Scripture: John 10:1-11

C.I.: Jesus: The Great Shepherd & Host

God used illustrations people understood (fishermen – kingdom is like a catch; farmers – sower went to sow).
Folks in various professions today may say, “Lord is my programmer – mechanic – Physician & chief of staff.”
Therefore, it is only nature that the shepherd boy David - who became king - would use both areas for God!

I. PSALM 23

A. The Shepherd Cares for His Sheep (vs. 1-4)

1. (v. 1) – Beautiful words of this psalm are true – but only for those who choose to follow the Shepherd
a. Everyone wants to have the peace, contentment and protection promised – but on their own terms.
1) Yet what David is saying – will only be for those – who want to be part of the Lord’s flock.
2) (Jn. 10:3-4), “…the sheep hear His voice, and follow Him….”
b. So, can we say, “The Lord is my shepherd”?
1) To a group of “wannabes - Jesus compares & contrasts His sheep – with those who are not - (Jn. 10:26-28), “…you are not My sheep. – My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; - and I give eternal life to them.”
2) He will be our Shepherd if we “Hear His voice” as He speaks from His word – (Rom. 10:17).
3) He will be our Shepherd if we “follow Him” in obedience to those words – (Heb. 5:9).
c. This was a deeply personal psalm for David (17 personal pronouns).
1) Therefore, because of all that it means to be a follower of the Shepherd – the 2nd line of v. 1, could be paraphrased to read, “What more could I want?!”

2. (v. 2), “He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.”
a. Sheep don’t lie down to eat – nor do they drink from quickly moving streams = rest & refreshment
b. One of Stan’s greatest ploys – to keep us ineffective & away from God – is to keep us BUSY!
1) How many times have we wanted to start family devotions – but never seem to find the time?
2) How often have you wanted to come to church – but something always comes up?
c. Religiously the same is true – God has called us to be sheep – not oxen (plowing, grinding, etc.).
1) Yet some people have been told – Jesus expects them – to work their way into heaven.
2) The Jewish leadership in Jesus day told that to the people – so Jesus contrasted their way to heaven with His way – (Matt. 23:2-3; 11:28-30), “…they say things but do not do them. – They tie heavy loads and lay them…” – “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden….”

3. (v. 3), “He restores my soul.”
a. One of the profound thoughts of the Bible – is that God is in the “restoration business”!
1) “Soul” isn’t body – it refers to the innermost part of our very being / He can revive it!!
2) For lives that are shattered by death of loved ones - the Lord can be restored – (Psa. 68:5), “A father of the fatherless & a defender of widows – is God in His holy habitation.”
3) For lives ruined by a lifestyle of sin – Jesus can put the pieces back – for those who come to Him – (Jn. 8:10-11), “‘Woman, did no one condemn you?’ And she said, ‘No one, Lord.’ – Then Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you; - go your way. – From now on sin no more!’”
4) God make restore us – and make our lives brand new – (II Cor. 5:17).

b. “He guides me in the paths of righteousness - for His name’s sake.”
1) You don’t “drive sheep” like you do cattle – Shepherds “guide sheep.”
2) “Paths of righteousness” = (Psa. 119:172), “…all Your commandments are righteousness.”
3) “Name’s sake” = Nature & attributes; God desires for His sheep to walk in righteousness – because it is a reflection upon His own nature – (Lk. 6:40; I Pt. 1:15-16), “A disciple is not above his teacher; but everyone after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.” - Like the holy One who called you, be holy in all your behavior; as it is written….”

4. (v. 4), “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You….”
a. Sheep don’t walk when afraid… we run! – But there are two reasons we need not fear...
1) “Shadows” cannot harm us – there is no substance to the things the Lord’s sheep need fear.
(i) (Matt. 10:28), “Do not fear those who can kill the body.”
(ii) (Heb. 2:15), “…God might deliver those who thru fear of death were subject to slavery…
2) “…You are with Me, your rod & Your staff, they comfort me.”
(i) I never had a “Big Brother” when growing up – and my sister wasn’t much help – but the Lord’s people have nothing to fear today – because of God’s constant presence in our lives – (Quote I Jn. 4:4; Matt. 28:20)!
b. Shepherd supplies: rest & refreshment, - restoration & guidance, - protection & companionship!

B. The Host Cares for His Guests (vs. 5-6)

1. As a gracious host – a King would show His care for His guests in 3 different ways (v. 5):
a. “Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies”
1) In the Middle East – a guest could find sanctuary with their - from any/all adversaries!
(i) There is only one adversary faced by God’s people today – (Eph. 6:12).
(ii) Can you imagine eating a meal – while surrounded by your enemies…?
(iii) But in the presence of our Lord – we are victorious – (Rom. 8:31, 37), “Since God is for us…!” – “In all these things we overwhelmingly conquer thru Him who loved us.”
b. “Thou has anointed my head with oil.
1) Another custom – was to anoint the heads of their guests – Lk. 7:46, “You did not anoint….”
2) The anointing a believer has today – is the precious gift of the Spirit of God
3) (I Jn. 2:27), “As for you, you have an anointing which you have from Him who abides in you”
c. “My cup overflows.”
1) The blessings the Lord bestows on His followers – are greater than we could ever imagine!
2) (Eph. 1:3), “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, who has….”

2. Thus, our Lord (who is both Shepherd and King) – blesses us both in this life – AND - in the next!
a. (v. 7), “Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
b. To paraphrase David - no wonder he says, “If the Lord is your Shepherd, what more could we want?!!”

CONCLUSIONS:

1. Is the Lord truly your Shepherd? – Do you follow Him and obey the words He has spoken?

2. Remember, God is in the restoration business. – If you need & want your relationship restored –
because sin has come between you and your Lord … Matt. 7:21; 28:19-20