The Good Shepherd's Care (Psalm 23 & John 10)
This sermon delves into the comforting truths of Psalm 23, revealing how its promises find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. It guides listeners to understand the multi-faceted care of the Good Shepherd for every aspect of their lives.
This sermon explores Psalm 23 through the lens of Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd, demonstrating how He personally provides, protects, restores, and prepares for all who belong to Him, ensuring their every need is met in abundance.
Overview
The sermon begins by inviting listeners into the beloved Psalm 23, emphasizing its comprehensive picture of God's care. It highlights how the Psalm describes provision, restoration, protection, and a future hope, suggesting that many often stop reading before fully appreciating its depth. The preacher then connects this Old Testament imagery to the New Testament, specifically identifying Jesus Christ in John chapter 10 as "the good shepherd."
The sermon posits that only by receiving Jesus as Savior can one truly claim the promises of Psalm 23. It elaborates on the Good Shepherd's roles, first as a providing shepherd who meets both material and emotional needs, leading to green pastures and quiet waters. The shepherd also restores the soul, forgiving when sheep wander off looking for "greener" things, guiding them back to paths of righteousness for God's glory.
Furthermore, Jesus is presented as a protecting shepherd, present even "through the valley of the shadow of death." His rod and staff symbolize strength through companionship and defense against all threats, both natural and spiritual. Finally, He is a preparing shepherd who sets a "table in the presence of [our] enemies"—our internal struggles like fear and insecurity—anointing us with refreshment and ensuring our cup overflows with abundant provision. His goodness and mercy pursue us throughout life, leading to the eternal dwelling He prepares in His Father's house.
Key points
- Psalm 23 vividly portrays God's comprehensive care for His people.
- Jesus Christ is identified as the Good Shepherd who fulfills the promises of Psalm 23.
- One can only truly claim the Good Shepherd's care by receiving Jesus as personal Savior.
- The Good Shepherd provides for all material, physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
- He restores the soul, forgives wandering, and guides believers in paths of righteousness.
- He offers constant protection, even through life's darkest "valleys," symbolized by His rod and staff.
- The Good Shepherd prepares a "table" of provision and refreshment in the midst of internal "enemies" like fear and insecurity.
- His goodness and mercy perpetually pursue believers, and He prepares an eternal dwelling place for them.
In Charles Stanley's words
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
“The word comfort is two Latin words which means strength through companionship.”
“He knows that we in our frailties, in our weaknesses, and in our naturalenness that we are naturally going at times, we're going to flounder and we're going to wander and we're going to think it's greener there than it is here.”
Outline
- I. Introduction to Psalm 23: The Lord as Our Shepherd
- A. God's comprehensive care demonstrated in the Psalm
- B. Often overlooked aspects beyond the "valley of the shadow of death"
- II. Identification of the Good Shepherd: Jesus Christ (John 10)
- A. Jesus declares, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (John 10:11, 14)
- B. Only those who receive Jesus as Savior truly have the Good Shepherd.
- C. The hunger and thirst for God is innate in every heart.
- III. The Good Shepherd as a Providing Shepherd
- A. Leads to green pastures and quiet/still waters.
- B. Supplies material and physical needs.
- C. Supplies emotional and spiritual needs, bringing peace.
- IV. The Good Shepherd as a Restoring Shepherd
- A. Sheep sometimes wander, seeking "greener fields" outside God's will.
- B. God does not condemn but chastens to teach and restore.
- C. Restores the soul, enabling one to rise above circumstances.
- D. He is personally interested in every worry and circumstance.
- V. The Good Shepherd as a Guiding Shepherd
- A. Leads in paths of righteousness.
- B. Obeying God is always what is best for us.
- C. Our righteous living glorifies God's name, while disobedience dishonors it.
- VI. The Good Shepherd as a Protecting Shepherd
- A. "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for thou art with me."
- B. Rod and staff symbolize protection and "strength through companionship."
- C. He never leaves or forsakes us, walking with us through dark and fearful valleys.
- D. Nothing can touch us unless the Good Shepherd allows it for our good.
- VII. The Good Shepherd as a Preparing Shepherd
- A. Prepares a table in the presence of enemies.
- 1. "Enemies" include poor self-esteem, rejection, loneliness, despair, insecurity, fear of the future.
- 2. He meets every need right in the midst of these internal struggles.
- B. Anoints our head with oil, symbolizing refreshment and welcome into His presence.
- C. Our cup overflows, signifying abundant provision from God.
- D. Goodness and mercy "follow" (pursue) us all the days of our life.
- E. Prepares an eternal dwelling place in His Father's house (John 14).
- VIII. Call to receive Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Shepherd.
Scripture references
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 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.
Insights
The Lord's care is a personal and constant presence in every circumstance.
True satisfaction comes only from receiving the Good Shepherd into one's life.
Even when wandering, the Shepherd seeks to restore and guide us back.
Questions & answers
Who is the Good Shepherd?
The sermon identifies the Good Shepherd as the Lord Jesus Christ, emphasizing that He is the one who lays down His life for the sheep and perfectly fulfills the promises of Psalm 23.
What does the sermon say about those who don't believe in Jesus?
The sermon states that while some may quote Psalm 23 and believe in God, they cannot truly claim the Lord as their shepherd, nor will they have their wants met, until they receive Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.
How does the Good Shepherd provide for us?
He provides for both our material and physical needs by leading us to 'green pastures' and 'quiet waters.' He also provides for our emotional and spiritual needs, including peace and restoration for the soul.
What are the 'enemies' the sermon refers to?
Beyond natural enemies, the sermon identifies internal struggles as enemies to our peace and rest. These include poor self-esteem, feelings of rejection, loneliness, despair, discouragement, insecurity, and fear of the future.
What does it mean that the rod and staff comfort us?
The sermon explains that the word 'comfort' here means 'strength through companionship.' The rod and staff symbolize the Shepherd's presence, protection, and guidance, providing reassurance in difficult times.
What is the ultimate promise of the Good Shepherd?
The ultimate promise is that His goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our life, and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever, in the eternal dwelling place He prepares for us.
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