Fearless Living: Trusting Our Shepherd's Guidance
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound truth of living fearlessly under the guidance of our Shepherd, as depicted in Psalm 23. This psalm is not just a poetic expression but a powerful declaration of God's presence and protection in our lives. We are reminded that even when we walk through the darkest valleys, we have nothing to fear because God is with us. His rod and staff comfort us, providing security and guidance. This assurance should embolden us to live with a childlike faith, trusting in God's power and provision.
Reflecting on the stories from our childhood, like David and Goliath or Daniel in the lion's den, we are reminded of the awe and wonder we once had in God's mighty acts. These stories are not just for children; they are testimonies of what God can do through ordinary people who trust Him. Elijah, a man just like us, prayed earnestly, and God answered. This same God is with us today, inviting us to step out in faith and witness His power in our lives.
We also discussed the importance of boldness in our faith journey. The early church prayed for boldness, and God responded by filling them with His Spirit, enabling them to speak His word courageously. This boldness is a sign to the world of our salvation and their need for God. We are called to live in such a way that our confidence in God astonishes those around us, leading them to recognize the truth of the gospel.
As we navigate life's challenges, we must resist the temptation to play it safe or let fear dictate our actions. Instead, we should embrace the opportunities God presents, trusting that He will lead us through every valley. Our faith should be marked by a willingness to take risks for the kingdom, knowing that God is our Shepherd and we lack nothing.
Key Takeaways:
- Fearlessness in Faith: Psalm 23 teaches us that we can walk through the darkest valleys without fear because God is with us. His presence provides comfort and security, allowing us to live boldly and confidently in the face of adversity. [10:31]
- Childlike Faith: The stories of faith we learned as children, like David and Goliath, remind us of God's power. These are not just tales for kids but examples of what God can do through ordinary people who trust Him. We must hold onto this childlike faith and believe that God can do great things through us. [22:36]
- Boldness as a Witness: The early church prayed for boldness, and God filled them with His Spirit, enabling them to speak courageously. Our boldness in faith is a testimony to the world of God's power and our salvation. We are called to live in such a way that our confidence in God astonishes those around us. [13:28]
- Trusting God's Provision: We are encouraged to trust in God's provision and take risks for the kingdom. Our faith should not be hindered by fear or the opinions of others. Instead, we should embrace the opportunities God presents, knowing that He will lead us through every valley. [46:39]
- Living with Purpose: Our lives should be marked by a willingness to take steps of faith, trusting that God will come through for us. We are called to live with purpose, striving side by side for the gospel, and showing the world the power of a life lived in faith. [49:34]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:22] - Gratitude and Prayer Requests
[01:53] - Upcoming Events and Special Guests
[04:49] - The Power of Prayer and Boldness
[08:12] - Fearlessness in the Valley
[11:49] - The Early Church's Boldness
[14:59] - Living Fearlessly as a Sign
[20:21] - Childhood Stories of Faith
[23:50] - Elijah: A Man Like Us
[28:39] - Childlike Faith and Boldness
[32:32] - The Comfort of God's Presence
[36:23] - Embracing the Valley of Shadow
[41:03] - Trusting God's Design
[46:39] - Living by Faith, Not Fear
[50:44] - Jesus as Our Treasure
[54:51] - Encouragement to Live Boldly
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Psalm 23
- James 5:17
- Acts 4:29-31
---
Observation Questions:
1. In Psalm 23, what imagery does the psalmist use to describe God's guidance and protection? How does this imagery provide comfort? [08:12]
2. According to the sermon, how did the early church respond to threats and challenges? What was the result of their prayers for boldness? [12:29]
3. What examples from childhood stories of faith were mentioned in the sermon, and how do they illustrate God's power through ordinary people? [20:21]
4. How does the speaker describe the relationship between fear and faith in the context of Psalm 23? [36:23]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the assurance of God's presence in Psalm 23 influence a believer's response to fear and adversity? [08:12]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the role of prayer in developing boldness and courage in one's faith journey? [12:29]
3. How can the stories of biblical figures like Elijah, who was "a man just like us," inspire believers to trust in God's power today? [23:50]
4. In what ways does the sermon challenge the notion of playing it safe in one's faith, and how does this relate to trusting God's provision? [46:39]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like you were walking through a "valley of the shadow of death." How did you experience God's presence during that time, and how can Psalm 23 encourage you in future challenges? [08:12]
2. The early church prayed for boldness and was filled with the Holy Spirit. What specific area of your life do you need to pray for boldness, and how can you take a step of faith this week? [12:29]
3. Think about a childhood story of faith that inspired you. How can you rekindle that childlike faith and apply it to a current situation in your life? [20:21]
4. The sermon emphasizes living fearlessly and taking risks for the kingdom. What is one risk you feel God is calling you to take, and what steps can you take to move forward in faith? [46:39]
5. How can you cultivate a lifestyle of trust in God's provision, especially when facing uncertainty or opposition? What practical steps can you take to rely more on God's guidance? [46:39]
6. Consider the idea of living with purpose and striving side by side for the gospel. How can you engage with your community or church to live out this calling more intentionally? [49:34]
7. Reflect on the concept of Jesus as your treasure. How can you prioritize your relationship with Him above all else, and what changes might you need to make in your daily life to reflect this priority? [50:44]
Devotional
Day 1: Fearlessness in the Presence of God
In the face of life's darkest valleys, Psalm 23 assures us that we have nothing to fear because God is with us. His presence is a source of comfort and security, allowing us to live boldly and confidently. This fearlessness is not about the absence of fear but about the presence of God, who walks with us through every challenge. As we embrace this truth, we are invited to live with a courage that defies circumstances, knowing that our Shepherd is always near. [10:31]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: What is one fear you are currently facing, and how can you invite God's presence into that situation today?
Day 2: Embracing Childlike Faith
The stories of faith from our childhood, like David and Goliath, remind us of God's incredible power. These narratives are not just for children; they are testimonies of what God can do through ordinary people who trust Him. Holding onto a childlike faith means believing that God can do great things through us, just as He did through David, Daniel, and Elijah. This faith invites us to see the world with wonder and expectation, trusting in God's mighty acts. [22:36]
Matthew 18:3-4 (ESV): "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
Reflection: Recall a time when you had childlike faith. How can you recapture that sense of wonder and trust in God today?
Day 3: Boldness as a Testimony
The early church prayed for boldness, and God filled them with His Spirit, enabling them to speak courageously. This boldness is a testimony to the world of God's power and our salvation. We are called to live in such a way that our confidence in God astonishes those around us, leading them to recognize the truth of the gospel. Boldness in faith is not about being loud or aggressive but about living authentically and courageously for Christ. [13:28]
Acts 4:29-31 (ESV): "And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to pray for boldness, and how can you take a step of faith in that area today?
Day 4: Trusting in God's Provision
We are encouraged to trust in God's provision and take risks for the kingdom. Our faith should not be hindered by fear or the opinions of others. Instead, we should embrace the opportunities God presents, knowing that He will lead us through every valley. Trusting in God's provision means believing that He will supply all our needs and guide us in every step we take. [46:39]
2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV): "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."
Reflection: What is one opportunity God is presenting to you right now, and how can you trust Him to provide as you step out in faith?
Day 5: Living with Purpose
Our lives should be marked by a willingness to take steps of faith, trusting that God will come through for us. We are called to live with purpose, striving side by side for the gospel, and showing the world the power of a life lived in faith. Living with purpose means aligning our actions with God's will and being intentional about our faith journey. It is about making a difference in the world by living out the gospel in our daily lives. [49:34]
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV): "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can live with purpose today, demonstrating the power of a life lived in faith?
Quotes
"Psalm 23 talks about, you know, even though I walk through the valley shadow of death I'll fear no evil cuz you're with me, you know, your rod, your staff, they comfort me. It's just this idea of I can be in the worst situation in the world and I'm gonna be fearless. Why? Cuz you're there." [00:08:12]
"The early church was praying for boldness. That's why the people were suddenly astonished like why are they so bold, why are they so confident? And Paul's saying here, he goes, look, when people, you know, when the world's gonna believe when we're united just like Jesus said, right?" [00:15:51]
"Elijah was a man just like us. I think the ESV says Elijah was a man with a nature just like ours. I love that verse because it's saying Elijah was just a person. He was a human being. David, all these people we just mentioned, Daniel, Noah, Moses, they were all just people." [00:23:50]
"Do we still believe that Elijah called down fire from heaven and that it literally happened? And when's the last time you had dwelt on that and believed on that? See, my favorite verse in the Bible is James 5:17 where it says Elijah was a man just like us." [00:23:50]
"Psalm 23 was so beautiful to me. I'll confess to you, I never preached Psalm 23. Today was my first day preaching for 20 years, never preached Psalm 23. I just figured out that's the trendy psalm, everyone's preached it, everyone knows it, you hear it so many times." [00:29:09]
"Even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, and that was a literal place, this is a literal place. It was like this picture, this deep ravine with these cliffs, okay, and picture just these ferocious animals and predators just looking down as you're walking through this ravine by yourself." [00:32:32]
"Even if I walk through there, you guys know what I'm talking about. If I walk through that strip over there, that valley, the shadow of death, I'm not really afraid of anything. Why? Because he's with me. My Shepherd's with me and his rod, I see that staff in his hand." [00:33:50]
"Wouldn't you kind of want to go through the valley of shadow of death just to see what he does, right? I mean, wouldn't you want to go to that place and just to see, I want to see what happens when these bears come. I want to see you just because you have this complete confidence." [00:36:23]
"Do you still have that faith in your life? Because I lost it for a while, if I'm perfectly honest with you. I started to lose it. I started to listen to people. And so again, the psalm, I mean, I can't tell you how many times I would just meditate on it." [00:38:39]
"Let's really believe what the Lord wants is for us to go back to our childlike faith and to walk around and saying, you know what, my God's with me. And when we start living like that again and going to care less about the economy, big deal, I'll eat beans and rice." [00:46:39]
"Bible says when we start living like this again and we strive side by side for the sake of this gospel, we believe in this hope where the sting of death is gone and my God is as a mighty as an awesome God and believing that I can walk through anywhere." [00:49:34]
"Let's be careful with our words not to discourage. I might understand there are times when we make foolish mistakes and we do things out of the wrong heart that isn't really for the kingdom, they're just foolish choices. I'm not saying God rescues you from that." [00:49:34]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Jan 18, 2015. Do you have any questions about it?