He Owns Me

Psalm 23

Pastor Colin shares the impactful wisdom once imparted by Warren Wiersbe about the importance of encouragement in ministry. As Pastor Colin dissects the beloved Psalm, he provides insights into what it means to have the Lord as your shepherd, reflecting on Jesus’ words, “I am the good shepherd.” He emphasises the richness of being part of Jesus Christ’s flock, where you will never be in want. The Psalm, which has comforted and encouraged God’s people for over 3,000 years, points to the profound relationship between the shepherd and his sheep and serves to remind us of the protection, restoration, and love promised to us by our Lord.

Pastor Colin identifies with feelings of fatigue and the need for encouragement in challenging times. In breaking down Psalm 23, he assures us that God’s shepherding includes ownership, leadership, and the provision of our needs. He challenges us by asking whether we truly want to be wholly owned by anyone, inviting us to recognize the joy and security found in surrendering to Christ, our shepherd.

WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 –> 00:00:06.680 You’re listening to a sermon from Pastor Colin Smith of Open the Bible 00:00:06.680 –> 00:00:12.080 to contact us call us at 1-877-Open365 00:00:12.080 –> 00:00:15.720 or visit our website openthebible.org 00:00:15.720 –> 00:00:19.920 Let’s get to the message. Here is Pastor Colin. 00:00:19.920 –> 00:00:23.799 I hope you will have your Bible open at Psalm 23. 00:00:23.799 –> 00:00:26.680 Now I expect that for all of us 00:00:26.680 –> 00:00:30.120 there are some gems of wisdom that we hear once 00:00:30.120 –> 00:00:34.560 and never forget. One of those in my life came from 00:00:34.560 –> 00:00:37.619 Warren Weirsbee, some of you may know that name. 00:00:37.619 –> 00:00:40.860 One time esteemed pastor of the Moody Church 00:00:40.860 –> 00:00:44.500 here in Chicago and then Bible teacher with the Back to the Bible 00:00:44.500 –> 00:00:47.959 radio programme. It was speaking and this is a good number 00:00:47.959 –> 00:00:51.240 of years ago in a conference in Britain 00:00:51.240 –> 00:00:55.040 and there was a question and answer session I was just a 00:00:55.160 –> 00:00:59.040 young pastor in London at the time and at this conference 00:00:59.040 –> 00:01:03.340 Warren Weirsbee who I admired so much was asked the question 00:01:03.340 –> 00:01:07.480 what would he do differently if he could have his years 00:01:07.480 –> 00:01:10.779 of ministry over again, 00:01:10.779 –> 00:01:14.419 and I remember leaning forward in my chair as a young pastor 00:01:14.419 –> 00:01:19.760 to hear what this man I respected so much would say. 00:01:19.760 –> 00:01:22.300 And he said in his senior years 00:01:22.300 –> 00:01:24.360 then, 00:01:24.419 –> 00:01:29.019 if I could have my time in ministry over again, 00:01:29.019 –> 00:01:34.040 I would encourage God’s people more. 00:01:34.680 –> 00:01:37.559 I’ve never forgotten that. 00:01:37.559 –> 00:01:40.160 It stayed with me I think partly because Warren Weirsbee 00:01:40.160 –> 00:01:42.839 is one of the most encouraging people I have ever met 00:01:42.839 –> 00:01:44.699 in my life. 00:01:44.699 –> 00:01:47.660 But as he in his senior years looked back on his time 00:01:47.660 –> 00:01:49.400 in ministry he said, 00:01:49.440 –> 00:01:53.900 I would encourage God’s people more. 00:01:55.040 –> 00:01:58.000 Now, I think that these are days where we could all use 00:01:58.000 –> 00:02:00.699 a little bit of encouragement. 00:02:00.699 –> 00:02:03.279 Perhaps like me you thought back in March 00:02:03.279 –> 00:02:06.239 that life would be back to normal by now. 00:02:06.239 –> 00:02:08.740 You rose to the challenge of the lockdown. 00:02:08.740 –> 00:02:12.240 You did what needed to be done with cheerful resilience. 00:02:12.240 –> 00:02:15.020 But as time goes by, there is a tiredness, 00:02:15.020 –> 00:02:18.380 a jadedness, a flatness that can creep in. 00:02:18.380 –> 00:02:21.360 The joy and energy that are usually yours 00:02:21.360 –> 00:02:23.600 may somehow be diminished. 00:02:23.600 –> 00:02:26.740 Here we are the weekend after Labor Day 00:02:26.740 –> 00:02:29.440 when we’re normally all refreshed, reinvigorated, 00:02:29.440 –> 00:02:30.919 fired up and ready to go 00:02:30.919 –> 00:02:33.440 and I think at least some of us experience 00:02:33.440 –> 00:02:35.759 something of being drained 00:02:35.759 –> 00:02:38.820 and that we could use some encouragement. 00:02:39.899 –> 00:02:42.960 Now, there is a reason why Psalm 23 00:02:42.960 –> 00:02:46.240 is the best loved and best known of all of the psalms 00:02:46.679 –> 00:02:48.160 and one of the best loved chapters 00:02:48.160 –> 00:02:49.800 in all of the Bible. 00:02:49.800 –> 00:02:52.839 And that reason is that God has used this psalm 00:02:52.839 –> 00:02:57.839 to encourage his people for more than 3000 years. 00:02:58.039 –> 00:03:01.460 And my first prayer for this series 00:03:01.460 –> 00:03:03.679 is that God will use these familiar words 00:03:03.679 –> 00:03:07.440 to bring fresh strength and hope and comfort 00:03:07.440 –> 00:03:12.399 and encouragement for each and every one of us. 00:03:12.419 –> 00:03:16.960 Psalm 23, of course, is about what God does for his people. 00:03:16.960 –> 00:03:18.960 And like all of the Bible, 00:03:18.960 –> 00:03:22.080 it points us to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:03:22.080 –> 00:03:27.080 David said, the Lord is my shepherd. 00:03:27.080 –> 00:03:29.440 And when Jesus Christ came into the world, 00:03:29.440 –> 00:03:33.679 he said, I am the good Shepherd. 00:03:33.679 –> 00:03:37.520 So this series, then, is going to remind us 00:03:37.520 –> 00:03:41.600 of all of that is ours in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:03:41.639 –> 00:03:46.559 When you belong to him, everything in this Psalm is yours. 00:03:46.559 –> 00:03:48.179 And throughout this series, 00:03:48.179 –> 00:03:52.039 we’re going to see that it is a marvelous thing 00:03:52.039 –> 00:03:55.880 to belong to the Son of God. 00:03:55.880 –> 00:03:59.059 Now, when you eat rich food, 00:03:59.059 –> 00:04:02.080 you go out for a sumptuous meal, 00:04:02.080 –> 00:04:07.080 you want to eat it slowly so that you can savor its taste. 00:04:08.000 –> 00:04:11.679 And this Psalm is super rich, 00:04:11.679 –> 00:04:16.220 and so we are going to savor its delight slowly. 00:04:16.220 –> 00:04:17.839 The plan is, if you notice, 00:04:17.839 –> 00:04:21.839 there are six verses in the 23rd Psalm 00:04:21.839 –> 00:04:26.059 and we have six weeks to savor this truth together. 00:04:26.059 –> 00:04:28.720 We begin, then, with verse one today, 00:04:28.720 –> 00:04:33.720 the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 00:04:34.299 –> 00:04:38.459 Now, let’s begin simply with that word shepherd. 00:04:38.459 –> 00:04:42.880 The Lord is my shepherd. 00:04:44.119 –> 00:04:48.299 Now, it is sometimes alleged, 00:04:48.299 –> 00:04:51.059 and I gotta admit, as I’ve read many things 00:04:51.059 –> 00:04:54.019 on the 23rd Psalm preparing for this series, 00:04:54.019 –> 00:04:57.100 I got really rather tired of it being alleged. 00:04:57.100 –> 00:04:59.859 But it is often alleged that because most of us 00:04:59.859 –> 00:05:02.559 live in cities or in suburbs, 00:05:02.559 –> 00:05:05.299 that somehow, we don’t know what a shepherd is 00:05:05.299 –> 00:05:09.359 and cannot grasp what a shepherd does. 00:05:09.359 –> 00:05:10.839 And I just wanna say to you, 00:05:10.839 –> 00:05:14.760 even if you should never have seen a flock of sheep 00:05:14.760 –> 00:05:17.239 in your entire life, 00:05:17.239 –> 00:05:20.880 reading this Psalm will tell you what a shepherd is 00:05:20.880 –> 00:05:23.339 and what a shepherd does. 00:05:23.339 –> 00:05:24.959 Notice, just going through the Psalm, 00:05:24.959 –> 00:05:26.519 and this is where we’re going, God willing, 00:05:26.519 –> 00:05:29.119 over these next six weeks. 00:05:29.220 –> 00:05:31.679 A shepherd owns the sheep. 00:05:31.679 –> 00:05:34.720 The Lord is my shepherd. 00:05:34.720 –> 00:05:36.059 I’m owned by him. 00:05:36.059 –> 00:05:37.579 I’m one of his sheep. 00:05:37.579 –> 00:05:40.579 Jesus says, my sheep never perish. 00:05:40.579 –> 00:05:43.279 That’s a statement of ownership. 00:05:43.279 –> 00:05:45.040 Because the shepherd owns the sheep, 00:05:45.040 –> 00:05:47.279 therefore, the shepherd leads the sheep. 00:05:47.279 –> 00:05:48.200 Next week, God willing, 00:05:48.200 –> 00:05:50.200 we’ll look at how He leads the sheep 00:05:50.200 –> 00:05:54.600 into rest and into righteousness. 00:05:54.600 –> 00:05:56.399 Then the shepherd restores the sheep 00:05:56.440 –> 00:05:59.320 because though they are his, we often go astray. 00:05:59.320 –> 00:06:01.940 Therefore he restores my soul. 00:06:01.940 –> 00:06:03.839 He retrieves me when I wander 00:06:03.839 –> 00:06:07.179 and he restores me when I am spent. 00:06:08.040 –> 00:06:11.779 The shepherd because he owns the sheep protects them. 00:06:11.779 –> 00:06:13.779 even though I walk through the valley 00:06:13.779 –> 00:06:16.220 of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil 00:06:16.220 –> 00:06:17.640 for you are with me. 00:06:17.640 –> 00:06:19.619 The good shepherd protects from evil 00:06:19.619 –> 00:06:22.820 and he protects from enemies. 00:06:22.820 –> 00:06:25.459 And the shepherd feeds the sheep. 00:06:25.459 –> 00:06:27.399 He spreads a table before me. 00:06:27.399 –> 00:06:31.000 He gives a cup that overflows. 00:06:31.000 –> 00:06:32.920 And the shepherd loves the sheep. 00:06:32.920 –> 00:06:35.279 Surely goodness and mercy will follow me 00:06:35.279 –> 00:06:37.380 all the days of my life. 00:06:37.380 –> 00:06:40.320 And after my life I will be welcomed 00:06:40.320 –> 00:06:43.559 into his home forever and forever.” 00:06:43.559 –> 00:06:46.279 Now that’s what a shepherd does, very simple. 00:06:46.279 –> 00:06:47.839 It’s all laid out in the Psalm. 00:06:47.839 –> 00:06:49.579 If you’ve never seen a flock of sheep. 00:06:49.579 –> 00:06:53.600 This is what a shepherd does. 00:06:53.600 –> 00:06:56.100 These are the things that the shepherd does for the sheep. 00:06:56.100 –> 00:06:59.540 And David says, these are the things God does for me. 00:06:59.540 –> 00:07:01.140 And when you were in Christ, 00:07:01.140 –> 00:07:03.380 you’ll be able to know with assurance 00:07:03.380 –> 00:07:07.100 that these are the things that he does for you. 00:07:08.859 –> 00:07:10.760 Now one more word by way of introduction 00:07:10.760 –> 00:07:13.579 and it is that some of you may perhaps 00:07:13.579 –> 00:07:15.420 just as an instinctive reaction 00:07:15.420 –> 00:07:18.019 think this all sounds a little bit sentimental. 00:07:19.440 –> 00:07:23.239 Fluffy sheep, shepherd which is crow. 00:07:23.239 –> 00:07:26.200 All a little quaint is it not. 00:07:26.200 –> 00:07:29.179 Maybe you were read as a young child 00:07:29.179 –> 00:07:31.040 a storybook with these pictures 00:07:31.040 –> 00:07:32.760 of fluffy sheep and a shepherd 00:07:32.760 –> 00:07:34.700 and it was based on Psalm 23 00:07:34.700 –> 00:07:37.019 and you have that as a kind of memory 00:07:37.019 –> 00:07:39.420 and you say, well, it’s a long way 00:07:39.420 –> 00:07:43.079 from the harsh realities of life today. 00:07:44.459 –> 00:07:48.700 Well, remember that David was a shepherd. 00:07:48.700 –> 00:07:52.820 He knew what it took to do this job. 00:07:54.179 –> 00:07:58.140 It was a dangerous job because wild animals 00:07:58.140 –> 00:08:01.299 would come and attack the sheep. 00:08:01.299 –> 00:08:03.220 You remember famously, of course, 00:08:03.220 –> 00:08:05.579 that David was such a good shot 00:08:05.579 –> 00:08:08.299 with a sling where he slew Goliath 00:08:08.299 –> 00:08:10.420 with a pebble that he shot with that sling. 00:08:10.420 –> 00:08:13.619 How did he become so good with a sling? 00:08:13.619 –> 00:08:15.859 Well the answer is he was a shepherd 00:08:15.859 –> 00:08:18.179 and he knew what it was for wild animals to come 00:08:18.179 –> 00:08:20.119 and that was the first line of protection 00:08:20.119 –> 00:08:21.679 again for the sheep. 00:08:23.420 –> 00:08:25.799 But sometimes it took more than a sling. 00:08:27.000 –> 00:08:29.899 David tells us in 1 Samuel, in chapter 17 00:08:29.899 –> 00:08:34.000 in verse 34, about how he fought 00:08:34.000 –> 00:08:37.320 on at least one occasion with a lion 00:08:37.320 –> 00:08:38.320 and with a bear. 00:08:39.500 –> 00:08:41.419 David said to Saul, I quote, 00:08:41.419 –> 00:08:43.659 your servant used to keep sheep 00:08:43.659 –> 00:08:47.299 for his father and when there came a lion 00:08:47.299 –> 00:08:50.280 and a bear and took a lamb from the flock 00:08:50.280 –> 00:08:52.280 I went after him 00:08:52.280 –> 00:08:55.520 and struck him and delivered him out of my mouth 00:08:55.520 –> 00:08:57.400 and if he arose against me 00:08:57.400 –> 00:09:00.119 I caught him by the beard 00:09:00.119 –> 00:09:02.059 and struck him and killed him 00:09:03.020 –> 00:09:06.119 So how’s that for risk in your job description? 00:09:06.119 –> 00:09:08.400 You may have to go face to face 00:09:08.400 –> 00:09:10.059 with a lion or with a bear 00:09:10.059 –> 00:09:12.119 grab it by the scruff of the neck 00:09:12.119 –> 00:09:14.840 grab it by the hair on its head 00:09:14.840 –> 00:09:16.820 because it’s got a lamb in its jaw 00:09:16.820 –> 00:09:19.179 and it’s your lamb and you’ve got to get that lamb back 00:09:19.179 –> 00:09:20.479 that’s, David says, 00:09:20.479 –> 00:09:22.260 that’s what it took for me to be a shepherd 00:09:22.260 –> 00:09:25.719 and that’s the kind of care that god gives to me 00:09:25.719 –> 00:09:29.119 the lord is my shepherd 00:09:29.119 –> 00:09:31.219 So I just want to say to you if you think 00:09:31.219 –> 00:09:32.919 you know, this all sounds rather quaint 00:09:32.919 –> 00:09:38.580 listen, this deals with the harsh realities of life 00:09:38.580 –> 00:09:44.260 David knew what it was to have enemies hunting him 00:09:44.260 –> 00:09:47.260 He had at one point in his life 00:09:47.260 –> 00:09:54.179 the pain of one of his own sons hating him 00:09:54.179 –> 00:09:58.140 he knew what it was to live with failure 00:09:58.140 –> 00:10:02.500 he knew what it was to live with fear 00:10:02.500 –> 00:10:04.520 he was given the task by God 00:10:04.520 –> 00:10:11.380 of seeking to lead a chronicly divided nation 00:10:11.380 –> 00:10:13.179 and he knew what it was to be discouraged 00:10:13.179 –> 00:10:15.780 and to be exhausted 00:10:15.780 –> 00:10:17.780 So I am wanting to say to you right at the beginning 00:10:17.780 –> 00:10:20.419 now if you know what it is to be exhausted 00:10:20.419 –> 00:10:21.419 to feel drained 00:10:21.419 –> 00:10:24.140 this psalm is for you 00:10:24.140 –> 00:10:25.140 if you know what it is 00:10:25.140 –> 00:10:26.140 to endure great pressure 00:10:26.140 –> 00:10:27.500 over a long period of time 00:10:27.500 –> 00:10:29.520 and sometimes to lose heart 00:10:29.520 –> 00:10:32.299 this psalm is for you 00:10:32.299 –> 00:10:34.179 if you face enemies 00:10:34.179 –> 00:10:36.039 and when you find yourself staring 00:10:36.039 –> 00:10:38.200 into the face of great evil 00:10:38.200 –> 00:10:41.559 this psalm is for you 00:10:41.559 –> 00:10:42.559 and since one day 00:10:42.559 –> 00:10:43.900 you will walk through the valley 00:10:43.900 –> 00:10:45.080 of the shadow of death 00:10:45.739 –> 00:10:48.739 this psalm is for you 00:10:48.739 –> 00:10:54.619 in Christ you have a shepherd 00:10:54.619 –> 00:10:57.599 and because he owns you 00:10:57.599 –> 00:10:58.599 he will lead you 00:10:58.599 –> 00:11:02.020 he will restore you 00:11:02.020 –> 00:11:04.020 he will protect you 00:11:04.020 –> 00:11:05.659 he will feed you 00:11:05.659 –> 00:11:06.919 and he will love you 00:11:06.919 –> 00:11:09.859 always 00:11:09.859 –> 00:11:10.859 that’s what it means 00:11:10.859 –> 00:11:12.900 to be shepherd 00:11:12.900 –> 00:11:16.640 now let’s focus in on the second thing 00:11:16.640 –> 00:11:18.500 who then is the Shepard? 00:11:18.500 –> 00:11:19.580 david says 00:11:19.580 –> 00:11:24.460 the Lord is my shepherd 00:11:24.460 –> 00:11:25.460 very simply here 00:11:25.460 –> 00:11:26.880 i want to make the observation 00:11:26.880 –> 00:11:29.320 that the quality of life 00:11:29.320 –> 00:11:30.739 enjoyed by any flock of sheep 00:11:30.739 –> 00:11:34.500 depends entirely on their Shepard 00:11:34.500 –> 00:11:35.500 the quality of life 00:11:35.500 –> 00:11:37.700 enjoyed by any flock of sheep 00:11:37.700 –> 00:11:41.700 depends entirely on their Shepherd 00:11:41.719 –> 00:11:43.219 in the Old Testament 00:11:43.219 –> 00:11:44.460 God appointed prophets 00:11:44.460 –> 00:11:45.780 priests and kings 00:11:45.780 –> 00:11:47.460 to Shepherd His flock 00:11:47.460 –> 00:11:49.020 they were to feed the sheep 00:11:49.020 –> 00:11:50.020 seek the sheep 00:11:50.020 –> 00:11:51.020 guide the sheep 00:11:51.020 –> 00:11:54.320 and they did not do a good job 00:11:54.320 –> 00:11:55.320 most professions 00:11:55.320 –> 00:11:57.979 have a system of an annual review 00:11:57.979 –> 00:12:03.299 and in Ezekiel and chapter 34 00:12:03.299 –> 00:12:04.380 God gives as it were 00:12:04.380 –> 00:12:06.179 a review of those 00:12:06.179 –> 00:12:07.299 who have been appointed 00:12:07.299 –> 00:12:08.919 as Shepherds of His flock 00:12:08.919 –> 00:12:11.400 and it is not a good review 00:12:11.419 –> 00:12:12.859 to Ezekiel, God says 00:12:12.859 –> 00:12:14.000 son of man prophesy 00:12:14.000 –> 00:12:16.659 against the shepherds of Israel 00:12:16.659 –> 00:12:17.500 why? 00:12:17.500 –> 00:12:19.640 because God says 00:12:19.640 –> 00:12:22.260 the weak you have not strengthened 00:12:22.260 –> 00:12:24.219 the sick you have not healed 00:12:24.219 –> 00:12:26.280 the injured you have not bound up 00:12:26.280 –> 00:12:28.000 the strayed you have not brought back 00:12:28.000 –> 00:12:29.700 the lost you have not sought 00:12:29.700 –> 00:12:31.479 and with force and harshness 00:12:31.479 –> 00:12:32.780 you have ruled them 00:12:32.780 –> 00:12:33.780 so the flock of God 00:12:33.780 –> 00:12:34.880 had a really bad time 00:12:34.880 –> 00:12:35.900 because the shepherds 00:12:35.900 –> 00:12:38.020 were not caring for them 00:12:38.020 –> 00:12:39.119 the quality of life 00:12:39.119 –> 00:12:40.159 of any flock of sheep 00:12:40.159 –> 00:12:41.200 depends entirely 00:12:41.320 –> 00:12:42.679 on who their shepherd is 00:12:43.679 –> 00:12:45.400 and in Ezekiel’s day 00:12:45.400 –> 00:12:46.440 the appointed shepherds 00:12:46.440 –> 00:12:48.239 had failed in their task 00:12:48.239 –> 00:12:49.739 no one was looking for the lost 00:12:49.739 –> 00:12:51.000 no one was helping 00:12:51.000 –> 00:12:52.219 or strengthening the sick 00:12:52.219 –> 00:12:53.239 or the injured 00:12:53.239 –> 00:12:55.080 no one came to the help 00:12:55.080 –> 00:12:55.640 of the weak 00:12:55.640 –> 00:12:58.119 so what happens? 00:12:58.119 –> 00:12:59.599 well God said this 00:12:59.599 –> 00:13:01.320 my sheep were scattered 00:13:01.320 –> 00:13:02.599 over the face of the earth 00:13:02.599 –> 00:13:04.760 with none to seek 00:13:04.760 –> 00:13:07.059 or search for them 00:13:07.799 –> 00:13:08.919 and so God looked upon 00:13:08.919 –> 00:13:10.419 his own sheep with compassion 00:13:11.599 –> 00:13:12.900 and God said 00:13:13.739 –> 00:13:16.080 I myself will become their shepherd 00:13:16.979 –> 00:13:19.380 I myself will search for my sheep 00:13:19.380 –> 00:13:20.599 and seek them out 00:13:20.599 –> 00:13:22.679 I will seek the lost 00:13:23.440 –> 00:13:25.039 I will bring back the straight 00:13:25.039 –> 00:13:27.679 I will bind up the injured 00:13:27.679 –> 00:13:29.880 and I will strengthen the weak 00:13:31.119 –> 00:13:32.359 and you see when Jesus Christ 00:13:32.359 –> 00:13:34.080 then came into the world 00:13:34.719 –> 00:13:36.239 he said in effect that’s me 00:13:36.640 –> 00:13:38.479 I’m the one that’s come to do this 00:13:38.559 –> 00:13:42.000 I am the Good Shepherd 00:13:42.799 –> 00:13:44.159 and here’s what it means 00:13:44.159 –> 00:13:48.320 I’m going to lay down my life for my sheep 00:13:49.280 –> 00:13:52.799 and my sheep will never perish 00:13:54.400 –> 00:13:56.960 Now, do you see that all the way through 00:13:56.960 –> 00:13:59.039 this Psalm is about the Lord 00:13:59.919 –> 00:14:02.799 The great assurance here is 00:14:02.799 –> 00:14:05.520 that it’s the Lord himself 00:14:06.000 –> 00:14:07.520 who is your shepherd 00:14:08.239 –> 00:14:09.679 What this means is 00:14:09.679 –> 00:14:11.359 by taking ownership of you 00:14:12.159 –> 00:14:16.000 the Lord takes direct responsibility for you 00:14:16.719 –> 00:14:18.400 in every area of your life 00:14:19.919 –> 00:14:21.760 Let me just read it with that emphasis 00:14:21.760 –> 00:14:23.679 so that it settles in your mind 00:14:23.679 –> 00:14:25.599 The Lord is my shepherd 00:14:26.559 –> 00:14:29.359 He makes me lie down in green pastures 00:14:29.359 –> 00:14:32.080 He leads me beside still waters 00:14:32.080 –> 00:14:34.400 He’s the one who restores my soul 00:14:35.359 –> 00:14:37.599 He leads me in paths of righteousness 00:14:37.599 –> 00:14:38.640 for His namesake 00:14:38.640 –> 00:14:39.520 and even though I walk 00:14:39.520 –> 00:14:41.280 through the valley of the shadow of death 00:14:41.280 –> 00:14:43.039 even there I will fear no evil 00:14:43.039 –> 00:14:44.479 for You are with me 00:14:45.039 –> 00:14:45.760 Your rod 00:14:45.760 –> 00:14:46.479 Your staff 00:14:46.479 –> 00:14:47.200 comfort me 00:14:47.200 –> 00:14:48.880 You prepare a table for me 00:14:48.880 –> 00:14:50.799 in the presence of my enemies 00:14:50.799 –> 00:14:52.400 You anoint my head with oil 00:14:52.400 –> 00:14:54.799 and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever 00:14:55.760 –> 00:14:57.840 The entire experience of life 00:14:57.840 –> 00:14:59.840 depends on who the shepherd is 00:14:59.840 –> 00:15:00.640 and David says 00:15:00.640 –> 00:15:01.760 here’s the good news 00:15:01.760 –> 00:15:03.200 here is where I find comfort 00:15:03.200 –> 00:15:03.760 and strength 00:15:03.919 –> 00:15:04.799 and encouragement 00:15:04.799 –> 00:15:08.080 that it’s the Lord who is my shepherd 00:15:08.080 –> 00:15:09.200 He owns me 00:15:09.760 –> 00:15:11.039 and because He owns me 00:15:11.039 –> 00:15:12.799 He will always lead me 00:15:12.799 –> 00:15:14.080 and He will restore me 00:15:14.080 –> 00:15:15.039 and He will protect me 00:15:15.039 –> 00:15:16.080 and He will feed me 00:15:16.080 –> 00:15:17.599 I will not go hungry 00:15:17.599 –> 00:15:19.679 and He will love me forever 00:15:19.679 –> 00:15:21.760 The greatest joy in life 00:15:23.039 –> 00:15:25.679 is to be wholly owned 00:15:25.679 –> 00:15:28.080 by the Son of God 00:15:28.640 –> 00:15:29.679 Now we looked at what it means 00:15:29.679 –> 00:15:30.640 to be a shepherd 00:15:31.599 –> 00:15:33.039 Psalm 23 tells us 00:15:34.080 –> 00:15:35.679 We’ve looked at who the shepherd is 00:15:35.679 –> 00:15:36.640 It’s the Lord 00:15:36.640 –> 00:15:38.080 The Psalm is all about Him 00:15:39.840 –> 00:15:41.599 and then I want us to look at this word 00:15:41.599 –> 00:15:43.039 of personal relationship 00:15:43.039 –> 00:15:44.000 that’s so wonderful 00:15:44.000 –> 00:15:45.359 the little word my 00:15:46.479 –> 00:15:49.760 The Lord is my shepherd 00:15:50.719 –> 00:15:51.840 Now here’s the question 00:15:52.640 –> 00:15:55.280 How do you become one of the Lord’s sheep? 00:15:57.039 –> 00:15:59.359 Well sheep are added to a flock 00:16:00.960 –> 00:16:02.400 by being bought 00:16:03.760 –> 00:16:05.599 or by being born 00:16:07.200 –> 00:16:09.119 A shepherd can breed sheep 00:16:10.159 –> 00:16:12.080 or a shepherd can buy sheep 00:16:13.119 –> 00:16:14.799 and of course in farming 00:16:14.799 –> 00:16:18.320 shepherd has a flock of 200, 500 sheep 00:16:18.320 –> 00:16:19.599 or whatever it is 00:16:19.599 –> 00:16:21.599 one or other of these things will be true 00:16:21.599 –> 00:16:22.799 of each and every one of them 00:16:22.799 –> 00:16:25.200 A lamb is added to the flock 00:16:25.200 –> 00:16:26.799 either because it is bought 00:16:27.679 –> 00:16:30.719 or because it is born 00:16:31.359 –> 00:16:33.679 now of course in God’s flock 00:16:33.919 –> 00:16:36.479 both things are true of you 00:16:37.039 –> 00:16:39.280 every Christian has been bought 00:16:39.280 –> 00:16:40.559 into the flock of God 00:16:41.599 –> 00:16:44.080 and every christian has been born 00:16:44.080 –> 00:16:46.559 into the flock of God 00:16:47.440 –> 00:16:49.520 and the New Testament makes this very clear 00:16:49.520 –> 00:16:51.179 Paul says 1 Corinthians 6 00:16:51.179 –> 00:16:52.640 in verse 20 00:16:52.640 –> 00:16:54.320 you are not your own 00:16:54.320 –> 00:16:57.119 for you were bought with a price 00:16:58.320 –> 00:16:59.679 and Peter says it this way 00:16:59.679 –> 00:17:01.119 you were ransomed 00:17:01.919 –> 00:17:02.799 you were ransomed 00:17:02.799 –> 00:17:03.280 in other words 00:17:03.280 –> 00:17:05.199 there was a price paid to buy you 00:17:06.160 –> 00:17:07.920 out of the futile way of life 00:17:07.920 –> 00:17:09.199 that you had known before 00:17:10.239 –> 00:17:11.599 and the price that was paid 00:17:11.599 –> 00:17:13.119 was not silver and gold 00:17:13.119 –> 00:17:15.599 it was the precious blood of Christ 00:17:15.599 –> 00:17:17.920 that of a lamb without plemish 00:17:17.920 –> 00:17:19.280 or without spot 00:17:20.560 –> 00:17:22.959 do you see what Christ has done for you? 00:17:22.959 –> 00:17:24.479 He bought you 00:17:26.319 –> 00:17:28.319 and the price that he paid 00:17:28.319 –> 00:17:29.599 to buy you 00:17:29.599 –> 00:17:30.719 to purchase you 00:17:30.719 –> 00:17:32.319 to make you his own 00:17:33.760 –> 00:17:36.560 is that he shed his own precious blood 00:17:39.760 –> 00:17:41.839 Carin and I have been watching 00:17:42.560 –> 00:17:44.560 a series on television 00:17:44.560 –> 00:17:47.280 called This Farming Life 00:17:49.040 –> 00:17:51.119 I think we’ve actually got rather hooked on it 00:17:51.680 –> 00:17:56.880 and the scenes of various parts of Scotland 00:17:56.880 –> 00:18:00.319 and the life of smallholding farmers 00:18:00.319 –> 00:18:02.640 in that part of the world 00:18:03.199 –> 00:18:08.079 And one of the features of life in the farming year 00:18:09.119 –> 00:18:13.040 is the sheep auctions that regularly take place 00:18:13.040 –> 00:18:16.479 Farmers will show up at these large sheep auctions 00:18:17.119 –> 00:18:20.640 and they will buy rams or tups 00:18:20.640 –> 00:18:22.079 as they’re sometimes referred to 00:18:22.959 –> 00:18:26.160 for breeding the next generation of sheep 00:18:26.160 –> 00:18:27.839 or they will buy ewes 00:18:27.839 –> 00:18:31.599 in order simply to add to, and grow their flock 00:18:32.400 –> 00:18:34.239 And it’s quite fascinating, you know, 00:18:34.239 –> 00:18:36.880 seeing these large markets 00:18:37.760 –> 00:18:40.640 and these multiple pens 00:18:40.640 –> 00:18:42.000 with all of these sheep 00:18:43.199 –> 00:18:47.359 and the potential buyers will walk around 00:18:47.359 –> 00:18:48.479 before the auction 00:18:48.479 –> 00:18:50.079 and have a look at the sheep 00:18:50.079 –> 00:18:53.199 and decide which ones they’re going to bid for 00:18:53.199 –> 00:18:56.000 and how much they are going to bid 00:18:58.160 –> 00:18:59.199 Now think about this 00:19:00.000 –> 00:19:05.680 the Lord Jesus Christ himself has purchased you 00:19:08.479 –> 00:19:11.280 and the price he paid for the purchase 00:19:12.719 –> 00:19:16.319 is his own precious blood 00:19:18.239 –> 00:19:19.199 You are not your own 00:19:20.319 –> 00:19:22.160 you are bought with a price 00:19:23.280 –> 00:19:25.439 and because you are bought with a price 00:19:25.439 –> 00:19:28.319 the Lord is your shepherd 00:19:28.719 –> 00:19:30.959 and that is why you will not want 00:19:33.280 –> 00:19:35.280 What you need will be given to you 00:19:35.280 –> 00:19:37.199 because the shepherd laid down his own life 00:19:37.199 –> 00:19:38.640 in order to make you his own 00:19:40.239 –> 00:19:43.760 and having given his very self to purchase you 00:19:43.760 –> 00:19:46.160 you can be sure that he will give you 00:19:46.160 –> 00:19:47.760 all that he, all that you need 00:19:48.479 –> 00:19:52.160 isn’t that the logic of Romans in chapter 8 in verse 32? 00:19:52.160 –> 00:19:54.479 that he who did not spare his own son 00:19:54.479 –> 00:19:56.160 but freely gave him up for us all 00:19:56.160 –> 00:19:57.859 how will he not also along with him 00:19:57.859 –> 00:19:59.520 graciously give us all things? 00:20:01.439 –> 00:20:04.959 you have been bought into the flock of God 00:20:04.959 –> 00:20:06.959 by the precious blood of Christ 00:20:06.959 –> 00:20:12.160 and you have been born into the flock of God 00:20:12.160 –> 00:20:13.920 it’s fascinating to me that Peter 00:20:13.920 –> 00:20:16.959 immediately after stating so wonderfully 00:20:16.959 –> 00:20:18.560 that we have been ransomed 00:20:18.560 –> 00:20:19.760 we have been purchased 00:20:19.760 –> 00:20:21.839 he then goes on to say that we’ve been born 00:20:21.839 –> 00:20:23.359 you have been born again 00:20:24.239 –> 00:20:25.599 not of perishable seed 00:20:25.599 –> 00:20:27.520 but of imperishable through the living 00:20:27.520 –> 00:20:29.439 and enduring word of God 00:20:29.439 –> 00:20:30.560 here’s what happened 00:20:30.560 –> 00:20:32.880 not only is it true that the lord Jesus Christ 00:20:32.880 –> 00:20:35.839 shed his blood for you two thousand years ago 00:20:37.199 –> 00:20:38.719 but at some point in your life 00:20:38.719 –> 00:20:40.000 you may not be able to discern 00:20:40.000 –> 00:20:41.119 especially what it was 00:20:41.119 –> 00:20:42.319 but here’s what has happened 00:20:42.319 –> 00:20:43.920 in your life and experience 00:20:45.040 –> 00:20:49.520 the holy spirit brooded over your dead soul 00:20:49.520 –> 00:20:51.920 like he brooded over the dark waters 00:20:51.920 –> 00:20:52.800 in the creation 00:20:53.359 –> 00:20:55.439 and he brought you to new life 00:20:56.800 –> 00:20:59.040 he opened your eyes to the glory 00:20:59.040 –> 00:21:00.319 of the lord Jesus Christ 00:21:00.319 –> 00:21:02.719 awakened you to your need of a savior 00:21:02.719 –> 00:21:03.839 he brought you to faith 00:21:05.199 –> 00:21:07.119 he changed you from the inside out 00:21:07.119 –> 00:21:08.719 giving you a new desire 00:21:08.719 –> 00:21:10.880 to leave behind the life of sin 00:21:10.880 –> 00:21:13.760 and follow hard after the lord Jesus Christ 00:21:13.760 –> 00:21:15.280 and not only has he brought you 00:21:15.280 –> 00:21:16.079 to this new life 00:21:16.079 –> 00:21:18.319 he sustains this new life in you 00:21:18.319 –> 00:21:20.880 you’ve had so many doubts and fears 00:21:21.760 –> 00:21:25.040 you still have so many unanswered questions 00:21:25.040 –> 00:21:26.319 you have so many sins 00:21:26.319 –> 00:21:27.680 and so many failings 00:21:27.680 –> 00:21:29.599 and yet still you love Christ 00:21:29.599 –> 00:21:32.400 and still the lord is your shepherd 00:21:33.920 –> 00:21:36.479 having bought you 00:21:37.160 –> 00:21:38.640 and then having birthed you 00:21:39.439 –> 00:21:41.119 the shepherd is utterly 00:21:41.119 –> 00:21:42.880 and entirely committed to you 00:21:42.880 –> 00:21:43.839 lives with you 00:21:45.119 –> 00:21:47.040 and you are the constant focus 00:21:47.040 –> 00:21:48.719 of his care and attention 00:21:48.880 –> 00:21:50.400 so do you see that 00:21:50.400 –> 00:21:52.400 this Psalm is very wonderfully 00:21:52.400 –> 00:21:54.160 not only about the Lord 00:21:55.599 –> 00:21:56.880 but it’s also about 00:21:57.359 –> 00:21:58.640 the relationship that 00:21:58.640 –> 00:22:00.160 you have with the Lord 00:22:01.199 –> 00:22:04.239 as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ 00:22:04.239 –> 00:22:05.520 you can say with David 00:22:06.479 –> 00:22:08.239 the Lord is my shepherd 00:22:09.199 –> 00:22:10.560 he makes me lie down 00:22:10.560 –> 00:22:11.680 in green pastures 00:22:12.640 –> 00:22:13.439 he leads me 00:22:13.439 –> 00:22:14.640 besides still waters 00:22:14.640 –> 00:22:16.239 he restores my soul 00:22:16.239 –> 00:22:17.040 thank God for that 00:22:17.599 –> 00:22:22.319 he leads me in paths of righteousness 00:22:22.319 –> 00:22:23.599 and even though I walk 00:22:23.599 –> 00:22:25.520 through the valley of the shadows of death 00:22:25.520 –> 00:22:27.119 I am going to fear no evil 00:22:27.119 –> 00:22:28.000 because you are with me 00:22:29.040 –> 00:22:30.479 and your rod and your staff 00:22:30.479 –> 00:22:31.280 they comfort me 00:22:32.079 –> 00:22:33.839 you prepare a table before me 00:22:33.839 –> 00:22:35.599 in the presence of my enemies 00:22:35.599 –> 00:22:37.599 you anoint my head with oil 00:22:38.400 –> 00:22:40.319 my cup overflows 00:22:40.319 –> 00:22:41.439 surely Goodness and Mercy 00:22:41.439 –> 00:22:42.479 is going to follow me 00:22:42.479 –> 00:22:43.680 all the days of my life 00:22:43.680 –> 00:22:44.640 and I am going to dwell 00:22:44.640 –> 00:22:47.119 in the house of the Lord forever 00:22:48.239 –> 00:22:50.400 now do you see that this Psalm then 00:22:50.400 –> 00:22:53.280 is especially a Psalm for believers 00:22:54.160 –> 00:22:56.640 it’s all about how rich we are 00:22:56.640 –> 00:22:58.880 when we are in this relationship 00:22:58.880 –> 00:23:00.079 with Jesus Christ 00:23:00.079 –> 00:23:01.839 in which He wholly owns us 00:23:01.839 –> 00:23:04.239 because He bought us and birthed us 00:23:04.239 –> 00:23:06.239 and He then is our shepherd 00:23:06.239 –> 00:23:08.160 This is a Psalm for believers 00:23:08.959 –> 00:23:10.560 The Lord is my Shepherd 00:23:10.560 –> 00:23:17.359 Now I have an old book 00:23:18.479 –> 00:23:20.319 Nearly a hundred years old now 00:23:21.199 –> 00:23:22.479 by a Scottish pastor 00:23:22.479 –> 00:23:24.160 by the name of John McNeill 00:23:25.680 –> 00:23:27.520 and John McNeill preached 00:23:27.520 –> 00:23:30.479 on Psalm 23 all over the world 00:23:32.400 –> 00:23:34.079 and what was very striking 00:23:34.079 –> 00:23:34.959 to him was this 00:23:36.000 –> 00:23:37.359 that as he traveled the world 00:23:37.359 –> 00:23:39.359 and preached in different countries 00:23:40.160 –> 00:23:42.079 he found that many people 00:23:42.079 –> 00:23:44.880 came to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ 00:23:44.880 –> 00:23:47.199 through his preaching of Psalm 23 00:23:48.640 –> 00:23:50.640 and this struck him as being rather odd 00:23:51.839 –> 00:23:53.920 because Psalm 23 clearly 00:23:53.920 –> 00:23:55.760 is all about the relationship 00:23:55.760 –> 00:23:57.920 that a believer has with the Lord 00:23:57.920 –> 00:23:59.760 and yet when he preached Psalm 23 00:24:00.880 –> 00:24:01.920 people were converted 00:24:02.719 –> 00:24:04.800 unbelieving people came to believe 00:24:06.079 –> 00:24:07.760 now this is what he wrote about that 00:24:07.760 –> 00:24:09.280 and I think is very significant 00:24:09.359 –> 00:24:14.560 He says, I have often been surprised 00:24:14.560 –> 00:24:17.280 to find the converting power 00:24:17.280 –> 00:24:20.640 under God of a portion of Scripture 00:24:20.640 –> 00:24:23.520 so evidently belonging to believers 00:24:25.599 –> 00:24:26.640 he then says 00:24:26.640 –> 00:24:30.239 the sinner’s mouth begins to water 00:24:30.959 –> 00:24:33.439 when you dwell on the blessedness 00:24:33.439 –> 00:24:35.839 of those who are in the fold 00:24:37.520 –> 00:24:38.640 in his reaction 00:24:38.640 –> 00:24:42.000 to that he begins to evangelise himself 00:24:42.880 –> 00:24:44.640 and gets to the shepherd 00:24:45.680 –> 00:24:46.400 without you 00:24:47.359 –> 00:24:48.319 do you see what he’s saying? 00:24:49.839 –> 00:24:51.199 when you describe 00:24:52.719 –> 00:24:54.800 the richness of what belongs 00:24:54.800 –> 00:24:56.400 to those who are in Christ 00:24:58.560 –> 00:25:00.479 the Holy Spirit can use that 00:25:01.280 –> 00:25:03.040 to make the mouth of an unbeliever 00:25:03.040 –> 00:25:04.160 begin to water 00:25:04.160 –> 00:25:05.680 and say, I wish that was mine 00:25:07.199 –> 00:25:08.479 and then he or she 00:25:08.479 –> 00:25:10.640 finds their way to faith 00:25:10.640 –> 00:25:12.160 in the Lord Jesus Christ 00:25:13.839 –> 00:25:16.400 so I have two aims 00:25:16.400 –> 00:25:17.280 for this series 00:25:17.280 –> 00:25:18.160 I already told you 00:25:18.160 –> 00:25:19.680 the first one is to encourage 00:25:20.400 –> 00:25:21.599 to encourage all who 00:25:21.599 –> 00:25:22.719 belong to Christ 00:25:22.719 –> 00:25:23.839 to be able to say 00:25:23.839 –> 00:25:25.280 you know I really am blessed 00:25:25.280 –> 00:25:27.280 because the Lord is my shepherd 00:25:27.280 –> 00:25:28.959 and everything that was true of David 00:25:28.959 –> 00:25:30.079 is also true of me 00:25:31.520 –> 00:25:33.280 but I want not only to encourage 00:25:33.280 –> 00:25:34.560 I want to entice 00:25:36.319 –> 00:25:37.280 because some of you 00:25:37.280 –> 00:25:39.920 are not yet owned by the Lord Jesus Christ 00:25:39.920 –> 00:25:41.199 you’ve never given yourself 00:25:41.199 –> 00:25:42.800 over into his hands 00:25:43.839 –> 00:25:44.959 you’re still trying to run 00:25:44.959 –> 00:25:45.680 your own life 00:25:46.400 –> 00:25:47.760 and you actually think 00:25:47.760 –> 00:25:49.280 that you can do it better 00:25:50.160 –> 00:25:52.319 than if you were wholly owned by him 00:25:54.079 –> 00:25:54.800 and actually 00:25:54.800 –> 00:25:56.479 a lot of threatenings from the pulpit 00:25:56.479 –> 00:25:58.079 don’t make a lot of difference to you 00:25:58.079 –> 00:25:59.680 so I want to do something different 00:25:59.680 –> 00:26:01.040 I want to entice you 00:26:02.800 –> 00:26:03.760 I want to show you 00:26:03.760 –> 00:26:05.119 from Psalm 23 00:26:05.119 –> 00:26:06.479 what could be yours 00:26:06.479 –> 00:26:08.160 if you were Christ’s 00:26:09.040 –> 00:26:10.880 I want your mouth to begin to water 00:26:11.680 –> 00:26:12.160 and say 00:26:12.959 –> 00:26:14.400 I wish that was true of me 00:26:16.880 –> 00:26:18.640 and as you begin to say 00:26:18.640 –> 00:26:20.160 I wish that was true of me 00:26:21.839 –> 00:26:23.280 I want to say to you from the Bible 00:26:23.280 –> 00:26:24.479 it can be true of you 00:26:25.439 –> 00:26:27.040 but in order for these things 00:26:27.040 –> 00:26:28.239 to become true of you 00:26:29.119 –> 00:26:31.920 you must take the Lord as your shepherd 00:26:33.439 –> 00:26:35.040 these things will be yours 00:26:35.040 –> 00:26:37.119 as you become His 00:26:39.439 –> 00:26:41.359 the first thing about the relationship 00:26:41.359 –> 00:26:42.880 between the shepherd and the sheep 00:26:42.880 –> 00:26:44.319 is ownership 00:26:45.040 –> 00:26:47.040 the shepherd owns the flock 00:26:47.040 –> 00:26:48.160 that’s why he does all these 00:26:48.160 –> 00:26:49.119 other things for the flock 00:26:49.119 –> 00:26:50.160 because he owns them 00:26:50.160 –> 00:26:50.800 they’re his 00:26:52.239 –> 00:26:53.920 and if you become his 00:26:53.920 –> 00:26:55.599 these things will become yours 00:26:55.599 –> 00:26:56.640 that’s how it works 00:26:58.000 –> 00:27:00.560 now you see this priority of ownership 00:27:00.560 –> 00:27:02.079 in the words of the Lord Jesus 00:27:02.079 –> 00:27:03.520 in John, chapter 10 00:27:03.520 –> 00:27:04.160 where he says 00:27:04.160 –> 00:27:06.000 the good shepherd lays down his life 00:27:06.000 –> 00:27:06.560 for the sheep 00:27:07.439 –> 00:27:09.359 he who is a hired hand 00:27:09.359 –> 00:27:10.719 and not a shepherd 00:27:10.719 –> 00:27:13.119 who does not own the sheep 00:27:13.119 –> 00:27:14.400 notice that word 00:27:14.400 –> 00:27:15.439 sees the wolf coming 00:27:15.439 –> 00:27:17.760 and then leaves the sheep and flees 00:27:17.760 –> 00:27:19.040 you see what Jesus is saying 00:27:19.040 –> 00:27:20.000 a hired hand 00:27:20.719 –> 00:27:22.560 if the job gets too costly 00:27:22.560 –> 00:27:23.839 for the pay that he’s given 00:27:23.839 –> 00:27:24.719 he’s just off 00:27:24.719 –> 00:27:26.160 if he’s just a hired hand 00:27:26.160 –> 00:27:27.439 but if he’s a real shepherd 00:27:27.439 –> 00:27:28.640 he has ownership 00:27:29.280 –> 00:27:30.560 this is the distinctive thing 00:27:30.560 –> 00:27:31.199 about the shepherd 00:27:31.199 –> 00:27:32.959 he owns the sheep 00:27:33.599 –> 00:27:34.640 that’s the first thing 00:27:35.520 –> 00:27:38.160 so if you are to be led and restored 00:27:38.160 –> 00:27:41.280 if you’re to be protected and fed and loved 00:27:41.280 –> 00:27:43.119 you must first be owned 00:27:44.239 –> 00:27:46.319 by the good shepherd 00:27:46.319 –> 00:27:47.760 and that raises this question 00:27:49.439 –> 00:27:53.119 so do I want to be wholly owned? 00:27:55.119 –> 00:27:56.319 and for some 00:27:56.319 –> 00:27:57.280 even here this morning 00:27:57.280 –> 00:27:59.280 that may be where you’ve hit difficulty 00:28:00.640 –> 00:28:02.079 because something rises up 00:28:02.079 –> 00:28:02.880 from your own heart 00:28:02.880 –> 00:28:05.439 and said I’m not sure I want to be wholly owned by anybody 00:28:07.680 –> 00:28:09.599 I want to be my own master 00:28:11.199 –> 00:28:12.560 I’ll be my own shepherd 00:28:14.239 –> 00:28:15.359 you might not put it this way 00:28:15.359 –> 00:28:16.479 but what you’re really saying 00:28:16.479 –> 00:28:18.319 is I want to be my own God 00:28:21.760 –> 00:28:22.479 you know one of the 00:28:23.280 –> 00:28:26.719 most bare faced expressions of this 00:28:26.719 –> 00:28:28.239 that I think i’ve ever read 00:28:30.079 –> 00:28:32.319 came from the actress Shirley MacLaine 00:28:33.760 –> 00:28:35.199 She said this and I quote 00:28:37.040 –> 00:28:38.959 I know that I exist 00:28:40.479 –> 00:28:42.880 therefore I am 00:28:43.439 –> 00:28:46.319 I know that the God source exists 00:28:46.319 –> 00:28:47.839 therefore it is 00:28:49.599 –> 00:28:52.319 and since I am part of that force 00:28:52.319 –> 00:28:56.880 then I am that I am 00:28:56.880 –> 00:28:58.880 am 00:29:00.800 –> 00:29:03.599 now when I read these words 00:29:06.000 –> 00:29:08.959 I feel heart sorry for Shirley 00:29:11.199 –> 00:29:13.359 if you are your own god 00:29:13.359 –> 00:29:16.959 you are completely and utterly alone 00:29:17.839 –> 00:29:19.280 you have no one to look to 00:29:20.079 –> 00:29:21.199 except yourself 00:29:23.040 –> 00:29:24.079 and nothing in all the world 00:29:24.079 –> 00:29:25.760 could be more tragic than 00:29:25.760 –> 00:29:28.239 sheep without a shepherd 00:29:29.520 –> 00:29:31.839 other animals seem to be able to do fine on their own 00:29:31.839 –> 00:29:34.239 you don’t need a shepherd for rabbits or for deer 00:29:37.119 –> 00:29:38.640 other animals can hunt 00:29:40.479 –> 00:29:42.239 but sheep need to be fed 00:29:43.760 –> 00:29:44.880 and left to themselves 00:29:44.880 –> 00:29:46.239 they will soon grow hungry 00:29:46.239 –> 00:29:47.680 when Jesus saw the crowd 00:29:48.319 –> 00:29:50.400 he had compassion on them 00:29:50.400 –> 00:29:51.040 the bible says 00:29:51.040 –> 00:29:52.880 because he saw that they were like 00:29:52.880 –> 00:29:54.319 sheep without a shepherd 00:29:54.319 –> 00:29:55.680 and sheep without a shepherd 00:29:55.680 –> 00:29:57.680 will soon be in a desperate state 00:29:58.719 –> 00:29:59.680 they’ll wander off 00:29:59.680 –> 00:30:00.640 they’ll become lost 00:30:00.640 –> 00:30:01.920 their hoofs will rot 00:30:02.959 –> 00:30:04.959 their wool will grow so long 00:30:04.959 –> 00:30:06.560 that it will exhaust them 00:30:06.560 –> 00:30:08.160 in the heat of summer 00:30:08.160 –> 00:30:10.079 wolves will come and destroy them 00:30:10.079 –> 00:30:11.920 to be a sheep without a shepherd 00:30:11.920 –> 00:30:13.359 would be disastrous 00:30:16.160 –> 00:30:17.439 and for sinners like us 00:30:17.439 –> 00:30:18.160 it would be worse 00:30:20.160 –> 00:30:22.640 the worst that can happen to sheep without a shepherd 00:30:22.640 –> 00:30:23.760 is that they die 00:30:23.760 –> 00:30:25.280 but the worst that will happen 00:30:25.280 –> 00:30:26.959 to sinners who choose 00:30:26.959 –> 00:30:28.719 to be their own god 00:30:28.719 –> 00:30:30.000 is that when they die 00:30:30.000 –> 00:30:32.000 ahead of them is a dark hell 00:30:32.000 –> 00:30:34.400 in which they will be utterly alone 00:30:34.400 –> 00:30:35.760 forever and forever 00:30:39.040 –> 00:30:40.640 but David is not on his own 00:30:42.560 –> 00:30:43.280 he can say 00:30:44.800 –> 00:30:46.319 the Lord is my shepherd 00:30:48.160 –> 00:30:49.760 the Lord owns me 00:30:49.760 –> 00:30:52.880 and because he owns me 00:30:52.880 –> 00:30:55.040 i am confident the goodness and mercy 00:30:55.040 –> 00:30:57.199 will follow me all the days of my life 00:30:57.760 –> 00:31:00.160 and when i die i will not 00:31:00.160 –> 00:31:02.319 go into outer darkness 00:31:02.319 –> 00:31:04.400 my shepherd will welcome me home 00:31:05.920 –> 00:31:06.880 and i will dwell 00:31:07.760 –> 00:31:09.760 in the house of the Lord 00:31:10.959 –> 00:31:11.520 forever 00:31:12.640 –> 00:31:14.880 friends what a marvelous thing 00:31:14.880 –> 00:31:16.640 it is to be wholly owned 00:31:16.640 –> 00:31:18.959 by the son of God 00:31:19.920 –> 00:31:21.199 to know that you are his 00:31:22.719 –> 00:31:24.800 in life, in death, forever 00:31:25.760 –> 00:31:27.280 to know that you’ve been bought 00:31:27.839 –> 00:31:29.199 and that you’ve been born 00:31:29.199 –> 00:31:30.160 into this flock 00:31:30.719 –> 00:31:32.239 to know that he owns you 00:31:33.599 –> 00:31:35.439 and because he owns you 00:31:35.439 –> 00:31:36.479 he will lead you 00:31:36.479 –> 00:31:37.599 he will restore you 00:31:37.599 –> 00:31:38.800 he will protect you 00:31:38.800 –> 00:31:39.680 he will feed you 00:31:39.680 –> 00:31:40.959 he will love you forever 00:31:42.800 –> 00:31:44.640 and even the darkest valley 00:31:44.640 –> 00:31:45.920 is made safe for you 00:31:45.920 –> 00:31:47.359 by his presence 00:31:47.359 –> 00:31:49.280 and you have a glorious 00:31:49.280 –> 00:31:50.400 eternal future 00:31:51.599 –> 00:31:52.239 in his home 00:31:54.400 –> 00:31:56.319 the Heidelberg Catechism 00:31:56.319 –> 00:31:57.439 an old document 00:31:57.439 –> 00:31:58.640 from a previous century 00:31:58.640 –> 00:32:00.079 that teaches the Christian faith 00:32:00.079 –> 00:32:00.800 in the form of 00:32:00.800 –> 00:32:02.000 questions and answers 00:32:02.000 –> 00:32:02.959 begins with this 00:32:02.959 –> 00:32:04.719 very important question 00:32:04.719 –> 00:32:06.560 and a very important answer 00:32:06.560 –> 00:32:07.599 question 00:32:07.599 –> 00:32:10.400 What is your only comfort 00:32:10.400 –> 00:32:12.239 in life and in death? 00:32:13.119 –> 00:32:14.880 and the answer 00:32:17.280 –> 00:32:20.000 that I am NOT my own 00:32:21.599 –> 00:32:22.479 now do you see that 00:32:22.479 –> 00:32:23.920 that is the exact opposite 00:32:23.920 –> 00:32:25.199 of the way that the world thinks 00:32:27.439 –> 00:32:28.239 life will be good 00:32:28.239 –> 00:32:29.280 if I am my own 00:32:30.239 –> 00:32:31.280 if I’m in charge 00:32:31.280 –> 00:32:32.640 If I’m my own master 00:32:32.640 –> 00:32:34.160 the captain of my fate 00:32:34.160 –> 00:32:35.280 and all the rest of it 00:32:37.760 –> 00:32:38.959 Heidelberg Catechism 00:32:38.959 –> 00:32:40.400 says the greatest comfort 00:32:40.400 –> 00:32:41.920 in life and in death 00:32:41.920 –> 00:32:42.479 is this 00:32:43.839 –> 00:32:45.359 that I’m not my own 00:32:47.119 –> 00:32:50.160 but that I belong 00:32:50.160 –> 00:32:51.599 body and soul 00:32:51.599 –> 00:32:53.119 in life and in death 00:32:53.119 –> 00:32:54.719 to my faithful savior 00:32:54.719 –> 00:32:55.439 Jesus Christ 00:32:55.439 –> 00:32:56.640 the Lord is my shepherd 00:32:56.640 –> 00:32:57.920 that’s what it’s saying 00:32:59.599 –> 00:33:01.219 and because the lord 00:33:01.219 –> 00:33:02.160 is my shepherd 00:33:02.160 –> 00:33:04.400 here’s what inevitably 00:33:04.400 –> 00:33:04.959 follows 00:33:06.000 –> 00:33:08.640 I shall not want 00:33:10.560 –> 00:33:11.680 now in these last moments 00:33:11.680 –> 00:33:12.719 think about this with me 00:33:12.719 –> 00:33:15.119 David carried an enormous weight 00:33:15.119 –> 00:33:16.400 of responsibility 00:33:16.400 –> 00:33:17.280 on his shoulders 00:33:18.479 –> 00:33:19.760 he grew up as a shepherd 00:33:20.479 –> 00:33:21.680 but God’s great calling 00:33:21.680 –> 00:33:22.239 on his life 00:33:22.239 –> 00:33:23.280 was to be a king 00:33:24.560 –> 00:33:26.000 and when he became king 00:33:26.000 –> 00:33:28.079 his task was to united 00:33:28.079 –> 00:33:30.800 a chronically divided nation 00:33:32.400 –> 00:33:34.239 he had to shepherd 00:33:34.239 –> 00:33:35.280 the people of God 00:33:36.000 –> 00:33:38.479 and in 2nd Samuel chapter 5 00:33:38.479 –> 00:33:39.859 the tribes of Israel 00:33:40.819 –> 00:33:41.780 and they say 00:33:41.780 –> 00:33:44.099 we are your bone and your flesh 00:33:44.099 –> 00:33:45.380 and the Lord has said to you 00:33:45.380 –> 00:33:49.140 you shall shepherd my people Israel 00:33:50.819 –> 00:33:52.819 so David was called as the king 00:33:52.819 –> 00:33:54.660 to shepherd the flock of God 00:33:54.660 –> 00:33:55.780 how could he do that? 00:33:58.180 –> 00:33:59.939 I mean how could David 00:33:59.939 –> 00:34:01.380 lead God’s people 00:34:03.140 –> 00:34:04.979 how could David protect 00:34:04.979 –> 00:34:05.699 God’s people 00:34:05.699 –> 00:34:08.979 how could he restore 00:34:08.979 –> 00:34:09.219 God’s people 00:34:09.219 –> 00:34:10.899 how could he love God’s people 00:34:12.820 –> 00:34:13.300 question 00:34:14.580 –> 00:34:14.979 David 00:34:16.899 –> 00:34:18.100 how in all the world 00:34:18.100 –> 00:34:19.300 are you going to shepherd 00:34:19.300 –> 00:34:20.340 the flock of God 00:34:21.780 –> 00:34:22.260 answer 00:34:24.020 –> 00:34:28.419 because the lord is my shepherd 00:34:29.860 –> 00:34:31.060 and what he has called me 00:34:31.060 –> 00:34:32.020 to do for others 00:34:32.899 –> 00:34:35.219 he himself will do for me 00:34:37.379 –> 00:34:38.500 now you think about that 00:34:38.820 –> 00:34:39.860 regards to your own life 00:34:39.860 –> 00:34:41.060 in these last moments 00:34:41.060 –> 00:34:42.979 god has put responsibility 00:34:42.979 –> 00:34:44.260 on your shoulders 00:34:44.260 –> 00:34:44.739 how are you going 00:34:44.739 –> 00:34:45.620 to discharge it 00:34:46.979 –> 00:34:48.260 other people look to you 00:34:48.260 –> 00:34:49.060 for leadership 00:34:49.060 –> 00:34:49.540 here you are 00:34:49.540 –> 00:34:50.419 you’re a parent 00:34:51.699 –> 00:34:53.459 and you have the responsibility 00:34:53.459 –> 00:34:54.899 of raising these 00:34:54.899 –> 00:34:56.500 little children with wisdom 00:34:56.500 –> 00:34:57.300 how in the world 00:34:57.300 –> 00:34:58.580 are you going to do that 00:34:58.580 –> 00:34:59.379 in this world 00:35:01.060 –> 00:35:02.340 you have responsibility 00:35:02.340 –> 00:35:03.060 for parents 00:35:03.699 –> 00:35:04.419 you’ve been given 00:35:04.419 –> 00:35:05.780 trust in your employment 00:35:05.780 –> 00:35:06.260 you’re going to have 00:35:06.260 –> 00:35:07.540 to make decisions 00:35:07.540 –> 00:35:08.580 that will affect 00:35:08.580 –> 00:35:09.300 the lives 00:35:09.300 –> 00:35:10.260 of other people 00:35:10.260 –> 00:35:11.139 you’re a shepherd 00:35:13.060 –> 00:35:15.459 you have a duty of care 00:35:17.300 –> 00:35:18.260 how in the world 00:35:18.260 –> 00:35:19.300 are you going to carry 00:35:19.300 –> 00:35:20.659 this responsibility 00:35:20.659 –> 00:35:21.540 and how are you going 00:35:21.540 –> 00:35:23.379 to discharge this duty 00:35:23.379 –> 00:35:26.260 listen you can shepherd others 00:35:26.260 –> 00:35:27.780 because the lord himself 00:35:27.780 –> 00:35:28.739 will shepherd you 00:35:30.340 –> 00:35:31.219 you will be able 00:35:31.219 –> 00:35:33.459 to restore and refresh others 00:35:33.459 –> 00:35:34.820 as the lord restores 00:35:34.820 –> 00:35:35.860 and refreshes you 00:35:36.659 –> 00:35:37.459 you will be able 00:35:37.459 –> 00:35:38.820 to provide for others 00:35:38.820 –> 00:35:40.899 as the lord provides for you 00:35:40.899 –> 00:35:41.860 you will be able 00:35:41.860 –> 00:35:43.780 to keep on loving others 00:35:43.780 –> 00:35:46.580 as the lord keeps on loving you 00:35:46.580 –> 00:35:48.020 and that is why David says 00:35:48.020 –> 00:35:49.540 now the lord is my shepherd 00:35:49.540 –> 00:35:50.979 that’s why I shall not want 00:35:52.100 –> 00:35:53.780 it is the inevitable consequence 00:35:53.780 –> 00:35:55.540 this is the logic of faith 00:35:55.540 –> 00:35:56.899 the lord is your shepherd 00:35:56.899 –> 00:35:58.340 it follows inevitably 00:35:59.699 –> 00:36:00.659 irrevocably 00:36:01.219 –> 00:36:04.179 that I shall not want 00:36:04.179 –> 00:36:06.739 you will face hard decisions 00:36:06.739 –> 00:36:08.260 where it is very difficult 00:36:08.260 –> 00:36:09.219 to know the way 00:36:09.219 –> 00:36:09.939 but you know what 00:36:09.939 –> 00:36:11.300 the lord is your shepherd 00:36:11.300 –> 00:36:12.899 and he will lead you 00:36:12.899 –> 00:36:13.860 in right paths 00:36:14.820 –> 00:36:15.860 and you will have times 00:36:15.860 –> 00:36:17.379 when you feel depleted 00:36:18.100 –> 00:36:19.219 but you know the lord 00:36:19.219 –> 00:36:20.100 is your shepherd 00:36:20.100 –> 00:36:22.260 and he will restore your soul 00:36:23.219 –> 00:36:24.179 you will have times 00:36:24.179 –> 00:36:25.780 when you face great opposition 00:36:25.780 –> 00:36:27.300 and you will look evil 00:36:27.300 –> 00:36:28.179 in the face 00:36:28.179 –> 00:36:29.540 and it will be frightening 00:36:29.540 –> 00:36:31.300 but the lord is your shepherd 00:36:31.459 –> 00:36:33.540 and he will protect you 00:36:34.979 –> 00:36:35.780 and when you face 00:36:35.780 –> 00:36:37.139 the dark valley of death 00:36:38.500 –> 00:36:40.100 the lord will be your shepherd 00:36:40.979 –> 00:36:42.179 he will walk with you 00:36:43.379 –> 00:36:44.659 and on the other side 00:36:44.659 –> 00:36:47.939 you will dwell in his house forever 00:36:49.219 –> 00:36:50.260 brothers and sisters 00:36:50.260 –> 00:36:51.060 isn’t it the most 00:36:51.060 –> 00:36:52.500 marvelous thing in the world 00:36:52.500 –> 00:36:53.620 to be wholly owned 00:36:53.620 –> 00:36:54.739 by the son of god 00:36:55.699 –> 00:36:56.580 for you to be able 00:36:56.580 –> 00:36:57.699 to go into this week 00:36:57.699 –> 00:37:00.179 and say the lord is my shepherd 00:37:00.179 –> 00:37:01.860 and because he’s my shepherd 00:37:01.860 –> 00:37:05.780 i have all that i need 00:37:06.899 –> 00:37:09.060 the king of love my shepherd is 00:37:10.020 –> 00:37:12.260 whose goodness faileth never 00:37:13.219 –> 00:37:16.820 i nothing lack if i am his 00:37:18.100 –> 00:37:21.780 and he is mine forever 00:37:21.780 –> 00:37:22.659 let’s pray together 00:37:24.659 –> 00:37:26.020 our father we pray 00:37:26.020 –> 00:37:29.860 that the sure and certain knowledge 00:37:29.939 –> 00:37:32.659 that you are the great shepherd of the sheep 00:37:34.340 –> 00:37:37.300 may encourage all of us 00:37:37.300 –> 00:37:38.659 who belong to you 00:37:38.659 –> 00:37:41.060 being bought and born into the flock 00:37:42.500 –> 00:37:45.620 and may entice those who have resisted you 00:37:47.060 –> 00:37:51.060 that together we may come to that place of knowing 00:37:52.340 –> 00:37:54.419 that the best thing in life and death 00:37:54.419 –> 00:37:55.939 is not to be our own 00:37:55.939 –> 00:38:01.060 but to be wholly owned by the son of God 00:38:02.100 –> 00:38:03.860 who loved us 00:38:03.860 –> 00:38:05.219 and gave himself for us 00:38:06.179 –> 00:38:07.060 hear our prayers 00:38:07.060 –> 00:38:08.659 and encourage our hearts 00:38:08.659 –> 00:38:10.340 in Jesus’ name 00:38:11.219 –> 00:38:12.179 amen 00:38:15.860 –> 00:38:18.260 You’ve been listening to a sermon with Pastor Colin Smith 00:38:18.260 –> 00:38:19.540 of Open the Bible 00:38:19.540 –> 00:38:24.820 To contact us, call us at 1-877-OPEN-365 00:38:24.820 –> 00:38:33.060 or visit our website, OpenTheBible.org

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Colin Smith

Trustee / Founder and Teaching Pastor

Colin Smith is the Senior Pastor of The Orchard Evangelical Free Church in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. He has authored a number of books, including Heaven, How I Got Here and Heaven, So Near – So Far. Colin is the Founder and Teaching Pastor for Open the Bible. Follow him on X formerly Twitter.

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