The Lord, My Shepherd

The Lord, My Shepherd

I. Introduction

A. The Power of God’s Names

1. Book written by Tony Evans

2. It’s a $6.00 book on Amazon that has forever changed my perspective of God.

3. Some things in scripture are plain as day.

a. Some things require a deeper study.

b. Sometimes it takes something more than the Bible to explain the Bible.

c. Thank God for those, like Tony, that can dedicate their life to study of the Scripture.

d. Sorry Tony, this message is too good not to share, but I did plug your book!

B. Jehovah Rohi

1. Today we are going to look at God’s name which references Him as a shepherd.

2. Wanna guess where we’re going to look at the Lord as our shepherd? Psa. 23

3. Jehovah – Relational name/Rohi – “shepherd”- to tend, pasture – pronounced “ru-ee”

C. Shepherds need sheep to do their job

1. Unless we become as sheep, God cannot be our shepherd.

2. God’s people are referenced as sheep on numerous occasions in scripture.

a. Mk. 6:34 – Jesus looked out at the multitude and had compassion on them and observed that they were like sheep with no shepherd.

b. Jo. 10 – whole chapter used the analogy of Christ being the Shepherd and His people being sheep.

c. John 21:17 – Peter is admonished by Christ to “tend” or “feed” His sheep.

II. Psa. 23 – Read as a preface to the lesson

A. The Lord is my shepherd

1. David is not the first to refer to God as His shepherd. Jacob calls God his shepherd in Gen. 48:15

2. It was natural for David to liken God unto a shepherd because he knew all too well the attributes of a shepherd. He was one himself.

3. David trusted God throughout his life during the good and bad times.

a. Many of us trust God to get us to heaven but lack conviction that He will help or lead us through our physical life.

b. David refers to God as “my” shepherd – depicts a personal relationship

c. Remember the story of the lost sheep? It being lost caused the shepherd to leave the 99 and look for it. I’d say that lost one was special to him

d. God is always present in His sheep’s life; His care is always current.

B. I shall not want

1. A shepherd has the responsibility for the welfare of his sheep.

a. He does not take them out and leave them to fend for themselves.

b. He provides and he defends.

c. Before the beginning of time God knew His plan for each one of us. If we follow Him, we get there much faster.

d. Can we say God has provided for us as individuals? You all probably have a story as do I of Him providing.

2. Ezek. 34:2-4 a shepherd is to do the following:

a. Feed the flock

b. Strengthen the weak

c. Heal the sick

d. Bind up the broken

e. Collect the strays

f. Seek the lost

3. How far will a true shepherd go for his sheep?

a. John 10:11 says he will lay down his life. He will not leave us.

b. Shepherds were subjected to wild animals and the sheep’s only defense.

• I Sam. 17:34-37 – David speaks of his fighting off wild animals.

• Jesus died to save us from our sins. Rom. 5:8 “… while we (you and I) were yet sinners (Lost sheep in the context of this lesson) Christ died for us. This makes him our PERSONAL Savior.

• Jo 10:11-13 Beware of a hireling – he poses as a shepherd but at the first sign of danger he runs leaving the sheep exposed to dangers they are not equipped to handle. Money, Fortune, Fame, etc can easily be a hireling. We can follow where it takes us but it cannot sustain us the way God can.

C. Vs. 2-3

1. Makes me lie down in green pastures

a. Makes – in a sense he forces us to a better place.

b. Does this contradict free will? Of course not!

c. Evans uses the example of a child at nap time or bedtime. Rarely do they just lay down. Sometimes they must wear themselves down so that they get the most needed rest.

d. God’s way is ALWAYS better than our way, but as humans, we tend to lean on our own understanding sometimes.

e. God will let us stay in a certain situation until we rely solely on Him. He never disappoints!

2. Leads me beside quiet waters

a. Why quiet (still) waters? Sheep are not sure footed and cannot stand in running water. If they fall their thick wool gets soaked, they could drown.