A Specific Request Text: Psalms 23 The Good Shepherd Text: Psalms 23 “The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want. He makes me down to lie In pastures green; He leadeth me The quiet waters by. Goodness and mercy all my life Shall surely follow me; And in God’s house forevermore My dwelling place shall be.” By Nathan L Morrison All Scripture given is from NASB unless otherwise stated “The Lord's My Shepherd, I'll Not Want” by King David and John Campbell Prepared by Nathan L Morrison / 05-14-06

Intro “If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?” A Specific Request Intro “If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?” Why is it that no one ever says they want to be a sheep? Attributes of sheep: Stupid and stubborn They are simple-minded Dirty and Wayward Easily frightened and confused Defenseless and dependent Need guidance and protection As saints we are told we are sheep and Jesus is our “Good Shepherd” (Jn. 10:11, 14) The Good Shepherd Prepared by Nathan L Morrison / 05-14-06

Intro King David (circa 1010-970 B.C.) A Specific Request Intro King David (circa 1010-970 B.C.) “The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want” David, the son of Jesse, was a shepherd (I Sam. 16:11). God made him king and “shepherd” over all Israel (I Sam. 16:12-13; II Sam. 5:2). As a shepherd himself, he wrote the words of Psalms 23 expressing his faith and confidence in God as the “Good Shepherd” (Jn. 10:11, 14) As a Scottish Psalter (A.D. 1650) it’s tune “Orlington” by John Campbell (1807-1860), or “Crimond” by Jessie Seymour Irvine (1836-1887) are often used. Read the article on “The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want” Sources: http://franklin-church.org/articles/hymn-studies/187-the-lord-s-my-shepherd http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessie_Seymour_Irvine http://www.hymntime.com/tch/bio/c/a/m/campbell_j.htm Not always complimentary to be a sheep (blind-followers), but as saints we understand we are God’s sheep (often sinful, obstinate, rebellious and foolish), and so it is comforting to know we have a “Good Shepherd! The Good Shepherd Prepared by Nathan L Morrison / 05-14-06

The Good Shepherd Leads to Food & Water A Specific Request The Good Shepherd Leads to Food & Water Ps. 23:1-3, 5 1. The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. 5. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Is. 40:11: “He will feed His flock like a shepherd” (NKJ) “Tend His flock” (NAS) Jn. 10:11, 14: Jesus twice refers to Himself as “The Good Shepherd” The Good Shepherd Prepared by Nathan L Morrison / 05-14-06

The Good Shepherd Leads to Food & Water A Specific Request The Good Shepherd Leads to Food & Water Jn. 6:35 35. Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. The Good Shepherd feeds His flock Mt. 5:6: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” (Ps. 23:3) Jn. 6:26-35, 48-51: Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” II Tim. 3:16-17: The word of God makes one “complete” (NKJ) unto “every good work.” Those who follow Jesus will be led from the fold to pastures, and on to an eternal home (Jn. 14:6) The Lord is our Shepherd, and in Him saints lack nothing! The Good Shepherd Prepared by Nathan L Morrison / 05-14-06

The Good Shepherd Protects from Harm A Specific Request The Good Shepherd Protects from Harm Ps. 23:4 (Rom. 8:31) 4. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Jn. 10:1-11: Jesus’ care goes beyond good pastures – He guards His sheep with His life! Unlike the hireling (10:12), Jesus would give His own life for His flock (10:11) Jesus is motivated by love, not selfish gain – Jn. 15:13 He went willingly to the cross (10:18). Heb. 5:8-9: It is this willing sacrifice that produces eternal salvation to those who obey him! Jesus is the “Door” to the Fold! (Jn. 10:7,9) A place which had high walls to protect the sheep, but no roof and sometimes no door. The shepherd often acted as the door. Jn. 14:6: Jesus is the ONLY way in to see the Father! (Only door) The Good Shepherd Prepared by Nathan L Morrison / 05-14-06

The Good Shepherd Protects from Harm A Specific Request The Good Shepherd Protects from Harm Jn. 17:12-15, 20 12. "While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled. 13. "But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. 14. "I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15. "I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. 20. "I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; The Good Shepherd protects the sheep He cares for us! (I Pet. 5:7) The Lord is our Shepherd, and in Him saints fear nothing! The Good Shepherd Prepared by Nathan L Morrison / 05-14-06

The Good Shepherd Seeks the Lost A Specific Request The Good Shepherd Seeks the Lost Ps. 23:3, 6 (Lk. 15:4-6; 19:10) 3. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. 6. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Jn. 10:16, 24-28: The Good Shepherd seeks and saves the lost – eternal life! To follow Him (Lk. 9:23) is to obey Him (Jn. 15:14; Heb. 5:9) Jn. 10:16: One fold for His one flock! One fold (Eph. 4:4-6) for His people (one flock) till He leads us to our eternal home! (Jn. 14:6) One body (Eph. 2:16; 4:4), the church (Eph. 1:22-23). When people listen to the voice of the “hireling” (Jn. 10:12) the wolf comes in and scatters them! The Lord is our Shepherd, and in Him saints will live eternally! The Good Shepherd Prepared by Nathan L Morrison / 05-14-06

Conclusion The sheep know/hear His voice! While there may not be too A Specific Request Conclusion The sheep know/hear His voice! Jn. 10:14: Jesus says He knows His sheep and they know Him. They follow Him because they know His voice (Jn. 10:4). They do not know the voice of the stranger (10:5) – this is what sets them apart as sheep of the “Good Shepherd,” they listen to Him! (Mt. 17:5) One cannot become and remain the Lord’s sheep without listening to Him and obeying (Col. 3:17: All we do must be under His authority). While there may not be too many complimentary attributes of physical sheep, the Lord’s sheep trust in Him and are provided for, protected from eternal punishment, and led to eternal life! The Good Shepherd Prepared by Nathan L Morrison / 05-14-06

If not, not safe from harm; A Specific Request Conclusion Jesus still calls today through the gospel (Rom. 1:16) and is ready to save! Mt. 11:28-30 28. "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30. "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Are you part of the fold? If not, not safe from harm; wolves, dogs, etc. (Mt. 7:15; Phil. 3:2)! The Good Shepherd Prepared by Nathan L Morrison / 05-14-06

“What Must I Do To Be Saved?” Hear The Gospel (Jn. 5:24; Rom. 10:17) Believe In Christ (Jn. 3:16-18; Jn. 8:24) Repent Of Sins (Lk. 13:35; Acts 2:38) Confess Christ (Mt. 10:32; Rom. 10:10) Be Baptized (Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16) Remain Faithful (Jn. 8:31; Rev. 2:10) For The Erring Child: Repent (Acts 8:22), Confess (I Jn. 1:9), Pray (Acts 8:22)