1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:07,080 You’re listening to a sermon from Pastor Colin Smith of Open the Bible. 2 00:00:07,080 –> 00:00:16,600 To contact us call us at 1-877-OPEN-365 or visit our website, OpenTheBible.org. 3 00:00:16,600 –> 00:00:17,760 Let’s get to the message. 4 00:00:17,760 –> 00:00:19,440 Here is Pastor Colin. 5 00:00:19,440 –> 00:00:24,360 Well, please open your Bible with me at Psalm 23. 6 00:00:24,360 –> 00:00:29,920 Such a joy to be able to open this marvelous part of God’s Word with you. 7 00:00:30,260 –> 00:00:36,680 As we move through this psalm, what we are seeing together is that the greatest blessing 8 00:00:36,680 –> 00:00:43,279 any of us can ever know is to be wholly owned by the Son of God. 9 00:00:43,279 –> 00:00:48,919 When the Lord is your shepherd, when you have been bought and born into the flock of God, 10 00:00:48,919 –> 00:00:52,060 you can say that the Good Shepherd leads me. 11 00:00:52,060 –> 00:00:56,340 He leads me into rest and he leads me into righteousness. 12 00:00:56,360 –> 00:00:57,480 He restores me. 13 00:00:57,480 –> 00:01:03,160 That is, he brings me back when I wander and he picks me up when I falter and he guards 14 00:01:03,160 –> 00:01:04,160 me. 15 00:01:04,160 –> 00:01:09,480 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil because 16 00:01:09,480 –> 00:01:11,599 my shepherd is with me. 17 00:01:11,599 –> 00:01:16,839 Now today we’re coming to the fourth blessing that belongs to the flock of God and that 18 00:01:16,839 –> 00:01:19,660 is that the Good Shepherd sustains me. 19 00:01:19,660 –> 00:01:22,239 That is, he gives me all that I need to keep going. 20 00:01:22,239 –> 00:01:26,260 That is very good news in tough days. 21 00:01:26,260 –> 00:01:31,139 My older son, Andrew, is a long distance runner and has competed several times in the 22 00:01:31,139 –> 00:01:32,940 Ironman. 23 00:01:32,940 –> 00:01:38,440 That’s the thing where you swim for two miles, jump on a bike and go for a hundred and twelve 24 00:01:38,440 –> 00:01:43,879 miles and then have a bit of a warm down in the form of a marathon of twenty six miles 25 00:01:43,879 –> 00:01:45,620 all end-to-end. 26 00:01:45,620 –> 00:01:51,320 The Ironman is a wonder to behold and as Karann and I have watched him compete on several 27 00:01:51,580 –> 00:01:57,320 occasions, we stand there looking at these folks saying, how in the world do they keep 28 00:01:57,320 –> 00:01:58,320 going? 29 00:01:58,320 –> 00:02:00,500 Now, that’s really the question that’s before us today. 30 00:02:00,500 –> 00:02:03,519 How in the world are you going to keep going? 31 00:02:03,519 –> 00:02:05,820 What will sustain you? 32 00:02:05,820 –> 00:02:13,300 Especially when you feel tired and jaded and drained and even spent. 33 00:02:13,300 –> 00:02:17,619 Well in the verse that we’re looking at today David tells us how god sustained him. 34 00:02:17,619 –> 00:02:20,779 It’s verse five of this wonderful psalm. 35 00:02:21,000 –> 00:02:27,539 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, you anoint my head with oil, 36 00:02:27,539 –> 00:02:30,300 my cup overflows. 37 00:02:31,360 –> 00:02:38,380 Now in the Bible God often uses material things to help us understand spiritual things. 38 00:02:38,380 –> 00:02:42,899 And here, God uses three things that we can touch and see and handle. 39 00:02:42,899 –> 00:02:51,740 That is, a table, oil, and a cup to communicate to us how He sustains us. 40 00:02:52,699 –> 00:02:59,779 Let’s begin then with the table, which reminds us that God sustains us by giving strength. 41 00:02:59,779 –> 00:03:05,500 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 42 00:03:06,300 –> 00:03:13,279 Now, this is eating in style, so forget grabbing that bag of chicken nuggets and eating them 43 00:03:13,279 –> 00:03:17,720 in the van, which I guess most of us have done at some time or another and probably 44 00:03:17,720 –> 00:03:19,139 too often. 45 00:03:19,139 –> 00:03:21,960 Think in your mind now about Thanksgiving dinner. 46 00:03:21,960 –> 00:03:28,059 Get the image in your mind of the table spread, the place settings, the flowers, the candles, 47 00:03:28,059 –> 00:03:34,940 the platter loaded with steaming turkey, the balls with all of the fixings. 48 00:03:35,080 –> 00:03:37,940 Someone has prepared a table. 49 00:03:37,940 –> 00:03:40,380 That’s the picture that’s being placed before us. 50 00:03:40,380 –> 00:03:44,759 David says, you prepare a table before me. 51 00:03:44,759 –> 00:03:46,539 So try and imagine this. 52 00:03:46,539 –> 00:03:49,080 You come home from work, hit day. 53 00:03:49,080 –> 00:03:57,020 You’re tired, you’re jaded, your energy is spent, and someone is in the kitchen cooking 54 00:03:57,020 –> 00:03:59,339 up a storm. 55 00:03:59,339 –> 00:04:03,559 And you, of course, when you come in say, let me help. 56 00:04:03,639 –> 00:04:07,179 And this person says to you, no you sit down. 57 00:04:07,179 –> 00:04:11,160 Let me prepare this for you. 58 00:04:11,160 –> 00:04:15,679 So you sit down, and you watch this person at work preparing the meal. 59 00:04:15,679 –> 00:04:16,679 That’s what it is. 60 00:04:16,679 –> 00:04:18,299 He prepares a meal before you. 61 00:04:18,299 –> 00:04:19,519 That’s what David says. 62 00:04:19,519 –> 00:04:20,739 He does it before me. 63 00:04:20,739 –> 00:04:22,000 When it’s done, what do you do? 64 00:04:22,000 –> 00:04:26,500 You come to the table and you sit down and you eat the meal. 65 00:04:26,500 –> 00:04:31,019 And as you eat the meal, your strength is wonderfully renewed. 66 00:04:31,019 –> 00:04:32,899 That’s the picture. 67 00:04:32,940 –> 00:04:36,019 And here’s the obvious question, who’s going to do that for you? 68 00:04:36,019 –> 00:04:41,119 Well, David says, the person who does this for me is the Lord himself. 69 00:04:41,119 –> 00:04:47,000 You my good shepherd you prepare a table before me. 70 00:04:47,000 –> 00:04:48,859 Notice, it’s present tense. 71 00:04:48,859 –> 00:04:53,260 This is not something that God did for David as a kind of one-off a long time ago. 72 00:04:53,260 –> 00:04:55,760 It’s not even something he does once in a while. 73 00:04:55,760 –> 00:04:58,179 It is what God always does for his people. 74 00:04:58,179 –> 00:05:00,540 It’s how he sustains us. 75 00:05:01,380 –> 00:05:03,679 You prepare a table before me. 76 00:05:03,679 –> 00:05:10,579 Now God uses this picture to tell you that he will sustain you by giving you strength. 77 00:05:10,579 –> 00:05:12,100 That’s what the meal does. 78 00:05:12,100 –> 00:05:18,100 Your body is strengthened by a good meal and in the same way, you will be strengthened 79 00:05:18,100 –> 00:05:22,739 as the Lord Jesus Christ himself feeds you. 80 00:05:22,739 –> 00:05:25,500 Now notice there’s something else here. 81 00:05:25,720 –> 00:05:31,880 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 82 00:05:31,880 –> 00:05:37,519 Now, David’s life was an unrelenting battle. 83 00:05:37,519 –> 00:05:42,440 Some of you know a little about the story of David and if you do, you’ll recall that 84 00:05:42,440 –> 00:05:48,480 in his early years, he was a shepherd despised by his older brothers. 85 00:05:48,480 –> 00:05:53,559 Then for years, he was a fugitive hunted by King Saul. 86 00:05:53,559 –> 00:06:01,200 When he became king, he inherited a deeply divided kingdom, rivaled tribes, deep divisions 87 00:06:01,200 –> 00:06:12,079 and distrust, and then in later years, David’s family was literally torn apart through terrible 88 00:06:12,079 –> 00:06:18,119 abuse and violence and destruction. 89 00:06:18,359 –> 00:06:24,519 Now, how in the world, when you think about the cumulative difficulties of all of David’s 90 00:06:24,519 –> 00:06:28,559 life, the weight that was on his shoulder through the years, how in the world did he 91 00:06:28,559 –> 00:06:29,559 keep going? 92 00:06:29,559 –> 00:06:30,739 How are you going to keep going? 93 00:06:30,739 –> 00:06:33,640 This is the question that’s being addressed right here. 94 00:06:33,640 –> 00:06:38,519 Here you have also burdens and conflict and pressures and troubles in life. 95 00:06:38,519 –> 00:06:39,920 How are you going to keep going? 96 00:06:39,920 –> 00:06:42,160 Well, here’s David’s answer. 97 00:06:42,500 –> 00:06:44,540 prepared a table for David. 98 00:06:44,540 –> 00:06:51,519 God renewed David’s strength even in the relentless pressures of his life, even in 99 00:06:51,519 –> 00:06:53,519 the presence of his enemies. 100 00:06:53,519 –> 00:06:58,160 That is what God did for David, and that is what God will do for you. 101 00:06:58,160 –> 00:07:03,179 Now, that’s the first picture, the table. 102 00:07:03,179 –> 00:07:10,459 Second picture, the oil, which speaks to us of how God sustains us by giving purpose. 103 00:07:11,200 –> 00:07:15,600 You anoint my head with oil. 104 00:07:15,600 –> 00:07:22,519 Now, oil was used in the Old Testament Scriptures to commission certain people for work that 105 00:07:22,519 –> 00:07:24,799 God had given them to do. 106 00:07:24,799 –> 00:07:31,619 So, prophets and priests and kings were all anointed with oil because God had given to 107 00:07:31,619 –> 00:07:33,380 them a particular assignment. 108 00:07:33,380 –> 00:07:39,760 And, as the table speaks to us of being renewed in strength, that’s what the meal does for 109 00:07:39,799 –> 00:07:40,820 us. 110 00:07:40,839 –> 00:07:45,359 The oil speaks to us of being renewed in purpose. 111 00:07:45,359 –> 00:07:47,660 That’s what its significance is. 112 00:07:48,940 –> 00:07:54,040 Now, there’s a beautiful description, and it’s worth getting this picture in your mind 113 00:07:54,059 –> 00:07:59,779 of Aaron, the very first High Priest, being anointed with oil. 114 00:07:59,779 –> 00:08:03,320 It’s in Psalm 133 and it says this, 115 00:08:03,320 –> 00:08:09,519 How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity. 116 00:08:09,519 –> 00:08:14,619 And then to picture how beautiful this is, the psalmist says, 117 00:08:14,619 –> 00:08:22,019 It is like precious oil on the head running down on the beard, 118 00:08:22,019 –> 00:08:30,140 on the beard of Aaron running down the collar of his robes. 119 00:08:30,140 –> 00:08:36,099 So understand, this is not a little bit of oil that’s being rubbed on the head of Aaron. 120 00:08:36,099 –> 00:08:38,500 This is a flask of oil. 121 00:08:38,780 –> 00:08:43,059 And it’s literally being poured over his head 122 00:08:43,059 –> 00:08:46,780 in such an amount that it runs down his beard, 123 00:08:46,780 –> 00:08:51,679 drips on to his collar, and soaks into his robes. 124 00:08:51,679 –> 00:08:57,260 That’s the picture of the anointing with oil that David is referring to here. 125 00:08:57,260 –> 00:08:59,859 And of course, when David says to the Lord, 126 00:08:59,859 –> 00:09:02,219 You anoint my head with oil, 127 00:09:02,219 –> 00:09:05,020 surely, he must have been thinking about the day 128 00:09:05,080 –> 00:09:09,099 when he was anointed as the king of God’s people. 129 00:09:09,099 –> 00:09:12,520 We’re told in 1 Samuel 16, verse 13, 130 00:09:24,380 –> 00:09:29,380 So you see that the oil speaks of God giving a purpose, 131 00:09:30,340 –> 00:09:32,580 God giving a calling, 132 00:09:32,619 –> 00:09:35,380 God giving an assignment. 133 00:09:35,380 –> 00:09:37,140 And, of course, in the Old Testament 134 00:09:37,140 –> 00:09:38,619 there were only a very few people 135 00:09:38,619 –> 00:09:40,140 who were ever anointed with oil, 136 00:09:40,140 –> 00:09:41,880 prophets, priests, and kings. 137 00:09:41,880 –> 00:09:43,380 But in the New Testament, 138 00:09:43,380 –> 00:09:46,780 God anoints all of his people with the Holy Spirit 139 00:09:46,780 –> 00:09:49,940 because all of God’s people are called to ministry. 140 00:09:49,940 –> 00:09:52,739 He has purpose for each and every one of us. 141 00:09:54,000 –> 00:09:55,739 Now, do you see the significance of this? 142 00:09:55,739 –> 00:09:57,099 The question before us is, 143 00:09:57,099 –> 00:09:59,380 how are you going to be sustained, 144 00:10:00,599 –> 00:10:02,099 especially when you are tired? 145 00:10:02,320 –> 00:10:04,179 And when jaded, and when you feel drained, 146 00:10:04,179 –> 00:10:06,299 and sometimes even feel spent? 147 00:10:07,500 –> 00:10:09,559 And the answer to that question 148 00:10:09,559 –> 00:10:12,400 lies not only in God renewing your strength, 149 00:10:12,400 –> 00:10:14,500 which is what the table speaks to us about. 150 00:10:14,500 –> 00:10:18,320 It is in God renewing your sense of purpose. 151 00:10:19,159 –> 00:10:21,280 Which is the significance of the oil. 152 00:10:22,260 –> 00:10:26,419 A sense of purpose sustained David. 153 00:10:27,880 –> 00:10:31,640 He came to times when it was very tough to keep going, 154 00:10:32,719 –> 00:10:34,659 but here’s something that kept him going, 155 00:10:34,659 –> 00:10:37,020 the anointing with oil. 156 00:10:37,020 –> 00:10:40,700 God has given me this work to do. 157 00:10:42,059 –> 00:10:45,919 I’ve been called, I’ve been anointed. 158 00:10:47,200 –> 00:10:51,479 I therefore must persevere in the power of his spirit. 159 00:10:51,479 –> 00:10:54,940 I’m not simply drifting into what I’m doing, 160 00:10:54,940 –> 00:10:58,739 I’m sent into what I’m doing by God himself. 161 00:10:59,719 –> 00:11:01,619 Now do you see, 162 00:11:01,619 –> 00:11:06,619 if you lose sight of why you are here 163 00:11:08,479 –> 00:11:11,419 and what it is that God has called you to do, 164 00:11:11,419 –> 00:11:12,780 if you lose sight of that, 165 00:11:12,780 –> 00:11:14,659 if you lose a sense of purpose, 166 00:11:14,659 –> 00:11:16,979 then you will very soon be jaded and tired 167 00:11:16,979 –> 00:11:19,000 and drained and spent. 168 00:11:19,119 –> 00:11:22,260 But here’s the good news. 169 00:11:22,260 –> 00:11:25,739 God has work for each and every one of us 170 00:11:26,119 –> 00:11:28,659 in this first service today to do. 171 00:11:29,919 –> 00:11:32,760 We are his workmanship, Paul says in Ephesians. 172 00:11:32,760 –> 00:11:36,179 We are created in Jesus Christ for good works 173 00:11:36,179 –> 00:11:40,700 which God prepared beforehand that we should do them. 174 00:11:41,739 –> 00:11:44,580 God has you here for a purpose. 175 00:11:45,780 –> 00:11:50,039 Find out what he has called you to do and pursue it. 176 00:11:50,039 –> 00:11:52,940 And as you do, God will sustain you. 177 00:11:53,840 –> 00:11:56,380 We’re sustained as strength is renewed 178 00:11:56,380 –> 00:11:58,739 and we are sustained as purpose is renewed. 179 00:11:58,739 –> 00:12:00,700 That’s the significance of the oil. 180 00:12:02,299 –> 00:12:05,460 Thirdly, the cup. 181 00:12:05,460 –> 00:12:10,140 And this speaks to us of how God sustains by giving joy. 182 00:12:10,140 –> 00:12:14,179 My cup, David says, overflows. 183 00:12:17,299 –> 00:12:21,020 Now, there is a downbeat version of Christianity 184 00:12:21,020 –> 00:12:22,640 that some of you may have come across 185 00:12:22,640 –> 00:12:26,159 and may even have been discouraged by. 186 00:12:26,159 –> 00:12:27,880 Let me try and describe it. 187 00:12:28,960 –> 00:12:30,919 The downbeat version of Christianity, 188 00:12:30,919 –> 00:12:33,440 which isn’t Christianity at all, by the way, 189 00:12:34,419 –> 00:12:36,159 it goes something like this. 190 00:12:37,760 –> 00:12:39,659 Well, in this world you’re gonna be surrounded 191 00:12:39,659 –> 00:12:44,099 by enemies and somehow you’re gonna have to get through it. 192 00:12:45,380 –> 00:12:46,659 Not gonna be easy. 193 00:12:47,500 –> 00:12:48,900 It’s gonna be pretty tough. 194 00:12:49,900 –> 00:12:51,140 You have to endure. 195 00:12:52,099 –> 00:12:54,919 You have to stick it out. 196 00:12:54,919 –> 00:12:57,179 You have to put up with it, 197 00:12:57,179 –> 00:13:00,219 but if you do 198 00:13:00,219 –> 00:13:02,739 you will be blessed in the end. 199 00:13:03,659 –> 00:13:07,900 When your life in this miserable world is over, 200 00:13:07,900 –> 00:13:12,900 then you will go to heaven and then you will have joy. 201 00:13:14,500 –> 00:13:15,940 So to put it in a line 202 00:13:15,940 –> 00:13:20,159 the downbeat version of Christianity says this, 203 00:13:20,159 –> 00:13:23,359 life stinks but heaven is coming. 204 00:13:23,359 –> 00:13:24,280 That’s what it is. 205 00:13:26,700 –> 00:13:27,760 And I want you to note 206 00:13:27,760 –> 00:13:31,400 that that is clearly not what David is saying here. 207 00:13:32,859 –> 00:13:35,679 Here is a man who knew plenty of trouble 208 00:13:35,679 –> 00:13:38,700 throughout the entire course of his life 209 00:13:38,700 –> 00:13:43,580 and yet he says, my cup overflows. 210 00:13:44,520 –> 00:13:47,320 Here in this fallen world, 211 00:13:48,200 –> 00:13:50,020 with all that I face, 212 00:13:50,020 –> 00:13:51,960 all the weight that’s on me, 213 00:13:51,960 –> 00:13:54,440 all that I suffer, 214 00:13:54,440 –> 00:13:56,919 even now in this fallen world 215 00:13:56,919 –> 00:13:58,799 with my enemies still present, 216 00:13:58,799 –> 00:14:01,719 even here though I walk through the dark valley, 217 00:14:01,719 –> 00:14:04,840 my cup overflows. 218 00:14:07,200 –> 00:14:09,140 That’s genuine Christianity. 219 00:14:09,140 –> 00:14:12,559 Jesus says in this world you will have trouble. 220 00:14:12,559 –> 00:14:14,419 Don’t be surprised at that. 221 00:14:15,520 –> 00:14:16,799 But He doesn’t leave it there. 222 00:14:16,799 –> 00:14:20,900 He also says these things I have spoken to you 223 00:14:20,900 –> 00:14:23,000 that my joy may be in you 224 00:14:23,000 –> 00:14:25,880 and that your joy may be full. 225 00:14:25,880 –> 00:14:29,580 David says my cup overflows. 226 00:14:31,919 –> 00:14:34,280 Some months ago, I had the opportunity 227 00:14:34,280 –> 00:14:38,640 of helping move my aunt into a care home. 228 00:14:39,520 –> 00:14:44,400 She is now 96 years of age. 229 00:14:44,400 –> 00:14:49,400 And that meant sorting through her stuff 230 00:14:51,400 –> 00:14:52,900 before selling her home. 231 00:14:52,900 –> 00:14:56,280 It was like a tour through the 20th century. 232 00:14:56,280 –> 00:14:59,099 I’ll tell you, we found some fascinating things. 233 00:14:59,099 –> 00:15:01,520 One of them was a little 234 00:15:01,520 –> 00:15:06,320 ration book from the second world war. 235 00:15:06,320 –> 00:15:08,500 See, during the war in Britain, 236 00:15:08,559 –> 00:15:11,219 food was rationed. 237 00:15:11,219 –> 00:15:13,099 People needed a little book. 238 00:15:13,099 –> 00:15:16,219 Everyone had a little book with a weekly tearout slip, 239 00:15:16,219 –> 00:15:19,059 a rationed slip, that entitled you 240 00:15:19,059 –> 00:15:23,859 to buy a small amount of meat and a small number of eggs. 241 00:15:23,859 –> 00:15:25,580 And that was your limit for the week. 242 00:15:25,580 –> 00:15:26,619 They were rationed. 243 00:15:26,619 –> 00:15:27,859 You know, it makes me think, 244 00:15:27,859 –> 00:15:31,479 we go to the grocery store having cut out all these coupons 245 00:15:31,479 –> 00:15:34,239 in order to get better prices. 246 00:15:34,239 –> 00:15:36,700 They had to tear out coupons in order just to have 247 00:15:36,739 –> 00:15:38,340 the right privilege of buying! 248 00:15:41,320 –> 00:15:43,140 Why do I mention that today? 249 00:15:43,140 –> 00:15:44,140 For this reason. 250 00:15:45,119 –> 00:15:49,039 The blessings of God in Jesus Christ are never rationed. 251 00:15:50,080 –> 00:15:51,760 They’re never rationed. 252 00:15:51,760 –> 00:15:53,599 From the fullness of his grace, 253 00:15:53,599 –> 00:15:56,840 we have received one blessing on top of another. 254 00:15:56,840 –> 00:15:59,760 Grace just keeps coming and David says, 255 00:15:59,760 –> 00:16:02,859 my cup overflows. 256 00:16:04,200 –> 00:16:06,320 See, this is why 257 00:16:06,320 –> 00:16:09,659 when Isaiah the prophet speaks about God’s forgiveness, 258 00:16:09,659 –> 00:16:11,359 it’s not enough for him to say, 259 00:16:11,359 –> 00:16:14,179 now come back to God because he will pardon. 260 00:16:15,059 –> 00:16:19,380 He says return to God because he will abundantly pardon. 261 00:16:20,599 –> 00:16:24,739 When the Psalmist speaks about hope, 262 00:16:24,739 –> 00:16:27,400 when the bottom has fallen out of life, 263 00:16:27,400 –> 00:16:31,039 it’s not enough for him to say that there’s hope for you 264 00:16:31,039 –> 00:16:33,080 because with God that is redemption. 265 00:16:33,080 –> 00:16:35,200 He says there’s hope for you 266 00:16:35,200 –> 00:16:39,419 because with God there is plentiful redemption. 267 00:16:40,320 –> 00:16:42,599 Paul speaks about the richness of Christ, 268 00:16:42,599 –> 00:16:46,039 he doesn’t simply say there are riches in Jesus Christ, 269 00:16:46,039 –> 00:16:49,840 he speaks about the unsearchable riches of Christ. 270 00:16:49,840 –> 00:16:52,900 When Jesus speaks about the life that he offers, 271 00:16:52,900 –> 00:16:54,820 he doesn’t simply say, I’ve come to give you life. 272 00:16:54,820 –> 00:16:56,039 He says I’ve come to give you life 273 00:16:56,039 –> 00:17:00,880 more abundantly to give it to you in the full. 274 00:17:02,359 –> 00:17:04,500 When the prodigal son returned home, 275 00:17:04,500 –> 00:17:07,979 the father did not meet him with reluctant grace. 276 00:17:08,959 –> 00:17:11,339 So you decided to come home at last, did you? 277 00:17:11,339 –> 00:17:13,859 Well, you better make sure you don’t muck up again. 278 00:17:13,859 –> 00:17:15,920 No, the father runs out to meet the son, 279 00:17:15,920 –> 00:17:18,099 he kisses him, he puts his arms round him, 280 00:17:18,099 –> 00:17:19,660 puts the best robe on his back, 281 00:17:19,660 –> 00:17:21,199 puts the ring on his finger. 282 00:17:21,199 –> 00:17:22,780 When the prodigal son comes home, 283 00:17:22,780 –> 00:17:24,579 the father does not say to him, 284 00:17:24,579 –> 00:17:28,599 Well, you might find a cold hot dog in the fridge. 285 00:17:28,599 –> 00:17:30,859 He says now bring out the fatted calf 286 00:17:30,859 –> 00:17:33,640 and let’s eat, let’s celebrate. 287 00:17:35,280 –> 00:17:37,819 Now you see, this is what David had experienced 288 00:17:37,819 –> 00:17:39,900 in his own life, think about David’s life. 289 00:17:39,900 –> 00:17:44,040 He had experienced abundant pardon. 290 00:17:44,040 –> 00:17:48,099 He had experienced plentiful redemption. 291 00:17:49,140 –> 00:17:51,560 And as he thinks about the grace of God 292 00:17:51,560 –> 00:17:53,099 that has come into his life, 293 00:17:53,099 –> 00:17:57,180 he says, my cup overflows. 294 00:17:58,819 –> 00:18:02,900 So there you have it, three powerful images 295 00:18:02,900 –> 00:18:05,939 that God uses in this psalm to communicate 296 00:18:05,939 –> 00:18:08,300 how he will sustain you and me. 297 00:18:08,300 –> 00:18:10,560 The table, the oil, and the cup. 298 00:18:10,560 –> 00:18:12,959 The table reminding us that he renews us 299 00:18:12,959 –> 00:18:16,219 by giving us strength, the oil reminding us 300 00:18:16,219 –> 00:18:19,599 that he sustains us through an ongoing sense of purpose, 301 00:18:19,599 –> 00:18:22,579 and the cup reminding us that God sustains us 302 00:18:22,579 –> 00:18:24,900 by giving us joy. 303 00:18:24,900 –> 00:18:26,380 Now, here’s the obvious question 304 00:18:26,380 –> 00:18:28,040 that arises at this point. 305 00:18:29,420 –> 00:18:31,400 How do these things become yours? 306 00:18:32,400 –> 00:18:34,079 Clearly, they were David’s. 307 00:18:34,079 –> 00:18:35,300 He’s testifying to them. 308 00:18:35,300 –> 00:18:38,339 He says, this is what God does for me. 309 00:18:39,800 –> 00:18:44,800 How does what David enjoyed become yours? 310 00:18:45,280 –> 00:18:48,359 That’s the question that’s before us today. 311 00:18:50,239 –> 00:18:54,880 And the answer to that throughout the Bible, 312 00:18:54,880 –> 00:18:57,020 and you can help me complete this verse, 313 00:18:58,020 –> 00:19:03,020 is that we are blessed with every spiritual blessing 314 00:19:03,579 –> 00:19:06,020 in Christ Jesus. 315 00:19:07,380 –> 00:19:10,180 We’re blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus. 316 00:19:10,180 –> 00:19:12,260 By the way, that was true of David 317 00:19:12,260 –> 00:19:15,619 who lived 1,000 years before Jesus. 318 00:19:16,520 –> 00:19:19,939 The blessings that were purchased by the Lord Jesus Christ 319 00:19:19,939 –> 00:19:22,619 and given from his hand came to David 320 00:19:22,619 –> 00:19:25,699 1,000 years before Jesus in the same way 321 00:19:25,739 –> 00:19:27,780 as they come to those who believe in Jesus 322 00:19:27,780 –> 00:19:31,560 2,000 years after the birth, death, resurrection 323 00:19:31,560 –> 00:19:34,380 of our Lord Jesus Christ. 324 00:19:34,380 –> 00:19:36,739 The whole of the Bible points us to Jesus. 325 00:19:36,739 –> 00:19:41,739 And by the way, our Lord Jesus knew the 23rd Psalm. 326 00:19:43,900 –> 00:19:45,719 In fact, we know from the number of times 327 00:19:45,719 –> 00:19:47,819 that our Lord Jesus quoted the Psalms 328 00:19:47,819 –> 00:19:51,000 which were really the hymn book of His day, 329 00:19:51,119 –> 00:19:55,459 that these Psalms were constantly in His mind. 330 00:19:56,800 –> 00:19:58,599 So, I want us to think about this 331 00:19:58,599 –> 00:20:00,280 because we’re asking the question now, 332 00:20:00,280 –> 00:20:02,400 how do these things become ours? 333 00:20:02,400 –> 00:20:04,800 And they become ours through Jesus. 334 00:20:04,800 –> 00:20:09,800 What then did the table and the anointing of oil 335 00:20:12,000 –> 00:20:15,680 and the cup mean for Jesus Christ? 336 00:20:18,180 –> 00:20:19,260 Think about the table. 337 00:20:19,260 –> 00:20:22,000 David says, you prepare a table before me 338 00:20:22,000 –> 00:20:23,520 in the presence of my enemies. 339 00:20:23,520 –> 00:20:25,619 What did the table mean for Jesus? 340 00:20:27,739 –> 00:20:30,160 While on the night that he was betrayed, 341 00:20:31,400 –> 00:20:35,199 Jesus met with his disciples to celebrate the Passover. 342 00:20:36,500 –> 00:20:38,359 And Matthew tells us specifically 343 00:20:38,359 –> 00:20:43,359 that he reclined at table with the 12. 344 00:20:44,400 –> 00:20:46,040 And think about this, 345 00:20:46,079 –> 00:20:51,020 Jesus sat at the table in the presence of his enemies. 346 00:20:52,260 –> 00:20:57,260 Judas Iscariot was there at the table with him. 347 00:20:58,479 –> 00:21:01,599 And it was at the table that Jesus took the bread 348 00:21:01,599 –> 00:21:04,560 and he broke it as he had broken it 349 00:21:04,560 –> 00:21:07,859 when he fed the crowd of 5,000 people. 350 00:21:07,859 –> 00:21:10,040 But this time he said something very important. 351 00:21:10,040 –> 00:21:11,959 He broke the bread, and he said, 352 00:21:12,099 –> 00:21:15,300 Take, eat, this is my body. 353 00:21:16,520 –> 00:21:17,699 And then he took the cup 354 00:21:17,699 –> 00:21:19,199 and when he had given thanks, 355 00:21:19,199 –> 00:21:21,380 he gave it to them, saying, 356 00:21:21,380 –> 00:21:23,099 Drink of it, all of you. 357 00:21:23,099 –> 00:21:25,459 This is my blood of the covenant 358 00:21:25,459 –> 00:21:28,300 which is poured out for many 359 00:21:28,300 –> 00:21:30,680 for the forgiveness of sins. 360 00:21:30,680 –> 00:21:35,560 You see, this is my body, 361 00:21:35,560 –> 00:21:38,280 this is my blood. 362 00:21:38,920 –> 00:21:44,939 So Jesus does more than prepare the meal. 363 00:21:44,939 –> 00:21:49,800 Jesus is the meal. 364 00:21:49,800 –> 00:21:52,300 In other words, Jesus gives 365 00:21:52,300 –> 00:21:56,819 you strength by giving you himself. 366 00:21:56,819 –> 00:22:01,800 That’s why he says, I am the bread off lions. 367 00:22:01,800 –> 00:22:05,800 Whoever feeds on me will 368 00:22:06,199 –> 00:22:08,599 therefore am living because of me. 369 00:22:08,599 –> 00:22:11,800 The heart of the Christian life is that 370 00:22:11,800 –> 00:22:15,260 Jesus Christ gives you himself. 371 00:22:15,260 –> 00:22:17,699 He is your strength. 372 00:22:17,699 –> 00:22:20,420 And you feed on him by 373 00:22:20,420 –> 00:22:23,400 believing in him. 374 00:22:23,400 –> 00:22:26,420 And as you trust him, 375 00:22:26,420 –> 00:22:29,339 day by day, in all that you’ve faced, 376 00:22:29,339 –> 00:22:33,140 you will draw strength from him. 377 00:22:34,099 –> 00:22:37,939 That’s how the strength becomes yours. 378 00:22:37,939 –> 00:22:41,359 Jesus. Yours. 379 00:22:41,359 –> 00:22:44,599 And you drawing strength from him. 380 00:22:44,599 –> 00:22:46,599 What about the anointing? 381 00:22:46,599 –> 00:22:49,060 What did that mean for Jesus? 382 00:22:49,060 –> 00:22:52,300 David said you anoint my head with oil. 383 00:22:52,300 –> 00:22:56,680 What task, what calling was assigned to 384 00:22:56,680 –> 00:23:01,160 Jesus for what was he anointed. 385 00:23:02,160 –> 00:23:04,660 Now remember the image here. 386 00:23:04,660 –> 00:23:07,540 We thought a few moments ago about Aaron being anointed 387 00:23:07,540 –> 00:23:10,520 for the task of being the high priest. 388 00:23:10,520 –> 00:23:13,079 And the oil was poured over his head 389 00:23:13,079 –> 00:23:15,560 and it ran down his beard and onto his collar 390 00:23:15,560 –> 00:23:17,699 and soaked into his robes. 391 00:23:17,699 –> 00:23:20,319 Now I wonder if you remember that something 392 00:23:20,319 –> 00:23:22,260 very similar happened to Jesus 393 00:23:22,260 –> 00:23:26,040 in the house of a man called Simon. 394 00:23:26,040 –> 00:23:28,619 Jesus had gone there with a group of friends 395 00:23:28,680 –> 00:23:31,900 and among them was Mary, the sister of Lazarus, 396 00:23:31,900 –> 00:23:34,380 who Jesus had raised from the dead. 397 00:23:35,459 –> 00:23:38,459 And she was filled with gratitude for all that Jesus had done 398 00:23:38,459 –> 00:23:41,680 and wanted to show her love for Jesus. 399 00:23:41,680 –> 00:23:45,979 She had a jar of very expensive ointment 400 00:23:45,979 –> 00:23:50,660 and Mark tells us that she broke the flask 401 00:23:50,660 –> 00:23:54,920 and poured it over the head of Jesus. 402 00:23:55,900 –> 00:24:00,900 It was about a pint in volume, the Bible says. 403 00:24:03,540 –> 00:24:07,439 So if a pint of ointment was poured 404 00:24:07,439 –> 00:24:11,619 over the head of Jesus, it would have run down his face 405 00:24:11,619 –> 00:24:16,420 over the collar and soaked into his robes. 406 00:24:18,280 –> 00:24:20,920 The disciples said that it was a waste, 407 00:24:21,640 –> 00:24:26,640 But Jesus said this, and notice the words that he uses, 408 00:24:28,060 –> 00:24:31,780 she has done a beautiful thing. 409 00:24:33,520 –> 00:24:38,520 She has anointed my body beforehand for burial. 410 00:24:44,160 –> 00:24:45,640 Do you see the significance? 411 00:24:45,640 –> 00:24:48,439 Aaron was anointed to be the High Priest, 412 00:24:48,439 –> 00:24:51,500 David was anointed to be the King, 413 00:24:51,500 –> 00:24:54,579 Jesus was anointed for burial. 414 00:24:55,979 –> 00:24:59,260 Here’s the work that the Father has given Him to do, 415 00:24:59,260 –> 00:25:02,420 your task, your mission is to give your life. 416 00:25:03,619 –> 00:25:06,020 Your assignment for which you are anointed 417 00:25:06,020 –> 00:25:09,680 is to be crucified, to be dead, and to be buried. 418 00:25:10,699 –> 00:25:14,300 It is to lay down your life for the sheep. 419 00:25:15,300 –> 00:25:19,119 Jesus was anointed for death and for burial 420 00:25:19,119 –> 00:25:22,780 so that you should be appointed to everlasting life. 421 00:25:23,760 –> 00:25:27,500 Jesus died so that you might live. 422 00:25:28,619 –> 00:25:30,760 And He anoints His own with the presence 423 00:25:30,760 –> 00:25:32,420 and the power of the Holy Spirit 424 00:25:32,420 –> 00:25:34,959 so that you may be equipped for the work 425 00:25:34,959 –> 00:25:37,439 that the Father has prepared for you to do. 426 00:25:39,319 –> 00:25:40,680 What about the cup? 427 00:25:41,599 –> 00:25:44,680 David says, my cup overflows. 428 00:25:44,680 –> 00:25:47,439 What did the cup mean for Jesus? 429 00:25:48,880 –> 00:25:51,719 Well, you’ll remember that Jesus spoke about the cup 430 00:25:51,719 –> 00:25:54,599 when He came to the garden of Gethsemane. 431 00:25:55,459 –> 00:25:57,119 We’re told that going a little further, 432 00:25:57,119 –> 00:25:59,579 He fell on His face and prayed saying, 433 00:25:59,579 –> 00:26:04,579 my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me. 434 00:26:04,579 –> 00:26:08,140 Nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will. 435 00:26:08,979 –> 00:26:13,020 Now what was this cup that was so horrific 436 00:26:13,020 –> 00:26:15,060 that Jesus would say, if it is possible, 437 00:26:15,060 –> 00:26:17,160 let it pass from me? 438 00:26:18,479 –> 00:26:21,800 Well, in the book of Revelation, 439 00:26:22,900 –> 00:26:27,900 there is a powerful description of the judgment 440 00:26:28,319 –> 00:26:32,160 that awaits unrepentant sinners. 441 00:26:33,339 –> 00:26:36,199 This is Revelation chapter 14 and verse 10. 442 00:26:37,000 –> 00:26:41,500 It is, the wine of God’s wrath 443 00:26:43,180 –> 00:26:48,180 poured full strength into the cup of His anger. 444 00:26:49,939 –> 00:26:52,619 That is an extraordinary description. 445 00:26:54,959 –> 00:26:56,680 The wine of God’s wrath 446 00:26:58,180 –> 00:27:03,180 poured full strength into the cup of His anger. 447 00:27:07,040 –> 00:27:11,040 Now, that is the cup that was given to Jesus. 448 00:27:12,680 –> 00:27:16,060 And if the thought of it made Him shrink back in horror 449 00:27:16,060 –> 00:27:17,420 in the Garden of Gethsemane, 450 00:27:17,420 –> 00:27:20,319 what must the reality of drinking that cup 451 00:27:20,319 –> 00:27:23,119 have been like as He endured it on the cross? 452 00:27:25,800 –> 00:27:28,380 Now, why did the perfect holy Son of God 453 00:27:28,380 –> 00:27:30,920 have to drink the wine of God’s wrath 454 00:27:30,920 –> 00:27:34,599 poured full strength into the cup of His anger? 455 00:27:34,640 –> 00:27:39,640 Well, because, all we like sheep have gone astray. 456 00:27:40,640 –> 00:27:44,439 We have turned every one of us to His own way, 457 00:27:44,439 –> 00:27:49,439 and the Lord laid on Him, on Jesus, the iniquity of us all. 458 00:27:51,959 –> 00:27:54,280 As Peter puts it in the New Testament, 459 00:27:54,280 –> 00:27:58,880 he bore our sins in His Body on the tree, 460 00:27:58,880 –> 00:28:02,839 and when He took our sins upon Himself, 461 00:28:02,839 –> 00:28:07,199 what that meant was that the wrath of Divine justice 462 00:28:07,199 –> 00:28:09,439 that should have been ours, 463 00:28:10,400 –> 00:28:13,819 was poured out upon Him instead. 464 00:28:13,819 –> 00:28:15,579 Let me put it to you this way, 465 00:28:15,579 –> 00:28:20,520 Jesus drank the cup of God’s wrath 466 00:28:20,520 –> 00:28:23,119 so that you, like David, 467 00:28:23,119 –> 00:28:25,699 could drink the cup of God’s blessing. 468 00:28:27,400 –> 00:28:29,920 Now, try and take in this picture then 469 00:28:29,920 –> 00:28:32,400 that I’ve adapted from an old Scottish pastor 470 00:28:33,739 –> 00:28:38,739 that says, God holds a cup in His hand. 471 00:28:41,739 –> 00:28:43,319 The cup is full, 472 00:28:45,199 –> 00:28:49,339 and it has your name written on it. 473 00:28:50,099 –> 00:28:52,260 He hands it down to you, 474 00:28:53,780 –> 00:28:55,959 and you shrink back in horror 475 00:28:55,959 –> 00:28:57,920 because you know what is in that cup 476 00:28:57,920 –> 00:28:59,739 that has your name written on it. 477 00:29:00,719 –> 00:29:05,719 The wine of God’s wrath poured full strength 478 00:29:07,380 –> 00:29:10,400 into the cup of His anger. 479 00:29:13,359 –> 00:29:15,780 But before it reaches your hand, 480 00:29:17,739 –> 00:29:20,099 the good shepherd who is beside you 481 00:29:20,099 –> 00:29:25,099 raises his hand and takes it from the father 482 00:29:26,959 –> 00:29:28,119 on your behalf. 483 00:29:30,560 –> 00:29:34,319 As he takes it, he shrinks back in horror 484 00:29:34,319 –> 00:29:36,199 because he knows what is in it. 485 00:29:37,680 –> 00:29:39,479 As he looks at it in his hand, 486 00:29:39,479 –> 00:29:41,920 he says, Father, if it be possible 487 00:29:41,920 –> 00:29:44,339 let this cup be taken from me. 488 00:29:45,479 –> 00:29:47,839 And then he says, nevertheless, not what I will 489 00:29:47,839 –> 00:29:49,339 but your will be done. 490 00:29:51,400 –> 00:29:56,000 And then the good shepherd drinks it. 491 00:29:56,979 –> 00:30:01,979 The wine of God’s wrath poured full strength 492 00:30:02,180 –> 00:30:04,780 into the cup of his anger. 493 00:30:04,780 –> 00:30:09,400 He drinks it all until the cup is empty. 494 00:30:11,140 –> 00:30:16,140 And then he takes this cup with your name written on it 495 00:30:17,880 –> 00:30:21,920 and he fills it until it is running over. 496 00:30:23,540 –> 00:30:25,319 What is in the cup now? 497 00:30:26,819 –> 00:30:31,819 Love, grace, mercy, peace with God, everlasting life. 498 00:30:39,739 –> 00:30:44,739 And now he offers this cup with your name on it to you. 499 00:30:48,979 –> 00:30:52,420 Jesus drank the cup of God’s wrath 500 00:30:52,439 –> 00:30:56,800 so that you should receive the cup of God’s blessing 501 00:30:56,800 –> 00:31:00,560 and David says, My cup overflows. 502 00:31:05,560 –> 00:31:09,119 Now I want in these last few moments here 503 00:31:10,599 –> 00:31:12,800 to speak to the person in this first service 504 00:31:12,800 –> 00:31:14,880 who is not yet a believer. 505 00:31:16,380 –> 00:31:18,280 So glad you’re here 506 00:31:18,339 –> 00:31:22,500 but you know that you have not yet committed your life 507 00:31:22,500 –> 00:31:25,339 fully and unreservedly to the Lord Jesus Christ, 508 00:31:25,339 –> 00:31:28,040 something in you is holding out on Him. 509 00:31:29,239 –> 00:31:30,920 And perhaps you’ve become used, 510 00:31:30,920 –> 00:31:32,660 as someone who comes to church, 511 00:31:32,660 –> 00:31:36,219 to hearing the claims of Jesus Christ on your life 512 00:31:36,219 –> 00:31:38,060 and brushing them off, and you say, 513 00:31:38,060 –> 00:31:39,819 well, I’m not ready, and it’s not for me, 514 00:31:39,819 –> 00:31:41,479 and I don’t need this, and so forth and so on. 515 00:31:41,479 –> 00:31:42,979 And you’re quite used to doing that, 516 00:31:42,979 –> 00:31:44,180 that’s become the habit. 517 00:31:44,180 –> 00:31:45,699 I want you to hear me for these 518 00:31:45,699 –> 00:31:47,300 couple of minutes here just now. 519 00:31:48,400 –> 00:31:49,800 I’ve got a question for you. 520 00:31:51,400 –> 00:31:56,199 When you hear that the good shepherd 521 00:31:56,199 –> 00:32:01,199 leads his sheep into rest and into right paths, 522 00:32:03,280 –> 00:32:05,640 and when you hear that the good shepherd 523 00:32:05,640 –> 00:32:08,000 restores his sheep so that he brings them back 524 00:32:08,000 –> 00:32:11,239 when they wander and he picks them up when they falter, 525 00:32:11,239 –> 00:32:14,079 and when you hear that the good shepherd 526 00:32:14,079 –> 00:32:16,920 guards his sheep so that even when they walk 527 00:32:16,939 –> 00:32:19,400 through the darkest, imaginable vale, 528 00:32:19,400 –> 00:32:21,780 he is right there with them always, 529 00:32:21,780 –> 00:32:24,040 and when you hear that the good shepherd 530 00:32:24,040 –> 00:32:26,920 sustains his sheep by giving them strength 531 00:32:26,920 –> 00:32:30,760 and giving them purpose and giving them joy, 532 00:32:30,760 –> 00:32:33,839 isn’t there at least something within you 533 00:32:33,839 –> 00:32:36,540 that says, I think I’d like that to be mine? 534 00:32:39,300 –> 00:32:42,420 Isn’t there just something within your heart today 535 00:32:43,000 –> 00:32:46,959 that says, you know, I’d like to be able to say 536 00:32:46,959 –> 00:32:50,780 the Lord is my Shepherd, and I shall not want 537 00:32:50,780 –> 00:32:53,819 because He leads me, because He restores me, 538 00:32:53,819 –> 00:32:56,780 because He guards me, and because He sustains me. 539 00:32:58,500 –> 00:33:00,380 And I’m here to say to you today 540 00:33:00,380 –> 00:33:03,680 that these wonderful gifts and more can be yours. 541 00:33:04,560 –> 00:33:06,839 The Lord Jesus Christ came into the world 542 00:33:06,839 –> 00:33:10,060 and went to the cross in order to gather a flock, 543 00:33:10,060 –> 00:33:11,239 to make them His own. 544 00:33:11,239 –> 00:33:12,719 Why shouldn’t you be among them? 545 00:33:12,719 –> 00:33:13,819 Why not you? 546 00:33:15,619 –> 00:33:19,239 You say, well how do I become one of Christ’s sheep? 547 00:33:19,239 –> 00:33:21,939 Well, let me give you the two words that Jesus used 548 00:33:21,939 –> 00:33:24,500 when He spoke about His sheep. 549 00:33:24,500 –> 00:33:26,579 The two words are hear and follow. 550 00:33:26,579 –> 00:33:27,839 This is what Jesus says. 551 00:33:27,839 –> 00:33:32,099 My sheep hear my voice, and they follow me. 552 00:33:32,979 –> 00:33:34,540 Hear. 553 00:33:34,540 –> 00:33:37,219 In other words, right now in this service this morning, 554 00:33:37,219 –> 00:33:40,060 recognize the Shepherd’s voice speaking to you 555 00:33:40,060 –> 00:33:42,979 out of His word, he’s speaking to you. 556 00:33:45,239 –> 00:33:47,660 See, you could go home after the service, 557 00:33:47,660 –> 00:33:50,040 you could say, oh, I went to church today, 558 00:33:50,040 –> 00:33:51,219 and yes there was a talk, 559 00:33:51,219 –> 00:33:52,540 and it was about the Shepherd and the sheep, 560 00:33:52,540 –> 00:33:54,300 and he spoke about you a table, and an oil, 561 00:33:54,300 –> 00:33:55,619 and a cup, and all the rest of it, 562 00:33:55,619 –> 00:33:56,780 and that could be the end of it. 563 00:33:56,780 –> 00:33:58,420 But you could respond in another way. 564 00:33:58,420 –> 00:34:01,380 You could say, I heard the Shepherd’s voice today. 565 00:34:03,900 –> 00:34:05,339 God spoke to me today. 566 00:34:06,739 –> 00:34:09,860 God awakened something in my heart today. 567 00:34:10,820 –> 00:34:13,060 I began to actually feel today 568 00:34:13,060 –> 00:34:16,459 that I would want to have what he is offering to me. 569 00:34:18,320 –> 00:34:21,699 You know, Jesus said that no one can come to him 570 00:34:21,699 –> 00:34:23,459 unless the Father draws them. 571 00:34:24,939 –> 00:34:28,280 But you see, if you have a desire within your heart today 572 00:34:28,280 –> 00:34:30,060 to enjoy the leading and restoring 573 00:34:30,060 –> 00:34:33,040 and guarding and sustaining of the good Shepherd, 574 00:34:33,040 –> 00:34:37,020 then you have every reason to conclude, God is drawing me. 575 00:34:37,919 –> 00:34:39,860 You’re hearing the Shepherd’s voice. 576 00:34:39,860 –> 00:34:41,320 Right now, He’s calling you. 577 00:34:42,979 –> 00:34:45,639 Right now, the good Shepherd is inviting you 578 00:34:45,639 –> 00:34:48,060 to find strength at His table. 579 00:34:49,199 –> 00:34:50,419 Right now, think of this. 580 00:34:50,419 –> 00:34:53,139 The good Shepherd is holding this flask of oil. 581 00:34:53,139 –> 00:34:58,139 He’s ready to anoint you, give you His Holy Spirit 582 00:34:58,540 –> 00:35:02,300 so that you can find your place in His purpose in the world. 583 00:35:02,300 –> 00:35:04,260 Wouldn’t that not be the most marvelous thing? 584 00:35:04,260 –> 00:35:06,100 For you to know why you’re in this world 585 00:35:06,100 –> 00:35:08,659 and for you to be pursuing God’s purpose. 586 00:35:09,979 –> 00:35:13,320 Right now, He’s holding out a cup for you 587 00:35:13,320 –> 00:35:15,139 with your name written on it, 588 00:35:15,139 –> 00:35:18,659 and it’s not the cup of God’s wrath poured full strength 589 00:35:18,659 –> 00:35:20,699 into the cup of His anger. 590 00:35:22,139 –> 00:35:23,860 It’s the cup of blessing. 591 00:35:25,459 –> 00:35:27,780 This can be yours. 592 00:35:29,419 –> 00:35:31,120 And you’re gonna go out and say, 593 00:35:31,120 –> 00:35:32,620 oh, that’s not for me, I don’t need this 594 00:35:32,620 –> 00:35:34,340 and all of that stuff again. 595 00:35:35,340 –> 00:35:37,860 Oh, today, if you hear His voice, 596 00:35:37,860 –> 00:35:40,000 do not harden your heart. 597 00:35:41,979 –> 00:35:44,459 God is speaking to you out of His word. 598 00:35:44,459 –> 00:35:46,260 The good shepherd is drawing you, 599 00:35:46,260 –> 00:35:48,479 He’s whistling for the sheep to come. 600 00:35:49,780 –> 00:35:51,379 Here. 601 00:35:51,379 –> 00:35:54,280 And when you recognize the voice of the Son of God, 602 00:35:54,280 –> 00:35:55,939 the Good Shepherd of the sheep, 603 00:35:55,939 –> 00:35:57,679 there’s only one thing for you to do, 604 00:35:57,679 –> 00:35:59,179 and that is for you to follow. 605 00:35:59,179 –> 00:36:02,399 My sheep hear my voice and they follow me. 606 00:36:05,179 –> 00:36:09,179 So give up your self-owned and your self-directed life. 607 00:36:09,179 –> 00:36:10,500 Where is it getting you? 608 00:36:11,500 –> 00:36:13,360 It’s a complete dead end. 609 00:36:14,879 –> 00:36:18,500 Submit yourself to the Good Shepherd. 610 00:36:18,500 –> 00:36:20,500 He will lead you, He will restore you, 611 00:36:20,500 –> 00:36:22,179 He will guard you, He will sustain you, 612 00:36:22,179 –> 00:36:23,540 He’s gonna give you new strength, 613 00:36:23,540 –> 00:36:24,939 He’s gonna give you a new purpose, 614 00:36:24,939 –> 00:36:26,860 He’s gonna give you new joy. 615 00:36:28,580 –> 00:36:31,699 I’m inviting you today to begin a new life 616 00:36:31,699 –> 00:36:33,419 in which you follow the Good Shepherd. 617 00:36:33,419 –> 00:36:34,699 Give yourself to Him. 618 00:36:34,699 –> 00:36:39,699 Believe Him, trust Him, obey Him, follow Him. 619 00:36:45,179 –> 00:36:49,919 And then you will be able to say with David 620 00:36:49,919 –> 00:36:52,419 and with all of the flock of God, 621 00:36:53,879 –> 00:36:55,939 the Lord is my Shepherd. 622 00:36:57,899 –> 00:37:02,659 I shall not want he prepares a table 623 00:37:02,739 –> 00:37:05,360 before me in the presence of my enemies. 624 00:37:05,360 –> 00:37:10,139 He anoints my head with oil and my cup overflows. 625 00:37:15,620 –> 00:37:18,300 Father, we can hardly take in what it meant 626 00:37:18,300 –> 00:37:20,899 for the Lord Jesus to drink the cup of wrath 627 00:37:20,899 –> 00:37:23,439 so that we may receive the cup of blessing, 628 00:37:25,100 –> 00:37:26,699 but we bless You that He did 629 00:37:26,699 –> 00:37:30,479 and that we are blessed with every spiritual blessing 630 00:37:30,479 –> 00:37:33,360 in Christ Jesus, our Lord. 631 00:37:35,919 –> 00:37:39,120 Father, renew Your people 632 00:37:40,600 –> 00:37:43,659 in strength, in purpose, and in joy, 633 00:37:45,739 –> 00:37:50,500 and draw to Yourself in an ever-lasting bond 634 00:37:52,860 –> 00:37:56,639 those to whom You are speaking through Your word today, 635 00:37:56,639 –> 00:37:59,540 grant that they may follow You 636 00:38:00,979 –> 00:38:03,939 and enter into fullness of life. 637 00:38:05,239 –> 00:38:09,439 For these things we ask in Jesus’s name, amen. 638 00:38:14,060 –> 00:38:15,260 You’ve been listening to a sermon 639 00:38:15,260 –> 00:38:17,679 with Pastor Colin Smith of Open The Bible. 640 00:38:17,679 –> 00:38:20,300 To contact us, call us at 1-877-OPEN-365, 641 00:38:23,000 –> 00:38:25,800 or visit our website OpenTheBible.org.