“Just A Prayer Away”

November 10, 2013

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Sermon 4 of Fall Series

“Shepherd Us O God”

Deuteronomy 7:9 MSG

Numbers 23:19

Psalm 23:4 King James Version

Psalm 139:23-24 King James Version

 “Shepherd Me O God” by Marty Haugen

A reading from the Psalms, Psalm 23, verse 4…listen for the voice of the Shepherd to you and me, the sheep of His flock. (Read from the King James Bible)

Psalm 23:4 King James Version (KJV)

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

“Shepherd me O God beyond my wants,

beyond my needs, from death into life.

Though I should wander the valley of death,

I fear no evil, for you are at my side,

your rod and your staff, my comfort and my hope. (Sing)

I remember a time that Shanequa lost her favorite blanket. She slept with it always. When she was sick, that was the one thing that comforted her. She had it since the day she was born. It was familiar and she knew she always had it to hold on to. Well…one day she couldn’t find it when she was going to bed. She searched every where to no avail. She came into our bedroom frantic. She had lost the one thing that she could hold onto when she slept…the one thing that would help her sleep with a sense of being safe and sound. She was inconsolable. So Ray and I went back to her room to look again with her. After a short time we found it buried in the blankets on her bed. It was as if we had performed a miracle for her. She was so happy as she snuggled with the blanket, chastising it for hiding on her. Everything was set right again. The chaos that had happened was now gone. She slept safe and sound.

In the world in which we live…we all need to have that thing that gives us comfort. With all the dysfunction and madness around us…in that chaos that can feel as if it is taking over…we need that thing that helps us get through the tough times. Where do we find that comfort as we “walk through the valley of the shadow of death?”

Over the past two weeks, we have been journeying with the Shepherd found in the 23^rd Psalm, the Good Shepherd. We have talked about us not wanting because of our Shepherd, our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ…how we are never without Him…how this same Shepherd wants to bring us to peaceful pastures where we can rest beside the calm streams of living water He gives so freely to all of His sheep. Last week we talked a little about how He is the only one who can truly restore us and when we are restored we are guided on the path of righteousness for His name…not our own. We talked about how we can become “cast sheep” stuck on our backs unable to get up and the fact that Jesus is the only one who can set us right again. This week, we will discover why we feel comfort from our Shepherd in those times of trial and chaos…

So there are two parts of this verse I would like us to look at this week the first being walking through the valley and the other is we are comforted by His presence with us…the Good Shepherd. Now with sheep, in the summer they spend all their time in close companionship with the shepherd under the shepherd’s solitary care. They go to distant summer ranges with the shepherd who leads them there. The shepherd takes them on long “drives” so that they can get there. Now the sheep move along slowly and eat as they go. They gradually go to the feeding place behind the receding snow and by summer they have made it to the summer feeding ground. They move into unmarked territory. During this time they are completely alone with the shepherd. They become intimately under the care of the shepherd both day and night. But you see… as the shepherd moves His flock into territories that they may not have traveled; the shepherd has already charted the course through the wilderness places. The shepherd knows the way…the path is familiar to him and his surefootedness gives them peace and comfort in knowing they are cared for.

Jesus…the Good Shepherd…knows the way for us…He has traveled the path before us and is familiar with the path. We will not fear, for thou art with me…with us in every situation, every dark trial, every disappointment, every distress. We Christians, as the sheep, would love live beyond the low lands…in the higher places with God. We want to have a more intimate relationship with God…beyond the common. We even talk about those mountaintop experiences and even envy those who have reached the top and entered in to a more sublime sort of life with God. But…it is in those valleys that our Shepherd invites us to come and drink from the Living Water He offers to His sheep. Pools of water cool and clean in the dry arid landscape of the valley we are traveling.

As it is with ordinary sheep management, so with God’s people, one only gains that higher ground by climbing up through the valleys. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, leads His flock gently, put ever moving up…moving ever forward…through the paths that wind through the valley. “Yea, tough I walk through the valley of the shadow of death”, the operative word is through the valley…not around…not avoid…but through. Jesus has said “Lo, I am with you always”…this includes as we walk through the Valley of the shadow of death. And it doesn’t have to be a physical death that the Shepherd goes with us. It could be our death to self…our death to sin…our death to bad attitudes… Jesus, the Good Shepherd s always there…steering the lost sheep…the frightened sheep…the willful sheep…on the road that is best.

Thy rod and thy staff comfort me…Even to this day; shepherds still carry a rod and staff. They bring the bare necessities with them as the go out to shepherd their sheep. A young shepherd boy…or girl…take pride in the selection of their rod and staff that is just the right size for them and works well with their strength. The go out and find a young sapling and cut it down. After they have selected “just the right sapling” they whittle it down with great care. It is the one thing they have to fend off predators when they are out there tending the sheep. This rod….is actually an extension of the shepherd’s right hand. With it they would shepherd the sheep and keep them together as well as discipline those wayward sheep who would wander away. The sheep would sense the comfort that the shepherd had because of having the staff.

Think about this for a moment. God sent Moses to Pharaoh to free His people with a staff…a rod…that showed God’s might. Even in David’s day, the rod was comforting to the sheep as they saw it in the hand of their shepherd. As a matter of fact, the Scriptures are known as God’s rod. In times of trouble how comforting it is to Christians to turn to God’s word…His rod…and know it to be His Shepherd’s…the Good Shepherd…hand of authority. Now the shepherd used the end of the staff…the knob…to discipline the sheep…those who would try to wander off…those who were stubborn and not want to go where they were being lead. But not as you might think. They would swing the rod in the air and it would go whistling through the air and scare the sheep back to where they needed to be. For we as Christians, doesn’t the word of God…God’s rod…come to our hearts with surprising subtleness when we go astray? It is the living word of God that convicts us and helps us stay on the right path.

The shepherd also used his rod to count the sheep. A sheep that has passed “under the rod” was one that had been looked at…examined to make sure everything was OK with it. You see…the wool is very thick and the shepherd would use the rod to split the wool so that they could see if there were any parasites or wounds or disease going on with the sheep. This takes time because the shepherd wants to be very through. Now…we…as God’s sheep…are searched…looked at by the tender, caring Shepherd. If we allow it…Gods Word searches us. Psalm 139 verses 23-24 exclaims: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” God will get below the surface and bring things to light that need to be healed…things that need to be made right…This rod…comforts us. We live in a world that is contrary to what Jesus…the Good Shepherd would have us be. We are tempted from all sides. How awesome it is…how comforting it is…to have the “rod of God”…God’s word…to help guide us on our path.

The staff that is carried by a shepherd is unique. Only those who shepherd sheep have a staff. It wouldn’t work for large animals but it is perfect…just right…for sheepherding. It is designed and shaped perfectly for sheepherding. And it is used ONLY for their benefit. It is a symbol of concern and compassion. The rod is used for discipline but the staff is one of comfort. It is used in three ways:

1.     The shepherd uses the staff to gently lift a newborn lamb and bring it to its mother if separated from her. The shepherd doesn’t want the lamb to have the scent of human hands on it

2.     It is used to reach out and catch individual sheep and draw them close to himself for examination. It works well for shy and timid sheep that will usually keep at distance to the shepherd

3.     It is used to guide the sheep. They guided gently into a new path or through a gate and even along dangerous and difficult paths. The Shepherd doesn’t beat the sheep with it but uses the tip to gently apply pressure to the sheep’s side.

Some shepherds use the staff to keep a favorite sheep, a pet, close to them. They walk almost as if they were hand-in-hand with each other.  We, as Christians have the Holy Spirit…the Comforter…that draws us together with others, draws us the Good Shepherd, and guide us on the path of righteousness. Through the Spirit we are in touch with Christ.

Are you feeling the staff of the Shepherd drawing you close to Him…or even into an even closer relationship? Is the Spirit prodding you on a path that might be different or even a little “dangerous” in your opinion? Our Shepherd is just a prayer away. He is always listening for voice of His sheep in need of help…lost in the shadowy valley of death. Let the Good Shepherd lead you through the valley into a new grazing land where there are streams of Living water and cool breezes of the Spirit. Come and be comforted by the Good Shepherd, our Risen Lord Jesus Christ, and find comfort and guidance for the journey. He say’s come all you who are weary and I will give you rest. Let Him be your guiding light on your journey of life everlasting.

Shepherd us O God beyond our wants,

beyond our needs, from death into life.

Amen!

“Oh Happy Day”

November 17, 2013

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Sermon 5 of Fall Series

“Shepherd Us O God”

Psalm 144:15 The Message Bible

Psalm 68:3-4 The Message Bible

1 Chronicles 16:30-33 The Message Bible

Psalm 23:5 King James Version

“Shepherd Me O God” by Marty Haugen

A reading from the Psalms, Psalm 23, verse 5…listen for the voice of the Shepherd to you and me, the sheep of His flock. (Read from the King James Bible)

Psalm 23:4 King James Version (KJV)

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

“Shepherd me O God beyond my wants,

beyond my needs, from death into life.

You have set me a banquet of love in the face of hatred,

crowning me with love beyond my pow’r to hold.. (Sing)

Oh happy day…oh happy day…when Jesus washed…when Jesus washed …He washed my sins away…

When we look around us, it may be hard at times to see any kind of victory for good. We see all the death and destruction…the dysfunction and heartache. How can we have victory with all the evil there is in the world? All we have to do is to turn on the T.V. or pick up a paper and hear or read about something bad happening in the world around us. We may go through things in life because of someone else’s issues…someone else’s sin. It can be hard to see how we can come out “on top” of situation…to come to the other side of the valley of the shadow of death. When does goodness win…where is the victory? When do we get our happy day?

Over the past few weeks, we have been journeying with the Shepherd found in the 23^rd Psalm, the Good Shepherd. We have learned that we have no wants because of our Shepherd, our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ…how we are never without Him…this same Shepherd…wants to bring us to peaceful pastures where we can rest beside the calm streams of living water He gives so freely to all of His sheep. We know that He is the only one who can truly restore us and when we are restored we are guided on the path of righteousness for His name…not our own. And when we can become “cast sheep” stuck on our backs unable to get up …Jesus is the only one who can set us right again. Last week, we discovered that we feel comfort from our Shepherd in those times of trial and chaos…because we have the presence of this same Good Shepherd because of His rod and staff. This week…we will hear how we have victory in and with our Shepherd…we have a victory in Jesus…what a happy day we have when we realize this fact…

You see… sometimes…life is not fair. We see those who cheat and lie win and we just don’t understand why. We see countries oppressing others and they seem to be winning…on top. We may feel that we or others just can’t win…the evil that men do seems to be winning the battle. But we are children of God and we have a Shepherd who wants the best for us. Our Shepherd wants us to  win the day and our God always has the last word. We may never see it but we have faith the day of reckoning will come. Oh happy day…

The Psalms I read this morning, give us hope. We are blessed because we have the God of the universe on our side in the game of life. We have an advantage…an upper hand. When we see God winning the day we can sit back and say “You go God!” But sometimes it is hard to see God in the chaos around us. But even in those times of uncertainty…we can…as the scripture from 1^st Chronicles this morning…rejoice and be jubilant…we can like the trees applaud as we see God making things right. The Shepherd of the 23^rd Psalm is with us.

So…we say to this Shepherd “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” What does that mean for us? Well…the word “table” is used to refer to the high ground that sheep go to…the plateaus of the summer grazing. Now even though these may be high and remote, even hard to reach, the sheep owner has taken the time and trouble to ready them for the sheep. Even before the snow melts…the owner goes to survey the land. Then before the sheep are ready to travel there, the owner prepare the land for them, distributing salt and minerals and puts them in strategic spots for the sheep. If there are poisonous weeds the owner will either plan to graze around the area or they will take drastic measures to eradicate the weeds. The owner wants the sheep to have food and not have to worry about getting sick. You see if the young lambs would even take a small nibble of the poisonous weeds…they would die…

We…as the sheep of God’s pasture…like the young sheep may at times feel we need to try everything that comes our way. WE may feel we need to sample everything to see what it tastes like. We may not know about those deadly things that hide in the good grass. These things can do us no good…they are destructive…but we sometimes give it a try anyway. But our Master…our Shepherd has been there before us dealing with every situation which can lead to our undoing… Our Shepherd goes ahead of us in everything we encounter and is praying for us that we may not be succumbed by it. Oh Happy day

Another thing the shepherd does is keep an eye out for predators. The shepherd looks for signs of wolves, coyotes, cougars, bears and the like. If for some reason they get through, the shepherd hunts them down and traps them to keep the sheep safe. He hunts it down… Often you see the crafty ones up on the rim rock watching every move the sheep make…waiting for the moment to make a sneak attack and stampede the sheep. It is the shepherd who keeps them safe…it is the shepherd’s watchful eye that can thwart this kind of attack. But it is a difficult task. Many times these attacks happen when they are least expected… But there are those distant sheep…the wanderers…the roamers…that are picked off by predators in an unforeseen moment. They may not even cry out because they are in so much fear they are frozen in their spot.

We…as the sheep…would be wise to walk close to our Shepherd. It is our place of safety. We may get into difficulty beyond ourselves; we are stricken dumb with fearfulness, unable to cry out for help…we just crumble where we are. But the Good Shepherd is too concerned about the sheep of His flock to allow this to happen. He wants our summer resting place to be one of peace. Our mountaintop times should be tranquil…to have stillness in our soul. We need to stay near Him through God’s word…through spending time with the Shepherd each day. When Jesus washed

There is another thing the shepherd does as they are reading the table. They clear out the waterholes…the drinking places…for the sheep. They remove the debris of leave, twigs, rocks and soil that has fallen there over the winter. He clears the water…makes it life giving clean water…Our Shepherd…our risen Lord Jesus Christ…has prepared the table for us…a table of plenty with clean, life giving water…the Living Water. He goes before us to clear the land. He knows what we are up against…He’s been there Himself and has overcome. He even goes through the valley again, with us, and because of this, the prospects of our preservation are excellent. Our Christian walk truly can become a “mountaintop” experience because we are in the care and control of the Good Shepherd. And our Shepherd does something amazing…He has prepared the “table” for us right in the view of our enemies…those who would demoralize and destroy us if given the chance. Don’t get me wrong…the enemy will still try to attack…but we can rest safe in the sheepfold of the Good Shepherd and have strength for the day. Oh when He washed…

Now…as the shepherd is on that table with the sheep for the summer, there is one thing that happens, as with all animals…fly season hits… This can be a very troubling time for the sheep. As the warm weather comes…so do the flies and pests. There are warble flies, gnats, deer flies, mosquitoes, nose flies, black flies…just to name a few of the types of flies they are bothered by. The most bothersome is the nose fly. These flies buzz about their head and try to lay eggs on their damp. mucous membranes. If they work their way up into the nasal cavity they can cause infections. This can actually lead to blindness. At the first sign of flies, the shepherd pours oil mad of linseed oil, tar and sulfur on their nose and head. Once the oil is applied you see a change in the behavior of the sheep. They are no longer upset because of the flies and they become restful again and they lie down again in contentment. They shepherd continues to apply this oil each day so that the sheep are free from the irritation of the flies.

We…as Christians also need  to have an application of oil in our lives…the continuous anointing of the Holy Spirit. Some believe that we only need one “application” of oil. But our lives are filled with daily frustrations that warrant a daily application of God’s Spirit and grace…a continuous application in order to thwart the attack of predators. As we are in the sheepfold we can have…no must have…the oil of joy and love that is poured over us each and every moment because of the tender, loving care of our Shepherd. God alone can give us peace of mind…God alone can give us the attitude of Christ…the Shepherd alone makes it possible for us to act in peacefulness and calmness in the face of adversity. He washed my sins away…

Are you feeling the need of oil in your life? Are you needing to be on that plateau…that table…with our Shepherd? Are you needing to feel that anointing power of the Spirit in your life to make it through each day? The Good Shepherd bids us to come to Him to be anointed by the oil of healing…the oil of strength…the oil of gladness. Come and be made ready for the day as you spend time with the One who gives us joy our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ. Oh Happy day…

Shepherd us O God beyond our wants,

beyond our needs, from death into life.

Strength for the Day

November 3, 2013

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Sermon 3 of Fall Series

“Shepherd Us O God”

Psalm 31:24 Amplified Bible

Isaiah 40:29 Amplified Bible

Psalm 32:8 Amplified Bible

Psalm 23:3 King James Version

 “Shepherd Me O God” by Marty Haugen

A reading from the Psalms, Psalm 23, verse 3…listen for the voice of the Shepherd to you and me, the sheep of His flock. (Read from the King James Bible)

“Shepherd me O God beyond my wants,

beyond my needs, from death into life.

Gently you raise me and heal my weary soul,

You lead me by pathways of righteousness and truth,

my spirit shall sing the music of your Name. (Sing)

One of the things I love is to watch T.V. shows when they restore old things and make them like new again. They take this ugly, out dated thing and make it into something of beauty. I am always in awe when I watch these shows and at times think to myself…that looks easy…maybe I could do something like that. But then again…they’re the professionals and they make most things they do look easy. Things always look better when they are restored.

The same goes for our Spirit. We all need to be restored at one time or another…to be able to rest beside still waters in life…to lie down in lush green pastures. This past Friday, Ray and I went to Bangor to see Michael W. Smith. It was such an AWESOME concert. At one point we were all sing Agnus Dei, it was so powerful. The whole place was standing with arms raised singing…Alleluia, Alleluia for the Lord God almighty reigns, Alleluia…Holy, Holy, are you Lord God almighty, worthy is the Lamb…worthy is the Lamb…Amen! It struck me right to my very soul. I felt uplifted and restored within my soul. How Awesome is that?!

Last week, we began our journey with the Shepherd found in the 23^rd Psalm, the Good
Shepherd. WE talked about us not wanting because of our Shepherd, our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ. But this not wanting has nothing to do with material things and everything to do with knowing the Good Shepherd and that He will provide all our needs. We are never without Him. We will not want to have Him with us…He WILL be with us. Our Shepherd wants to bring us to peaceful pastures where we can rest beside the living water He gives so freely to all of His sheep.

Now…some seem to think that because we belong to the Good Shepherd that we will never become so distressed in our lives that our soul needs a restoration time. Unfortunately we live in a fallen world and because of that, our souls need to be restored form time to time.

Even David…who wrote this Psalm…had defeat in his life. He knew the feeling of being hopeless and without strength in himself…remember the Bathsheba thing…? Even though he was a man after God’s own heart, he felt the need of his soul to be restored. He felt his soul was down cast…

Now…let’s stop here for a moment and look at the statement of “down cast”. The word actually a shepherd term. It is when the sheep gets on its back and can’t get up…can’t set itself right again. Try as it might, it just can’t do it. The sheep may cry…may bleat for help but usually it just lies there thrashing about and frightened…frustrated. Much like humanity…

Now if the owner…the shepherd…does not come by and set it up right soon…it will die. A good shepherd watches over his sheep daily counting them and making sure they can all get up. But…but…not only does the shepherd watch for cast sheep, predators do as well. They wait and watch for the opportune moment…when the shepherd is not watching. They seem to know that a cast sheep will die soon if they are not set right again. Much like sin that prows around looking for someone to devour.

Now many think that when a child of God falls, when they are in a helpless spiritual problem or dilemma, God becomes frustrated, fed up or even worse furious with them. But this is not a true statement. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, has concern and compassion for His “cast” sheep. We read and hear about the compassion He felt for those down and out that humanity had no use for. He was ready to help, save and restore those hurting around Him. Again and again we hear stories of Him “picking up cast sheep and setting them up right again…and the Good News is that He continues this type of shepherding even today…

At times we may discover that when we are most sure of ourselves…we fall. WE may even appear to be flourishing in faith and we find ourselves in situations that we become cast. We sometimes look for the easy place, the cozy corner, the comfortable pasture where there is no hardship. This is a time when we could be in mortal danger of becoming cast…complacent…on our backs. Only the Good Shepherd can restore us back to solid ground again…grounded in Him with a firm footing. As we find our firm footing in Him, He is able to lead us in paths of righteousness for His name sake…not our own.

Now being creatures of habit…sheep, if left alone, will follow the same trails until they carve out a rut…they will eat from the same pasture until it is a dry desert…they pollute the area they are at and cause disease and parasites. As a matter of fact…some of the most fertile grazing land has become a vast waste land because of over grazing.

Sheep need to be under meticulous control and guidance in order for them to flourish. Sheep will not flourish if they are left to go their own way, left to the whims of their habitual and even destructive habits. A sheepherder who is good knows all of this. Not only for the sheep but also for his own good name, the shepherd takes the necessary precautions to safeguard against these adverse traits the sheep possess.

The Shepherd keeps the sheep in the move. Now even though they would rather stay where they are…they like where they are…they will follow their shepherd. The owners…the shepherds name and reputation is on the line. Now these sheep follow the voice of their shepherd. Their voice is probably the first thing they heard. They have gotten used to the sound of the shepherd’s voice. They have come to know that this shepherd cares for them. Where they go…the sheep will follow.

Now…humanity…the sheep of God’s sheepfold, are much like the animal called a sheep. We prefer to follow our own way. This we do habitually and repeatedly, even to our own disadvantage. We insist that we know the best even if we can see that the end result is not a good one.

Just as sheep will go blindly, habitually and follow one another along the same path, even when we seen it ruin others lives. But the Good Shepherd tells humanity, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” He wants the flock to have life abundantly. But we still may choose to have it our own way even if we are walking right into trouble. The world is full of people who want to go their own way and we see the results in broken homes, broken hearts and broken lives.

Even within the chaos the Good Shepherd bids us to come…to deny ourselves and take up our cross. But…we don’t want to deny ourselves…to stop making our own decisions…we don’t want to follow or be led. Think about where that leaves us…

We need to change our attitudes to be led in the path of righteousness.

1.     Instead of loving ourselves more we need to love Christ and others more

2.     Instead of being one of the in crowd we need to be singled out…set aside from the gang

3.     Instead of insisting on our own rights we need to be willing to think of others rights first

4.     Instead of being the “boss” we need to be willing to be at the bottom of the heap, much to the difference if the way of the world

5.     Instead of finding fault with the life we have we need to willing to accept every circumstance with an attitude of gratitude…we can always be thankful that even though we are having it rough…God is always with us.

6.     Instead of my will we need to change it to thy will be done

And one of the most important attitudes

7.     Instead of “my way or the highway” we need to choose “Christ’s way or I don’t go.”

Church, we need to be willing to do what Christ asks us to do. We need to go where He invites us to go. We need to be concerned with Christ’s reputation more than our own. God wants us to move with Him in to the pasture that He knows is best for us. It is for our benefit as well as the benefit of others.

Perhaps some of us think that the Shepherd expects too much from us. Maybe we feel that His demands are too out of the boat. Or maybe some feels His calling in impossible for us to carry out. Perhaps if we are willing and earnest to do His will and to be led, He will make it possible by His gracious Spirit that is given to all who obey. Maybe…just maybe…we will be restored the joy of our salvation and led to do great things for the kingdom of God. Maybe…just maybe.

Let us pray:

Lord God, be our strength and shield as we trust in You. How our souls will rejoice with songs of praise… Remind us to put on your armor so that we can withstand the voices of the world. Renew our strength as we mount up with wings of eagles. Teach us they way we should go and guide us with Your tender, loving eyes. May we hear your voice calling on the wind to come and follow You.

Shepherd us O God beyond our wants,

beyond our needs, from death into life.

Amen!

Safe and Sound

October 27, 2013

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Sermon 2 of Fall Series

“Shepherd Us O God”

James 3:18 Common English Bible

2 Samuel 22:3 New Living Translation

Proverbs 14:30 New International Version

Psalm 23:1-2 King James Version

Psalm 121:8 King James Version

“Shepherd Me O God” by Marty Haugen

Let us pray… (Pray for the Spirits illumination of the scriptures)

A reading from the Psalms, Psalm 23, verses one and two…listen for the voice of the Shepherd to you and me, the sheep of His flock. (Read from the King James Bible)

“Shepherd me O God beyond my wants,

beyond my needs, from death into life.

God is my shepherd, so nothing shall I want,

I rest in the meadows of faithfulness and love,

I walk by the quiet waters of peace.” (Sing)

Have you ever noticed all the voices of the world today? We hear commercials about how you can live the good life if you buy this or that. If we follow this type of teaching or that type of teaching you will have life abundant with no worries. It can be mind boggling. Who is the best leader for our lives? Where can we find the rest and compassion we yearn for? Can we even find rest in this world of restlessness and chaos?  How can we have that feeling of being safe and sound?

Today, we begin a series that will take a look at one of the most famous biblical writings. I think it may be the most memorized “prayers” of the bible next to the Lord’s Prayer. Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at Psalm 23. It is one of the most hopeful writings in the bible for me. It gives me hope and security that I am being loved and watched over by someone who wants to lead me into a life of joy and peace.

The 23^rd Psalm is one that tells us about One Shepherd …the One Voice…that will lead us into peace. The voice of the Good Shepherd is one of love, of comfort, of protection, joy and peace.

The Scriptures from this morning talk about that peace and what peace does for us. The James talks about how being at peace allows us to sow peace by our actions of peace. As we cultivate peace in our souls we are able to be at peace with those around us. The scripture from 2^nd Samuel talks about God being our rock and protector…about how our God is our safe place and refuge. When we have peace we have a knowing that God is always with us. And the Proverbs this morning tells us that when we are at peace…in the depths of our heart…we are given life. The first two stanzas of Psalm 23 also talks about that peace and safety found in the voice of the Good Shepherd. (This Psalm was written by David who was a shepherd himself like his father was. This shepherd was thinking of being a sheep in God’s flock)

“The Lord is my Shepherd”→ the shepherd David was talking about was Jehovah, the Lord God, the Creator of Heaven and earth. When Jesus, God incarnate, came to be among humanity, He confirmed…affirmed…the fact that He was the Good Shepherd. When we think about who Jesus was and how he was…His character…we too can gladly state that “The Lord is my Shepherd.” Now, let’s think about this for a moment. God, in Christ, is deeply concerned about you and about me…all of humanity. This thought alone should stir our Spirits….give us awareness…help us realize that we are deeply loved and cared for.

Now as I said, David was not speaking as a shepherd, even though he was one, David was speaking as a sheep, one of the flock. It was if he was shouting to the world, “Look at who my Shepherd is…the One who cares for me. It is the Lord. The maker of Heaven and earth!” We too can shout it from the roof tops.

David knew that the type of life that sheep have all depends of the One who Shepherds the flock. Some are gentle and kind while others could care less about the sheep. When we think about the vastness of the stars and the universe it can be staggering. But…the Lord who created all this beauty and vastness…this same Lord….thinks about humanity…as small as it is and wants to shepherd us. How humbling is that?

And not only that…this same great God wants to provide for our needs. What a statement we can make as we declare “I shall not want.” We lack nothing. We can be content in the Good Shepherds care of us and we need not crave or desire anything else. Now…this doesn’t mean we won’t have trials and tribulations in our lives…we live in a fallen world. This doesn’t mean that we will never have adversity…what it does mean is that we will never lack the care of the Creator, our God. What the makes difference in humanity’s life is the boss…the manager…the Shepherd the leader of their lives. Is it a shepherd like a hired hand…worldly possessions…sin and greed or is it the Good Shepherd that leads them with love, tenderness and compassion?

The Good Shepherd wants to have us, as humanity, lie down in green pastures beside calm waters. Now the strange thing about sheep is that because of their “makeup” it is almost impossible to “make” them lie down unless four requirements are met.

1.     They need to be free from all fear

2.     They need to be free from all friction with others of their kind

3.     Free from flies and parasites

4.     They must be free from hunger

It is up to the shepherd to provide freedom of all these requirements for them. t is the shepherd that makes it possible for them to lie down, rest, relax, and be content and quiet. They need to be flourishing…

In order to feel this way they also need to see the shepherd in the field with them. h presence reassures them as long as they are a “good shepherd.” We, as Christians, have no other substitute for the awareness that our Shepherd is nearby. Christ’s presence in our lives can dispel any fear or panic we are facing.

We live in a world where anything can happen at any time that can cause us to fear. We have learned to “expect the unexpected” in life. But…in the midst of all this we can have an awareness of Christ, our Shepherd, being with us through all our trials. It is this very awareness that makes a difference in how we react to the pit falls in life.

In the midst of the chaos of the world, the Good Shepherd invites us…His sheep…to rest beside still waters of His presence. This kind of reminds me of the time when Peter walked on water. He stepped out of the boat to walk to Jesus. Even though the waters around him were rough…full of chaos…Peter was able to walk on the waters. That sis until he changed his focus. When he focused on Jesus he was able to walk on the water but as soon as he lost his focus…lost the thought of Jesus the Shepherd was who told him to come…he began to sink. He became lost in the chaos of his surroundings. It was not until he refocused himself on Jesus and called to Him for help that the waters beneath his feet became like calm waters that he could walk on and he walked back to the boat with Jesus at his side.

You know…sheep can survive in a dry, arid environment but the one thing they always need is water. The shepherd knows where the best drinking waters is…the calm refreshing waters the sheep need to live. When they become thirst they are restless and begin to search for water. IT is the shepherd who knows of their need and leads them to the safe water. We, as humanity, as Christians, may thirst for that water needed to quench our parched souls. We may try to fill it with the waters of the world only to find it leaving us wanting more. It is only the Good Shepherd that can lead us to the water that satisfies our soul.

Do you thirst for something that will satisfy your soul? Are you feeling as if you are in a dry parched land with no water in sight? Are you in need of rest for your soul? Are you confused by the many voices of the world and are looking for the voice of the One who cares? Do you know of someone who could use an rest in the care of the One True Shepherd? Come into the sheepfold of the One who offers peace and love. Come and rest beside the waters of joy and compassion. Come to the Shepherd. Listen…do you here Him calling you on the wind to a place of milk and honey? Heed the voice of the Good Shepherd, our Risen Lord Jesus Christ. Let Him Shepherd you through the chaos into His pasture of peace. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. Come and be safe and secure… “Shepherd me O God beyond my wants, beyond my needs, from death into life.” Amen…

“The Good Shepherd”

October 20, 2013

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Sermon 1 of Fall Series

“Shepherd Us O God”

John 10:1-10 The Message Bible

John 10:11-18 The Message Bible

“Shepherd Me O God” by Marty Haugen

“Shepherd me O God beyond my wants, beyond my needs, from death into life”… (Sing)

Let us pray… (Pray for the Spirits illumination of the scriptures)

Almighty, Loving God, you who love your children and give them rest. We pray for you to be with us, guide us into that glen by the still waters so that we may sit at your feet and hear what you have to tell us this day. Holy Spirit of discernment, we pray that you would be with us as we listen to the Shepherds voice, speaking to us and giving us peace. Speak Lord; your flock is listening…

A reading from the Gospel of John, chapter ten, verses eleven through eighteen…listen for the voice of the Shepherd to you and me, the sheep of His flock.(Read from the Message Bible)

One of my most favorite children’s songs is Mary Had A Little Lamb. That little lamb surly loved Mary. It followed her every where she went. Even to places that it didn’t belong like to school. It must have known the voice of Mary and so whenever it heard her voice it would run right away to where she was. I am sure she must have taken good care of it because if she hadn’t, it wouldn’t have followed her wherever she went.

I was looking at the church calendar a few weeks ago to try and plan my sermons for the season and I can’t believe that the Season of Advent starts in about 6 weeks. It always begins the Sunday after thanksgiving and I was shocked that it is coming so soon. Where has the year gone? It seems just like yesterday that we were celebrating Holy Week and Easter Sunday. Now the time we celebrate the birth of Jesus is just a few weeks away.

As I pondered over the fact that Advent is beginning soon I thought about all the stories we hear during the Advent Season. The one story that really got me thinking is the story about the shepherds and how they were the first to hear about Jesus’ birth. Jesus’ birth announcement was first heard by “lowly” shepherds.  I really think God has a special place in His heart for shepherds. Moses was a shepherd and God used him to free his people from Egypt. David was a shepherd and he was considered “a man after God’s own heart”. Even Jesus called Himself the “Good Shepherd”.  These shepherds were appointed to watch over God’s people. They were trusted by God to lead His people into a land of “milk and honey”, a land that was promised to them, a place by still waters of peace. I love the image of the shepherd. The image, to me, is one of love and compassion…

All this talk about shepherds this morning has got me thinking…Who are the shepherds in my life? Why have they been shepherds for me? What is a shepherd any way…what do they actually do? Well… the definition of a shepherd is:

•        watch over like a shepherd, as a teacher of her pupils

•        a clergyman who watches over a group of people

•        tend as a shepherd, as of sheep or goats

•        sheepherder: a herder of sheep (on an open range); someone who keeps the sheep together in a flock.

These are great definitions of a shepherd but there is one thing that is missing. We can learn lessons from the shepherds in our lives. They not only watch over us but they also teach us things we need to know in life. They give us those lessons that other people in our lives can’t. For instance…my children ((believe it or not) are shepherds in my life…They teach me how not to take myself so seriously (especially Ms. Shanequa)…They teach me how to love life and laugh with all my heart…They show me how to take something ordinary and turn it into something extraordinary…they have taught me how to love unconditionally…With all my heart. I thought I was going to teach them but they in turn have also taught me.

As we begin the countdown to the beginning of Advent, I would like for us to take a look at the ultimate Shepherd…the one found in the Good Shepherd, our Risen Lord Jesus Christ. We are going to take a look at a Psalm that is probably one of the most famous Psalms written…Psalm 23. This Psalm reminds me of the Good Shepherd that we are about to celebrate…to contemplate…on His birth.

So, who is this Good Shepherd? So…what’s so good about the Good Shepherd? In the Gospel read this morning, we hear about this Good Shepherd. This shepherd…Jesus…lays down His life for the sheep of His pasture. Jesus laid down his life for the “sheep” of God’s pasture. He took our sin in order for us to enter the green pasture that gives us new life. This shepherd knows His sheep. Jesus knows us…His sheep. We have a shepherd that watches over us and when we cry…when we bleat…in pain and sorrow… in fear, He hears us and is right there to save His sheep. He gathers in his sheep. Jesus gathers us in…His sheep…together so that we may be one flock, not divided like sheep and goats. (Jesus is the Good Shepherd)

Shepherd me o God beyond my wants, beyond my needs, from death into life… (Sing)

There is healing and salvation found in the name of Jesus…in the name of the Good Shepherd. The words healing and salvation come from the Greek word sothenai (sow-than-a-i) which means to be saved and made whole. There is physical healing for the body and a spiritual healing for everyone who calls on the name of the Good Shepherd. We are made whole…we are made one with and in God and each other. When we are one there is peace. (Jesus is the Good Shepherd)

Shepherd me o God beyond my wants, beyond my needs, from death into life… (Sing)

We live in a world that has so many things trying to get our attention. There are so many people and things that want us to follow them and it that it can be very confusing. We try to follow what is right but we sometimes come up short. We try to do the right thing but sometimes what we follow leaves us just as empty and fearful as we were in the beginning. We think we hear the voice calling to us but it only ends up being an echo of the hired hand running away leaving us alone and afraid, bleating…crying out for someone to rescue and lead us into peace.

But we need to attune our ear to the voice of the One who laid down their life for us…the One who will never leave us…the One who is with us wherever we go...the voice of the Good Shepherd. Who is the shepherd that you and I are following? Are we being lead into green pastures with peaceful waters or are we following the leader of the world around us? How can we…you and I…follow the example of the shepherd and not that of the hired hand? It can be hard in a world full of noise and confusion all around us…in a world full of “wolves in sheep’s clothing”…in a world where there are things that call us out of the pasture and into the “dung heap”.

Shepherd me O God beyond my wants, beyond my needs, from death into life… (Sing)

We are called to follow the True Shepherd…the one who wants us to have a new life, restored and forgiven. We are called to know the Shepherd who calls us out of the darkness and into the light of His pasture. We are called to obey the True Shepherd who asks us to help Him find the lost sheep and to bring them into the sheepfold of His love, His mercy, His grace and forgiveness. We are called to be mirror images of the Shepherd. Kind of like apprentices to the Shepherd…learning from Him and going out to practice what we have learned…

So…What’s so good about the Good Shepherd? What’s so good is that He came to bring in the least, the lost and the forgotten into the pasture of peace…He came so that we could have forgiveness and redemption…as a matter of fact, this Shepherd became a sheep…that paschal Lamb… that sin offering for you and for me. That’s what is so good about this Good Shepherd…that’s the message we share with the world around us. Do you know of any lost sheep? Is there anyone around us that needs the healing and restoration found in the One True Shepherd? Brothers and sisters of the pasture…It’s round up time…we…all of Christ’s sheep…need to be out there listening for the sound of those lost sheep bleating in the dark and bringing them back to the one who can make them whole and so that the “Son” (Capital S”o”n) can shine on their lives.

Let us pray:

Loving, merciful God, we thank you for the Good Shepherd you have given us in Christ Jesus. We thank you that you watch over the sheep of your pasture and would never let them be devoured. Speak to us this morning in that voice that we all hear and know. Thank you for bringing us to green pastures by still waters.  Shepherd us O God beyond our wants, beyond our needs, from death into life… (Sing)

Amen.