Alliance Church
Pastor David Welch
“The Lord is My Shepherd”
INTRODUCTION
One of the most devastating accusations against God that the devil continually tries to promote is that God is not all that good. Satan invites us to look around at the appalling evil in the world and our own personal experience and encourages us to suspect somehow God should be blamed. Either He isn’t big enough or He isn’t good enough to do anything about it. Satan instituted this line of attack from the start by convincing Eve that the only reason God prohibited them from eating the forbidden fruit was fear of competition and jealousy. Most everyone has entertained such thoughts about God from time to time.
Why did God allow this or that to happen?
How could a loving God allow me to suffer such a devastating abuse?
If God is always present then why does He feel so distant in times of trouble?
John 10 attests to a good God. Jesus claims in contrast to the Pharisees of his day to be the Good Shepherd.
I. FALSE SHEPHERDS (Pharisees)
• They were thieves and robbers 1,8
• They were strangers to the sheep
• They had no concern for the sheep
• They were only hired hands
• They didn’t entered by the door but tried to come by other means
• They had self-centered motives
II. THE TRUE SHEPHERD (Jesus)
• He is the only door to the heavenly fold
• He lovingly names us vs 3
• He gently leads us vs 3
• He travels in front of us vs 4
• He provides us salvation and sufficient pasture vs 9
• He provides us life and super abundance vs 10
• He sacrificed his own life for us vs 11,15,17
• He knows us intimately vs 14-15
• He unites us with the sheep under his capable leadership vs 16
• He guarantees us eternal life and security vs 28,29
• He and the Father are one vs 30
Shepherd and sheep imagery runs all through the Old Testament.
The Old Testament prophets plainly pounded the phony shepherds of Israel over and over. Zechariah firmly zapped the foolish shepherds of his day.
And the LORD said to me, "Take again for yourself the equipment of a foolish shepherd. "For behold, I am going to raise up a shepherd in the land who will not
care for the perishing,
seek the scattered,
heal the broken,
sustain the one standing,
but will devour the flesh of the fat sheep and tear off their hoofs.
"Woe to the worthless shepherd who leaves the flock!
A sword will be on his arm and on his right eye!
His arm will be totally withered, and his right eye will be blind." Zech. 11:15-17
Shepherding has to do with
• a deep concern for those who are perishing
• a desire to seek those who have been scattered by attacks
• a yearning to restore those who have been hurt
• a passion to encourage those who are healthy to greater health
If those who don’t have that kind of heart invite God’s wrath, you can be sure that it accurately reflects His heart as our Good Shepherd. He deeply cares about the lost He actively seeks us when we get separated from the flock. He continually restores our wounded soul. He powerfully energizes us daily to keep in the battle.
III. THE FALSE SHEEP
• Didn’t understand spiritual truth. Vs 6
• Scoffed at what they didn‘t understand vs 20
• Didn’t believe because they were not true sheep vs 22-26
• Turned Hostile 31-39
IV. THE TRUE SHEEP
• True sheep hear and follow the shepherd (trust and obey) 3,4,27
• True sheep refuse to hear and follow a stranger but flee from himvs 5
• True sheep enter through the authorized door vs9
• True sheep know the shepherd vs 14
• True sheep believe in Jesus vs 42
• True sheep enjoy eternal life and abundant pasture
• True sheep are secure in the hands of the Father and the Son
PSALM 23 – THE SHPHERD SONG
“The LORD is my shepherd”
Character and ability of the shepherd make a difference in the shepherding. There is no confidence in realizing Pee Wee Herman is my shepherd. The character of our shepherd is essential. The shepherd of the true sheep is the none other than the LORD himself – Yahweh. The God of eternal relationships is my shepherd.
The Great God
Self-existent
Unchangeable
Self-sufficient
Eternal
Incomprehensible
Omnipresent -- available
Omniscient -- aware
Omnipotent -- able
Sovereign
The Good God
Good
Faithful
Gracious
Merciful
Longsuffering
Loving
The holy God
Holy
Righteous or just
Jealous
Truthful
Angry at evil
David recognized the unsurpassed magnificence of the one he called shepherd
“The LORD IS my shepherd.”
David acknowledged God’s shepherding as a present reality. Not was or will be, but the LORD IS right now my shepherd.
“The LORD is MY shepherd.”
David understood the personal nature of relationship with God. Not our shepherd as a people, but my personal shepherd. David expressed a personal understanding of intimacy between him and the shepherd. He wasn’t just one woolly among a flock of woolies. The shepherd and the lamb enjoyed a very intimate personal relationship. Even though there is a vast difference between man and beast, the Middle Eastern shepherds would cultivate a personal close relationship with each of the sheep of his flock. There would be talk and touch most every day between shepherd and sheep. Even though there is a vast difference between God and his creation, God continually cultivates a personal close relationship with each individual person. John 10 talks about calling each by name.
“The LORD is my SHEPHERD.”
The image of a shepherd and sheep would have enormous significance to the Jewish singers of this Psalm.
One who tends and cares for all the basic needs of his sheep
One who takes responsibility for the growth and welfare of his sheep
One who protects, leads and feeds his sheep
RESULT?
“I do not want”
In one simple stroke David expresses the ultimate result of having Yahweh as our shepherd. I am content with the provision of my shepherd. I want nothing more than what the shepherd has provided. Out of his great love and wisdom, this marvelous shepherd provides every essential need. Paul speaks in Philippians of learning the secret to contentment in whatever circumstance. David did not mean that there weren’t things he might like to have. He meant that he could be content with whatever God provided because he trusted Him.
PROVISION – cause of contentment
“He makes me lie down in green pastures”
He addresses my hunger. The shepherd skillfully seeks out proper pastures for the sheep to find nourishment and a place to rest. Not only was it important to have enough food but a place to relax, ruminate and properly process the food. The shepherd will insist on rest and proper nourishment. Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Jesus is the bread of life coming down from the heaven to give life to men.
“He leads me beside quiet waters”
He addresses my thirst and need for refreshment. Sheep will not generally drink from running water. Often the shepherd would direst a running stream into a still pool so the sheep could drink. Jesus is not only the bread of life but the living water of refreshment that wells up to eternal life and spills out in rivers to refresh the souls of others as well. God provides an oasis of refreshment in the turbulence of the wasting wilderness.
“He restores my soul”
He addresses the weakness of my flesh and personal failures. The word used here means to turn from evil to good. He restores my soul to right relationship with the shepherd.
He restores my soul to its ideal condition. In sheep imagery, a sheep might trip and fall and due to the weight of its wool not be able to get off its back and die. This is known as casting. The alert shepherd would quickly restore the sheep to its feet again. In computer imagery it might read, the Lord “reboots my system.” When you reboot a computer due to a lock up or when the system freezes, it resets the system to all the original settings and restores original function. Our good shepherd continually brings us to a place of soul restoration. Since regeneration of our spirit, God concentrates on the renewal of the soul through the word.
“He leads me in righteousness ruts (tracks)”
He addresses my need for direction and establishment of good life habits. The word means to herd or direct one along the right path. This is a reference to a well-worn path, an established pattern of life. We all travel in ruts. The question is whether they are ruts or patterns of right actions or ruts of wrong actions. When we listen to the voice and direction of the good shepherd we will keep in the righteous ruts.
God gives us the word to equip us.
Doctrine – Reproof – Correction- Instruction in righteousness
The verb usage here has to do with a caused action in an ongoing pattern not necessarily completed or yet established. The good shepherd brings about circumstances that continually direct me in right ruts. This direction is because of His great name’s sake. For His glory as well as our good. He disciplines those he loves.
“He is continually with me”
He addresses my fears in times of trial and darkness and even the shadow of death. In times of deep darkness and confusion and danger, this shepherd addresses my fears by making his presence known. The result of our awareness of His presence is faith and trust in him rather than fear of the circumstances. The translation here is the “valley of deep darkness”. This is not just a psalm to quote when facing death but any experience of darkness and confusion and sense of despair or fear. It is the presence of the shepherd that eliminates fear.
“He comforts me with his rod and staff”
He addresses my need for protection and rescue. During times of deep darkness God’s rod and staff represent protection and control. God is working on my behalf. Whether it be discipline, guidance or protection I can truth that this good shepherd will skillfully use whatever necessary for my good.
“He prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies”
He addresses my need for affirmation. The picture here is a place of honor as well as refreshment. This is not just a supply of food but a banquet prepared just for me. I have such confidence in the shepherd that I can eat even though surrounded by danger.
This wonderful acknowledgment and affirmation of me takes place right under the nose of those who wish to destroy me and ridicule me. God provides us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies.
“He anoints my head with oil until my cup runs over.”
He addresses issues of continual care. Anoint the head with a medicinal oil prevented pesky flies that would often drive the sheep to their death. Anointing the head was also a symbol of honor and commission for a task. However David saw the act, it caused a joy at the realization of God’s abundant care. A full cup was an indication of contentment and abundance. John 10 “life and abundance”
“He pursues me with goodness and mercy all my days”
The word used here means to pursue, to overtake as in war. David felt the utmost confidence that the goodness and mercy of God would never fail all of his days on this earth.
“He invites me to live in His house forever.”
David not only had contentment and hope for the present but assurance of security in the future. Jesus as our good shepherd promises a place in the house of the Lord which he has gone to prepare for us that where he is we will be also.
A Vest-Pocket Edition (Unknown Author)
Beneath me: green pastures
Beside me: still waters
With me: my Shepherd
Before me: a table
Around me: mine enemies
After me: goodness and mercy
Beyond me: the house of the Lord.
What a shepherd! We may not emotionally feel His care but the Word says this is how he operates and feels. God is GREAT and God is GOOD! The more we understand his greatness and goodness the more content with his work in our life we can be, even if we don’t always understand.
Response
Have you heard his voice calling you? Have you heard him call you to enter through the door? Are you listening to his direction on a daily basis? In His Word? Will You follow Him? Trust and obey? Do you really know Him by personal experience? How do you know? Do you have doubts about the goodness of God?
The Scriptures declare God’s goodness to his children from cover to cover.
God is GREAT God is GOOD!
What ruts have you been running in?
In light of Christ the good shepherds extreme sacrifice… return to the shepherd of your souls. Let him be YOUR shepherd once again.
Rejoice! Rest! Trust and obey the shepherd.
BENEDICTION
Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21
