Trusting God: Our Shepherd in Life's Challenges
Summary
The sermon today was a heartfelt exploration of the 23rd Psalm, focusing on the profound relationship between the shepherd and the sheep, and how this metaphor applies to our relationship with God. The story of White Dog, who survived eating rat poison, served as a reminder of the unexpected ways God can protect and provide for us, even when we are unaware of the dangers around us. This story set the stage for a deeper dive into the 23rd Psalm, emphasizing the idea that just as a shepherd cares for his sheep, God cares for us in ways we often cannot comprehend.
The sermon highlighted the importance of seeing life from God's perspective, much like David did as a shepherd. It emphasized that our existence and quality of life depend entirely on our Shepherd, God. The analogy of sheep being unable to care for themselves without a shepherd was used to illustrate our dependence on God for everything, from protection against life's "bugs" and "beasts" to finding peace and contentment in His provision.
The message also addressed the human tendency to engage in a "budding order," where we compete with others for status and value. It was a call to recognize that our true value comes from what Christ paid for us, not from worldly achievements or comparisons. The sermon encouraged us to focus on God, allowing Him to take care of our worries and anxieties, and to find peace in His presence.
In conclusion, the sermon was a reminder of the peace and contentment that come from trusting God as our Shepherd, allowing Him to guide us through life's challenges, and recognizing our value in His eyes.
Key Takeaways:
1. Dependence on God as Our Shepherd: Just as sheep rely entirely on their shepherd for protection and provision, we must depend on God for our needs. Our quality of life is directly linked to our relationship with Him, and recognizing this dependence brings peace and contentment. [29:08]
2. Handling Life's "Bugs" and "Beasts": Life is full of irritations and challenges, much like the bugs and beasts that trouble sheep. We cannot handle these on our own; instead, we must trust God to take care of them, focusing on Him rather than our problems. [40:20]
3. The Futility of the "Budding Order": Competing with others for status and value is futile when we understand that our true worth comes from what Christ paid for us. Recognizing this frees us from the need to compare ourselves to others and allows us to live in peace. [46:30]
4. Prayer as a Means of Preservation: Prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving are essential for maintaining peace and preserving our hearts and minds. This spiritual practice keeps us fresh and ready for God's use, rather than becoming worn out by life's challenges. [52:35]
5. Unity in the Body of Christ: In the kingdom of God, there is no place for a "budding order." We are all accepted by Christ in the same way, and this should lead us to welcome and accept one another, bringing glory to God and demonstrating His love to the world. [01:16:43]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - White Dog's Story
- [03:30] - The Shepherd's Look at Psalm 23
- [07:15] - Dependence on the Shepherd
- [12:00] - Seeing Life from God's Perspective
- [16:45] - The Lord is My Shepherd
- [21:30] - Sheep and Their Needs
- [29:08] - I Shall Not Want
- [34:12] - Life's Bugs and Beasts
- [40:20] - Trusting God with Our Worries
- [46:30] - The Futility of Competition
- [52:35] - Prayer and Preservation
- [01:07:33] - The Message Begins
- [01:16:43] - Unity in the Body of Christ
- [01:28:23] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Psalm 23 and Our Relationship with God
Bible Reading:
- Psalm 23
- Philippians 4:6-7
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Observation Questions:
1. How does the metaphor of the shepherd and sheep in Psalm 23 illustrate our dependence on God? [29:08]
2. What are the "bugs" and "beasts" mentioned in the sermon, and how do they relate to the challenges we face in life? [34:12]
3. How does the story of White Dog serve as a reminder of God's unexpected protection and provision? [00:45]
4. What is the "budding order" mentioned in the sermon, and how does it relate to our interactions with others? [01:09:45]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does seeing life from God's perspective, as David did, change our understanding of our relationship with God? [29:08]
2. How does the analogy of sheep being unable to care for themselves without a shepherd help us understand our need for God's guidance and provision? [29:08]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the futility of competing for status and value in the "budding order"? How does this relate to our understanding of self-worth? [01:12:05]
4. How does prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving serve as a means of preservation for our hearts and minds, according to the sermon? [52:35]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you tried to handle life's "bugs" on your own. How can you shift your focus to trusting God with these challenges instead? [40:20]
2. Identify a "beast" in your life that feels overwhelming. What steps can you take to trust God to handle this situation, and how can you remind yourself to focus on Him rather than the problem? [46:30]
3. Consider an area in your life where you might be engaging in a "budding order." How can you change your perspective to see your true value as coming from what Christ paid for you? [01:12:05]
4. How can you incorporate prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving into your daily routine to maintain peace and preserve your heart and mind? [52:35]
5. Think of a person or group in your life where you struggle with acceptance. How can you practice welcoming and accepting them as Christ has accepted you? [01:16:43]
6. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt anxious. How can you apply Philippians 4:6-7 to transform your worry into prayer and experience God's peace?
7. What specific action can you take this week to demonstrate unity in the body of Christ, especially in situations where you might be tempted to compete or compare yourself with others? [01:16:43]
Devotional
Day 1: Dependence on God for Our Needs
In the metaphor of the shepherd and the sheep, we find a profound truth about our relationship with God. Just as sheep are entirely dependent on their shepherd for protection, guidance, and provision, we too must rely on God for our needs. This dependence is not a sign of weakness but a recognition of our true nature and the source of our strength. When we acknowledge that our quality of life is directly linked to our relationship with God, we can find peace and contentment in His care. This understanding invites us to trust in His provision and guidance, knowing that He is always with us, even when we cannot comprehend His ways. [29:08]
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him." (Psalm 28:7, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to depend on God? How can you actively practice trusting Him more in those areas today?
Day 2: Trusting God with Life's Challenges
Life is filled with challenges and irritations, much like the bugs and beasts that trouble sheep. These can be overwhelming when we try to handle them on our own. However, the 23rd Psalm reminds us that we are not alone in facing these difficulties. God, our Shepherd, is there to protect and guide us through life's trials. By focusing on Him rather than our problems, we can find peace and assurance in His presence. This shift in perspective allows us to trust that God will take care of the challenges we face, freeing us from the burden of worry and anxiety. [40:20]
"Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved." (Psalm 55:22, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific challenge you are currently facing? How can you shift your focus from the problem to trusting God with it today?
Day 3: Recognizing Our True Worth
In a world that often values competition and comparison, it is easy to fall into the trap of measuring our worth by worldly standards. However, the sermon reminds us that our true value comes from what Christ paid for us, not from our achievements or status. This understanding frees us from the need to compete with others and allows us to live in peace, knowing that we are valued and loved by God. By recognizing our worth in His eyes, we can let go of the futile "budding order" and embrace the peace that comes from being secure in our identity in Christ. [46:30]
"For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." (1 Corinthians 6:20, ESV)
Reflection: How do you typically measure your worth? What steps can you take to remind yourself of your true value in Christ today?
Day 4: The Power of Prayer and Preservation
Prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving are essential practices for maintaining peace and preserving our hearts and minds. These spiritual disciplines keep us fresh and ready for God's use, preventing us from becoming worn out by life's challenges. Through prayer, we can connect with God, express our needs, and find strength and renewal in His presence. This practice not only sustains us but also deepens our relationship with God, allowing us to experience His peace and guidance in our daily lives. [52:35]
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate more intentional prayer and thanksgiving into your daily routine? What impact do you think this could have on your peace and well-being?
Day 5: Unity in the Body of Christ
In the kingdom of God, there is no place for competition or comparison. We are all accepted by Christ in the same way, and this should lead us to welcome and accept one another. By embracing unity in the body of Christ, we bring glory to God and demonstrate His love to the world. This unity is a powerful testimony of God's grace and a reflection of His desire for us to live in harmony with one another. As we recognize our shared identity in Christ, we can work together to build a community that reflects His love and acceptance. [01:16:43]
"May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 15:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively promote unity and acceptance within your community or church? What is one specific action you can take today to demonstrate God's love to someone else?
Quotes
The quality of a sheep's existence depended upon the shepherd. So he said, man, you know, I would take care of my sheep. I would love my sheep, man. And I'd have them, they'd be pinned in. And then I would see neighbor's sheep coming and neighbor's sheep sticking their head through the barbed wire, wanting to be in my fold because they weren't being taken care of by their, by their sheep. [00:30:09] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
He makes me lie down in green pastures. I don't know if you know much about sheep, but he goes through the whole thing about sheep or skittish man. They're like, you know, well, first of all, they're top heavy. They can fall over. They they're always injuring themselves. They're always getting diseases. They're always getting messed up. They're always worrying, man. Sheep are always worrying. [00:31:49] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
The difference between prayer and worry is who you're talking to. So he says, worry about nothing. Pray about everything with... What's the next word? I don't know that verse. Because we've talked about this a lot. What is the word? Yeah, well, that's next. That's next. But he says, worry about nothing. Pray about everything with supplication. [00:49:33] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
But when we read the word of God and we become believers, we have a different value. What makes something valuable? What makes something valuable? Yeah. Thank you, JJ. Exactly. What somebody is willing to pay for it, that makes you have value. [01:14:35] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
There's no budding order in the kingdom. Here's what this guy, this shepherd would talk about. He's like, I've taken care of the bugs. I've taken care of the bees. I mean, think about a shepherd taking care of the beasts. He put his life at risk and doing all of this for to take care of things. [01:16:43] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Welcome each other like Christ has welcomed you. So when... In fact, let's just look at the verse in verse 7. He says, therefore, it's continuation of last week. Welcome. And that word welcome actually means accept. Accept one another as Christ has accepted you for the glory of God. [01:17:49] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
And aren't you glad you're different? But you're accepting. Therefore, therefore, because of that in the body of Christ, we don't need any budding order. We need to welcome each other as Christ has welcomed us. If Christ was good enough to bring you in and good enough to bring somebody else, man, who are you to judge them? [01:19:01] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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