He Comforts Me
April 9th, 2006 Psalm 23:3b-4
These are my actual notes and sermon handouts and they probably mean more to me than they do to you. If you don’t understand something in my notes – feel free to e-mail me for clarification (stevenmary7@hotmail.com). Here’s some deciphering hints: I use hyphens (-) to separate key elements in a thought progression. I use quotation marks when I’m illustrating what some one in the congregation might be thinking or asking at that particular point in the message or to illustrate different character voices in an illustration. Bullets are springboards for thought progressions associated with main points in a thought.
Been looking at the 23rd Psalm – Need a shepherd – for times of restoration
PS 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul.
Restores – but is He with us in those times need to be restored from?
INTRO: there will be times in our lives when our worlds unravel…
• Relationships, death, Dreams, vision, desires, trials and storms
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. PS 23:4 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.
Katelyn’s death - didn’t know what to say – said some things about The Shepherd and the paths he makes us walk at times – some things I’ve learned – 5 things to say to someone in a dark valley – 5 things to remember if you’re going through valley
1. You are not _Alone_.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
PATH = a way – a course of action – a life direction – a pattern of behavior – a series of circumstances
Many paths in life you can choose…
• Obviously Wrong – if you get started out on that path get to a place say – “What am I doing here?” – “I didn’t want my life to be about this!”
• Appears to be right but is wrong - PR 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. – 16:25
• Right for a while – but now I need to go in this direction… - God might change your life and send you in a different direction.
If you have a heart to be on right path – ears ought to perk up when read – “He guides me in paths of righteousness”
• God is interested that we are on the right path!
• Paths that lead to joy, peace, satisfaction, firmness…
PS 37:23 If the LORD delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; 24 though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
PS 16:11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
• Aren’t you glad He leads you in those paths? – may not be her path or my path – but it’s the right path! – He guides me!
“How do I get onto the right path?”
1. God’s will is found in God’s Word
PS 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
• If you’re in a dark place – TURN THE LIGHT ON!
2. Seeking out Godly Counsel
PR 13:10 Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
PR 12:15 The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.
“I don’t want to ask someone else – I want to do what I want to do – if I ask them they might tell me my plan is a bad plan!” – FOOL!
3. Listening to the Spirit’s leading
JN 16:12 "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.
• Jesus is Word made flesh – Spirit of God takes from word – make known to you – godly counsel – rooted in wisdom of the Word…
• Some want Spirit’s guidance but not Word or Godly counsel – EHHHHHH!
• Spirit uses the things you’ve learned in Word and counsel of others…
• If not filled w/Word / Godly counsel – not giving Spirit much to work with
• “God told me to…” – BLAH! – NONSENSE!
• God’s not going to tell you something that’s contrary to Word / Counsel
Get these three together – powerful! - He guides me…
Guides me where?
“…in paths of righteousness…” Q: What are the pathways in life that produce righteousness? – Test – multiple choice…
A. The easy times of life… - “I grow more when things are good!”
B. The hard times of life… - difficult things I wouldn’t choose for myself!
• When look back my life – those times He’s closest – grew!
• Paths of righteousness for me have been paths of hardship for me T or F?
• True! – always true – if we could vote it down we would wouldn’t we?
So when says – “He leads me in paths of righteousness…”
• Means he sometimes guides me into hard circumstances – WHY?
• He’s trying to produce something in you and me!
• No growth w/o Rain – no diamond w/o pressure
• No roses w/o pruning – no gold w/o fire!
• Rain, pressure, pruning, fire – are the paths of righteousness!
JOB 23:10 But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. 11 My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.
Put that together with…“He leads me in paths of righteousness…”
• If you’re a believer – that’s the program He’s got you on
“We pray for easier paths when we should pray for stronger shoes!”
2. You are raising the _Flag_.
for his name’s sake. – For His reputation / Fame
• Why God is growing/shaping us – shine more brightly in dark world!
• Believers and non-believers – both suffer…
• But is my life different from theirs?
That’s what is in that phrase - …for his name’s sake…
• Is there contrast between their life / yours? – what God’s interested in!
• Am I choosing – love vs. hate? / hope vs. despair? / faith vs. doubt? / forgiveness vs. bitterness? / victory vs. defeat?
This is the bottom line! – for his names sake!
• Am I living like there’s a difference? - people not living that way!
• Not raising the flag – living differently thru same thing – for His Name!
• He wants people to know the difference He makes!
• If I’m different than neighbor going thru same thing – raising the flag!
Levels of raising the Flag…
Raising the Flag of No Victory
• Not raising flag very high – just like everyone else
• Not more loving, forgiving, less stressed out, materialistic, petty, prideful – no difference!
• Not saying much about His name!
Raising the Flag of Platitude Victory
• “Praise the Lord I’m on the victory side!”
• I’m raising the flag – victory in Jesus!
• Always a sentence to say – Christianity condensed to sound bite
• Camouflage for an unchanged heart – but not experiencing in life
Jesus did not rise from the grave to produce a lame platitude victory!
Raising the Flag of True Victory
• Genuine strength in God – obvious difference in life with God!
• Enduring hardship, hanging on, standing firm, drawing down upon His strength… - “it’s kind of white knuckled you know?”
• Struggling – holding on – wonder – “Is there anything more?”
Raising the Flag of Absolute Victory
• The real deal – what Jesus rose from dead to provide…
• “I’m in bad place right now but I’ve been on my knees – walking with God – experiencing His strength!
• That’s for the sake of His name!
He leads me in paths of righteousness FOR HIS NAMES SAKE!
• Which are you experiencing?
• Is it little – No victory? / platitudes / holding on / laying hold!?
You are not alone! – you’re raising the flag – “Maybe I’ll grab that flag someday – but I’m in survival mode…”
3. You will get _Through_ this.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Greg Laurie told story of man who lost daughter in accident – he pick her up – little sports car – her hair blowing in the wind – “I love you honey!” – “I love you more daddy!” – not driving fast but went to shift – rear tires locked up – spun - hit curb – rolled over – daughter killed instantly.
• That is a deep valley – sometimes life takes you to a deep valley!
• You dream of a day when you will lay hold of the flag – right now just surviving – that’s OK – not wrong!
You will get through this!
“valley of shadow of death” – shadow of death = one word in Hebrew
• Describes a place shepherd leads sheep – down into deep valley to take them up to better pastures – valley walls so high – light is blocked.
• Common to refer to end of life – facing death
John Bunyan – Pilgrims Progress – speaks of not end of life but middle of life – for some death will be hardest thing that they face – for others – death is easy compared to what their asked to walk through. Some in this life will experience 1,2 or 3 things – deep valleys
Circle some words… “even” – God guides me in paths of righteousness even in darkest times. Even there!
• My life same as yours – but as pastor – spend more time in “shadow of death” than most people
• Phone rings in middle of the night – pastor meets people in dark valleys.
• Some say – people of faith great until the shadow of death – then fall apart – WRONG!
• Times been with believers in crisis – never does their faith shine brighter
• People of God shine bright!
Circle “through”
• “I’ll never laugh again…”
• “I’ll never enjoy the simple pleasures again…”
• But you will! – the promise is that you will go “THROUGH” that valley!
• Encourage somebody – “This too shall pass” – “It came to pass…”
ISA 43:1 But now, this is what the LORD says: … "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
ISA 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
ISA 43:3 For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
4. You have nothing to _Fear_.
I will fear no evil, for you are with me; - say that out loud
• David – power of 100% commitment!
What do people fear?
• It isn’t the valley! – not the thing itself! – not what in the middle of
• It’s what comes afterward
• You get the news from the doctor – something’s wrong – illness…
• Not the valley – but the rest of life in that context – tomorrow, next week
• What will happen? – the result – the outcome – the long run
• “Will I get back on my feet? – Will I lose my mind?”
• “Will I be alone? – will I be OK?
You don’t have to fear that! – he will walk with you through it! – notice – he’s choosing it – “I will fear – No evil!”
When it seems like things are going in the wrong way – “I will fear no evil”
When people are making wrong decisions – “I will fear no evil”
When people are saying things about you not true – “I will fear no evil”
What will happen now – “I will fear no evil”
When the supports are knocked out from under you – “I will fear no evil!”
Say it – “I will fear no evil”
Because you’ve got it all together?
Because you’ve been through this before and know what to do?
Because you’ve got this strategy / plans?
Because you’re such a cool person?
“…for you are with me!”
John Wesley said… - “Other than the cross of Jesus Christ, this is the best in the whole Bible!” – God is with me – I will not fear!
5. You are _Safe_ and _Secure_.
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Two instruments shepherds use – protection and correction
• Rod = protection – gnarly weapon – “get back!”
• Nothing comes into your life but God allows it…
• “allow that…” – “don’t allow that…” etc. – protection
• Staff = correction…
• “get over here - what are you doing over there? – not supposed to be walking over there – get back on the path!”
Does God have to do that to you sometimes?
• “What’s that attitude? – Get off that line of thinking! – get your eyes back over here!”
Protecting is for safety
Correcting is for security
Uncorrected child might like it for awhile – pretty soon – “I’m not loved!”
• “Other kids parents tell them stuff!”
• God chastens whom he loves – Hebrews – if not chastened - not child
• Something comforting in knowing his rod and staff – for our protection and correction – loves us enough to keep us on the path…
2 Scotsmen arguing about the greatest scripture in the whole Bible…
“I found it – Is 56:3 – ‘What time I am afraid I will trust in Him!’”
“Better – Is 12:2 – ‘I will trust and not be afraid!”
He was right! - Maybe you’re – “I’m afraid I will trust!” receive the comforting word of the shepherd…
Trust in His Rod and Staff – you’ll have nothing to fear..
Bow
What is the most challenging thing you’re facing right now?
What is the path of righteousness he’s lead you into?
• Are you rejecting it? Are you resenting it? Are you tolerating it?
• Are you enduring it? Are you embracing it?
• This is my opportunity to shine in dark world for you Jesus!
He Comforts Me
April 9th, 2006 Psalm 23:3b-4
1. You are not ______________.
He guides me in paths of righteousness…
How do I get onto the right path?
1. God’s ________ is found in God’s ________.
2. Seek out Godly ______________.
3. Listening to the ____________ leading.
“We pray for easier paths when we should pray for stronger shoes!”
2. You are raising the ______________.
…for his name’s sake…
Raising the Flag of ____________ Victory
Raising the Flag of ____________ Victory
Raising the Flag of ____________ Victory
Raising the Flag of ____________ Victory
3. You will get ________________ this.
PS 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…
4. You have nothing to _______________.
…I will fear no evil,
5. You are ____________ and ____________.
…for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
