Sermons, Outlines, Illustrations and Pastor Resources

(Sermon)

Following is an excerpt of "God's Two Sheepdogs" by Steve Wagers added on 10/16/2009.
God's Two Sheepdogs
Pastor Steve N. Wagers
Psalm 23: 6
September 13. 2009

1. HOW He WORKS for Us!
A) The Personal Connection we Enjoy
B) The Precious Care we Experience
1) Resources
2) Rest
3) Refreshment
4) Restoration
5) Road
6) Release
7) Refuge
8) Remedy
9) Rejoicing
2. WHEN He WATCHES over Us!
A) Companions to Help Us Out
B) Companions to Hunt Us Down
3. WHERE He WAITS beyond Us!
A) Assurance of His Future Home
B) Anticipation of His Father's Home

I recently read the 2009 version of Psalm 23.

The politician is my shepherd. I'm in want.
He maketh me lie down on park benches.
He leadeth me beside the still factories.
He disturbeth my soul.
Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of depression and recession,
I anticipate no recovery, for he is with me.
He prepareth a reduction in my salary in the presence of my enemies.
He anointed my small income with great losses.
My expenses runneth over.
Surely unemployment and poverty shall
Follow me all the days of my life
And I shall dwell in a mortgaged house forever.

Psalm 23 has been called "The Pearl of Psalms." Psalm 23 consists of 118 words, but 116 are devoted to explaining the first two - THE LORD.

The Psalm is about more than green pastures, still waters, tables and cups running over. The Psalm is about the LORD that makes us to lie down in green pastures and leads us beside still waters. It is about the ONE who prepares the table and fills our cups. The whole Psalm gives a description of the One who is our Shepherd: "The LORD."

Jehovah-Rohi - v. 1 - The LORD My Shepherd
Jehovah-Jireh - v. 1 - The LORD Will Provider
Jehovah-Shalom - v. 2 - The LORD My Peace
Jehovah-Raphi - v. 3 - The LORD My Healer
Jehovah-Tsidkenu - v. 3 - The LORD My Righteousness
Jehovah-Shammah - v. 4 - The LORD Is There
Jehovah-Nissi - v. 5 - The LORD Our Banner
Jehovah-M'Kaddesh - v. 5 - The LORD My Sanctifier
Jehovah-El Elyon - v. 6 - The LORD Most High

Psalm 23 describes the loving, living, and lasting relationship between a shepherd and his sheep. Of all the ways He could have chosen to describe us, He could have said, "My people are like bears, they are strong!" He could have said, "My people are like lions, fearless and brave!" He could have said, "My people are like foxes, shrewd and wise." He could have even said, "My people are like doves, peaceful and meek."

Instead, He refers to His people as sheep.
"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way." (Isaiah 53: 6)

Sheep do not have the reputation for being smart, shrewd or superior; they have the reputation for being stupid. They are dumb and they are defenseless! They require a shepherd to care for them, protect them, and to provide the basic necessities of life.

Sheep remind me of the fellow who went to the shoe store to try on shoes. He tried on a pair and the salesman asked him how they felt. He said, "They're too tight." The sa ...

There are 20304 characters in the full content. This excerpt only shows a 3000 character sample of the full content.