III. THE LORD IS
A. What does the word “is” imply? (Elmer Towns @sermoncentral.com)
1. Some only testify to past experiences with God.
“The Lord was my Shepherd.”
2. Some only plan to get close to the Lord-Shepherd in the future.
“The Lord will be my Shepherd.”
B. What two things can I count on when you use the verb “IS”?
Elmer Towns @sermoncentral.com
1. Right now. The Lord will care and protect you today.
2. Right here. You don’t have to go some place else to get into the
Shepherd’s care.
IV. THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD
A. The Shepherd
1. In the Old Testament, sheep died for the shepherd. In the New Testament, Shepherd dies for the sheep. (Robert McKenzie)
2. Jesus is our Three-fold shepherd. (Robert McKenzie)
a. The good shepherd.
John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”
b. The great shepherd.
Hebrews 13:20 “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,”
c. The chief shepherd.
I Peter 5:4 “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”
3. Why is He called “Shepherd”?
a. He knows us.
John 10:14 “I am the good Shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of mine”
b. He relates to us.
John 10:3-4 “He calleth His own sheep by name and leadeth them out and when He putteth forth His own sheep, He goeth before them and the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice.”
c. He loves the sheep.
Matt. 9:36 “He (Jesus) was moved with compassion on them, because they were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.”
d. He provides for the sheep.
John 10:10 “I am come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly.”
e. He sacrifices for the sheep.
John 10:11 “The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”
John 10:15 “I lay down my life for the sheep.”
f. He protects the sheep.
Psalm 23:4 “thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
g. He feeds the sheep.
Psalm 23:5 “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of
mine enemies”
Isaiah 40:11 “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.”
3. Not a hireling.
John 10:12 “But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 10:13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.”
B. The Sheep (Robert McKenzie)
The nature and habits of sheep make them very different from most other animals.
1. Sheep are an object of property, not a wild animal.
a. Only domestic animal that cannot exist without man.
b. Horses, dogs, cats left to themselves will become wild.
c. Not sheep, they will be killed by wolves or winter.
2. We are compared to sheep:
Psalm 100:3 “Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”
a. Cannot train them to do anything.
b. They are defenseless. No claws, teeth, horns, fangs.
c. They have no sense of direction.
1) If ever lost cannot find way back. Sheep have no homing instincts. A dog, horse, cat, or a bird can find its way home, but when a sheep gets lost, it’s a goner unless someone rescues it.
2) Must be brought back by Shepherd; must be found by Shepherd.
d. They are easily disturbed.
1) Least little thing will frighten them. Sheep are near-sighted & very stubborn, but easily frightened. An entire flock can be stampeded by a jack rabbit.
2) Prone to stray.
3) Weak, very little strength.
e. Unless their shepherd makes them move on, sheep will actually ruin a pasture, eating every blade of grass, until finally a fertile pasture is nothing but barren soil.
f. Sheep just can’t make it without a shepherd.
C. My Shepherd (Elmer Towns @sermoncentral.com)
1. He is mine.
a. The Lord is a shepherd, means He is one among many. Who or what is your shepherd? Job? Family? Retirement fund?
b. The Lord is the shepherd means He has the priority, but He is not personal. “The shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).
c. The Lord is our shepherd means He relates to me in a crowd. “I’m only one among many.”
d. The name “shepherd” so precious in both Old and New Testament.
e. Shepherd comes from a verb meaning “to feed”, hence to protect and care for
out of a sense of devotion, ownership, and responsibility.
(From Standard International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
2. We are His (Robert McKenzie @sermoncentral.com)
a. By creation.
Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”
b. By redemption (purchased me).
Acts 20:28 “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”
I Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
c. By sustaining (Leads me by his Spirit and keeps me by his power).
Romans 15:13 “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”
V. I SHALL NOT WANT
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. (Melvin Newland sermoncentral)
More is implied than is expressed, not only, I shall not want, but, “I shall be supplied with whatever I need; and, if I have not every thing I desire, I may conclude it is either not fit for me or not good for me or I shall have it in due time.” Matthew Henry
A. What does the phrase “I shall not want” suggest? (Elmer Towns)
1. Will I die? Yes.
2. Will I get sick? Yes.
3. Have God’s people been martyred? Yes.
4. Have God’s people suffered financial reverses? Yes.
B. I shall not want! (Robert McKenzie)
1. His riches are unsearchable.
Ephesians 3:8 “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;”
2. His joy is unspeakable.
3. His power is unlimited.
Ephesians 3:20 “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that
worketh in us, 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
4. His faithfulness is unfailing.
Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
5. His word is unshakable.
Matthew 24:35 “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”
6. His love is unchanging.
C. What shall we “not want?” (Elmer Towns)
1. What are the greatest “wants” in life.
a. Love me.
Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
b. Accept me.
John 6:37 “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”
c. Protect me.
John 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”
2. We shall not want what the Shepherd gives.
a. I shall not want His presence.
b. I shall not want His plan for my life.
c. I shall not want His protection over evil.
I Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
d. I shall not want spiritual satisfaction.
e. I shall not want what my Shepherd can give.
Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Psalms 34:9 “O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.”
I shall not want This is the main idea in the psalm, and this idea is derived from the fact that God is a shepherd. The meaning is, that, as a shepherd, he would make all needful provision for his flock, and show all proper care for it. The words “shall not want”, as applied to the psalmist, would embrace everything that could be a proper object of desire, whether temporal or spiritual; whether pertaining to the body or the soul; whether having reference to time or to eternity. There is no reason for supposing that David limited this to his temporal necessities, or to the present life, but the idea manifestly is that God would provide all that was needful for him always. Barnes’ Notes
A little girl quoted Psalm 23 as "The Lord is my Shepherd, He is all I want."
2. He can see the obstacles ahead that will require additional strength.
Mountains and valleys
3. God knows the end from the beginning.
4. He knows exactly what we need and He knows exactly when we need it.
B. Why do sheep lie down? (Elmer Towns)
1. Natural. Standing people naturally want to lie down.
2. Tired. The Lord gives us rest in green pastures.
3. Sleep. We need rest to replenish our strength.
4. Hide. Sheep want to hide from danger. Not as visible to predators lying down.
5. Stop working. When we lie down, we stop working. A time of rest.
6. To be in His presence. Sometimes we want to be near the one we love.
Luke 10:41 “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
C. He does not force, but uses gentle persuasion. (Touches the thigh a place of strength.)
D. Sheep will not lie down: (Robert McKenzie et. al.)
1. When there is fear from without...wolves and wild beasts. They continue to stand ready to run.
2. They must be content. If flies or fleas are bothering them they’ll not lie down. They must be comfortable before they’ll lie down.
3. Problems within the fold. If there is friction over the butting order among them, then they simply cannot relax & V. I SHALL NOT WANT
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. (Melvin Newland sermoncentral)
More is implied than is expressed, not only, I shall not want, but, “I shall be supplied with whatever I need; and, if I have not every thing I desire, I may conclude it is either not fit for me or not good for me or I shall have it in due time.” Matthew Henry
A. What does the phrase “I shall not want” suggest? (Elmer Towns)
1. Will I die? Yes.
2. Will I get sick? Yes.
3. Have God’s people been martyred? Yes.
4. Have God’s people suffered financial reverses? Yes.
B. I shall not want! (Robert McKenzie)
1. His riches are unsearchable.
Ephesians 3:8 “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;”
2. His joy is unspeakable.
3. His power is unlimited.
Ephesians 3:20 “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that
worketh in us, 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
4. His faithfulness is unfailing.
Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
5. His word is unshakable.
Matthew 24:35 “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”
6. His love is unchanging.
C. What shall we “not want?” (Elmer Towns)
1. What are the greatest “wants” in life.
a. Love me.
Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
b. Accept me.
John 6:37 “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”
c. Protect me.
John 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”
2. We shall not want what the Shepherd gives.
a. I shall not want His presence.
b. I shall not want His plan for my life.
c. I shall not want His protection over evil.
I Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
d. I shall not want spiritual satisfaction.
e. I shall not want what my Shepherd can give.
Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Psalms 34:9 “O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.”
I shall not want This is the main idea in the psalm, and this idea is derived from the fact that God is a shepherd. The meaning is, that, as a shepherd, he would make all needful provision for his flock, and show all proper care for it. The words “shall not want”, as applied to the psalmist, would embrace everything that could be a proper object of desire, whether temporal or spiritual; whether pertaining to the body or the soul; whether having reference to time or to eternity. There is no reason for supposing that David limited this to his temporal necessities, or to the present life, but the idea manifestly is that God would provide all that was needful for him always. Barnes’ Notes
A little girl quoted Psalm 23 as "The Lord is my Shepherd, He is all I want."
VI. HE MAKETH ME LIE DOWN (Robert McKenzie)
70 million Americans suffer from it and it causes 38,000 death in a year. The productivity that is lost cost the USA $70 billion a year. 64% of our teenagers have poor performance in school because of it. It is between the ages of 30-40 that people suffer most severely. In those over 60 years of age 50% are impacted by this condition. The treatments to help this are everything from mouth guard to herbal teas to medications. America does not get enough sleep. The problem is insomnia. (Dennis Selfridge @sermoncentral)
A. Why does the Shepherd make the sheep rest? (Robert McKenzie)
1. Because the shepherd can see much farther than the sheep.
2. He can see the obstacles ahead that will require additional strength.
Mountains and valleys
3. God knows the end from the beginning.
4. He knows exactly what we need and He knows exactly when we need it.
B. Why do sheep lie down? (Elmer Towns)
1. Natural. Standing people naturally want to lie down.
2. Tired. The Lord gives us rest in green pastures.
3. Sleep. We need rest to replenish our strength.
4. Hide. Sheep want to hide from danger. Not as visible to predators lying down.
5. Stop working. When we lie down, we stop working. A time of rest.
6. To be in His presence. Sometimes we want to be near the one we love.
Luke 10:41 “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
C. He does not force, but uses gentle persuasion. (Touches the thigh a place of strength.)
D. Sheep will not lie down: (Robert McKenzie et. al.)
1. When there is fear from without...wolves and wild beasts. They continue to stand ready to run.
2. They must be content. If flies or fleas are bothering them they’ll not lie down. They must be comfortable before they’ll lie down.
3. Problems within the fold. If there is friction over the butting order among them, then they simply cannot relax &
V. I SHALL NOT WANT
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. (Melvin Newland sermoncentral)
More is implied than is expressed, not only, I shall not want, but, “I shall be supplied with whatever I need; and, if I have not every thing I desire, I may conclude it is either not fit for me or not good for me or I shall have it in due time.” Matthew Henry
A. What does the phrase “I shall not want” suggest? (Elmer Towns)
1. Will I die? Yes.
2. Will I get sick? Yes.
3. Have God’s people been martyred? Yes.
4. Have God’s people suffered financial reverses? Yes.
B. I shall not want! (Robert McKenzie)
1. His riches are unsearchable.
Ephesians 3:8 “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;”
2. His joy is unspeakable.
3. His power is unlimited.
Ephesians 3:20 “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that
worketh in us, 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
4. His faithfulness is unfailing.
Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
5. His word is unshakable.
Matthew 24:35 “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”
6. His love is unchanging.
C. What shall we “not want?” (Elmer Towns)
1. What are the greatest “wants” in life.
a. Love me.
Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
b. Accept me.
John 6:37 “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”
c. Protect me.
John 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”
2. We shall not want what the Shepherd gives.
a. I shall not want His presence.
b. I shall not want His plan for my life.
c. I shall not want His protection over evil.
I Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
d. I shall not want spiritual satisfaction.
e. I shall not want what my Shepherd can give.
Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Psalms 34:9 “O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.”
I shall not want This is the main idea in the psalm, and this idea is derived from the fact that God is a shepherd. The meaning is, that, as a shepherd, he would make all needful provision for his flock, and show all proper care for it. The words “shall not want”, as applied to the psalmist, would embrace everything that could be a proper object of desire, whether temporal or spiritual; whether pertaining to the body or the soul; whether having reference to time or to eternity. There is no reason for supposing that David limited this to his temporal necessities, or to the present life, but the idea manifestly is that God would provide all that was needful for him always. Barnes’ Notes
A little girl quoted Psalm 23 as "The Lord is my Shepherd, He is all I want."
VI. HE MAKETH ME LIE DOWN (Robert McKenzie)
70 million Americans suffer from it and it causes 38,000 death in a year. The productivity that is lost cost the USA $70 billion a year. 64% of our teenagers have poor performance in school because of it. It is between the ages of 30-40 that people suffer most severely. In those over 60 years of age 50% are impacted by this condition. The treatments to help this are everything from mouth guard to herbal teas to medications. America does not get enough sleep. The problem is insomnia. (Dennis Selfridge @sermoncentral)
A. Why does the Shepherd make the sheep rest? (Robert McKenzie)
1. Because the shepherd can see much farther than the sheep.
2. He can see the obstacles ahead that will require additional strength.
Mountains and valleys
3. God knows the end from the beginning.
4. He knows exactly what we need and He knows exactly when we need it.
B. Why do sheep lie down? (Elmer Towns)
1. Natural. Standing people naturally want to lie down.
2. Tired. The Lord gives us rest in green pastures.
3. Sleep. We need rest to replenish our strength.
4. Hide. Sheep want to hide from danger. Not as visible to predators lying down.
5. Stop working. When we lie down, we stop working. A time of rest.
6. To be in His presence. Sometimes we want to be near the one we love.
Luke 10:41 “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
C. He does not force, but uses gentle persuasion. (Touches the thigh a place of strength.)
D. Sheep will not lie down: (Robert McKenzie et. al.)
1. When there is fear from without...wolves and wild beasts. They continue to stand ready to run.
2. They must be content. If flies or fleas are bothering them they’ll not lie down. They must be comfortable before they’ll lie down.
3. Problems within the fold. If there is friction over the butting order among them, then they simply cannot relax &lie down. (one can cause the rest to be unruly)
4. When they are hungry, they will not lie down. They must be satisfied.
