“Shepherd Me Lord”
May 11th, 2008Psalm 23 - The 23rd psalm is probably one of the most well-known psalms in all of the world. It is a wonderful psalm about God as our good shepherd. To Christians, Jesus is the good shepherd of our lives. But, what does that mean? What does it mean to allow ourselves to truly be guided and protected by Jesus. What doe s it mean to call Jesus “Master?”
“Shepherd Me Lord”
Psalm 23
1. I have been fortunate in my life to have a lot of “hands on my shoulder,” helping me (most of the time) to keep me out of trouble.
A. Sunday school teachers – compassion on a preacher’s kid not comfortable with the responsibility…
B. Irvine High School, Mr. Nelson – always let me know that he had expectations of me, kept me on track.
C. Westmont graduation – last graduate, processed at the end of the line, with faculty right behind. Pulled me back in line several times.
D. And always, the church – bringing me back with a loving hand in the shoulder, or praying for me when I seemed out of reach.
E. Whose hand has been on your shoulder throughout the course of your life?
F. Who has God used to shepherd you through the hills and valleys of this world?
2. King David was a shepherd; so he knew much about what it took to care for his sheep. So, it is no surprise that he used the image of the shepherd to describe how God cared for David himself and for his people.
A. Read Psalm 23:1-3.
B. Rod and staff the tools of the shepherds trade. Rod = beat off dangerous foes. Staff = guide the sheep along the right path.
C. Road and staff are implements of God’s protection and guidance.
D. Psalm places even the basic aspects of daily living – eating (in green pastures), drinking (beside still waters), and protection (right paths) in a “radically God-centered perspective.” (New Interpreter’s Bible)
E. Psalm 23 is a beautiful testament to what life is like when we live the God-centered life – when God is the shepherd of our lives.
3. You know, I am not a big fan of loves songs. Too sappy and sentimental for my taste. But, more important, they always seem to be based on some twisted fantasy of love, rather than the real thing.
A. However, at my brother’s wedding eight years ago, I was introduced to a love song that I truly enjoy.
B. Bruce Springsteen – “If I Fall Behind”
C. One verse goes like this…“Everyone dreams of/ a love lasting and true. But you and I girl/ know what this world can do. So, let’s make our path clear/ so the other can see. I’ll wait for you/ If I fall behind, wait for me.”
D. In concert, each member of the band sings that last refrain in their own style – it’s beautiful.
E. I’ll wait for you. If I fall behind, wait for me.
4. Isn’t that a beautiful love song? Not just sappy sentiment, but faithful submission to the higher principle of mutual love.
A. Psalm 23 is a love song – from David and the people of Israel to God.
B. Read Psalm 23:4-6.
C. It is a love song because it celebrates one of the most basic characteristics of God’s redeeming love.
D. “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me…” Word for follow = radap, which means “pursue.”
E. Perhaps some of you know what it means to be “pursued” by God’s goodness and mercy.
F. Claire Bell – “I have always known (as she lovingly placed her hand on my shoulder) that God has had his mark on you. It is good to know the ‘hounds of heaven’ have finally caught up with you.”
5. Today, we are continuing our sermon series “Life Happens.” Last week, we talked about the fact that, because we are adopted children of God, we need to be a part of a family – a community of faith. This is so fundamental as we travel through life.
A. Today, we are talking about the fact that, as we live our lives, it is important that we have a shepherd – a guide.
B. Jesus Christ is our good shepherd.
C. That is such a simple principle. Jesus Christ is our good shepherd. But, it is so much easier said than done.
D. I was raised on images of manhood based on fantasies like the Marlboro Man, the Lone Ranger, and all the rest. I grew, like many of you, in a nation that celebrated “pulling one’s self up by one’s own bootstraps,” and “don’t tread on me.”
E. Images of a person that does not need anyone, and is the master of his or her own destiny.
F. We do not naturally like to submit ourselves to a power greater than ourselves. That is simply not the American way.
G. But, if the 23rd psalm teaches us anything, it is that not only that we do need a shepherd – not only do we need someone to have his “hand on our shoulder” as we travel through this life – but, Jesus Christ is that shepherd.
H. And when we are able to get over ourselves, and truly allow him to act as the shepherd of our lives, than we will truly know what it is like to “dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
6. Does anyone remember that delightful movie from 1995 entitled “Babe” about the pig that thought it was a sheep dog? Babe is orphaned as a baby and is raised in the barnyard by a family of sheep dogs.
A. As time goes on he develops great skills as a sheep dog – not by yelling at or barking to intimidate the sheep, but by talking with them, by getting to know them…by loving them.
B. At the end of the movie – sheepdog contest. He communicates to the sheep, and they listen to him, because he has learned their code – Bah…Ram…Ewe…to your fleece, your breed, your clan be true.
C. And the sheep go wherever he leads them. Because they trust him.
D. Jesus Christ – lived, died, and was raised again, all for us. He lived among us, ministered to us, healed us, redeemed us…loved us. He is the good shepherd of our lives.
E. And all that he asks is that we allow him to be that…that we truly and earnestly submit ourselves and our will to the highest principle of his love and grace.
F. Can we do that? Are we willing to honestly “let go and let God” be the master of our lives? The “good shepherd” of the path we walk? That is the question that we all must face.
G. And if we can say yes to that question, if we can learn to submit to God’s authority, than we will one day know the joy that the psalmist declared when he said…”surely goodness and mercy shall pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Amen.
Sermon delivered 5/11/08 at Light of the Canyon United Methodist Church, Anaheim Hills.
