Psalm 23:1–6 (ESV) 1 The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 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. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
David understood shepherding:
Leading
Feeding
Protecting
David Understood sheep:
Sheep are productive and valuable.
Sheep cannot provide for themselves.
Sheep are defenseless.
Sheep are feebleminded.
Sheep need Shepherds.
“The livelihood of a sheep is contingent upon the care of a shepherd; it is the only context in which they are useful.”
David recognized HIS need for a shepherd…. “The LORD is my Shepherd... THE LORD: YHWH YHWH-ROHI
Colossians 1:16–17 (NLT)...16 Everything was created through him and for him. 17 He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.
1 Peter 2:25 (NLT) Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.
Jesus, The Good Shepherd John 10:1–10 (NIV) 1 “I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The man who enters by the gate is the Shepherd of his sheep. 3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them. 7 Therefore, Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
When The Lord is My Shepherd: 1. Friendship/ Fellowship John 10:14(NIV) I know my own sheep, and they know me.
John 10:27 (NIV) My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
2. Leadership/ Follow-ship “Fellowship begets fellowship.” “The livelihood of a sheep is contingent upon his ability to follow his shepherd.”
“The Good Shepherd is better at leading you than you are at leading you.”
The result: Abiding in Abundance I shall not be in want… I shall not be in lack. John 10:9,10(NIV) I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Matthew 9:35-36(NIV) 35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.…
John 5:17 (NLT) “My Father is always working, and so am I.”
John 10:15 (NIV) I lay down my life for the sheep.
