Sermon Outline July 9, 2023

Psalm 23—Shepherding: Protection, Path, and Provision

Introduction
- If God is a shepherd w/intrinsic authority who protects, shows path, provides, then how do I apply that?  How do shepherd and how am I shepherded?

I. The Shepherd's Protection (vv1-3a): The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep…
A. The Lord is my Shepherd:
B. I shall not want:
C. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters:
D. He restores my soul:

II. The Shepherd's Path (vv3b-4): Your Word is a lamp unto my feet…
A. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake
B. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death:
C. I will fear no evil:
Matthew 10:28 says, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
- Prov 1:1 says “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge”
- 2 Tim 1:7—“God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
D. For You are with me:—the Bible always provides the “why” and “how”
E. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me: (see below)

III. The Shepherd's Provision (vv5-6): Jesus says, I have not lost one of them…
A. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies:
- Matt 16:18 “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
B. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows
C. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
D. And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever:

Conclusion:
- Charles Spurgeon: “We must by experience know the value of the blood-shedding, and see the sword awakened against the shepherd, before we shall be able to truly know the sweetness of the good Shepherd’s care."