Psalm 23:2b

In His Presence

 

Intro

 

       The Shepherd Psalms

 

So called because they describe the ministry of Jesus to those who trust in Him.

 

Psalm 22   -        The Good Shepherd Who lays down His life

                             for the sheep.

 

John 10:11   “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

 

Psalm 23   -        The Great Shepherd Who lives and cares for

                             the sheep.

 

Heb. 13:20   Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

 

Heb. 13:21   make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

 

Psalm 24   -        The Chief Shepherd Who returns in glory for

                             the sheep.

 

1Pet. 5:4*    and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

 

 

A word to leaders - at home and church

 

       Follow the example of our Shepherd as you oversee the sheep He has entrusted to your care.

 

1Pet. 5:1      The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed:

 

1Pet. 5:2      Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;

 

1Pet. 5:3      nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;

 

1Pet. 5:4      and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

 

Our job to work under the direction of the Chief Shepherd to feed and care for His sheep.

 

Ex.    Creating Green pastures so that the sheep entrusted to your care can feed.

 

Ap.    They must be free of…

 

Fear, Friction, Pests & Hunger

 

       Fear: keep an eye out for wolves and keep them from feeding on the flock.

 

Acts 20:28   “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

 

Acts 20:29   “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.

 

Acts 20:30   “Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.

 

Acts 20:31   “Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

 

1)    Pray for discernment (Phil. 1:9)

 

2)    Prove the heart by time & testing (I Tim. 3:10)

 

3)    Protect the flock by word (warning) & action (get the wolf out!) - Acts 20:28-31

 

Ex.    The "B" person

 

       Friction: keep an eye out for those who cause trouble.

 

Ti. 3:9          But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.

 

Ti. 3:10        Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition,

 

Ti. 3:11        knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.

 

1)    Minister to them if you can

 

2)    Remove them if you can't.

 

Ex.    The "G" person

 

       Pests: apply generous amounts of God's Grace to those people and situations that "bug" you and others!

 

Col. 3:12      Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

 

Col. 3:13      bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

 

1)    Practice patience!

 

2)    Extend Grace

 

3)    Pray for you own heart to change

 

Ex.    Every member in the Body is needed!

 

       Hunger: give the Lord's sheep the best food - His Word!  God's sheep will never be satisfied with vain philosophy, or hype, etc.  They need His Word.

 

2Pet. 1:2      Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,

 

2Pet. 1:3      as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,

 

2Pet. 1:4      by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

 

Read it

 

Explain it

 

Apply it

 

Ex.    We're responsible to the Chief Shepherd for what we feed His sheep!

 

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