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When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. Romans 1:11-13

(Living Translation)

Psalm 23:Reflection or Anticipation

Prayer Time

•CRBC known for making disciples–20s Class•New SS Room

Introduction• Psalm 23 – It’s Not About ME!• David, the “Shepherd King”• Eternal truths couched in simple language• Word pictures• Framework of Understanding– Nature of sheep– Responsibilities / provisions of the shepherd

Nature of Sheep• Timid, fearful, easily

panicked• Dumb, stupid, gullible,

foolish• Stampede easily,

vulnerable to mob psychology

• Little or no means of self-defense; can only run

• Easily killed by enemies• Jealous, competitive for

dominance• Easily “cast”; i.e. flipped

over on their back without the ability to right themselves

• Need the most care of all livestock; demanding

• Hard on pastures

Nature of Sheep• Vulnerable to fear,

frustration, pests, & hunger

• Easily influenced by a leader

• Perverse, stubborn• Frequently look for the

easy places to rest or to feed

• Don’t like to be sheared or cleaned

• Creatures of habit, i.e. they get into ruts

• Unpredictable; tendency to stray

• Restless

A Preview• Read John 10:11-14 – The Good Shepherd• Read John 10:15 – The Committed Shepherd• Dual Metaphors; i.e. the Personal Shepherd

and the Gracious Host• Uncommonly clear view of kingdom living,

both present and into eternity.

Next Week

Psalm 23The Lord is My Shepherd,

I Shall Not Want,He Maketh Me to Lie Down in

Green Pastures

Prayer Time

The Shepherd’s Psalm

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

The Lord is my Shepherd• Can you trust a Shepherd?• Who is the “Shepherd”?• A vital relationship starts with a majestic

understanding of the Christ• The quality of the life of a sheep depends on

it’s owner! Sheep do not self maintain.• We carry a distinct mark!

I Shall Not Want• David knew privation, deep personal poverty,

acute hardship, and anguish of spirit, What gives?

• The Master in people’s lives make the difference in their destiny.

• From early dawn until late at night the selfless Shepherd is alert to the welfare of His flock.

• How about the “”problem sheep”?

He Maketh Me to Lie Down in Green Pastures

• A disturbed flock / sheep does not flourish• Fear• Friction within the flock• Torment by pets• Hunger

Next Week

Psalm 23,He Leadeth Me Beside the

Still Waters,He Restoreth My Soul

Prayer Time

He Leadeth Me Beside the Still Waters

• “Water” satisfies the soul• Water is available from unlikely sources• Water quenches like nothing else

He Restoreth My Soul• “Cast” sheep require a Shepherd’s touch• “Cast” sheep are easy prey• God does not abandon you when in need• When we think we are the strongest, we may be

the most vulnerable.– Looking for a soft spot– Too much wool– Too fat

Next WeekPsalm 23

He Leadeth Me in the Paths of Righteousness for His

Name’s Sake,Yea, Though I Walk Through

the Valley

Prayer Time

He Leadeth Me in the Paths of Righteousness for His Name’s Sake

• A good shepherd keeps his flock on the move.

• Sheep are excited when they encounter fresh pasture.

• Stubborn sheep will end up as bags of bones on old polluted ground.

• Healthy sheep are willing to be led.

. . . I Will Fear No Evil• The route to mountaintops is through the

valleys.• It is not a place where he has not already gone.• Characteristics of high country treks via valleys– They are the best trails to the high country– Access to water– Sites of richest feed and best forage

Next Week

Psalm 23Thy Rod and thy staff they

comfort me,Thou preparest a table before

me . . .

Prayer Time

Thy Rod and Thy Staff They Comfort Me . . .

• The Good Shepherd has the tools to care for the flock.• Rod (Word of God - authority, power)

– Prevents confusion– Used for discipline– Used to examine and count– Instrument of protection

• Staff (Spirit of God - concern)– Used to bring sheep together, guiding– Used to draw sheep to the shepherd– Used to guide sheep– Used to rescue sheep

Thou Preparest a Table Before Me

• The Good Shepherd “prepares” the table• The “table” is in full view of the enemy• The “wanderers” are the first to be picked

off by the enemy.• Tough experiences can occur on the

mountain top but He is more than able to protect me.

Next Week

Psalm 23Thou Annointest My Head

With Oil . . .Surely Goodness and Mercy

Shall Follow Me . . .

Prayer Time

Thou Anointest My Head With Oil . . .

• Summer is “fly season”; i.e. little pests– A little “oil” goes a long way . . .!

• Summer is “scab time”– Watch who you “rub” heads with . . !

• Autumn is “rutting season”– Do you want to be known for butting

heads . . ?

Surely Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me. . .

• It’s easy to acknowledge God in the good times, how about the tough times?

• Goodness and mercy flows from me as my legacy– What will I leave behind?– How will I be received if I returned?

• The Shepherd is also looking for some satisfaction!

Next Week

Psalm 23I Will Dwell in the House of

the Lord For Ever. . .

Prayer Time

I Will Dwell in the House of the Lord Forever . . .

• A satisfied sheep has no desire to be anywhere else.

• Envious sheep may try to ‘jump the fence’ to get in.

• Contented sheep want to be in full view of the Shepherd

Next Week

Review Psalms 23

Prayer Time

Introduction• Psalm 23 – It’s Not About ME!• David, the “Shepherd King”• Eternal truths couched in simple language• Word pictures• Framework of Understanding– Nature of sheep– Responsibilities / provisions of the shepherd

Final Thoughts• You Never Let Go – Matt Redman• Your reflections• The Good Shepherd – John 10• Psalm 23 – Shannon Wexelberg

Next Week

Here’s Lacey. . .

It’s About the Nail• See YouTube video

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