Get with the Good Shepherd
We are honored to have our One Weekend Pastor Jason Cook with us today:
Jason Cook played collegiate football at The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) where he would be a 4 year starter and 4 year letter winner at Fullback. In 2009, Jason enjoyed a brief stint with the Baltimore Ravens through the pre-season before embracing the call to ministry. Jason holds a Masters of Divinity from Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama. Jason and his wife Courtney, have two children Charlie and Cager. Together they serve as the Associate Pastor of Preaching at Fellowship Memphis and as the editor with the Gospel Coalition contributing to the Faith and Work initiative.
Psalm 23
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.[a]
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness[b]
for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,[c]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely[d] goodness and mercy[e] shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell[f] in the house of the Lord
forever.[g]
Footnotes:
Psalm 23:2 Hebrew beside waters of rest
Psalm 23:3 Or in right paths
Psalm 23:4 Or the valley of deep darkness
Psalm 23:6 Or Only
Psalm 23:6 Or steadfast love
Psalm 23:6 Or shall return to dwell
Psalm 23:6 Hebrew for length of days
• God chose David because David recignized that Israel already had a King, Yahweh, the Lord.
• "I shall not want": Abundance
• Still waters: Peace
• Yahweh is the location for peace and abundance.
1. The Good Shepherd
— Leads
• God chose David because David recignized that Israel already had a King, Yahweh, the Lord.
• "I shall not want": Abundance
• Still waters: Peace
• Yahweh is the location for peace and abundance.
• God chose David because David recignized that Israel already had a King, Yahweh, the Lord.
• "I shall not want": Abundance
• Still waters: Peace
• Yahweh is the location for peace and abundance.
• God chose David because David recignized that Israel already had a King, Yahweh, the Lord.
• "I shall not want": Abundance
• Still waters: Peace
• Yahweh is the location for peace and abundance.
• God chose David because David recignized that Israel already had a King, Yahweh, the Lord.
• "I shall not want": Abundance
• Still waters: Peace
• Yahweh is the location for peace and abundance.
• God chose David because David recignized that Israel already had a King, Yahweh, the Lord.
• "I shall not want": Abundance
• Still waters: Peace
• Yahweh is the location for peace and abundance.
2. The Good Shepherd
— Guides
• Israelites took 40 years to take a 2 week trip because they took their eyes off of God.
• The Lord is my destination
• Israelites took 40 years to take a 2 week trip because they took their eyes off of God.
• The Lord is my destination
• Israelites took 40 years to take a 2 week trip because they took their eyes off of God.
• The Lord is my destination
3. The Good Shepherd
— Provides
4. The Good Shepherd
— Protects
• The bogeyman has a bogeyman
• Fear is a preoccupation of what may happen given a certain set of circumstances.
• wa·di
When they were try robbers would hide waiting to harm travelers.
• The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
• The one holding my
• Rod and Staff: Instruments of correction become instruments of comfort. We need people to keep us accountable. Staff: Rod: Blunt instrument used to correct and fend off enemies.
• But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.
5. The Good Shepherd
— Delights in His sheep
Community Group Discussion Questions
"Get With the Good Shepherd" Psalm 23 Mar 4/5
Guest speaker: Pastor Jason Cook
Going Deeper
1. The Good Shepherd — Leads. (vs. 1-2)
In the culture of their day, shepherds lived with their sheep and thoroughly knew every single sheep in their flock. Green pastures and quiet waters speak of abundance and blessing in the presence of one who would give his life for the sheep.
How would you explain the connection between 'The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want' and 'He restores my soul'?
How does a good understanding of the first make the second a reality in your life? (possible answer: when I stop wanting the wrong things, He can restore my soul to desire the right things)
2. The Good Shepherd — Guides. (v. 3)
God guides us in paths that are right in His eyes and that will be in agreement with His holy character. (Our name represents our character).
When someone says your name, what do they think of you?
Or, if your group has been meeting for a while, you may choose to go around the room and ask the group to say some affirming things about each person, based on what you have come to know about them.
3. The Good Shepherd — Provides. (v. 5)
Several years ago, Capital One credit card company had a commercial that depicted Vikings rushing to attack a hapless person who was about to use their high-interest credit card to make a purchase. But, right at the moment the Vikings arrived, the person would say, "Don't worry, I used my low-interest Capital One card," at which point the disappointed Vikings would have to walk away and leave the person alone.
This silly commercial is a good illustration for the Good Shepherd who provides for us in the presence of our enemies. Our lives often seem to be under attack and we can see the enemies approaching. Yet, in the midst of these attacks, we are told that God wants to sit down with us, enjoy a meal with us, and remind us that He is here to provide for our real needs.
Based on this verse, what do you think your greatest need is? (possible answer: relationship with God)
4. The Good Shepherd — Protects. (v. 4)
Sheep are known as being among the dumbest of animals, prone to wandering off, becoming separated from the shepherd and the flock, and being killed by predators. In this verse, we see the Good Shepherd carrying a rod and a staff. The rod was used to fight off wolves and bears. The staff was used to groom and rein in the sheep.
What does it mean to you that God fights your battles for you?
Share with us about a time when your life was out of control, or scary, and yet you felt the calming presence of God right beside you.
5. The Good Shepherd — Delights in His sheep. (v. 6)
'The house of the Lord' is the place where God is. The Bible promises us that we will live with Him forever. But even while we are still Earth-bound in these bodies, we can experience God's goodness and lovingkindness. That word lovingkindness is the Hebrew word 'hesed' and it is the word used most often (250 times) to describe God in the Old Testament. It has a rich meaning: loyal, steadfast, faithful love. It stresses the idea of belonging together with someone. It is the basis of communion, deliverance, enabling, enlightenment, guidance, forgiveness, hope, praise, and preservation.
As you consider the description of God's hesed love for you, how does that change your understanding of God?
Will He ever give up on you?
Can you ever do anything so bad that He will turn away from you?
Does this kind of love overwhelm you? (it should!)
How does this kind of love inspire you to let Jesus live in and through you so you can show this kind of love to others?
Prayer Requests
Pray that all those who heard this message will feel closer to the Good Shepherd.
Pray for Pastor Ed's next message series, which will take us through several of Jesus' "I AM" statements from the Gospel of John.
We are honored to have our One Weekend Pastor Jason Cook with us today:
Jason Cook played collegiate football at The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) where he would be a 4 year starter and 4 year letter winner at Fullback. In 2009, Jason enjoyed a brief stint with the Baltimore Ravens through the pre-season before embracing the call to ministry. Jason holds a Masters of Divinity from Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama. Jason and his wife Courtney, have two children Charlie and Cager. Together they serve as the Associate Pastor of Preaching at Fellowship Memphis and as the editor with the Gospel Coalition contributing to the Faith and Work initiative.
Psalm 23
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.[a]
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness[b]
for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,[c]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely[d] goodness and mercy[e] shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell[f] in the house of the Lord
forever.[g]
Footnotes:
Psalm 23:2 Hebrew beside waters of rest
Psalm 23:3 Or in right paths
Psalm 23:4 Or the valley of deep darkness
Psalm 23:6 Or Only
Psalm 23:6 Or steadfast love
Psalm 23:6 Or shall return to dwell
Psalm 23:6 Hebrew for length of days
• God chose David because David recignized that Israel already had a King, Yahweh, the Lord.
• "I shall not want": Abundance
• Still waters: Peace
• Yahweh is the location for peace and abundance.
1. The Good Shepherd
— Leads
• God chose David because David recignized that Israel already had a King, Yahweh, the Lord.
• "I shall not want": Abundance
• Still waters: Peace
• Yahweh is the location for peace and abundance.
• God chose David because David recignized that Israel already had a King, Yahweh, the Lord.
• "I shall not want": Abundance
• Still waters: Peace
• Yahweh is the location for peace and abundance.
• God chose David because David recignized that Israel already had a King, Yahweh, the Lord.
• "I shall not want": Abundance
• Still waters: Peace
• Yahweh is the location for peace and abundance.
• God chose David because David recignized that Israel already had a King, Yahweh, the Lord.
• "I shall not want": Abundance
• Still waters: Peace
• Yahweh is the location for peace and abundance.
• God chose David because David recignized that Israel already had a King, Yahweh, the Lord.
• "I shall not want": Abundance
• Still waters: Peace
• Yahweh is the location for peace and abundance.
2. The Good Shepherd
— Guides
• Israelites took 40 years to take a 2 week trip because they took their eyes off of God.
• The Lord is my destination
• Israelites took 40 years to take a 2 week trip because they took their eyes off of God.
• The Lord is my destination
• Israelites took 40 years to take a 2 week trip because they took their eyes off of God.
• The Lord is my destination
3. The Good Shepherd
— Provides
4. The Good Shepherd
— Protects
• The bogeyman has a bogeyman
• Fear is a preoccupation of what may happen given a certain set of circumstances.
• wa·di
ˈwädē/
noun
plural noun: wadis
- (in certain Arabic-speaking countries) a valley, ravine, or channel that is dry except in the rainy season.
When they were try robbers would hide waiting to harm travelers.
• The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
John 10:10 NKJV
• The one holding my
• Rod and Staff: Instruments of correction become instruments of comfort. We need people to keep us accountable. Staff: Rod: Blunt instrument used to correct and fend off enemies.
• But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.
Genesis 50:20 NKJV
5. The Good Shepherd
— Delights in His sheep
Community Group Discussion Questions
"Get With the Good Shepherd" Psalm 23 Mar 4/5
Guest speaker: Pastor Jason Cook
Going Deeper
1. The Good Shepherd — Leads. (vs. 1-2)
In the culture of their day, shepherds lived with their sheep and thoroughly knew every single sheep in their flock. Green pastures and quiet waters speak of abundance and blessing in the presence of one who would give his life for the sheep.
How would you explain the connection between 'The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want' and 'He restores my soul'?
How does a good understanding of the first make the second a reality in your life? (possible answer: when I stop wanting the wrong things, He can restore my soul to desire the right things)
2. The Good Shepherd — Guides. (v. 3)
God guides us in paths that are right in His eyes and that will be in agreement with His holy character. (Our name represents our character).
When someone says your name, what do they think of you?
Or, if your group has been meeting for a while, you may choose to go around the room and ask the group to say some affirming things about each person, based on what you have come to know about them.
3. The Good Shepherd — Provides. (v. 5)
Several years ago, Capital One credit card company had a commercial that depicted Vikings rushing to attack a hapless person who was about to use their high-interest credit card to make a purchase. But, right at the moment the Vikings arrived, the person would say, "Don't worry, I used my low-interest Capital One card," at which point the disappointed Vikings would have to walk away and leave the person alone.
This silly commercial is a good illustration for the Good Shepherd who provides for us in the presence of our enemies. Our lives often seem to be under attack and we can see the enemies approaching. Yet, in the midst of these attacks, we are told that God wants to sit down with us, enjoy a meal with us, and remind us that He is here to provide for our real needs.
Based on this verse, what do you think your greatest need is? (possible answer: relationship with God)
4. The Good Shepherd — Protects. (v. 4)
Sheep are known as being among the dumbest of animals, prone to wandering off, becoming separated from the shepherd and the flock, and being killed by predators. In this verse, we see the Good Shepherd carrying a rod and a staff. The rod was used to fight off wolves and bears. The staff was used to groom and rein in the sheep.
What does it mean to you that God fights your battles for you?
Share with us about a time when your life was out of control, or scary, and yet you felt the calming presence of God right beside you.
5. The Good Shepherd — Delights in His sheep. (v. 6)
'The house of the Lord' is the place where God is. The Bible promises us that we will live with Him forever. But even while we are still Earth-bound in these bodies, we can experience God's goodness and lovingkindness. That word lovingkindness is the Hebrew word 'hesed' and it is the word used most often (250 times) to describe God in the Old Testament. It has a rich meaning: loyal, steadfast, faithful love. It stresses the idea of belonging together with someone. It is the basis of communion, deliverance, enabling, enlightenment, guidance, forgiveness, hope, praise, and preservation.
As you consider the description of God's hesed love for you, how does that change your understanding of God?
Will He ever give up on you?
Can you ever do anything so bad that He will turn away from you?
Does this kind of love overwhelm you? (it should!)
How does this kind of love inspire you to let Jesus live in and through you so you can show this kind of love to others?
Prayer Requests
Pray that all those who heard this message will feel closer to the Good Shepherd.
Pray for Pastor Ed's next message series, which will take us through several of Jesus' "I AM" statements from the Gospel of John.
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