Sermon for 5/27/2001
Psalm 23
The Shepherd Psalm
Introduction:
A well-known actor had come to town and to the delight of everyone was giving public recitations of outstanding literary pieces. Among the recitations he gave was the 23rd Psalm. His presentation was flawless. Everyone was impressed. However, at the gathering an old saint of God was recognized who had been known to recite the 23rd Psalm at times. Upon the friendly prodding of the people, and the consent of the actor, he was finally coached into giving his version too. As all eyes were fixed upon him, with deep feeling and emotion he began, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside still waters…” On and one he continued emphasizing each personal pronoun as his own until he finished the great psalm. As he sat down everyone was visibly moved, including the actor. Without hesitation the actor exclaimed, “I know the psalm, but this man knows the shepherd!” Do you?
WBTU:
A. Last week we talked about shepherds and sheep.
B. David was a shepherd. However, he knew that he had a shepherd, the Lord.
C. What is the secret to a happy life?
D. (Phil 4:12 NIV) I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (Phil 4:13 NIV) I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Thesis: The secret to a happy life is found in this psalm. Let’s find this secret.
For instances:
I. The Secret of a happy life (23:1-3)
A. Its roots in a magnificent spiritual relationship. Vs. 1
1. Not lacking in needs.
2. Utter contentment in the shepherd’s care.
3. Contentment with God should be one of the characteristics that make a Christian stand out!
4. The wicked always want, but the righteous never.
B. Its results in a magnificent spiritual reality. (1-3)
1. First, God leads His sheep into rest. (Vs. 2)
a. Our hearts are not at rest, until they rest in Thee.
b. There is no contentment in the things of the world.
1. Study, knowledge.
2. Pleasure
3. Amassing possessions, money
4. Power
5. Popularity, friends
6. Awards, doing good, career.
7. Man is never satisfied. (Eccl 6:7 NIV) All man’s efforts are for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied.
c. Can’t get no satisfaction. (Eccl 2:23 NIV) All his days his work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is meaningless.
d. However, with God, we are satisfied. God gives us rest.
1. (Psa 62:1 NIV) A psalm of David. My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.
2. (Psa 62:5 NIV) Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.
3. (Psa 91:1 NIV) He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
4. (Mat 11:28 NIV) "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Mat 11:29 NIV) Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
5. Make him your shepherd and he will give you rest for your souls. Plan of salvation.
e. The Good Shepherd:
1. Shares His life with Us
2. Gives His life for Us
3. Puts His life in us.
2. God guides us into work (3)
a. Life is not a place for the sheep to lie down in, but a road for them to walk on.
b. Rest is to make us fit for work, and work is to sweeten the Lord’s rest.
c. It is not good for our Christianity to be simply a rest; it is better to seek first to do the duties of Christ and then to seek His rest and strength.
d. Joy in God is the source of our strength for the work. To work for God is the continuation of our joy. Cannot stay in rest. Eventually, the rest will be taken away.
e. Work of righteousness must follow the restoration of the soul.
1. (Eph 2:8 NIV) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- (Eph 2:9 NIV) not by works, so that no one can boast. (Eph 2:10 NIV) For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
2. We work not for the assurance of salvation, but because of our salvation.
3. First, the restoration of the soul and then the paths of righteousness for His names sake.
3. God leads His people through sorrow.
a. Any valley of weeping through which we have to pass.
b. He who leads us into the valley is the best to help us to bear it.
c. Some times a shepherd must lead his flock through a difficult area to get to better pastureland. The sheep don’t understand at the time, but they follow and are blessed.
d. Do not take it out on the shepherd. He has our best interests in mind. Many things we cannot see.
e. Leads us to our next point in our quest for the secret to a happy life.
II. The Secret of a happy death (23:4-5)
A. Death is part of life.
B. Puritans view of death.
C. If we are not prepared for death, then we cannot truly live life to its fullest.
D. David talks about:
1. The Tomb.
a. David describes death as a valley. Think of a mountain scene. Must go through valley to get to the mountaintop. The High Country is where the best forage and water are to be found.
b. David calls death a shadow. Something harmless.
c. Grim-reaper comes. Not for the Christian.
d. A shadow only exists as long as there is light to cast it.
e. God is the source of light whether it is spiritual or the sun. Death is only a brief shadow in a land of light for the Christian. This shadow only temporarily stands in our light.
f. Christians shine like Jesus and death is only but a brief shadow before the blazing light of heaven.
** We have the assurance of:
a. The Lord’s presence.
1) Jesus Christ is taking us through the valley.
2) A great comfort to know that we are not alone in this walk. We have a great friend, a Great Shepherd along with us to guide and direct.
3) If we are Christians we have the best of company for our journey through this valley. A caring shepherd will comfort us with his rod and staff.
4) The believer does not quicken his pace when he comes to die, but calmly walks with God.
b. The Lord’s protection.
1) Rod was used for protection of the sheep.
2) Jesus Christ is scaring away all the enemies.
3) Staff is used to draw us to himself when we stray too far.
4) Comfort and protection.
5) Drives away all doubt and fears.
6) The last path we walk is not an uncharted way. The Shepherd has already gone there and preparations began long ago.
7) Death is a defeated enemy. Jesus Christ will beat the enemy away.
2. The table.
a. The wedding supper of the Lamb. We are feasting at His banquet-eating table.
b. The bread of life; satisfaction.
c. Life is a sore fight; but to the Christian, in spite of all the stress, life is a banquet.
d. Joy in conflict, rest and food even in the strife.
e. Anoint my head- heals us here and in heaven.
f. My cup overflows!
1) (Eph 3:20 NIV) Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, (Eph 3:21 NIV) to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
2) (1 Cor 2:9 NIV) However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"—
III. The Secret of a happy eternity (6)
A. Most of life consists of eternity.
B. The song- “I’ll Never Be Over the Hill”
C. Funeral joke.
D. Good things will happen all the days of this life. Surely goodness and mercy will pursue me.
E. Goodness supplies our needs, and mercy blots out our sins.
F. All this and Heaven too.
G. Proud to be a part of the flock/ Family of God
Conclusion:
A. Happiness consists of having salvation, rest.
B. Consists of knowing what happens at death.
C. Consists of having an assurance of our eternal destiny and the wonderful things that await us there.
D. (Eccl 3:11 NIV) He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
E. There is a hole in my heart that can only be filled by You. Is the Lord your Shepherd… or are you in Want?
