In this series, we’ve seen how the Good Shepherd protects and lays down his life for his flock; providing protection, blessings and eternal life. But how can we know if we are part of that flock? In this series finale, we’ll look at how to tell if you’re a Christian.

Our passages:  Psalm 23, Deuteronomy 15:12-18 & John 16:5-11. Preacher: Ian Bayne (26th July 2020).

Watch the sermon

Further reflections

This is a supplementary sermon on Psalm 23:6. We’ve covered a lot over the series, and have come to know the Good Shepherd and all that he promises. The Good Shepherd has a covenant (or set of promises) made to his sheep. Those sheep are Christians.

The questions that then spring to mind are:

• How does God recognise his sheep?
• How are we supposed to recognise God’s sheep?
• And perhaps most importantly: How can we know if we are one of God’s sheep? (i.e. are saved?)

1. How does God recognise His sheep?

On the farm we have a system of marks for livestock, using ear tags. In Deuteronomy 15 there was a similar idea of a ring ear for bond-slave.

then you shall take an awl, and put it through his ear into the door, and he shall be your slave forever.

Deuteronomy 15:7a

Slavery carries many pre-conceptions in the media. The Bible talks about slavery as a way for someone who had fallen on hard times to pay off their debt by selling their services to a brother for a period of time. Because they are a brother they would be set free after 6 years with decent provision for them to start again.

It is interesting to note that the slave had the option to continue the arrangement for life if they wished.

This is similar to the position we find ourselves in. In our lives we have fallen on hard times: we are sinners. After a period of time having been chosen, we realise that we’re better off continuing to serve our master: the great shepherd and elect to continue the arrangement.

Bond servant (or slave) is one of the New Testament’s favourite description of being a Christian. We bond itself for life to Christ.

A bond slave to the Lord is what Christians are.

2. How can we recognise God’s sheep?

God doesn’t need ear tags as he knows who belong to him as Christians. However, there is a problem when one sheep needs to recognise another because there are no visual signs. We must recognise one another through the way we speak and act.

Sheep speak to each other using “baa-codes”. They have several baa’s for communicating.

• community action: such as seeing a gate to escape through and they will follow.
• finding each other: this week there was a ewe that didn’t recognise she had a lamb and the two had been separated. The lamb was doing its best to communicate by baa’ing at the top of its voice.
• communicating affectionately with one another.

The way we speak, our kindness and affection to one another indicates who we are.

There is also an idea of being sealed. In the old days to make an official letter people would have a signet ring. Today we sign documents.

Our faith, as Christians, also has a seal: Ephesians 1 talks about the seal of our faith: the holy spirit.

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, [14] who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 1:13-14 ESV

3. How can we know if we’re saved?

If we’re saved, we’re “sealed with the Holy Spirit”. What does this mean?

This is important: both to know who fellow Christians are, and also that we are a Christian. If we’re not a Christian then we need to know so we can get there.

Am I a Christian?

We should all ask: am I a Christian?

John 16 teaches four things we can look for. If you are a Christian, you will have the marks of God:

1. Convicted of sin; our sin
2. Convinced of Christ
3. Comforted concerning our salvation
4. Confirmed

1. Convicted of sin

In our modern world when people do something bad, the social media “Pharisees” come out and condemn them.

In John 8:1-11, John recounts the time a woman caught in act of adultery was brought before Jesus. The Pharisees demanded she be stoned, but calmly Jesus said that whoever was without sin should cast the stone. No one did. Jesus then let her go.

When people judge on social media today, they don’t consider their own lives. If they did, they may not be so quick to judge,

Really, it’s not about other people’s sin. As a pastor I hear quite a lot: “I wish so and so was here to hear that sermon”. It’s surprising, but it’s not right to think like that. Each of my sermons is not meant for other people, but the people who are here. God’s word and his salvation are for all of us individually: here and now.

2. Convincing us of Christ

Through the Holy Spirit we are convinced that God has sent his Son to die for us.

In his goodness God sent Jesus to live a life of righteousness, die, and be raised to life again.

We are convinced of this through the Holy Spirit.

3. Comforted concerning our salvation

Jesus achieved a victory over sin and death: the devil is defeated. Sentence is yet to be passed, but judgement has occurred.

And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

Luke 10:18 ESV

If we are convicted of our sins and convinced that Christ has dealt with it, then we can be comforted that through Christ we are saved.

4. Confirmed

There is a confirming aspect of the Holy Spirit.

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

John 16:7 ESV

That the Holy Spirit is our guide and helper is proof that Jesus has ascended to heaven and completed his task.

Imagine being in a film. You’re in an army platoon under attack, surrounded, and realise the end is coming. We need to send for help, so select the best person to get past enemy lines and send a message for help; trusting in them for their salvation. As time goes on, the platoon is still waiting for help and getting desperate, but at the last moment the cavalry comes.

We know that Jesus died and was raised. Through the Holy Spirit coming we can know he made it to God’s right side and that our rescue is secure.

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Matthew 28:18 ESV

Marked by God, or by the Devil?

These are the seals that we are the sheep of God.

In Revelation, we’re told that while God is marking his flock, the devil has also put marks on his people.

saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.”

Revelation 7:3 ESV

And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, [10] he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.

Revelation 14:9-10 ESV

We either have the mark of God or the mark of the Devil. From these two descriptions, who do you want to be marking you today?

Despite the number of religions, the bible teaches there are only two possible positions people can take: we are either part of the Lord’s flock are not.

Which path will you choose?

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Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 23:6

One sermon can’t do this great verse justice! What does it mean to dwell with the Lord? How do we experience this today? This verse sums up Psalm 23 and the experience on offer to every Christian.

Our passages:  Psalm 23:6 & Hebrews 13:20-21. Preacher: Ian Bayne (12th July 2020).

Watch the sermon

Recap

Last time we considered that this verse can be thought of as a recap of one of the greatest psalms in scripture.

We reflected on:

• How the shepherd is good to us
• His loving kindness towards us
• His promise to always be present with his sheep
• The promise made to us (his sheep)

We can see Jesus being the fulfillment off the Good Shepherd psalm.

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Matthew 28:20b ESV

And we can be confident in His rest.

Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.

Psalm 116:7 ESV

Further explanation

One sermon was never going to be enough for this verse. There’s still questions to answer. For instance what does it mean for God to always be in our presence?

We want to go a little deeper to answer two questions that arise:

1. How is it that the sheep may come into God’s presence?
2. What are the consequences and benefits of dwelling in God’s presence, now and forever?

Our passage in Hebrews helps us to understand this:

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, [21] equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13:20-21 ESV

Interpreting the Old Testament

When interpreting the Old Testament, it’s good to remember that it’s all fulfilled in the New Testament. The gospel is veiled in the Old Testament and revealed in the New Testament.

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, [2] but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

Hebrews 1:1-2 ESV

The writer of Hebrews recognises that the New Testament helps reveal more of the Old.

In the person and nature of Jesus we can see God:

Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” [9] Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

John 14:8-9 ESV

How can we come to dwell in the House of the Lord?

1. As Christians we experience peace

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7 ESV

This peace is both:

1. with God (the fall (when humans sinned in Gen 3) caused a rift with God that needs healing)
2. with each other

Peace with each other

And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.

Ephesians 2:17 ESV

We are all familiar with the phrase “Black Lives Matter” – there is a great truth to this. The gospel goes further saying that every life matters.

Paul describes how the great racial divide in the Old Testament between Jew and Gentiles no longer applies. The barrier has been broken.

Last time I checked there were 16 different ethnicities in our church, which demonstrates this point: the gospel is for everyone. We don’t look at what colour people’s skin is, what language they speak or where they come from.

A peace exists between us all. The barriers are broken: every life matters to God.

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,

Revelation 7:9 ESV

2. We participate in Christ’s victory

He’s taken our sin and given his righteousness.

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

1 Corinthians 15:55 ESV

Death is just the start of an eternity in the true presence of God for believers.

3. We have become beneficiaries of the eternal covenant

In the first line we looked at “The Lord is my shepherd”. He enters into a covenant with us to supply all we need. As we come into his presence we participate in his covenant: he is our shepherd and we are his sheep.

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

Genesis 3:15 ESV

This is brought together in the last chapters of Revelation.

4. As we dwell in his presence we are being changed

We’re not static: we don’t want to be as we are. Even Paul considered his righteousness was worth nothing; and I find that scary. I don’t have part of the righteousness Paul had.

When we dwell in the house of the Lord, we hear the word of God spoken. Meeting together is part of this: when we keep the company of God and dwell in his house we are changed.

Summary

From amazement to intimacy

A few weeks back we saw how half-way through the psalmist changes the language from soaking to another person (“He guides me”), to speaking to God (“You are with me”).

This is the transition we want to see in our lives.

Firstly the psalmist wants to tell everyone about God, then he moves on to declare an intimate relationship. It’s a wonderful privilege to be able to know and speak to God. Do you know him? Is it personal?

From metaphor to actuality

There’s also another shift: from metaphor to actuality.

At the beginning, the psalmist begins with a picture of the shepherd and the sheep, but the psalmist doesn’t leave us with the metaphor, he brings to an actuality.

“I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Psalm 23:6b

We’re taking about believers: about actual Christian experience.

In our studies we looked at Christ – the lamb standing as if slain. We know that no lamb stands after being slain: only Jesus can stand because he’s been raised.

When we make a sacrifice we take a lamb from the flock and sacrifice it, but in the New Testament, it’s the other way around: we sacrifice the shepherd for the lambs!

A freely given gift

The Christan gospel turns our life view on its head: the Christan faith is not about working to please God. Jesus’s sacrifice is a freely given gift which allows us to come into God’s presence: the holy of holies.

even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20:28 ESV

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

John 1:29 ESV

From now to forever

To close, we can see the theme of Psalm 23 played out in the book of Revelation:

Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” [14] I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. [15] “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. [16] They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. [17] For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Revelation 7:13-17 ESV

How amazing!

Resources

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You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Psalm 23:5 ESV

Anointed with oil, our cup overflows. Such abundance from our Lord. What should we look out for? How should we respond?

Our passages:  Psalm 23:5 & Matthew 18:23-35. Preacher: Ian Bayne (28th June 2020).

Watch the Sermon

Recap

There is a feast going on! The shepherd has prepared a feast for us: a table of compassion, communion and celebration.

Last week we were understanding what it means to be an honoured guest, valued by the shepherd. He wants us to be at our best and not to forget such an experience.

Coming to the table of the Lord is not something we can forget. What amazing grace! He gave his life for us so that we might join this feast.

Explanation

At the end of the feast there is a toast and our glasses need to be charged, so that we can toast. We need full glasses for this and the shepherd himself is going round and filling our cups with the best vintage, so much that they overflow. What a picture!

We also see this when Jesus was at the wedding in Cana and the wine had run out. He changed approximately 650 litres of water into wine in today’s measure: he’s not stingy.

and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.”

John 2:10 ESV

He gives us more than is necessary and more than we ask for.

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

John 10:10 ESV

Better still: the drink he gives means we’ll never be thirsty again.

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”

John 4:10 ESV

The drink is free as the cost has been paid for by the Lord Jesus, it’s totally satisfying on every way, and it’s transforming:

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. [38] Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'”

John 7:37-38 ESV

How to deal with an overflowing cup

We need to deal with a surplus. If our cup is overflowing what do we do?

1. Comfort others

who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

2 Corinthians 1:4 ESV

2. Give to others what we’ve been given

3. Forgive others as we have been forgiven

4. Have compassion on others as he does for us

Compassion is feeling the pain of others.

5. Be patient as he is patient with us

Even though we fall and don’t make the progress we ought He is still patient with us.

As the old song (Herbert the Snail) goes: “Have patience, have patience, don’t be in such a hurry, remember, remember, that God is patient too…so thank the Lord that he waits for you.”

6. Sacrifice for others as he’s done for us

Application

Today we’ll look at 4 things to be when we sense our cup overflowing most in the good times of life.

1. Be watchful

Pride is never far from plenty. When our cup is running over and we have so much, we can be proud of this and think it’s somehow because we’re good and that God blesses us for this reason.

We’re often actually worse than others. We’re not here for the crutch of faith: we need the whole wheelchair!

Our guard is most down when success is being celebrated. The memory of God’s goodness is easily forgotten after victory has been established.

2. Be not wasteful

Am overflowing vessel is no excuse not to be wasteful.

We’re not to throw pearls before swine (Mat 7:6). We are not to flaunt and waste what we have, but to use it for the glory of God himself.

3. Be waiting

Think about a waiter attending in service, not waiting for something. What does a good waiter do?

1. Enquires on the needs of others: We need to look around and identify the needs of others around us. This is contrary to our instinct which is to be self-centred and inward focussed. We can be inward focused not outward.
2. Is proactive: the Christan mandate is not to wait for something to happen, but to go. We need to look at where we might be needed and effective.
3. Recommends gastronomic remedies: A good restaurant will recommend dishes and wines
4. Fetches and serve guests, because they need food: others need the same food and water that we’ve eaten and drunk.
5. Remembers their guests: We need to pray for those who are not in Christ. Others are waiting on us to offer God prayers for them.

4. Be worshipful

We should give credit where credit is due: our salvation depends on God’s mercy, so let’s be thankful to Him who gives all good things.

A heart of praise seldom goes hand in hand with a hard heart.

For me, this has been a pretty bad week. I’ve had to deal with water leaks caused by a rat eating a pipe, the roof was blown off my shed and I realised that I’m getting older. So reaching this passage today is ironic.

I was reminded of the city of Edinburgh around the time of Greyfriars Bobby who stood by his owner’s grave for 14 years until the dog himself died. Whilst a touching story, I thought of this example because covenanters were executed at the grass market in Edinburgh nearby.

Just above this, there’s a prison. It’s not like one of our prison with rooms. This just had walls. There was no roof. They had to sit there to wait to be released or executed.

One covenanter’s son was executed and his head was brought to him. He said “God has never done anything bad to me so why should I say anything bad about him”. His response was similar to Job after he has everything taken from him.

And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Job 1:21

Regardless of our earthly circumstances, we can have joy in our cup overflowing, from the good times in this life, to the joys of the eternal life with God to come.

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.

Patience

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kn6Z2Mop5I

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Psalm 23:5 ESV

Possibly one of the strangest parts of the psalm, and often overlooked; anointing with oil at a feast was reserved for the most honoured of guests. Why would our Lord honour us like this? How do we see God’s blessing?

Our passages:  Psalm 23:5 & Luke 7:40-50. Preacher: Ian Bayne (14th June 2020).

Watch the sermon

Recap

Last week we looked at:

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

Psalm 23:5a ESV

We noted a transition between verses 1-3 and 4-6. He is now addressing the shepherd of the sheep on a very personal basis.

We noticed that the table is prepared in a future tense. We look forward to the table that Jesus is preparing for us.

Jesus is preparing a table of:

1. compassion – tending our physical needs (e.g. feeding the 5,000)
2. communion – providing fellowship, remembrance and intimacy (eg the last supper)
3. celebration – celebrating the resurrection, commissioning Peter, and reminding us of our personal responsibility

Even though we love amongst enemies (as sinners ourselves) he still prepares a table for us.

Explanation

You anoint my head with oil.

Psalm 23:5b

I’ve been meditating on this passage a lot this week, but like new wine, feel this meditation needs a bit longer to mature and to get the depth out of it.

This Hebrew word for ‘anoint’ is to grow fat – it’s not the usual word in Hebrew that’s translated as ‘anoint’: it’s the only time this Hebrew word is translated in this way.

Honouring our Lord

The only time we see a scenario comparable is in Luke 7. Simon (a Pharisee), receives Peter into his home, but doesn’t treat him as an honoured guest. A sinful woman honours Jesus instead; doing what Simon should have done.

A woman is taking one of her assets – her hair, and is using her tears to wet Jesus’s feet and kissing them continually. This is difficult behaviour for us to understand today, but the point is that she’s showing an active humility.

You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.

Luke 7:46 ESV

As a great act of hospitality for an honoured guest, the host would anoint their head with oil. Lipo is the Greek word for fat or oil. It would make them shine and feel good.

She has anointed his feet with perfume. Oil was costly, but perfume even more so: it was the best gift she had.

The sinful woman is doing this for Jesus because he’s the Lord of glory and the most important guest.

If this is right there is something perculiar about the psalm.

Our Lord honouring us!

In our Psalm it’s the shepherd annointing the sheep. It’s the other way around. This is the difference with Christianity.

Typically people try and please God, but God sent Jesus to serve and please us.

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:45 ESV

It should be the shepherd who is honoured. Yet he is preparing the table to serve and feed us and also honouring us by anointing our heads with oil.

The sheep are the guests of honour!

Examples from today

Even today we use this language in farming terms. As a sheep farmer, I would buy skinny sheep and fatten them up.

When I go to buy lambing stock that are thin, we call them ‘stores’ – lambs that have potential but are not as they ought to be. We call those that are not thin: ‘fats’. We want them to grow with the right amount of food for them to get the right amount of fat.

Today we think of fat as bad because we live sedentary lives. We look at fat as the enemy, however, fat can be good: fat gives you energy; fat is where the taste is. We like it, for instance, pork crackling.

A fat lamb gives both energy and taste. Hence we want to take a a store lamb, raise it to become a fat lamb, and then eventually a prime lamb which has reached its potential.

Application

Our shepherd anoints our head with oil because:

1) we’re worth it

We are the objects to be honoured by Him because he sees potential in us. He created us and loves us.

2) He wants us to be at our very best

We’ve gone from being lost to being found. We’ve received every spiritual blessing:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,

Ephesians 1:3

We are anointed to shine a light and demonstrate the best of our Lord to all around us.

3) we should never forget

If we’re taken round to someone’s house and given great hospitality we remember it. Hospitality is seen as a genuine mark of faith.

This is one of the reasons we try to make sure that those who come to our homes know we care for them, love them, and don’t just give empty platitude and encouragement, but follow through with action.

The Lord has invited us to his table and marked us as special guests. How wonderful to be invited to our shepherd’s home.

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Psalm 23:5a

From the valley of the shadow of death, to a table prepared for us in extraordinary circumstances. What is this table, and what does it mean for us?

Our passages:  Psalm 23:5 & John 21:12-23. Preacher: Ian Bayne (7th June 2020).

Watch the sermon

Taking stock

It’s providential timing that we come to this line as we are celebrating the Lord’s table, communion, today. As we take the bread and wine, we remind ourselves of our shepherd’s goodness.

A change in language has occurred

The observant amongst you may have noticed that between v3 and 4 has been a change in language.

In v1-3 he refers to what the shepherd has done for the sheep. e.g. “He leads me”, “He restores my soul”, “He guides me”

From v4 through to the end, though, it becomes more personal: “You are with me, you prepare a table before me.”

There’s been a change in the language from what God has done and is doing to the psalmist now talking to God in a very personal way. Like the psalmist, we should hopefully see this transformation in the way we relate to God.

A more personal relationship

It’s all well and good to talk about what God has done, but we need to move into a personal relationship with Jesus.

Most evenings my wife and I watch The Chase. It’s a TV show where a team of contestants take on an expert ‘Chaser’ at general knowledge questions. We like watching the super-smart Chaser.

From regular watching, we’ve got to know several questions that are always asked. If it’s a river, is usually the Thames; if it’s about Greek mythology is usually Zeus. Typically, there are two questions about the Bible. Whether the Chasers are believers or not is not revealed when they answer these questions, but they usually win because they know about the Bible. They know who came out of the Arc and who killed Abel. But simply knowing this doesn’t mean they have faith.

False prophets can tell the truth about God, but that doesn’t mean they’re in a close personal relationship with God.

Something amazing has happened in Psalm 23, which is easy to miss. The transformation occurs in v3 when “he restores my soul”. When regeneration occurs and God closes in on the sheep, the psalmist shifts language to ‘you’.

An intimate relationship

The Christian faith is much more than knowledge: we’re not called to play philosophy. We need to be “gripped by the gospel” so we move into this personal and intimate relationship with the gospel.

Historians have theorised that Psalm 23 is likely borne out of a real experience: perhaps when David’s son Absalom tried to take over as king. As we read in 2 Samuel 17: David was on the run, and Absalom wanted to kill him. It’s worth pausing for a moment to contemplate how this rejection and treason would have felt.

When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim, [28] brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, wheat, barley, flour, parched grain, beans and lentils, [29] honey and curds and sheep and cheese from the herd, for David and the people with him to eat, for they said, “The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness.”

2 Samuel 17:27-29 ESV

While the psalmist may be thinking of an actual event, the language of the table being prepared is future tense. King David is a type of the real king, Jesus. Therefore we can say:

He’s not just prepared a table once, but continues to prepare tables for us.

Explanation: The shepherd’s tables

Today we’ll look at where the great shepherd prepares a table. We’ll look at three examples (not exhaustive) of tables the Lord prepares for us.

It’s a table of:

1. Compassion
2. Communion
3. Celebration

1. Table of compassion: feeding the 5,000

This event is recounted in Matthew 14:13-21. (It’s not the only example of Jesus feeding a large crowd)

This is a table borne of compassion.

When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Matthew 14:14 ESV

It was a table of necessity. The crowd is without food and food is unobtainable. The people are hungry in a desolate place because they’ve gone to follow Jesus.

Sometimes we will find ourselves in a desolate place because we follow Jesus. This table is given at a late hour to a needy people; giving an opportunity to demonstrate a miracle.

Imagine yourself in their shoes. How would you respond?

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. [27] Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.”

John 6:26-27 ESV

Like we often do, they focussed on the gift rather than the giver. They shouldn’t be thinking about the food. They should be thinking about who did the miracle and what it represents.

2. Table of Communion: the last supper

And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.

Luke 22:15 ESV

A tale of communion is a feast of fellowship. Jesus earnestly desired to eat the feast with then.

And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. [22] For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!”

Luke 22:14-22 ESV

There is close contact and intimacy at the feast.

So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?”

John 13:25 ESV

This offer is repeated to us in Revelation:

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Revelation 3:20 ESV

It’s a feast of fellowship, rememberance and intimacy.

3. Table of celebration:

Our passage in John represents another table. Is a celebration because it’s at breakfast time (v12). We’ve broken the fast of the night and received the energy from the food. Here the table Jesus is at is a celebration in the presence in the Lord.

No longer mourning

to grant to those who mourn in Zion- to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.

Isaiah 61:3 ESV

As the song goes: “He gave me beauty for ashes; the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for heaviness…that we might be trees of righteousness.”

Songs such as this are how we remember the scriptures. Isaiah 63: a spirit of heaviness.

Formerly there was mourning: Jesus has died. There’s still an aspect of mourning, because they don’t realise the significance of the resurrection. In Peter’s depressed state he says he’s going fishing. They all go out for fish and are out all night and catch nothing. When they come into shore, they see the Lord on the shore, already cooking a fish.

They break the fast: they were mourning because Jesus had died. The breakfast is a table of celebration. The Lord is feeding his sheep with it.

Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. [22] So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

John 16:20,22 ESV

Celebration and restoration

The Gospel turns mourning into celebration. Now looking forward we have a table of celebration. We see this in John 21.

1. Confirmation (Forgiveness)

This table of celebration is a confirmation of the risen King Jesus: He’s risen from the dead and is proving it by eating with them.

2. Restoration

There’s been a restoration of the believer. On the night Jesus was arrested Peter betrayed him three times, yet in this passage we see Peter being restored.

3. Commissioning

Jesus then commissions him as an under-shepherd.

He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”

John 21:16 ESV

Restoration is available for all true sheep: no matter how difficult and how many times we deny Him, He still commissions us to be his servant.

Every time I stand up to preach, I am so grateful for these verses.

4. Warning of what’s to come

Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.”

John 21:18 ESV

Peter was eventually crucified. He requested to be crucified upside down to not be like Christ (this is not in the bible – it comes from other sources, but it would be consistent with what we know of Peter).

Our individual responsibility

Our salvation is a challenge to individual responsibility.

When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”

John 21:21 ESV

Jesus effectively says to mind your own business because whilst Jesus gathers us corporately, but calls us individually. He wants us to mind our own spiritual business.

Personal application

I come from a line of shepherds. An enduring memory of my father was out at lambing time in August in New Zealand. It was often wet and stormy and he would be soaked. He carried flasks of warm milk with a tube and feed the lambs that wouldn’t make it through the night.

The milk: the word of God is given to the weak and those who can’t help themselves. He ensures that we survive still.

He prepares a table before us in the midst of our enemies. Praise Him.

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.

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.

Psalm 23:4 ESV

We come to the third and final week in verse four. Though we can have severe trials in life, how does the Lord protect us from harm? What tools does he have available, and what can we expect?

Our passages:  Psalm 23:4 & 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:10. Preacher: Ian Bayne (31st May 2020).

Watch the Sermon

Recap

It’s our final week in verse four, so let’s recap what we’ve learned in this verse.

We’ve looked at the valleys of life and how they often follow good times, quite differently. It’s normal and expected for Christians to face hard times of different shapes, sizes and intensities. One of the great challenges of difficulties is that they obscure our perspective on life and what’s important.

Valleys help us grow in humility, and build our faith and trust in the shepherd to guide and defend us. We can be world defying and eternally aspiring.

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Philippians 1:21 ESV

The valleys of life are the places where we’re most vulnerable to predators.

Our predators are:

1. Predator: Our own hearts

Our own hearts can deceive us. We have intrinsic sin present in us.

So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. [18] For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.

[24] Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

Romans 7:17-18, 24 ESV

2. Predator: The world

The world around us is presenting us alternatives to God

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. [16] For all that is in the world-the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life-is not from the Father but is from the world. [17] And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

1 John 2:15-17 ESV

3. Predator: The devil

He seeks to destroy God’s kingdom. Because God loves us the devil seeks to destroy us in the spiritual war that rages on behind the scenes.

Evil is manifested through argument, accusation and attack.

We need to be aware. The sheep’s defence is the shepherd and because of the shepherd we are armed and dangerous.

Explanation

Today we’ll look at the last part of verse 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.

Psalm 23:4

Comfort and consolation is offered

The word “comfort” here means console.

When I was growing up, my mother was the local nurse, and many people would die because the hospital was so far away. A neighbour died while he was washing the dishes. She tried to resuscitate him, but to no avail.

The next day I was struck by how, as we sat in the room, people from the neighborhood and church came over. They came to console them.

Job in the Old Testament had three comforters: three of his friends who came to console him after he lost everything.

This is the kind of meaning comfort has here – so we can see how it is applicable to even the most grevious trials in our lives.

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.

Isaiah 40:1 ESV

Isaiah spent many years prophesying against Israel. Even when they are judged and sent into exile after a series of conquests there is still comfort available.

Rod and staff: tools of the trade

A shepherd has a rod and staff. Many shepherds subsequently combined them into a crook in later years. Why does a shepherd carry a rod and staff?

They are to:

1. Defend
2. Discipline
3. Divide
4. Deliver

1. Defend

There were lions and bears in those days wanting to eat the sheep. A big stick was used to defend the sheep.

2. Discipline

Sheep can steal other lambs. Farmers take the sheep out who don’t have lambs get taken out so this doesn’t happen. Sometimes the shepherd needs to discipline them to move them out.

Rams can sometimes attack farmers.

3. Divide

Need to divide the good from the bad, the far from the thin, old from young, and the sheep and the goat. Depending on what’s needed.

It’s all about balance.

Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

Matthew 25:32 ESV

Sheep are well behaved. Goats are not. (In Jesus’s parable, the goats go to the left and are condemned)

4. Deliver

Jesus tells a parable of the lost sheep being delivered (Luke 15:1-7).

Sometimes sheep don’t want to come back. They’re not dumb but they can be naughty.

The shepherd will catch the sheep and bring them back. Our shepherd is particularly dilligenct in his search and protection of his sheep.

As we covered in verse 1, the Lord has a known number of sheep and he cares for each one.

This leads to a situation like referred to in the 1970’s hit: Hotel California. You can check out any time you like, but you can’t leave. The Lord will come and get you and bring you back if you are part of his flock. This in itself is a comfort that he’s looking out for us.

Application

Protection and comfort

His rod and staff comfort us still.

who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

1 Peter 1:5 ESV

We are protected by God himself. We saw how this was through calling, leading and driving if necessary. He will discipline his sheep as and when required.

Discipline

For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”

Hebrews 12:6 ESV

Discipline isn’t pleasant, but it’s an important part of growing.

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Hebrews 12:11 ESV

It tells us he loves us. If you love your children you won’t let them run riot. You’ll teach them to respect others, because you know it will help them get on in life.

Aspiration

The Lord is calling us to aspire to Holiness.

For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. 

Leviticus 11:44a

This is because we bear the vessels of the Lord – we are his people and draw near to him, therefore we should not be unclean in his sight by doing sinful things.

Depart, depart, go out from there; touch no unclean thing; go out from the midst of her; purify yourselves, you who bear the vessels of the LORD.

Isaiah 52:11 ESV

We should look at how we can please God, not the powers of darkness.

Rescue

The purpose of the rod and staff is deliverance. To be returned to the fold.

The story of David and Goliath is told in 1 Samuel 17, where David rescued the Israelites from the Philistines.

Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.

1 Samuel 17:45 ESV

Everyone is trembling at Goliath. A shepherd boy, David, has brought food for his brothers. He goes out to meet Goliath. He takes a sling and 5 stones. It’s a detail not mentioned explicitly in the passage, but from v43 we know he also took his rod and staff.

And the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

1 Samuel 17:43 ESV

He thinks that David will come at him with a stick, not a sling and stone, and therefore isn’t expecting to be hit from a distance.

Salvation

When God equips us we can come through the big valleys. But this isn’t the point of the story. David represented the whole nation when he overcame Goliath, he was pointing to a greater rescue:

Jesus is referred to as the son of David. Jesus saves his kingdom. This is recognised when he’s referred to as the son of David.

And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.”

Matthew 9:27 ESV

Goliath is dead, as sin died on the cross – defeated by the good shepherd. All we need to do is follow behind him.

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.

Referenced media

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.

Psalm 23:4 ESV

Last week we looked at the “valleys of life”, this week we look at the evil that stalks the valleys and makes them dangerous. We’ll look at how our shepherd protects us, and what we need to do to stay safe.

Watch the sermon

Recap

The valleys of life:

• Often follow after good times, sometimes very rapidly
• Come in various shapes, sizes, and intensity
• Are part of walking the paths of righteousness (being a Christian)
• Tend to obscure our perspective on life

As a Christan you will experience difficulties in your life.

God leads us on the paths of righteousness (v3) which includes the valleys of life. The purpose of this is for our humility.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,

1 Peter 5:6

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 6:3

As we successfully navigate valleys we learn to build our trust in the shepherd. Valleys teach us to trust God at all times, not just turn to Him in times of great difficulty.

Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favour to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all.

Ecclesiastes 9:11 – Solomon’s words

We are weak, we cannot defy time and change. He is strong and master of these things. This should give us comfort and inspire us to be world defying and eternally aspiring.

Whilst we need to make the most of our time on this earth for God’s glory we don’t want to put down hard roots here: our eye is on the eternal promises and treasure in heaven.

Explanation

The valleys of life are the places where we’re most vulnerable to predators. They are up on the ridgeline and have a great view of us, but we cannot see them.

We experience evil.

In Scooby Do there is usually a monster who shrieks “Ra”. This word in Hebrew means evil.

Sources of evil in our lives:

1) our hearts

There’s enough resident evil in our hearts even after conversion.

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

Jeremiah 17:9 ESV

In Romans 7 Paul explains how evil is in our hearts.

2) the world

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. [16] For all that is in the world-the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life-is not from the Father but is from the world.

1 John 2:15-16 ESV

Paul includes the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life in his analysis of the world. Because we’re in the world, we have to deal with these things: evil is all around us.

And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”

Isaiah 6:5 ESV

Isaiah recognised he lived in a culture of evil.

3) the devil himself

The devil is a fallen angel: the enemy of God. When we call him the devil, we mean he is the slanderer, the one who tells lies. He is our adversary. He is sometimes called Apollyon, the destroyer.

4) all of the above

Sometimes a source of evil can be one or more than one of these three things. Ultimately it doesn’t really matter. Evil is opposed to God and his people and we need to stand firm against it.

Let’s look at how to do this:

Application

Firstly, let’s take a look at how evil shows itself in our lives. We can see evil in:

• Argument
• Accusation
• Attack

1. Argument

When we think of ourselves, we can think we’re good but sometimes do bad things. This view denies what the bible teaches about us (the doctrine of man). We are depraved: even the very best things that we do are tainted by sin.

Sometimes the world argues: “Religion/Christianity is the cause of many of the world’s problems”. In actual fact, many of the great benefits society enjoys have come from Christianity. Christianity is far from the source of the world’s problems, and actually offers the solution.

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”

Genesis 3:1 ESV

The devil twists God’s words and argues. He argues with and convinces Eve.

2. Accusation

We can think: “God will never forgive me because my sins are too many or too great”. We are accused of our sin and it can overwhelm us.

Even where something we’ve done has huge consequences we can still be forgiven. How can we say that our sins are bigger than God’s grace?

The world may say that we can never make changes in our lives, but the Bible says we can, and that God will change us.

3. Attack

Satan: the chief accuser

Opposition can come from the devil himself. More experienced Christians may have experienced outright attack. He uses spiritual poison, propaganda and words to hurt us.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:12 ESV

The Bible makes it clear that he is a liar.

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

John 8:44 ESV

Love is so much more than what the music industry says it is.

In the 1970s Keith Green wrote create in me a clean heart (a paraphrase of Ps 51).

He also wrote another song about a dialogue with Satan, as the world became less spiritual throughout the 20th centuary, rejecting faith for ‘science’ and secular humanism.

“Because no one believes in me anymore. Nowadays people just open their doors”

Keith Green: No one believes in me anymore (Satan’s boast)

We live in strange times. The West is actually becoming more spiritual and Christian ministers are reporting an increase in things like possession that are common in more spiritually ‘open’ societies. We are also experiencing persecution and oppression.

In the shadow

Notice our passage says “the shadow of the valley”

The source of light is obscured. There is an obstruction between us and the glorious son. It’s not lost, even though we are in danger.

As God’s sheep we need a defence.

As we’ve discussed we’re not dumb sheep, we’re dependent on the shepherd.

Our Defence

1. Our shepherd

Our first defence is the presence of the shepherd as described in our verse:

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.

Psalm 23:4 ESV

God is with us and strengthens us.

fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10 ESV

In your presence Lord I am surely free, all other company is second best to me (song).

As a consequence of the presence of the Lord, the sheep become armed and dangerous (metaphorically).

2. Our armour

In Ephesians 6, the armour of God is described. Paul draws the imagary from Isaiah.

All of these pieces of armour, giving the picture of a fully armed Roman soldier, are a consequence of experiencing the presence of God and being convicted by his word. We need to spend time with Him to put on our armour.

With such equipment we can resist evil.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

James 4:7-8 ESV

With it we can resist the wrong things in our heart and even the world around us.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be^[a] against us?

Romans 8:31

As scripture mentions many times: God will protect us, he is with us.

With God we shall do valiantly;
    it is he who will tread down our foes.

Ps 60:12

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

1 John 4:16

I fear no evil for you are with me: praise him that though we walk in dark times he is with us, arming us and protecting us.

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.

Songs and videos referenced

“Even though I walk through the shadow of the valley of death”.

Psalm 23:4a

This week Psalm 23 takes a much darker turn. Life is not plain sailing, and Christians aren’t exempt from life’s troubles. This psalm was written by David in one of his darkest hours. What guidance can we draw from the Good Shepherd to get through?

Our passages:  2 Corinthians 4:16-5:10 & Psalm 23:4. Preacher: Ian Bayne (17th May 2020).

Watch the sermon

Recap

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psalm 23:1

Verses 1-3 speak of a time of plenty. The Bible says that God will look after us as a good shepherd looks after their sheep.

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19 ESV

He’s given us food both physical and spiritual, through his Word.

He’s given us water which represents his cleansing: flowing out of Jesus Christ. This reminds us of the Holy Spirit poured out on us (John 7:37-39).

He’s given us rest in that our salvation not dependent on our works. In other words we don’t need to do some task in order to be saved. Salvation is done already by Jesus’s sacrifice. It is finished.

As a consequence, He’s given us regeneration: restoring us from a catastrophe in our lives: sin. We keep needing forgiveness and guidance every day of our lives. He has called us, he leads us, and he drives us onwards.

Explanation

We come now to verse 4 where the psalm takes a darker turn.

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.

Psalm 23:4 ESV

Today we’ll look at the first part of this verse. What are these valleys, and what do we need to know about them?

We can observe 4 things about spiritual valleys:

1) The valleys of life often follow blissful times.

Notice how quickly the tone of the psalm changes.

We go from the times of being full (or being more satisfied with our life) into another phase of life which is not so good. Both being in good times and bad can make us forget what happened before. The only constant we can expect is change.

2) Valleys of life come in various shapes and sizes.

The best word that can describe what we often experience is vicissitude: an unwelcome change of circumstance.

These can be natural: things that are beyond our control. This might be nature, other people’s sin, or simply a result of fallen society.

There are also manufactured vicissitudes: ones of our own making because we’re not as holy as we should be.

Valleys can be short, long, deep or shallow.

3) The valleys of life tend to obscure our picture of life.

When we are in a valley it’s hard to see outside of it. We need to be careful of this distortion when making decisions and assessing what to do.

4) The valleys of life are part of the paths of righteousness even for believers

It can be conforting to know that troubles are expected, even if we do everything right, because of natural vicissitudes. There’s no escape clause for God’s sheep. We will go through valleys as God’s sheep, with God.

There are numerous examples throughout the Bible of God’s people who are commended but suffer greatly:

• Righteous Abel is killed by unrighteous Cain (Gen 4)
• Abraham was commanded to sacrifice his son Isaac (Gen 22)
• Jezabel kills Naboth to steal his vineyard (1 Kings 21)
• Job, a righteous man, loses everything (Job 1)
• David, the author of the psalm, is possibly writing this psalm when Absalom, his own son, is trying to overthrow him (2 Sam 15)

Application

What can we learn about the valleys? How can we be encouraged as God’s sheep when we discover the purpose of what we go through?

We can say that trials and difficult times:

1) Foster and nurture humility

As a sheep farmer, I built up a large flock of sheep: with thousands of sheep. One year things were going so well. The sheep were fat, having eaten lots of lush grass and there were lots of twins and triplets on the way. The sheep began giving birth. On day 12 of the birthing season there were 100-200 lambs being born in perfect weather.

But over a period of just one hour, the wind changed and a cold southerly came up from the Antarctic. Within 30 minutes 500-1000 lambs lost their lives.

It was the sudden contrast of temperature that killed them. The great drop in temperature. In 20 minutes one of the best years I had turned into one of the worst.

The result was that I was humbled. I thought that by growing my business big I would be successful.

God loves us to be humble. Humility means we have a true view of our abilities.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:3 ESV

2) The valleys bring more faith and trust in the shepherd

We like to think we are in control, but at any moment God can turn things upside down. We are time takers, not time makers. Knowing that many events are out of our control, and in God’s sovereign control increases our faith in Him.

3) The valleys help us to appreciate our weakness and dependence on the shepherd.

The apostle Paul is perhaps one of the finest examples of a Christan. He battled with a persistent “thorn” that troubled him.

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.

2 Corinthians 12:7 ESV

We don’t know exactly what this thorn is. It kept him from exalting himself. Paul says that the thorn kept him humble.

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:10 ESV

4) the valleys help God’s sheep be world defying as well as to be eternally aspiring

We have to be careful of meaning here: we are not world-denying. We are not taught to deny our temporal existence in the world. Yet, we defy the world because when the world is not as it ought to be we still trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. The world thinks this is absurd.

We should aspire to the eternal: our eternal future with God when we leave this body behind and enter into the presence of Christ. This is what we need to fix ourselves on.

But there’s a balance. We are not told to bury or heads in the sand; becoming super spiritual and ignoring the world. We can also go the other way and become materialistic and too focused on our world.

Striking the balance

In our passage Paul makes some good comparisons between these two which can be helpful to get the balance rightL

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. [17] For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, [18] as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV

Our bodies are decaying, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day; our troubles are light compared to eternal life. Everyone listening today will die: our earth’s tents will be torn down. We will be clothed in immortality.

For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling,

2 Corinthians 5:2 ESV

The Holy Spirit is described as a pledge or a deposit given to us while we live in this world. We are present in this body, but there will come a day when we will be home with the Lord.

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, [20] for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV

Paul sums up the balance in the following passage:

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Philippians 1:21 ESV

The difficult times help us focus on what’s important, and to put life in perspective.

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.