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Jesus with sheep

The Good Shepherd IV (Psalm 23:3 & Acts 8:1-5) – He leads me in paths of righteousness

He leads me in paths of righteousness

Psalm 23:3b

As well as restoring our soul, this week, we’ll look at how the Lord calls us, leads us and even drives us, along the right paths.

Our passages:  Acts 8:1-5 & Psalm 23:3. Preacher: Ian Bayne (3rd May 2020).

Watch the Sermon

Recap

The rest and plenty described in Psalm 23:1-3 also carry a bitter side to them. This rest and plenty is so amazing because we are not as we ought to be. The events of the fall (Gen 3) brought about an ongoing tragedy for humanity, which is evident in our lives (e.g. death and suffering). We also need to be restored because of wear and tear from work and experiences. Therefore we need to constantly ask for forgiveness and strength from God.

Fortunately, God looks at our potential, not us as we are. As we are restored, we have a sense of purpose and reason to live.

Some may be reminded of the first question answered in the Westiminister Shorter Catechism: What is man’s chief aim?

To glorify God.

Westminister Catechism Question 1 answer

We enjoy meeting at least a part of this aim now. In Christ’s strength we can change and become what we are in him: holy and righteous. We’re not there yet, but it is possible.

Explanation

Today we’ll look at the second part of verse 3.

He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Psalm 23:3b ESV

3 points and then application:

1. Our shepherd is a qualified guide

Some years ago I went on a holiday overseas. We were part of a Tour party travelling through Italy Greece, Athens, and Ephesus. Each time we were at a place we would have a local tour guide appointed to us.

The local guide would have local experience and understanding of the local culture that was useful to us. No-one else could explain the area we were in as well.

Through life, the Lord Jesus is our guide. He is qualified to guide us because:

1) He knows his sheep very well

He knowsL

  • the condition and weaknesses of his sheep
  • the best path for his sheep
  • what the sheep have experienced
  • our current condition.

2) He’s experienced all we have experienced

Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

Hebrews 2:17 ESV

He has experienced being human and is able to sympathise with us.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 4:15 ESV

3) He knows the right paths to take for our safety and productivity

Our passage today states: “He guides us in paths of righteousness”. We don’t know which paths to take in life: many are frought with danger.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Proverbs 14:12 ESV

From time to time we will choose ways that are wrong.

The choices before us may be good opportunities that we mustn’t miss.

As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

Matthew 9:9 ESV

We have to apply some discernment to following Jesus. He was without sin: we can’t follow him on repentance from sin as He never needed to change. In these cases there are servants of the Lord we can follow and take example from:

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

Philippians 3:17 ESV

2. He guides his sheep

He guides by engaging in the moment by moment management of his sheep. Our shepherd is an intensive manager; intensive in style and substance.

In terms of belief in God, there are theists and deist. A deist believes God is hands-off: winding up the clock at the beginning of creation and then letting things run.

If we take our guide from the Bible, we can be theists:

him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

Ephesians 1:11b ESV

He guides us in three ways:

1) Calling

He calls us personally, through His Word (the Bible), and through depositing the Holy Spirit in us.

When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. [5] A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

John 10:4-5 ESV

We recognise God is has spoken to us.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV

All of God’s word is a signal and call to us to follow Christ.

John 16:5-13 teaches more about the Holy Spirit.

2) Leading

Jeus leads from the front: by example. His main example is sacrifice.

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Matthew 16:24 ESV

We should become living sacrifices to God.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Romans 12:1 ESV

3) Driving

We may not think of this, thinking the sheep follow along willingly. But subtly (and sometimes less subtly) He drives us on the paths we need to take.

Shepherds usually have dogs. They have a heading dog, such as a border collie which is quiet and leads the sheep on.

In NZ the shepherd also has a hunter dog which is noisy and works from the back; moving sheep that are refusing to move.

Scripture indicates that Jesus works to drive us as well.

Examples from scripture:

Joseph had 11 brothers who didn’t like him because he was the favourite, so they sold him into slavery. While in slavery he was accused of rape and put into prison.

If God had informed Joseph all that was going to come, would he have followed the path he did?

So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

Genesis 45:8 ESV

God’s providence brought him to Egypt.

Moses, likewise, was called by God when he saw a burning bush. He was quite reluctant to lead God’s people out of Egypt and God had to encourage him along the way.

Esther is beautiful and brought before the king of the time. She is put there so that she may rescue the people from a coming genocide.

Jonah didn’t agree with what God wants him to do. He goes the other way. God brings him back and re-commands him.

Our passage today:

In our passage today, Stephen was the first martyr for the church. He was stoned to death, following which there was a lot of persecution. Except for the apostles three members of the church were scattered.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Acts 1:8 ESV

But by the time of Acts 8 the apostles hadn’t travelled much. Events were required to scatter them.

Acts 15:37-40 recounts a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas that caised them to split up, taking the gospel in two different directions.

God drove me into preaching. Drought, snow and family circumstances brought me into ministry. We can sometimes be a little comfortable and lazy, but God can drive us along the path we need to take.

Application

The Lord’s guidance is for us.

We need to watch out as there could be immediate danger present in our lives. That’s not a time for gentle guidance, but for immediate action.

We need to wake up. As is said: He who snoozes looses.

We lie down in green pastures so we can ruminate and be able to grow. We don’t lie down to sleep: we are not to participate in comfort for comfort’s sake.

Don’t rest on your lauerels

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. [2] Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.

Revelation 3:1-2 ESV

The church in Sardis had a name for being a successful church, but we can’t rely on past successes.

We need to keep moving forwards and we can do this with confidence as believers, using our shepherd’s wisdom.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. [6] In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV

Rely on God’s wisdom

Rely on God’s ways and God’s wisdom to guide you.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 ESV

Even though we may not understand what to do, God knows and we can walk on in wisdom, sometimes being driven and sometimes being called.

The paths ahead are full of hazards. There are:

  • Internal issues: sin in us
  • Intrinsic hazards: related to the culture and times
  • Inherent hazards: present always in a fallen world.

Thank the Lord that “He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

Resources

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



Jesus with sheep

The Good Shepherd III (Psalm 23:3 & 1 Peter 1:3-9) – He restores my soul

“He restores our soul.” Why do we need restoring, how does He do this, and what is the purpose of our life? Pastor Ian Bayne tackles the big questions.

After our celebration of Easter, we return to our series on Psalm 23.

Our passage:  1 Peter 1:3-9 & Psalm 23:3. Preacher: Ian Bayne (19th April 2020).

Watch the Sermon

Recap

We are continuing our studies in Psalm 23, as the level 4 lockdown and uncertainty around the world continues. It is good to remind ourselves of familiar truths, and what better passage than Psalm 23.

Before Easter we looked at verses 1 and 2 together and found:

  • There is a shepherd in this life, we are not required to wander aimlessly
  • The Lord is our shepherd
  • He has a number of sheep
  • He has entered a covenant with his sheep such that “I shall not want”

Because of this we should have:

1. Dependence

God has made us to be dependent on Him. We are not made to be independent. We are called to live by faith and not by sight, so that we might magnify God’s glory.

2. Trust

We can trust because he knows us, he saved us and has given his life for us

He manages us, leads us and will bring us back if we go astray.

3. Security

We are in safe hands.

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

John 10:28 ESV

We are safe standing on the rock of ages.

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

Philippians 4:19 ESV

Verse 2 looks back on verse 1 about rest.

4. Rest

We don’t have to establish our own test. We don’t have to work for our own salvation. The shepherd has done this for us.

Jesus himself is our righteousness. Therefore we can receive salvation with joy.

5. Preparation

When in a time of peace we can use these times wisely.

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Joshua 1:8

6. Rumination

As a sheep regurgitates its food for further digestion, the word of God should be something we think of. Meditation aids our appreciation, understanding and application of God’s word.

7. Restoration

He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Psalm 23:3 ESV

Today we’ll look closer at the first part of verse 3: “He restores my soul”

What is going on here, and what does this mean?

Explanation

If restoration is needed then things are not as they ought to be.

There are many things people get excited about today and spend their time on. During lockdown we have been watching TV, which reflects what society is interested in. There’s currently lots of TV on restoration: historic castles, junk and antiques to restore. People want to see things restored to their former glory.

The need for restoration

But why do things need restoring?

They get into this state because:

  1. of a disaster or tragedy: maybe weather or war
  2. wear and tear: for instance, metal might have rusted or worn out

We too are in need of restoration for the same reasons. Psalm 23:3 says “He restores our soul”. Let’s have a look at why we need this, and How He restores us.

We need restoring: because of a tragedy

We have experienced a tragedy: the fall. This happened when Adam and Eve disobeyed God.

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned-

Romans 5:12 ESV

It wasn’t just Adam’s sin, but the rebellion spread. We confirm this on a daily basis because we sin. This is the great tragedy – the consequence of Adam’s “original sin”

The curses in Genesis 3:14-19 lay out the consequences:

  • There are broken relations with God. We are hurting because of sin.
  • There are broken relations with each other because sin is in us.
  • There’s a broken ability for us to resist evil. We’re inclined to do wrong.
  • There’s a broken world we live in and broken bodies we die in.

This is why we need restoration and why the shepherd needs to help us. When He reconciles us He restores these things.

He restores our soul: after the tragedy

He gives us a heart “after which things are good”

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

Ezekiel 36:26

He restores our bodies through the promise of Resurrection.

While the resurrection has been completed, these promises are not completely fulfilled.

The process has begun. There is a downpayment for what is to come.

We need restoring: because of wear and tear due to time and conditions

Even when initial restoration is complete, rot and rust still occur. Our lives are fraught with difficulty and we feel sadness, loss, pain and trials of various kinds.

He restores our soul: from our wear and tear

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9 ESV

This restoration of us is not just a one-off process, but is ongoing. The first part addresses the tragedy, the second part the wear and tear.

This is why we’re taught to forgive others.

Even though everything else has changed we’re still inclined to go back.

What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”

2 Peter 2:22

Application

We’ll look at three words:

  • Potential
  • Purpose
  • Possibilities

Potential

The shepherd doesn’t look at what the sheep are currently, but their potential. Even though we were born in sin and weakness; even though we are just dust, with an inclination to sin; He looks past this.

He knows about wear and tear. If we have sinned, or been sinned against.

He knows we will continue to fail until we enter heaven.

Yet when the Lord looks on a sheep he doesn’t see what we are, but what we could become.

As the 70’s song goes: “Something beautiful, something good, all my confusion He understood. All I had to offer him was brokenness and strife, but he has something beautiful planned for my life”

This gives us purpose.

Purpose

Why do I exist? What is the purpose of my life and the significance of it.

If these things are left unanswered it’s a recipe for mental health issues. The answer is simple: our existence is to give glory and honour to God.

One of our great quests of life is to generally glorify God through our faith, but also to fulfil God’s specific plan for each of us.

When He becomes our shepherd He injects purpose into our lives.

Possibilities

Stuck as a slave to sin we have limited possibilities. He gives us the power to change.

He also doesn’t permit us to remain as we are, and we also desire to move on. As we rely and trust in him we gradually move away from sin and to become better Christians.

When our guard is down we revert. It’s our greatest desire to overcome these sins, but this isn’t enough: it’s the Lord who restores to us the power to change and overcome.

What was not thought possible now looks achievable.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

Sheep farming in the South Island

On the South Island, everyone is either: a farmer, married to one, or supporting one. There’s a diverse bunch of farm and crop types: sheep, beef, crops, dairy.

At the top of the plains are the foothills. It’s hard hill country. There are severe winters and tough conditions. Many sheep grow up in these conditions.

At about 5 years of age the sheep are sold. A flat land farmer will then receive those sheep. They would be skinny and look like they’d endured a tragic event. But the nice conditions of the plains would make the sheep fat and healthy again. The change of environment makes all the difference. So it is with us as people.

All of us have experienced tragedy. The world is not a great place sometimes. But when we submit to the shepherd’s care we grow and become productive. We become members of the church of Jesus

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Peter 1:3 ESV

Being “born again” is overcoming the tragedy. We are to become a living hope for each other and the world. This will release our potential and give us a purpose in life.

Praise be to Him who has caused us to be born again to a living hope and resurrection from the dead.

Resources

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

Song: Something beautiful



Jesus with sheep

The Good Shepherd II (Psalm 23:2 & Hebrews 3:1-11) – He makes me lie down in green pastures

He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.

Psalm 23:2 ESV

We’re continuing our series in Psalm 23 in the midst of our national Level 4 alert, recognising that these are anxious times for many. The familiar truths in one of the most familiar passages of the bible can help us appreciate God’s power and sovereignty in this time.

Our passage:  Hebrews 3:1-11 & Psalm 23:2. Preacher: Ian Bayne (5th April 2020).

Watch the Sermon

Service recording. Sermon starts at approximately -38:50

Recap

We have turned to Psalm 23 in these difficult times. In times of anxiety, we can fall back on familiar truths. For me as a former sheep farmer, this psalm has special relevance and I want to share more of this today.

Last week, looking at verse 1, we saw how we are shepherded by the LORD Almighty; our shepherd. We are his sheep and he has made a covenant (or promise) with us. With good shepherding, a flock will be productive. Likewise we are also more productive if we are well looked after, so let’s trust in a shepherd who can do this.

We are to be dependent on our shepherd so we might live by faith and trust Him to provide for us. By doing this, we appreciate our own inabilities and His power in contrast.

We’re also called to trust him because he’s good. He has saved us and given his life for us. When we go astray and fail to look to Him, He guides us and will bring us back. We are in safe hands. No one will destroy us or take us from his fold.

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me,[a] is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

John 10:28-30 ESV

Our salvation is not based on our will, by what we do, but is a free gift from God that we do not deserve. Salvation is by grace only. We can’t earn it.

Paul explains this in his letter to the Ephesian church:

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, [9] not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV

Explanation

This week we’re looking at verse 2:

He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.

Psalm 23:2 ESV

This is a picture of rest. Imagine a river running quickly through the mountains. As the rivers reach the plains below they slow down. There is much feed for sheep on the fertile plains. A place where we can relax.

Imagine a flock of sheep who are well fed. They are lying down, content in that place. As believers, we can also be content for many reasons.

To remedy a common misconception: a sheep will never lie down on its side. If a sheep is horizontal there are two possible reasons: it could be giving birth, or it could be dying.

That is not the picture here. We would say it’s sitting down with its legs folded under it. If it was still hungry it wouldn’t be sitting down.

In this fertile field, many sheep are lying down

When a sheep is lying down it will be ruminating. Sheep have 4 parts to their stomach. Like with cows, they regurgitate what they have eaten back into their mouth to grind it down further and help with digestion.

Imagine a flock of sheep lying down in a valley with plenty of feed. They are chewing the cud.

For a sheep to maintain its weight it needs around 1kg of dry matter per day. In this picture there is adequate food to grow and put on weight and there is plenty of water. That the water is still is more about the pasture being a place of rest. Sheep will drink water whether still or otherwise if they are thirsty.

Application

Good news!

Our verse today is a picture of very good news. The gospel of Jesus is how we enter into this rest.

but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope…[8a] do not harden your hearts… [11] and I swore “they shall not enter my rest”

Hebrews 3: 6, 8a and 11 ESV

We are to “hold fast” to Jesus so that we may enter his rest.

Rest

The writer of Hebrews is quoting Psalm 93:7-11 to encourage faithfulness. The psalm talks about the Israelites in the Old Testament “harden[ing] your hearts” and “always going astray”. They could not “enter [his] rest”.

At this point the readers of the letter to the Hebrews (who knew their Old Testament well) would have remembered Psalm 95:

For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice, [8] do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,

Psalm 95:7-8 ESV

All of these passages are referring to the rest described in Psalm 23:2. To rest we must be dependent on the shepherd, and Psalm 23:2 gives us a picture of a shepherd providing all his sheep need.

Preparation

But, the days of plenty never last. While there’s plenty of feed in v2, in verse 4, trouble has arrived and the shepherd acts.

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

In our verse today we have a picture of rest and plenty, corresponding to the good times we experience in our lives. Like the sheep do, we should use this a time of preparation.

Bears need to hibernate. They prepare throughout summer and autumn for the coming winter by eating as much as they can and building fat reserves. Sheep, to a lesser extent, need to also prepare for long hard winters.

preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

2 Timothy 4:2

The apostle Paul says to his apprentice Timothy that we need to be ready in season and out of season.

Meditation

Practically speaking, preparation starts with meditation. We’re not talking about Eastern meditation to empty one’s head. Christian mediation does the opposite.

To be ready, we need to be like the sheep in times of rest, ruminating on their food. Our food is the Word of God, and the time spent with Him in prayer. We want the Word of God to become effective in our heart in order to change us.

We want to take information in from God’s word, chew it over, and let it work in us. This will allow us to: appreciate, understand, interpret and apply God’s Word in times of trouble.

Appreciation of God

Meditation allows us a sense of appreciation. We think of verses like:

“The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.

Deuteronomy 32:4 ESV

We think over these verses, and it raises a spirit of praise and worship in us.

Cognition (understanding) of God’s Word

Meditation also allows us to grow in our cognition: our true understanding of God’s word. Scripture is a great teacher.

Interpretation of God’s Word

With a better understanding of scripture, we become better able to interpret scripture. The meaning of most scripture is plain, but where it isn’t we need to use scripture to interpret scripture.

Application of God’s Word

True action results from God’s word in our hearts. Thought over, ruminated, chewed over.

God’s words to Joshua, as he took over from Moses, show the importance of God’s word:

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Joshua 1:8 ESV

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:11 ESV

This extends to teaching our children

You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.

Deuteronomy 11:18 ESV

Summary

We can see a picture of the good news. Hopefully you have received Jesus as your Lord and Saviour.

A picture of preparation. These are difficult times. Perhaps verse 4 is more applicable, but by the provision of God’s word during the good times, we might stand firm and draw strength from him in this time.

It’s a great privilege to say “our father who art in heaven”, and to experience the very presence of God and exist in the light of his word.

Practical helps

It’s all well and good to say we should meditate on our passage, but what does this mean. Because we have some time I want to give some practical help for doing this.

We can think of ourselves as pessimists and optimists. It’s not that someone is one or the other all of the time. Sometimes we feel more one way or the other.

Practical advice for Pessimistic times

There are plenty of passages where Gods people are pessimistic.

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. [8] Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. [9] What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me-practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:6-9 ESV

Sometimes we are in an anxious state. Philippians 4:8 gives a list of things to think about and dwell on. Philippians 4:9 then says to practice them.

Practical advice for Optimistic times

If we’re optimistic then we can look to both creation and God’s word for opportunities to praise him.

General revelation: through Creation

The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the sky above[a] proclaims his handiwork.

Psalm 19:1

Ps 19 talks about God’s general revelation in verses 1-6; how God speaks to all of His creation. When we’re optimistic we can look at animals, nature, the skies. We can find opportunities to praise him for these things. All creation declares God’s glory and reveals his knowledge, and sovereign care and control.

We serve a God who takes care of us, directs us and is sovereign. He works all things out according to his purpose:

making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ

Ephesians 1:9 ESV

Special Revelation: through His Word

The remainder of the psalm speaks about God’s special revelation through his Word in Psalm 19:7-14. The Word of God can be described in many ways:

The law of the Lord is perfect,[c]
    reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
    making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
    enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is clean,
    enduring for ever;
the rules[d] of the Lord are true,
    and righteous altogether.

Psalm 19:7-9

Psalm 19:10-13 expands on the last point around the rules, or judgements of God. They show us the truth of God, are more desirable than gold, and are a warning not to sin. They give us an assurance that if we do sin, God will forgive us.

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

1 John 2:1

God’s Word gives us the power to overcome sin. As the psalmist says, so we can say:

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
    be acceptable in your sight,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

Resources

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

For further study on Psalm 19, please see our Grace Devotional:



Jesus with sheep

The Good Shepherd I (Psalm 23:1 & John 10:1-18) – The Lord is my shepherd

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want

Psalm 23:1

As the national restrictions continue during this troubling time, we continue our mini-series of encouragements. Psalm 23 is a great psalm many of us will be familiar with. In times of trouble, our hearts are full and our minds are confused. We need to remind ourselves of old truths and seek dependence, trust and security from God.

Our passage:  John 10:1-18 & Psalm 23. Preacher: Ian Bayne (29th March 2020).

Watch the Sermon

Sermon starts at -28:45

Introduction

The second reason for covering this today is a more personal one. Before called to ministry I was a sheep farmer, like my father and grandfather. My home was a loving and caring Christian home.

Every night, the last thing before going to bed would be to pray with my father, and he would get me to learn scripture by heart. The first Psalm I learned was Psalm 23 so it is very special.

Explanation

Even just looking at verse 1 in detail today, the psalmist wants us to know four things:

  1. There is a shepherd
  2. The shepherd is the LORD
  3. The LORD owns sheep
  4. The LORD takes care of His sheep

1. There is a shepherd

A flock of sheep needs a shepherd to stop them wandering, to lead, direct them and keep them safe from harm.

Shepherds are burdened to keep the sheep. There are two kinds of shepherd:

  • The hired hand – who is looking after the sheep for payment
  • The owner of the sheep – who has a vested interest in their welfare because it affects the amount of wool and lambs they will obtain.

2. Our shepherd is the LORD

Fortunately “the LORD is our shepherd”, and what a shepherd He is.

The word LORD used in our English translations is the Hebrew consonants: Y..H..W..H. It’s the Lord’s personal name. It’s a word so special that the ancients didn’t even want to write it in full or pronounce it. Some have guessed at the pronunciation, but we don’t know for sure.

In the New Testament Jesus proclaims his status by saying he’s the good shepherd (John 10) and the I AM:

Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

John 8:58

This echos what God said to Moses when he revealed His name.

God said to Moses, “I am who I am.”

Exodus 3: 14

Jesus is claiming to be God. (In John 8:59 the Jews attempt to stone him for blasphemy because of this)

3. The LORD owns His sheep

In John 10 we see how the LORD is not a hired hand, but an owner who cares for His sheep.

He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.  13  He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

John 10:12-15 ESV

Notice the passage says “the lord is MY shepherd” (Psalm 23:1 (emphasis added). He has entered into a deeply personal relationship with us. The Song of Solomon parallels something of the depth of this relationship:

My beloved is mine, and I am his; he grazes among the lilies.

Song of Solomon 2:16 ESV

He recognises his sheep to be his. As a sheep farmer by trade, I can say that a farmer really knows his sheep. Even with many thousand sheep, it’s possible to get to know many of them as you tend them regularly, and they have different personalities. If a neighbour’s sheep got in, I would know.

4. There’s a covenant agreement

There’s a promise made in this verse:

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psalm 23:1 ESV

In the New Testament we see this again:

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

Philippians 4:19 ESV

There’s an agreement that he will supply all our needs. The rest of Psalm 23 is expanding on this point and showing us what this means.

Application

There are three applications we can take from this:

  1. dependency
  2. trust
  3. security

1. Dependency

It’s common to say that sheep are dumb. This saying seems to have originated from a misinterpretation of a passage in Isaiah. The passage prophesies about Jesus, where he’s likened to a sheep. The scene is when Jesus is before Pontious Pilate being questioned about the charges being brought against him.

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

Isaiah 53:7 King James Version. The newer ESV uses “silent” instead of “dumb”.

Dumb has come to mean stupid. But it’s not the case, it simply means silent. Sheep are intelligent, but they are dependent.

The fall in Genesis 3 was a result of man’s quest for independence. When we’re dependent on God we will follow and trust in Him, and He will provide for us.

for we walk by faith, not by sight.

2 Corinthians 5:7 ESV

We must walk in humility according to God, even if this seems counter-cultural.

These are strange days. The covid-19 virus is something we can’t control and therefore we must depend on God. As we grow in dependence, we also grow in humility.

For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for.

2 Corinthians 13:9 ESV

The smaller we become, the greater our appreciation of God. And what a God we have.

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things were created through him and for him.

Colossians 1:16 ESV

He is providing for his children

2. Trust

He knows us and we can know him. He saved us by giving his life for us.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

John 10:11 ESV

He cares for us.

casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7 ESV

And gently leads us to pastures new and through difficult times

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,[c]
    I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

Psalm 23:4

He is still seeking and saving those who are lost. He goes out of His way to look after each one of us individually.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. [12] What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? [13] And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. [14] So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

Matthew 18:10,12-14 ESV

We will all take wrong turns in life. He will take us back to the safety of the fold.

3. Security

When I was growing up, every boy played Rugby Union. Didn’t play anything else, not the round ball game, the hockey ball game or the other rugby ball game; just Rugby Union.

One player in my team was chosen to be full-back for every game because this player would always catch and would never drop the ball. He had a “safe pair of hands”.

Are we not in safe hands? We “shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. [30] I and the Father are one.”

John 10:29-30 ESV

Our security in him doesn’t depend on our ability to have faith or belief. Our faith is in the good shepherd who seeks us when we are lost.

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

The good shepherd comes for us, not for us to simply have life, but to have life abundantly.

Who do you want to be your shepherd? A thief? A hired hand? Or the good shepherd with a life of ultimate peace and security?

Our text

The LORD Is My Shepherd

A psalm of David

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.[a]
3     He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness[b]
    for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,[c]
    I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
6 Surely[d] goodness and mercy[e] shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell[f] in the house of the Lord
    for ever.[g]

Psalm 23:1-6 ESVUK (C)2001 Crossway Bibles

Resources

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

We didn’t sing this due to livestreaming restrictions, but here it is!