Sermon series: A SUMMER IN THE PSALMS

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads 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 You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

John 10:1-18
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers."
Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them. Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.
I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father."

Luke 15
"So He spoke this parable to them, saying:
What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?

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And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!
I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance."

Message:
Our lesson today comes from Psalm 23 and our subject is the divine care of the Good Shepherd.
Think how wondrous has been the life of a Psalm like the 23rd Psalm, and how impossible it were to write its history.
Men who learned to use it in childhood have found it in age change the 'shadow feared of man' into the translucent veil of a gracious immortality.
By its words penitents have been lifted out of despondency and despair into joyous peace! Thousands of years have passed since it first rose from the heart of the man who wrote it. For centuries it was sung in old Judea by Hebrew tongues. Captives who sat the rivers of Babel, and wept as they remembered Zion, dried their tears and became hopeful as they sung the Lord's song in the strange land, though their joy turned to sadness when their captors demanded that the voice of piety be changed into the sounds of mirth. Psalm 137 records this event: "By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept when we remembered Zion. We hung our harps upon the willows in the midst of it. For there those who carried us away captive asked of us a song, and those who plundered us requested mirth, saying, "Sing us one of the songs of Zion." How shall we sing the Lord's song in a foreign land?" (Psalm 137:1-5) Shepherds abiding in the fields and keeping watch over their flocks by night, as they heard sweet and rhythmic speech of promise and good will fall from heaven may well have broken into a far-sounding and ascending song in praise of Him who fed Joseph like a flock, gathered the lambs with His arm, carried them in His bosom, and gently led those that were with young. (Isaiah 40:11).
The Old Rabbinic legend says that above David's bed there hung a harp, and as the midnight breezes sighed through the strings they made such music that the poet could do no other than rise and wed immortal words to the mystic, heavenly strains until the rosy dawn of day.
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, I SHALL NOT WANT.
During the past two Sundays, we have considered who this shepherd is....none other that God Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, God manifest in human flesh in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ! And because of unlimited resources and omnipotent power, we need never lack for anything that has eternal value!
Today, we continue our search for the divine nuggets of truth from this wonderful psalm.
HE MAKETH ME TO LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES.
Mr. Keller, in his book entitled: A SHEPHERD LOOKS AT PSALM 23, writes: "The strange thing about sheep is that because of their very make-up it is almost impossible for them to be made to lie down unless four requirements are met.

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(1) Owing to their timidity they refuse to lie down unless they are free of all fear. It is not generally known that sheep are so timid and easily panicked that even a stray jackrabbit suddenly bounding from behind a bush can stampede a whole flock
(2) Because of the social behavior within a flock, sheep will not lie down unless they are free from friction with others of their kind.
(3) If tormented by flies and parasites, sheep will not lie down. Only when free of these pests can they relax.
(4) Sheep will not lie down as long as they feel in need of finding food. Hungry sheep are always restless!
When we examine each of these four factors that affect sheep so severely, we will understand why the part the owner plays in their management is so tremendously important. It is actually the shepherd who makes it possible for them to lie down, to rest, to relax, to be content and quiet and flourishing. When one startled sheep runs in fright, a dozen others will bolt with it in blind fear, not waiting to see what frightened them. As long as there is even the slightest suspicion of danger from dogs, coyotes, cougars, bears or other enemies, the sheep stand ready to flee for their lives. They have little or no means of self-defense. They are helpless, timid, feeble creatures whose only recourse is to run.
But when the shepherd is near and the sheep can see him, they are quiet and at rest! There is nothing like the presence of Christ to dispel fear, panic, the terror of the ‘unknown’, the ‘unexpected,’ that produces the greatest panic and fear.
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound [disciplined] mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)
The idea of a sound mind is that of a mind at ease—at peace—not perturbed or harassed or obsessed with fear and foreboding for the future. "I will both lay me down in peace and sleep; for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety."
When we look through the Scriptures, we are admonished over and over again not to fear!
"Fear not, for I am with you: be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10) "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name: you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior" (Isaiah 43:1-3) "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? "(Psalm 27:1-2). "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea" (Psalm 46).
"Be strong, fear not: behold your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; He will come and save you" (Isaiah 35:4) "My Spirit remaineth among you; fear ye not" (Haggai 2:5) "Fear not; for they that be with us are more than they that be with them" (2 Kings 6:16).

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Jesus, our Good Shepherd said: "Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows" (Luke 12:5-6). "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32).
Not only fear of enemies and of the unknown bring tension into the flock, but we also noticed that friction between animals in the flock will keep them from rest and lying down. Mr. Keller tells us that in every animal society there is established an order of dominance or status with in the group. In a pen full of chickens it is referred to as the "pecking order." With cattle it is called the "horning order." Among sheep we speak of the "butting order." And again, the presence of the shepherd puts an end to all rivalry. Generally an arrogant, cunning and domineering old ewe will be boss of any bunch of sheep.
She maintains her position of prestige by butting and driving other ewes or lambs away from the best grazing or favorite bedgrounds. Because of this rivalry, tension and competition for status and self assertion, there is friction in the flock. The sheep cannot lie down and rest in contentment. Always they must stand up and defend their rights and contest the challenge of the intruder! This continuous conflict and jealousy within the flock can be a most detrimental thing. The sheep become edgy, tense, discontented and restless. They lose weight and become irritable. The presence of the shepherd brings rest.
Think of the spiritual application of this illustration! As human beings and as Christians, we have a desire to dominate and protect our turf, our opinions, our convictions. After all, what we think is very important and we deserve to be listened to. This causes friction and tension amongst groups and in church congregations. When Christians and congregations take their focus off Christ, it is not long until there is unrest, friction, and fighting amongst us. Jesus had to deal with this problem in His group of disciples. "Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, "What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road? But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "if anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all" (Mark 9:33-35). It was the presence of the Good Shepherd that silenced them!
The Church, the flock of God, has constantly had to deal with inner strife. Acts 6 tells us: "Now in those days when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution" (Acts 6:1). "Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing." Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work.

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"Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God" (Acts 15:36-40).
Paul warned the Christians in Galatia: "But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another" (Galatians 5:15). The Pastor of the First Christian Church in Jerusalem 2000 years ago had to speak to his congregation on this matter: "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." (James 4:1-3).
When there is friction and strife amongst the flock of God, the Church, the Body of believers...great harm is done to the cause of Christ. Our Good Shepherd prayed: "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me." (John 17:20-21)
When we keep our spiritual sights set on our Good Shepherd and keep ourselves busy doing His will, we will not have time for friction and tension with others! A sheep that is causing friction and tension in the flock has taken their eyes off the Good Shepherd and fixed them on themselves! "He who loves a quarrel loves sin, he who builds a high gate invites destruction" (Proverbs 17:19). "A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension; but a patient man calms a quarrel" (Proverbs 15:18). "These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren? (Proverbs 6:16-19).
The songwriter sang: "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face; and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace."
There is just one other distraction that Mr. Keller told us would rob sheep of the joy of lying down in rest...if sheep are hungry, they will not rest! Hungry sheep are always restless.
Oh! How true this is in the spiritual. Christians suffering from spiritual malnutrition will always be restless and devoid of peace and contentment! And in the natural, it is the responsibility of the shepherd to guide them into green pastures. Sheep will eat almost anything and anywhere...the shepherd must set the table before them with adequate and lush vegetation. In the spiritual, the Word of God is our spiritual pasturage.
And here the application becomes very personal to me as your under-shepherd. It is my responsibility to prepare the spiritual pasturage to feed your souls so that you will grow in your Christian faith and spiritual maturity. It is my sacred responsibility as your shepherd under Christ to make sure the spiritual banquet is ready each Lord's Day!

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HE MAKETH ME TO LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES. Think with me concerning the green pastures of the promises of our God! "God is not a man, that He should lie...Hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?" (Numbers 23:19). "Not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you" (Joshua 23:14). "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). "Ah, Lord God, behold Thou hast made the heavens and the earth by thy great power and stretched-out arm, and there is nothing too hard for Thee" (Jeremiah 32:17). "Jesus Christ, the same, yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). "The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7)
"When I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me" (Micah 7:8). "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth him out of them all" (Psalm 34:19). "Though I walk in the midst of trouble...Thy right hand shall save me" (Psalm 138:7). "We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us" (Romans 8:37). "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:37-39).
Oh! What wonderful pasturage we find in God's Word! It fills our hearts with hope. Our Good Shepherd said: "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that, where I am, there you may be also" (John l4:1-3). "For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed that mortality may be swallowed up by life" (2 Cor. 5:1-4). "But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him, those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will be no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words." (1 Thess. 4:13-18).
Our Good Shepherd will feed us...for He is the bread which came down from heaven! We need never to be hungry or thirsty nor suffer from mal-nutrition...He will lead us into green pastures!