TITLE: The Song of the Sheep
TEXT: Psalm 23:1-6
INTRO: A little girl...done something wrong...on the outs with her parents, so she had to eat by herself...corner...a small table. She bowed her head & said, "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies."
The Twenty-third Psalm has often been referred to as "The Shepherd’s Psalm." A better title would be "The Song of the Sheep” because the it is the sheep who is talking.
I. THE SHEPHERD'S RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS SHEEP
A. A Personal Relationship (v.1a)
1. David begins by referring to Him as "Lord"
2. He is both Lord and Savior
(Joh 10:11) "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."
B. Our Lord Provides for Our Needs (v.1b)
1. Our Wants often go beyond our Needs
# Gravestone in English cemetery: “She died for want of things.” Alongside that stone is another one, which reads, “He died trying to give them to her.”
# It was spring. But it was summer I wanted
The warm days, & the great outdoors.
It was summer. But it was fall I wanted
The colorful leaves, & the cool, dry air.
It was fall. But it was winter I wanted
The beautiful snow, & the joy of the holiday season.
It was winter. But it was spring I wanted
The warmth, & the blossoming of nature.
I was a child. But it was adulthood I wanted
The freedom, & the respect.
I was 20. But it was 30 I wanted
To be mature, & sophisticated.
I was middle aged. But it was 20 I wanted
The youth, & the free spirit.
I was retired. But it was middle age I wanted
The presence of mind, without limitations.
Then my life was over, & I never got what I wanted.
2. He provides what we truly need: Love, acceptance, purpose, protection and provisions for living
(Phil 4:19) But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
II. THE SHEPHERD'S CARE FOR HIS SHEEP
A. He Calms His Sheep (v.2)
1. He relieves our stress
2. He provides us with nourishment
(Psa 107:9) For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
B. He Forgives and Restores (v.3)
1. Peter…on the shore...Cleansed & Restored
2. He doesn't forget us when we stray
(Luk 15:4-7) What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
C. He Walks With Us (v.4)
# The road going down from Jerusalem to Jericho follows alongside the Wadi Qelt, a deep, dark canyon that has been identified with the Valley of the Shadow of Death, where there were bears, lions and robbers.
1. God sometimes takes us into the valleys of trials and danger to develop Christian character
2. The Rod is used for Protecting and Correcting
3. The Staff lifts us up when we are down and guides us
III. THE SHEPHERD'S BLESSING OF HIS SHEEP
A. Powerful and Abundant (v.5)
1. He is greater than anything we face
2. He gives us more than we could ever give Him
(Joh 10:10) "...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly"
# Song:
I thank God for his blessings,
and the mercies He's bestowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'cause my cup has overflowed.
B. Everlasting (v.6)
1. The Good Shepherd rewards us, when we follow Him
with His goodness and mercy
2. Satan has no old, happy people
-Satan gives his best first and his worst last,
-Jesus gives the best first and it keeps on
.getting better as time goes on!
CONCL:
(Rom 8:32) He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Is Jesus your Savior?
Is He your Shepherd,
Is He the Lord of all your life?
Amen
