The Lord Is My Shepherd - What More Shall I Want?

U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris, Jr.

Comanche Chapel

Memorial Ceremony for Private First Class – Diego Miguel Montoya

Fort Hood, TX

14 September 2010

Big Idea: We should demonstrate our love for PFC Diego Miguel Montoya through our reflections, and honor, of his life as a MP Soldier; and reminding all that the Great Shepherd supplies our heart's desires.

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References: Three familiar and beloved psalms that present God as Shepherd: Psalms 22 pictures the Good Shepherd dying for the sheep; Psalm 23 pictures the Great Shepherd caring for the sheep; and Psalm 24 pictures the Chief Shepherd coming for his sheep.

I. ANNOUNCE THE PERICOPE: Psalm 23:1-6 (ESV)

II. READ THE PERICOPE: Psalm 23:1-6 (ESV)

III. READ THE TEXT: Psalm 23:1 (ESV) The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. .

IV. PURPOSE: To motivate the hearers to affirm to others that the Great Shepherd cares for his sheep so much that he supplies their heart's desires.

V. SERMONIC THEME: "The Lord is My Shepherd – What More Shall I Want?

VI. INTRODUCTION:

Psalm 23 pictures the Great Shepherd CARING for His Sheep.

In fact, the first verse of Psalm 23 is also it’s theme … which says: “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.”

Recently I came across a story of child mistakenly interpreting the First Verse of our Shepherd’s Psalm which reads, “The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want.”

According to the writer the child misquoted the Psalm and said: “The Lord is My Shepherd - What More Shall I Want?”

“The Lord is My Shepherd – What More Shall I Want?”

******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******

MOVE 1: Our Scripture Reading today reminds us all … that we’re never alone.

a. It doesn’t matter where we are deployed in this world;

b. be it Iraq or Afghanistan, we are never alone.

c. The Great Shepherd who loves and CARES for His Army Sheep is always with us.

******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******

MOVE 2: As a result, “ We Shall Not Want”.

a. We Shall Not Want for Rest and Refreshment.

b. We Shall Not Want for Restoration and Righteousness.

c. We Shall Not Want for Protection in Trouble … or for Provision in the Wilderness of

Afghanistan or Iraq.

d. And at the end of the Day or this life’s journey; We shall not want for a Home to go to …

e. We Shall Not Want!

******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******

MOVE 3: Perhaps, these Metaphorical Words of the Psalmist … have caused some of us … to picture – within the rudiments of our minds the Middle-Eastern Shepherd and his flock.

a. Research tells us that a Middle-Eastern Shepherd knows each of his Sheep by name.

b. For don’t you remember in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Shepherd goes before the sheep and makes sure they are not walking into danger.

c. The sheep never need worry when he follows the shepherd, because knows that the Great Shepherd will protect him and provide for him.

d. Even when the sheep goes through a dangerous valley, the shepherd is beside him;

e. There’s no place that the sheep can go where the Shepherd isn’t already there.

******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******

MOVE 4: Family Members, Friends, Fellow Soldiers, and Leaders …

a. Right now – Diego’s Spirit … is “REFRESHINGLY CHILLING” …

b. … because Diego’s Spirit is just beyond the valley in the House of Rest.

c. For the Psalmist reminds us all , THIS AFTERNOON, that at the end of this life’s journey,

d. … the Great Shepherd leads His flock back to the fold …

e. … and stands by the open door to examine each one as it enters.

f. If the Great Shepherd sees one … that is bruised or weary, … He puts the refreshing oil upon it …

g. …. to soothe and heal it, and He gives it a drink of cool water.

******* TAKE 5 BEATS **********

CELEBRATION: (Psalm 23)

I believe that if God gave Diego Miguel Montoya an

an opportunity to say 10 Comforting Words to us today.

He would say …

what the little child said when misquoting verse 1 of Psalm 23:

- “The Lord is my shepherd – what more shall I want?