Restoration: The Good Shepherd's Ongoing Care
Summary
Psalm 23 is a profound reminder of the greatest blessing we can experience: being wholly owned by the Son of God. To declare, "The Lord is my shepherd," is to acknowledge that we belong to Jesus Christ, our faithful shepherd. This belonging brings us comfort, knowing that we are not our own but are under His care. The world may equate freedom with self-mastery, but true freedom and comfort come from being part of God's flock.
When we belong to the flock of God, certain truths become evident. The Lord, as our shepherd, leads us into rest and righteousness. Today, we focus on another gift: He restores our souls. This restoration is not a one-time event but a continuous process. Despite the shepherd's guidance, we often stray, unable to find our way back. This is why restoration is crucial.
The Old Testament illustrates how God led His people through the wilderness, yet they struggled to follow. Similarly, we love the Lord but our hearts wander, our obedience falters, and our faith dims. If our salvation depended solely on our ability to follow, we would never reach our heavenly home. Thankfully, God restores us.
The good shepherd restores us in three ways: He retrieves us when we wander, revives us when we falter, and does so personally. The Bible likens us to sheep, prone to wander. Even as believers, we can stray, but the shepherd seeks us out and brings us back. This is evident in the parable of the lost sheep and the prodigal son. Despite being part of God's flock, we have an impulse to wander due to our fleshly nature.
Our Christian journey is ongoing; we are being saved. Until we reach our eternal home, we have the tendency to stray. Yet, God retrieves us by reminding us of what we've lost, leading us to repentance. He revives us when we falter under heavy burdens, whether due to injustice, conflict, disappointment, suffering, or demands. Each restoration is unique, tailored to our needs, and involves a fresh encounter with God.
Ultimately, the good shepherd restores us Himself. He reaches out to us, ensuring we are the focus of His attention. Our restoration is not self-initiated; it is a divine act. God uses various means, but it is always His presence that revives us. As we continue in faith, it is His restoration that sustains us, guaranteeing our arrival in glory.
Key Takeaways:
- True freedom and comfort come from belonging to Jesus Christ, our faithful shepherd, who leads us into rest and righteousness. This belonging assures us that we are not our own but are under His care. [00:31]
- Restoration is a continuous process, necessary because we often stray despite the shepherd's guidance. Our salvation does not depend on our ability to follow but on God's ability to restore us. [03:42]
- The good shepherd retrieves us when we wander, reminding us of what we've lost and leading us to repentance. This process is evident in the parables of the lost sheep and the prodigal son. [05:59]
- God revives us when we falter under heavy burdens, whether due to injustice, conflict, disappointment, suffering, or demands. Each restoration is unique, involving a fresh encounter with God. [20:02]
- Our restoration is a divine act, initiated by God Himself. He uses various means, but it is always His presence that revives us, ensuring our continued faith and eventual arrival in glory. [34:57]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - The Greatest Blessing
- [00:31] - Belonging to the Flock
- [00:48] - The Shepherd's Promises
- [01:22] - He Restores My Soul
- [02:07] - The Need for Restoration
- [02:40] - The Struggle to Follow
- [03:27] - Wandering Hearts
- [04:24] - The Good Shepherd Retrieves
- [06:46] - Prone to Wander
- [07:51] - The Process of Being Saved
- [09:04] - The Reality of Christian Experience
- [10:06] - Restoration in Revelation
- [12:17] - Losing First Love
- [14:22] - Remembering and Repenting
- [16:22] - Reviving When We Falter
- [20:02] - Faith Falters Under Burdens
- [26:42] - Unique Restorations
- [33:44] - Personal Restoration by God
- [36:01] - The Shepherd's Joy in Restoration
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Psalm 23
Bible Reading:
- Psalm 23
- Isaiah 53:6
- Galatians 2:20
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Observation Questions:
1. What does it mean to declare, "The Lord is my shepherd," and how does this relate to our belonging to Jesus Christ? [00:14]
2. How does the sermon describe the process of restoration by the good shepherd? What are the three ways mentioned? [04:07]
3. In the sermon, what examples are given to illustrate the tendency of believers to wander from God? [05:59]
4. How does the sermon explain the concept of being "prone to wander" in the context of living a life of faith in the flesh? [06:46]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon interpret the continuous process of restoration in the life of a believer, and why is it necessary? [03:42]
2. What is the significance of the parables of the lost sheep and the prodigal son in understanding God's restoration? [05:59]
3. How does the sermon explain the role of God's presence in the restoration process, and why is it considered a divine act? [34:57]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the burdens of life can cause our faith to falter, and how does God address these situations? [20:02]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt lost or wandered away from your faith. How did you experience God's restoration in that situation? [05:59]
2. The sermon mentions that true freedom comes from belonging to Jesus Christ. How does this perspective challenge the world's view of freedom as self-mastery? [00:31]
3. Consider the burdens you are currently carrying. How can you invite God to revive your soul and restore your faith in these areas? [20:02]
4. The sermon highlights the importance of remembering what we have lost to lead us to repentance. What have you lost in your spiritual journey that you need to remember and reclaim? [14:22]
5. How can you cultivate a fresh encounter with God in your daily life to ensure continuous restoration and growth in your faith? [34:57]
6. Think about the unique ways God has restored you in the past. How can these experiences encourage you to trust in His ongoing work in your life? [26:42]
7. The sermon emphasizes that restoration is a personal act by God. How can you make space in your life to be more aware of His personal attention and care? [33:44]
Devotional
Day 1: True Freedom in Belonging to Christ
Belonging to Jesus Christ as our shepherd is the ultimate freedom and comfort. In a world that often equates freedom with self-mastery and independence, the true essence of freedom is found in being part of God's flock. This belonging assures us that we are not our own but are under His care, leading us into rest and righteousness. When we declare, "The Lord is my shepherd," we acknowledge that we are wholly owned by the Son of God, and this ownership brings profound peace and security. [00:31]
Isaiah 40:11 (ESV): "He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young."
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you seeking self-mastery instead of surrendering to the care of Jesus, your shepherd? How can you begin to trust Him more fully today?
Day 2: Continuous Restoration by the Shepherd
Restoration is a continuous process, necessary because we often stray despite the shepherd's guidance. Our salvation does not depend on our ability to follow but on God's ability to restore us. Just as the Israelites struggled to follow God through the wilderness, we too have wandering hearts. Thankfully, the good shepherd retrieves us when we wander, reminding us of what we've lost and leading us to repentance. This ongoing restoration is a testament to God's unwavering commitment to His flock. [03:42]
Psalm 51:12 (ESV): "Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. What steps can you take today to allow Him to restore your soul and bring you back into His fold?
Day 3: The Shepherd's Pursuit and Our Repentance
The good shepherd retrieves us when we wander, reminding us of what we've lost and leading us to repentance. This process is evident in the parables of the lost sheep and the prodigal son. Despite being part of God's flock, we have an impulse to wander due to our fleshly nature. Yet, God seeks us out, bringing us back to Himself. This divine pursuit is a powerful reminder of His love and desire for our repentance and return. [05:59]
Ezekiel 34:11-12 (ESV): "For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness."
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you feel lost or distant from God? How can you respond to His call to return and experience His forgiveness and grace?
Day 4: Unique Restoration in Times of Burden
God revives us when we falter under heavy burdens, whether due to injustice, conflict, disappointment, suffering, or demands. Each restoration is unique, involving a fresh encounter with God. In these moments, God meets us where we are, providing the strength and renewal we need to continue our journey. His presence is the key to our revival, ensuring that we are sustained and encouraged even in the most challenging times. [20:02]
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
Reflection: What burden are you currently carrying that feels too heavy to bear? How can you invite God into this situation to experience His unique restoration and comfort?
Day 5: Divine Restoration and Sustained Faith
Our restoration is a divine act, initiated by God Himself. He uses various means, but it is always His presence that revives us, ensuring our continued faith and eventual arrival in glory. This divine restoration is not self-initiated; it is a testament to God's love and commitment to His people. As we continue in faith, it is His restoration that sustains us, guaranteeing our arrival in glory. [34:57]
Philippians 1:6 (ESV): "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
Reflection: How have you seen God's hand in your journey of faith, restoring and sustaining you? What steps can you take to remain open to His ongoing work in your life?
Quotes
"we've seen that the greatest blessing that any of us can ever know in this life is to be holy owned by the son of god to be able to say the lord is my shepherd to be born and to be bought into the flock of god you know the world is so sure that freedom comes from being your own master but the christian knows that the greatest comfort we have in life or in death is to know that we are not our own but that we belong body and soul to our faithful shepherd jesus christ" [00:08:24]
"he restores my soul now at different points in our lives we especially need every gift of this psalm everything that the shepherd does we really need but to me these four words he restores my soul they're the most wonderful of all notice present tense he restores my soul this isn't just something that happened once or twice in the past no david says it's happened many times in the past and it will happen many times in the future as well he restores my soul" [00:54:56]
"god leads his people he leads me but we don't find it easy to follow and you will know this contradiction in your own life you love the lord you really do but your heart wanders your obedience falters and there are times when your own faith burns low and you know if your final salvation depended on the consistency of your following after the shepherd you know you would never arrive safely home so thank god for this wonderful truth that we are looking at together today he restores my soul" [03:14:48]
"the good shepherd retrieves us when we wander he restores my soul now it's very significant that the bible uses this image of sheep to describe us all we like sheep have gone astray we have turned everyone to his own way and the lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all we heard read today the story that jesus told about the good shepherd retrieving the sheep who was lost and notice that that is a story about the shepherd retrieving one of his own sheep" [04:34:32]
"now you see this is exactly our position as christian believers we're in god's flock we belong to the father we're redeemed by the blood of the lord jesus christ we're new creations and yet there remains within us an impulse to wonder prone to wander lord i feel it prone to leave the god i love now here's why we're prone to wonder the spirit of god has given us new life but we live this new life in the flesh" [06:14:00]
"faith often falters when we carry heavy burdens faith can falter first when we are disoriented by injustice you have that in psalm 73 this was asaf's story and asaph was the worship leader in the time of king david he wrote several of the psalms and in psalm 73 he tells us honestly about a time in his own life when he almost lost his faith my feet had almost stumbled my steps had nearly slipped" [20:02:24]
"god restored asaph in the course of his continuing work he says this in psalm 73 when i thought about this that is the injustice that he saw around him in the world it was hard to understand it was a weary some task until i went into the sanctuary of god and then i discerned their end that is the end of the wicked now what's the significance of the sanctuary the sanctuary was the place where he worked he was the worship leader for the people of god" [27:15:40]
"god restored elijah after a time of rest he lay down and he slept under a broom tree and behold an angel touched him and said arise and eat so restoration for elijah began with sleep with taking a break with a good meal he needed to rest in order to be restored god's restored the galatians with a wonderful promise here they are and they're getting weary in doing what is good and here's what god says to them do not be deceived god is not mocked for whatever one sows that he will also reap" [28:03:39]
"god restored the apostle paul through the gift of a faithful friend he says in second corinthians chapter seven when we came to macedonia our bodies had no rest think about that no rest we were afflicted at every turn fighting without and fear within there was fighting all around us there was fear within us maybe you can identify with that today so here's a man whose faith is beginning to falter he carries a heavy weight of responsibility how did god help him here's what he says but god who comforts the downcast comforted us by the coming of titus" [31:29:44]
"the good shepherd knows how to restore you he can revive you in the course of continuing your work he can restore you through a time of rest he can renew you by bringing fresh energy from a fresh glimpse of his promise he can get you going again by the challenge of the calling of the life that is laid before you and he can encourage you and renew you through the faithful ministry and presence of a friend god knows how to restore you when your faith is faltering he can do it and he will he will" [32:25:44]
"the good shepherd restores us himself he restores my soul in the passage that was read of our lord jesus christ telling the story of the good shepherd it's the shepherd himself who goes out to find the lost sheep to restore the sheep that has faltered he does it himself you're in need of restoration today you can be very sure that you are the special focus of the attention of almighty god your father is reaching out to restore you as you've wondered as your faith is faltering" [33:41:12]
"god's restoration explains why you have continued in the faith and god's restoration guarantees that you will arrive in glory perverse and foolish oft i strayed and yet in love he sought me and on his shoulders gently laid and home rejoicing brought me father thank you that you are the restorer of the souls of your people through jesus christ our lord amen" [38:34:48]
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