Sermon Notes

Psalm 23

“If the LORD is my Shephard; why am I still wanting?”

“the reason we want more from God is due to our lack of understanding of what we already have in him”.

PSALM 23:1-6

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.He makes me lie down in green pastures.He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.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.You prepare a table before mein the presence of my enemies;you anoint my head with oil;my cup overflows.Surelygoodness and mercy shall follow meall the days of my life,and I shall dwell in the house of the Lordforever.

The Shepherds Position

Psalms 23:1 - The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

LORD= “YAHWEH” (personal name of God, describing his loving relationship with his people).

John 10:11  -  I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

John 10:10. - The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Anything that is necessary or good for me, I trust in the Jesus to take care of”

I will not desire more than what the Shephard gives

The Shepherds position: Jesus is in charge and deeply involved in my life, I can trust him.

The Shepherds Provision

Psalms 23:2-3 - He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

A rabbi once said, “worry is dealing with tomorrows problems on today’s pasture”.

Are you trusting in Jesus to do the very things that feel impossible for you?

“restore = the rebirth of the soul, to bring back to original purity”.

John 14:6, The Shephard’s provision: Jesus provides for my needs and restores my weary heart; I will let him lead me every day.

The Shepherds Protection

Psalms 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.

“Even though I walk”,

“The valley of the shadow of death”,

“shadow = a partial darkness or absence of light upon a surface”.

Charles Spurgeon say’s “Death in its substance has been removed, and only the shadow of it remains…Nobody is afraid of a shadow, for a shadow cannot stop a Christian’s pathway even for a moment. The shadow of a dog cannot bite; the shadow of a sword cannot kill; the shadow of death cannot destroy (1. Cor. 15:55).

“YOU are with me

(Ps. 34:18, Dallas Willard “God is always where the suffering is”).

“your rod and your staff, they comfort me”,

The Shepherds Protection: Even in this dark time, Jesus is still protecting and comforting me, I am not alone.

The Shepherds Promises

Psalm 23:5 - you prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, you anoint my head with oil my cup overflows.

Psalm 23:6 – Surely goodness and mercy shall follow mem all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Goodness = steady kindness and support. Mercy = “Hesed”, steadfast, immovable love”.

(Psalm 27:4 - One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after:

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.

God with us.

The Shepherds promise: Jesus is with me, and his goodness and mercy shall follow me today, tomorrow, and forever.

Rest

Refreshment

Forgiveness

Guidance

Companionship

Comfort

Provision

Joy

No wants in this life.

No wants in the life to come

Are you trusting in Jesus to lead your life?

Are you trusting in Jesus to meet your needs?

What needs are you asking Jesus to meet?