The Good Shepherd Part 1

The Good Shepherd Series

Psalm 23 (1 of 2)

May 27, 2007

Chester FBC, Chester, IllinoisDr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker

Introduction

A The 23rd Psalm is most commonly read at funerals. (Understandable)

1 It’s understandable.

a Offers comfort, healing, hope, promise, restoration, peace, righteousness, strength.

b Unfortunately, people fail to see what Psalm 23 offers at a time of death is available all the days of our lives.

2 This Psalm was probably not written by a young ruddy shepherd boy, lying on his back star gazing while the sheep gently bleat in the background.

a Probably wrote by an elderly King David, possibly in exile, perhaps running from his son Absolom.

b A mature believer who had fought life’s battles and bore its burdens.

B Before we can really study the text, discover the good shepherd, we must first know who we are.

1 Before you can say, "The LORD is my shepherd" you must first acknowledge that you are a sheep.

a Sheep. One of the most unwise creatures God ever created.

b Go anywhere but in the right direction, leave the green pastures of plenty for a barren field, wonder to the wolf’s den and not leave.

c Is. 53:6a " . . . all we like sheep have gone astray. Each of us has turned to his own way;" (Italics mine)

2 The sheep need a shepherd.

a He guides to safety, provides, protects, and even lay down His life for His sheep.

b That is exactly what Jesus is to us who acknowledge that we’re sheep in need of a Savior.

c Jehovah-Rohi (The Lord is our Shepherd)

d for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes."

Rev 7:17 (NASB) (Italics mine)

aa Sinners prayer

bb Raise hand if first time decision.

C These messages will look at the 23rd Psalm and we’ll see all the major OT names for God within it.

a I’m praying that you learn these names, pray these names, use these names this week in your pray time.

b Our invitation, alter ministry may take a little while this morning . . . I understand that if you need to be somewhere then go.

aa Don’t leave just because it’s 11:30 or 11:45. Maybe the Holy Spirit waiting till 11:50 to deal with you.

b Let’s pray.

I The five names in the first four verses of Psalm 23.

A "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures . ."

JEHOVAH-JIREH (The Lord provides)

1 When Abraham (Gen. 22:14) went to sacrifice his son Isaac on Mt. Moriah, God provided a ram in the thicket and spared Isaac. READ

a God provided, saw to it that the ram would be there. PROVIDE

b Provide is a compound word from the latin "pro" (before, like a "program" let’s you know before it happens) and "vide" (to see, we get video from this word.)

aa PRO VIDE literally means "to see before"

bb God wasn’t surprised by Abraham, Isaacs obediece, ram in the thicket . . . God saw it all before it ever happened.

2 Our God sees everything before hand. (At the beginning, seen the ending, and has seen everything.)

a Any need you and I may ever have is already met in Him.

b He makes us lie down in the green pastures because were well fed, content, provided for!

c The green pastures are full of green grass for tomorrow.

3 Praise Jehovah-Jireh

B "He leads me beside quiet waters" JEHOVAH SHALOM "The Lord Is Peace"

1 In Judges 6:24, Gideon’s nation had rebelled against God so He turned them over to the Midianites for discipline.

a War torn country, ravaged by conflict, spiritual and military attack . . . NO PEACE!

b God sends an angel to Gideon with a message and Gideon offers a sacrifice, God accepts it.

c God spoke to Gideon Judges 6:23,24

2 God didn’t just bring peace in war, HE IS PEACE.

a The shepherd of antiquity would lead the sheep by the quiet, still, peaceful waters so they could drink.

aa If the water was too rough–the shepherd would make a dam so the sheep could drink (provide peace)

b What raging water does Jehovah Shalom need to bring peace to in your life today?

aa Marriage, job, church, health, spirit, etc.?

bb He will calm the troubled waters of your soul with the living water that He alone can give.

c Praise Jehovah Shalom

C "He restores me soul" JEHOVAH ROPHE, "the Lord who heals" (Rophe always means to heal, restore, or cure.)

1 After the Exodus, Red Sea, Moses and the Hebrew Children come to Morah (Marim) and find that the water is bitter (perhaps diseased)