Title: The Secret to a Happy Life, Death and Eternity
Bible Book: Psalms 23 : 1
Author: Kenneth Hendricks
Subject: Christ, our Shepherd; Life, Death and Eternity; Blessed Life
Objective:
Introduction
Psalm 23:1
There are so many sermons in the 23rd Psalm. So many expositions. When a pastor gets to the 23rd Psalm he wonders where to start because there is so much contained in these six verses; such a wealth of material. David wrote this psalm but we can't be sure when. However, when you look at this masterpiece from God you can't help but divide it into three parts the glen, the gorge and the glory. The first part, the glen, reveals the One who can take care of frailty. Let's begin to open this beautiful message from the mind of God to David's pen to all generations.
I.The Spiritual Relationship, Vs. 1
A. The Lord's Position, Vs. 1
The Lord is... vs. 1.
The word translated Lord is of course the name Jehovah. This name signifies God as the One who was, who is and who is to be. To claim this psalm and the promised contained within requires complete trust in Jehovah! It's important to see that if you don't have a relationship with the God of this universe and the Creator of all things that true happiness is beyond your reach.
What does this say to us today? The Jehovah of the Old Testament is the Jesus of the New Testament who is the Holy Spirit of today. Not only do we see the Lord's position but also our position.
B. Our Position, Vs. 1
...my shepherd; vs. 1.
This simply means I am a sheep and I will let the Lord through His word and through His Spirit direct my life. This is to take on a humble position. It is one thing to say the Lord is my shepherd; it is quite another thing to let Him shepherd you. Sheep do not resist the shepherd nor can we resist our Great Shepherd.
Notice not only the spiritual relationship but also the spiritual reality.
II.The Spiritual Reality, Vs. 1
A. The Requirement, Vs. 1
...I shall not want, vs. 1.
Then why do so many of us want? We resist God! Listen to this - God wants to take us where we need to go but we try to go where we want to go! God wants to bless us, but the truth is we resist blessings.
"...I shall not want."
- God says study.
Notice Joshua 1:8. We say we're too busy or we don't understand. ...I shall not want.
- God says go
. Notice Joshua 1:9. We say I can't go. I've my business to run. I've got too much to do. I've too much to lose. ...I shall not want.
- God says serve Me.
Notice John 12:26. We say I'm not smart enough. I'm not talented enough. I've a busy lifestyle. ...I shall not want.
- God says forgive.
Notice Matthew 6:14-15. We say but you don't know how badly I've been treated. I'm just not ready to say I forgive yet. ...I shall not want.
- God says give.
Notice Luke 6:38. We say I've got too much going on right now. I can't afford it right now. ...I shall not want.
- God says put Me first.
Notice Matthew 6:33. We say Sunday's my only day off. Sunday is the day I spend with family. I'm always so tired on Sunday. I just can't get the kids together on Sunday. God says Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Folks, it's the 4th commandment, the only commandment God takes four verses to explain!
Notice not only the requirement but also the results.
B. The Result, Vs. 1
...I shall not want., vs. 1.
Let me repeat "...I shall not want." Then why do so many of us want? Is there an error in God's word? NO! There's an error in our ways! For those who the Lord is our shepherd and for those who are obedient Christians there is truly ...I shall not want.
Is the Lord your shepherd? Do you really want Him to be LORD? Are you empty and wanting? Do you want it to end?
We'll see in the next few verses that it's only the sheep that follow the Shepherd that can reach green pastures and still waters.
Conclusion
Let me close with this from John 10:25-30: "Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one."
Do you want the secret of a happy life? Let the Lord be your shepherd.
That means He leads, you follow.
He speaks, you listen.
He feeds, you eat.
Sheep hear their shepherd and obey.
Think about it! When my mom called me for supper I could expect to eat. With God as your Shepherd, you can expect to have no wants.
