Thou Art Worthy

Thou art worthy, Thou art worthy,Thou art worthy, O Lord,

To receive glory, glory and honor,

Glory and honor and pow'r;

Thou Art Worthy (cont’d)

For Thou has created, hast all things created,

Thou hast created all things,And for Thy pleasure they are

created:Thou art worthy, O Lord!

The Lord is my

Shepherd

(Psalm 23)

<<A Psalm of David>>

• Perhaps as a shepherd, David oftenmused or thought on the things ofthe Lord.

• The word MUSE means to think,ponder, or consider.

Psalm 23, is evidencethat David spent time

considering and meditating on God

("musing").

How much the Lord might teach us about

Himself if we would only muse on Him more.

(c/w Psalm 1:1-3)

Sadly, these days so many people only want

a–musement*

*the prefix “a-”means contrary

or opposite of = NOT thinking.

How SAD for us when we could

know the God of the Bible even

more intimately

(c/w Psalm 139)

PSALM 23• Often called the Shepherd’s Psalm it is

quoted often by those who are havinghard times in their lives.

• Many have it memorized or displayedin their homes.

2Peter 2:3 And through covetousness shall theywith feigned words [false teachers will] makemerchandise of you [profit from you] . . .

Psalm 23:1The LORD is my

shepherd; I shall not want.

Isaiah 40:11

He shall feed his flock like ashepherd: he shall gather thelambs with his arm, and carry themin his bosom, and shall gently leadthose that are with young.

The LORD is often compared to a Shepherd

“The LORD is my Shepherd”

• From the very beginning of the Psalm,we see that it is quite PERSONAL

– MY indicates a relationship

– MY is a possessive pronounidentifies Psalm 23 as for thosewhose Shepherd truly is the LORD.

Q: Is the LORD yourShepherd?

Psalm 100:3

Know ye that the LORD he is God …

we are his people, and

the sheep of hispasture.

Q: What does a shepherd do?

1. He feeds the sheep

As our spiritual Shepherd, the Lord feeds his sheep

Isaiah 40:11

He shall feedhis flock likea shepherd:

A spiritual leader* should also feedthe sheep

1Peter 5:2 Feed the flock ofGod which is among you

Jeremiah 3:15 And I will giveyou pastors according to mineheart, which shall feed you withknowledge and understanding.

*Under-shepherd An assistant shepherd

2. A shepherd leads the sheep

3. A shepherd guides the sheep

Isaiah 40:11 He shall gently lead those that arewith young.

Psalm 23:2 … heleadeth mebeside the stillwaters. (3) … heleadeth me in thepaths ofrighteousness *Notice the position: In front, NOT behind pushing!

A good leader is an example!

As our spiritual Shepherd, the Lord LEADS and GUIDES his sheep

A spiritual leader should also leadand guide the sheep

1Peter 5:2

Feed the flock of God whichis among you, taking theoversight thereof …

4. A shepherd rescues lost sheep

Isaiah 53:6 “allwe like sheephave gone astray…”

A: As our spiritual Shepherd, the Lord saves (finds, rescues, delivers) his sheep

Luke 19:10For the Son ofman is come toseek and tosave that whichwas lost.

*Seek search for // Save rescue, deliver, recover

1Peter 2:25 For ye were as sheep goingastray; but are now returned unto theShepherd and Bishop of your souls.

John 10:11

I am the good shepherd: thegood shepherd giveth hislife for the sheep.

The Lord our Shepherd, gave His life to rescue His sheep

He GAVE his life for the sheep

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; wehave turned every one to his own way; and theLORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

So you and I could be forgiven our sins, andbecome clean in the sight of God, He took oursins upon Himself (even though HE had doneNO sin)

A spiritual leader should point the lost sheep to CHRIST to be saved

5. A shepherd disciplines the sheep

As our spiritual Shepherd, the Lord disciplines his sheep

Hebrews 12:6For whom the Lord

loveth he chasteneth, and

scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

Therefore the church must also discipline sinning brethren

1Peter 4:17

For the time is come that judgment must begin

at the house of God:

1Corinthians 11:31

For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

Matthew 18:17

And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church …

6. A shepherd takes cares of his sheep

As our spiritual Shepherd, the Lord cares for his sheep

John 10:14

I am the goodshepherd, andknow my sheep,and am known ofmine.

A spiritual leader should also take care of the sheep

Acts 20:28

Take heed therefore unto

yourselves, and to all the flock, over

the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers …

7. A shepherd protects his sheep

As our spiritual Shepherd, the Lord protects his sheep

John 10:11

I am the goodshepherd: thegood shepherdgiveth his lifefor the sheep.

What did the Lord give His life for? To protect us from what?

A spiritual leader should also protect the sheep

Acts 20:28

Take heed therefore unto

yourselves, and to all the flock, over

the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers …

Q: What are the enemies of the

sheep?

“Thieves, hirelings, and wolves”

(John 10:8-13)

Thieves

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for tosteal, and to kill, and to destroy:

Hirelings

John 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not theshepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth thewolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth …

John 10:13 The hireling fleeth, because he is anhireling, and careth not for the sheep.

WolvesMatthew 7:15 Beware offalse prophets, whichcome to you in sheep'sclothing, but inwardly theyare ravening wolves.

Acts 20:29 For I know this,that after my departingshall grievous wolves enterin among you, not sparingthe flock.

A spiritual leader should always protect the sheep from thieves, hirelings, and wolves

Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets …

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits.

The World is also against believers

1John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lustof the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and thepride of life, is not of the Father, but is of theworld.

How do believers AVOID our enemies?

“The LORD is my Shepherd …”

HEAR the LORD

FOLLOW Him

Stay CLOSE to your Shepherd

Seek those things which are above!

Are we seeking those things that are above or here below?

Colossians 3:1-2

1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seekthose things which are above, whereChrist sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above,not on things on the earth.

Q: How does the LORD feed, guide, lead, save, discipline, care for, and

protect His sheep today?

He uses HIS WORD …

1. Feed : with knowledge (Jeremiah 3:15)

2. Leads : light unto my feet (Psalm 119:105)

3. Saves : Written for life (John 20:31)

4. Disciplines : Reproof and correction(2Timothy 3:16)

5. Cares for : Comfort of the Scriptures(Romans 15:4)

He uses HIS WORD …

6. Guides : Holy Spirit shall guide you into alltruth (John 16:13)

7. Protects : Sword of the Spirit; temptation;false teaching (Ephesians 6:17; Matthew4:4; Isaiah 8:20)

8. Gives his life : faith cometh by hearing …(Romans 10:17)

Q: What does your Bible look like?

The Bible tells us:

That “faith comes byhearing and hearingby the word of God”(Romans 10:17)

That we grow fromfaith to faith (c/wRomans 1:17; John1:16; Proverbs 4:18;2Peter 3:18).

Therefore, we needto be taught andestablished in theWord of Christ.

Therefore, a spiritual leader must ALWAYS speak from the Word of God

1Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God

Psalm 23:1The LORD is my

shepherd …

Be sure the LORD JESUS CHRIST is your Shepherd

Psalm 23:1

“The LORD is my shepherd…”

Q: What do sheep do?

Sheep KNOW the voice of their shepherd

John 10:27

My sheep hear my voice,and I know them, and theyfollow me:

Q: What do sheep do?

A: Sheep FOLLOW THEIR Shepherd

Q: Who else do people follow?

• Politicians

– But they are oftencorrupt

– Would they givetheir lives for you?

"Relief goods discovered in DSWD warehouses not distributed to

hungry victims.”

Q: Who else do people follow?

• Politicians

– But they are oftencorrupt

– Would they givetheir lives for you?

• Sports stars

• Models

• Actors/Singers

• False Teachers

You say: The Lord IS my Shepherd?

Where are you on Sundays?

(Where are you during training?)

Are you meditating on the Word of God?

Praying?

Seeking God’s will?

Luke 6:46

And why call ye me, Lord, Lord,and do not the things which Isay?

Psalm 23:1

“The LORD is my shepherd…”

Jas 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one

point, he is guilty of all.

GUILTY!

1Peter 1:16

Be ye holy; for I am

holy.

Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated

between you and your God, and your sins have

hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no

sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions,he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of ourpeace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

It is finished…

Be sure the LORD JESUS CHRIST is your Shepherd

OTHERWISE you are headed for a fall

Psalm 23:1The LORD is my

shepherd …

Shepherd Song

He shall feed His flock like a shepherd

He shall gather the lambs in His arms

And carry them in His bosomAnd shall gently lead those

That are with young

This has been an excerpt from:

Ministry Essentials Training

Prepared by Dr. Jerry Smith, Missionary Pastor-Teacher of Faith Missionary Church, USA

http://fmcoutreach.blogspot.com

http://ptrjerrysblog.blogspot.com/

Email: jfrsmth@gmail.com