherd. Now let’s consider what one would call “the black sheep”. This sheep refuses to follow the shepherd. This sheep does not believe that it must depend on the shepherd for its needs. This sheep can often be found wandering away from the rest of the flock seeking its own food or to just satisfy it curiosity. The black sheep does not want to conform. Later I will share with you the extent that shepherds have gone through to teach the “black sheep” to learn how to depend on him. But this is the sheep, timid, scared animals who are totally dependant on their shepherd.
It is very easy to see why a man would not want to be compared to a sheep. I mean think of these traits, being stupid, timid, scared easily, not able to take care of ourselves, susceptible to predator attacks and not being able to defend ourselves. To be defined to a sheep can be offensive to some, yet Jesus said we are His sheep. If this is the case and you accept this title, would it offend you if I called you stupid? Would it offend you if I said you’re unable to take care of yourself, you’re weak, a chicken, scared of your own shadow? I am sure for most of you, you would find that very offensive. We have all been taught to be self sufficient, being able to handle our own business. It is not a compliment for us to be compared with sheep. Herein lays the problem. When we look closely at sheep, it is not within us to want to be compared to one. We want to be viewed in a very positive light with no need for anyone. The fact that I may need someone other than myself represents a weakness. My pride will not let me admit such a thing. So this morning I am going to ask that you admit such a thing, that you are stupid, weak, not able to take care of yourself, totally dependant on someone greater than you. Turn with me to Psalm 23.
II. David Recognizes He’s A Sheep
King David is one of the more famous figures in the Old Testament. All of us know the story of David and Goliath. David was a teenager when he killed Goliath and that battle was the first of many that he would win. When David faced Goliath (the record is found in 1 Samuel chapter 17) he did so because all of Saul’s soldiers were scared to fight him, including David’s own brothers. Saul did not think David could do it and David told him how God had delivered him from a lion and a bear. He said that this same God would deliver him now. When David said he would fight Goliath, Goliath thought it was a joke. David told Goliath that God would deliver him into his hands. David then ran towards Goliath and killed him with one shot from his slingshot. It was a very short battle. David as a teenager recognized his source, that it was not him, but God.
Another one of David’s talents was that he wrote and played music. David was the one who played for Saul when Saul was under attack by demonic spirits. The Bible records in 1 Samuel chapter 16 that David’s playing actually caused the spirits to leave Saul and Saul was refreshed. (The music ministry within any Church is vital for it can bring about deliverance and healing. If you are involved in the music ministry, you must be prayerful that what you bring forth is what god would have you to bring forth. When God is allowed to select the music, you can be guaranteed that you will be ministering to someone in the audience.) David was a very skilled musician writing both the lyrics and the music for his songs (many of which are found in the book of Psalms). One of the songs for which he is most famous for is the 23rd Psalm. In this Psalms David did not consider it an insult to be considered a sheep, actually he thought it was a good thing. I want to use this Psalm to help us evaluate whether or not we are “good sheep” or one of those that is needing some additional guidance and help. One point to remember before we get into Psalms 23 and that is the shepherd’s job is to take care of the sheep. That is his only job, to fully care for every need of his flock. He does that not because he was hired to do it, but out of the love that he has for his flock. This should be our relationship with Christ. Look at verse one of Psalm 23.
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”
David first line confirms what he hold in his heart – that the Lord is his shepherd. And because the Lord is his shepherd, he recognizes that he will not have a “want”. Why? Because it is the shepherd’s job to know what the needs are of the sheep. He anticipates those need and then put things in place to meet them. It does not matter what is going on in the sheep’s life, the shepherd is there to handle all issues. If you are one who thinks that you are the one getting things done, then you’re not being a good sheep. If you refuse to recognize God as you source, you’re not being a good sheep. As a sheep belonging to God, you know that all of your needs will be met. Look at verse 2.
“He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters.”
Remember I said earlier that sheep were scared? In verse two David begins to focus on what God is actually doing for Him. When he says that “he make me lie down in green pastures”, these were fields where the sheep could eat and rest in the same place. This would be like a bed and breakfast place for us. The sheep can rest in peace knowing that the shepherd is actually watching over them as they rest. When they need a snack, they can just get up and snack and go back to sleep. Regardless to what happens throughout the day, the sheep is able to rest at night. The second part of this verse references the quiet waters. Remember what I said earlier about sheep being timid, raging waters scares the sheep. If they fall in, they would drown easily. The shepherd realizing this makes sure that he leads his sheep towards waters that are quiet, where the sheep can drink without being afraid.
A sheep that is not willing to follow the shepherd often ends up in trouble. These sheep finds themselves falling into the water, seeking food in areas that are not the best and exposes them to other predators. Many sheep have been killed because they wandered off from the shepherd. If you find that you are unable to rest at night because you’re focusing on solving your problems, you’re not being a good sheep. If you find yourself giving in to your own desires and wants, although you know where God is trying to lead you, you’re not being a good sheep. If God has told you to do something and you have not done it, you’re not being a good sheep. Look at verse 3.
“He restores my soul; He leads me in the path of righteousness for His name sake.”
When our spirits are troubled, our shepherd restores us. Our enemy may bring up every sin and offense that we have ever committed to trouble us, but our shepherd calms us. The shepherd guides his sheep along the right paths “for his name sake”. The shepherd knows the best way to get the sheep to its destination safely. They stake their reputation on their ability to not lose a sheep alone the way. Our shepherd is guiding us along the path that is best for us for His name sake – His reputation is tied to it.
If you are seeking your own way, identifying your own opportunities, defining your own path without even talking to your Shepherd, you are not being a good sheep. If you make all of your decisions without even considering asking your Shepherd, you are not being a good sheep. If you find yourself constantly being troubled and not being able to find peace, you are not being a good sheep. Look at verse 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.”
In David’s time, there were valleys that were surrounded by mountains which was perfect for someone to ambush the Shepherd. David said he was not worried about it because His Shepherd is with Him. He takes comfort in the equipment the Shepherd uses to protect him. When the enemy attacks, there is no fear. When falsely accused, there is no fear. When the economy changes for the worse, there is no fear. If you find that you are in the shadow of death alone, you are not being a good sheep. Somewhere along the line you have wanders off. However, all is not lost, all you need to do is call out and He will find you. Move to verse 5.
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
As the sheep sleeps and eats in the green pastures, the predators are always close by looking for an opportunity to attack. David says even in the presence of his enemies, there is a table that is prepared for him, he has been anointed and his cup overflows. Anointing the head with oil was mandatory in the East for the wealthy and David is saying that his Shepherd has more that enough and so does he. If you are choosing not to come to your Shepherd’s table, you are not being a good sheep. If you think you can get your own oil and you do not need your shepherd’s oil, you are not being a good sheep.
“Surely goodness and loving kindness will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
If you are sitting here wondering about your retirement plan with God, maybe you are not being a good sheep.
III. Consequences For The Bad Sheep
I took the long way around to bring you to this point – is you pride causing you to not be a good sheep? Solomon said “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before stumbling.” Proverbs 16:18 This may not seem like an issue for Christians, but how did you feel when I told you that you were stupid. It goes against the grain to say that we are totally dependent one anyone, even God. But when I compare my intellect to God’s I walk away feeling dumber than a box of rock. When I compare how I take care of myself versus how God takes care of me, I feel so inadequate. When I think about my fears and my ability to handle my problems versus turning everything over to God and seeing how easily He deals with them, I realize that I am nothing. I am stupid, weak and totally dependant on God. Until you get to the point of recognizing that, you will continue to struggle in your faith and in your walk with Him. There cannot be two shepherds. Either we are trying to be the shepherd or we are being the sheep.
