Song of the Shepherd
Psalm 23


Introduction

I. A sheep farm:

Sheep are frail and dumb animals, they need constant care and constant supervision, without this they will die or be injured

II. We are the sheep of God:

We need God’s care and supervision, we need His guidance and provision, and we need a God who is a shepherd

Body

I. Basic Background
A. Writer: Personal in nature, Rare because most are corporate, most likely a king in times of trouble, strong statement of faith and trust, Attributed to David
B. Setting or Situation: Totally unknown, really bad - life threatening, confidence is placed in God as a source of help and provision, God is the great help in times of trial and need,




Prop// If every christen can recognize who Yahweh is by understanding these two elements:


1-- Yahweh the Shepherd

2--- Yahweh the Host



II. Yahweh the Shepherd

A. Concept of LORD:


The divine name - Yahweh, The divine name was never to be spoken, the system used the term Adonai meaning Lord, thus the divine name is represented by LORD, specific placement of who this lord is and who His people are, Yahweh is the lord over all Israel

B. Role of the Shepherd:

Protection - shepherd is the only defender, thieves, wild animals, heat and natural problems, Provision - finds the food and water, rest and shelter in times of danger, Guidance - directs the sheep, leads them where they need to go, the whole task is to make the needs of the sheep paramount


C. Quality of Care:

God gives high quality care of His sheep, He does so with acts of love - He makes me lie down, He leads, He restores and He guides, the work of God reveals a wonderful tranquility


D. Quality of Life:

I shall not be in want - every single need is taken care of, I will fear no evil, Death is the one enemy that we can not defeat, God is the source of life both mortal and eternal, We have no fear for life in this one or the next, This fact brings a new bliss and life that is abundant


E. Quality of Protection:

God will supply the protection that we need, Rod - used to club down wild animals, Staff - used to control the sheep and keep them in sight, Not to let them run wild and run off because of danger

F. Good Shepherd:

Provides the needed protection, Provides times of rest, good and green pastures, quiet waters to restore strength


Ills.

III. Yahweh the Host



A. Role of the Host:

Provide and protect all of their guests, provide for the needs, protect the guests from all means of harm,

B. Fullness of Provision:

God gives a full provision and a complete supply of the needs, prepares the table, protects from enemies, anoints with oil, fills and overflows the cup, complete and total blessing beyond expectation or belief,

C. Fullness of Life:

Blessings that last a lifetime, goodness and love everyday, this is a full life that God is an active part of


D. Fullness of Presence:

There is a place for God’s people with God, House of Yahweh - place of divine protection, time constraints are totally lifted,

E. Good Host:

God will provide, protect and guide His people forever


Application


I. God is our Shepherd


A. We are the sheep of God:

We belong to God, God will be our shepherd, our guide and our leader, and He will lead us where He wants us to go

B. He will care for us:

God is our shepherd, He will care for His people, He will guide us where He wants us to go, God’s love is the source of His care, God’s care is the best care anywhere, God will bring total and complete contentment


C. He will provide more abundantly:

God will lead us to green pastures and quiet waters, a special place for the people, Not only basic provision but the best provision, more than what we deserve, God loves us and provides abundantly


D. He will protect Completely:

God carries a big stick, God will protect us because we are His sheep, He will club down the wild situations, and He will pull us back in when we begin to stray


II. God is our Host


A. He will make a fullness of Provision:

God is a gracious host, He doesn’t give scraps but a full banquet, He gives victory in midst of enemies and adversity, He anoints us for His glory, He fills our cup and allows it to overflow,

B. He will bring fullness of blessing:

Blessings that last a lifetime, goodness and love everyday, this is a full life that God is an active part of, God wants to bless us and be a part of our life


C. He will bring fullness of presence:

God gives us a place to dwell with Him; He gives us a protection and a provision like no other,

III. God gave us the best Shepherd

A. The Good Shepherd: Jesus cares for His flock, He sacrificed Himself for us

B. The Great Shepherd: Jesus is the model for life, model for ministry; He sets the stage and the pace

C. The Chief Shepherd: Head of all Shepherds, the best source of care and love for God’s people, He cares for every person and every individual
Ills.


Author Unknown)

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art. When the Viet Nam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said,”Sir, you don’t know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art. The young man held out his package. “I know this isn’t much. I’m not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.”

The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. “Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It’s a gift.” The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.

The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection. On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. “We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?”

There was silence. Then a voice in the back of the room shouted. “We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.”

But the auctioneer persisted. “Will someone bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?”

Another voice shouted angrily. “We didn’t come to see this painting.. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!”

But still the auctioneer continued. “The son! The son! Who’ll take the son?”

Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. “I’ll give $10 for the painting.” Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.

“We have $10, who will bid $20?”

“Give it to him for $10. Let’s see the masters.”

“$10 is the bid, won’t someone bid $20?”

The crowd was becoming angry. They didn’t want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections. The auctioneer pounded the gavel. “Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!”

A man sitting on the second row shouted. “Now let’s get on with the collection!”

The auctioneer laid down his gavel. “I’m sorry, the auction is over.”

“What about the paintings?”

“I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!”

God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on a cruel cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is, “The son, the son, who’ll take the son?” Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.