WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.780 Well, as Steve has said, we come to this psalm that we all know so well. 00:00:07.560 --> 00:00:11.220 It has thousands of articles written about it. 00:00:11.599 --> 00:00:14.839 It has thousands of images on Google. 00:00:15.019 --> 00:00:17.780 If you want to look at Google for the 23rd Psalm, 00:00:18.160 --> 00:00:22.480 beautiful pictures with all the words of the psalm that you can download. 00:00:22.699 --> 00:00:23.839 Actually, you can buy them. 00:00:23.839 --> 00:00:31.500 But in any case, you can see that there's many songs that are written about the 23rd Psalm. 00:00:32.460 --> 00:00:38.759 And it is the number one psalm that is preached at funerals. 00:00:39.740 --> 00:00:45.600 It is the most popular psalm, as Steve has mentioned. 00:00:46.600 --> 00:00:52.340 And so it is because of that, and it is because it is so familiar, 00:00:52.340 --> 00:00:59.660 I'm going to plead with you today that you put everything you know about this psalm aside. 00:01:00.500 --> 00:01:07.560 I want you to put it aside so that you can allow God to speak to you and to speak afresh to you. 00:01:07.560 --> 00:01:10.680 A psalm that has great richness in it. 00:01:11.120 --> 00:01:15.980 And let's ask the Lord to tell us something new. 00:01:16.260 --> 00:01:18.140 Okay, so let's pray with me. 00:01:18.780 --> 00:01:20.020 Or please pray with me. 00:01:20.019 --> 00:01:24.299 Our Father, we ask that by your Spirit, you will indeed speak to us. 00:01:24.399 --> 00:01:27.019 We thank you for this particular psalm. 00:01:27.479 --> 00:01:31.920 And Father, we ask that each and every one of us, including myself, 00:01:32.420 --> 00:01:36.179 will see new and fresh things about the Great Shepherd. 00:01:36.840 --> 00:01:42.459 Father, open our eyes and our hearts so that we would see you and be changed by you in Jesus' name. 00:01:42.899 --> 00:01:43.239 Amen. 00:01:43.239 --> 00:01:49.719 Okay, so it is a psalm that is written by David, as Steve has already said. 00:01:49.819 --> 00:01:51.199 It's in actual fact a song. 00:01:51.659 --> 00:01:55.079 I suspect David may have sung it, sitting under a tree. 00:01:56.119 --> 00:02:01.379 And David, as we know, knew a lot about shepherding because of his history as a shepherd boy. 00:02:01.379 --> 00:02:07.539 David knows that the shepherd is the one who watches over the sheep. 00:02:07.719 --> 00:02:09.500 He's the one who takes care of them. 00:02:09.579 --> 00:02:11.079 He's the one who protects them. 00:02:11.319 --> 00:02:12.479 He feeds them. 00:02:12.840 --> 00:02:13.840 He gives them water. 00:02:14.280 --> 00:02:19.280 And he gives every provision that is necessary for those sheep. 00:02:19.280 --> 00:02:29.319 And so with the majestic Lord of all that we've been listening to some fabulous sermons these last few weeks, 00:02:29.319 --> 00:02:38.539 this majestic one that we hold high, this one is given the character of a shepherd. 00:02:39.199 --> 00:02:41.719 I personally find that remarkable. 00:02:42.280 --> 00:02:45.500 I don't find it so remarkable that we are called sheep, 00:02:45.500 --> 00:02:51.819 but I find it pretty remarkable that the majestic one who is lifted high, 00:02:52.520 --> 00:02:54.620 that he is called a shepherd. 00:02:57.919 --> 00:03:01.340 Now, David compares himself with a sheep. 00:03:01.879 --> 00:03:04.699 As Steve has said, he's a creature who is weak. 00:03:05.280 --> 00:03:06.060 He's foolish. 00:03:06.199 --> 00:03:07.219 He's defenseless. 00:03:08.920 --> 00:03:13.000 He takes, but in this, he takes God as his provider. 00:03:13.000 --> 00:03:16.560 He takes God as his preserver, his director. 00:03:17.319 --> 00:03:20.659 And indeed, he takes God as his everything. 00:03:21.800 --> 00:03:23.060 But here's the thing. 00:03:23.620 --> 00:03:26.680 You see, I think that many, many people, 00:03:26.759 --> 00:03:30.599 and I think it's why 23rd Psalm is used in funerals so often, 00:03:30.599 --> 00:03:40.780 I actually think that everyone thinks that everyone is one of these sheep in this precious paddock 00:03:40.780 --> 00:03:44.439 where the Lord is the good shepherd. 00:03:45.959 --> 00:03:52.539 And we all know that there's many, many different paddocks out in the farming rural area, 00:03:52.819 --> 00:03:56.519 and not all the sheep belong to all the same shepherds. 00:03:56.520 --> 00:04:00.460 But I think people do think that. 00:04:00.600 --> 00:04:04.140 I think that we make the mistake of thinking we're all one of these sheep. 00:04:06.219 --> 00:04:14.200 But only those who can call the shepherd their full, 00:04:14.719 --> 00:04:16.840 to give the shepherd their ownership, 00:04:17.560 --> 00:04:19.480 that the shepherd owns them, 00:04:20.139 --> 00:04:23.480 that there is a total dependence upon this shepherd, 00:04:23.480 --> 00:04:26.780 only those sheep are the ones that we're talking about today. 00:04:27.439 --> 00:04:30.220 And David had this dependence, 00:04:30.680 --> 00:04:31.939 because he didn't say, 00:04:32.280 --> 00:04:34.960 I hope that the Lord will be my shepherd one day. 00:04:35.120 --> 00:04:36.180 He didn't say, 00:04:36.500 --> 00:04:38.980 the Lord is my shepherd only on a Sunday, 00:04:40.340 --> 00:04:41.740 and all the rest of the days, 00:04:41.920 --> 00:04:43.319 I can do it all by myself. 00:04:43.420 --> 00:04:44.319 He didn't say that. 00:04:44.520 --> 00:04:46.100 The Lord is my shepherd. 00:04:46.540 --> 00:04:47.759 He watches over me. 00:04:47.759 --> 00:04:50.899 And the word is in the present tense. 00:04:51.879 --> 00:04:57.139 That meaning that whatever a believer's position is right now, 00:04:57.839 --> 00:04:59.099 the great Jehovah, 00:04:59.819 --> 00:05:00.779 even now, 00:05:00.920 --> 00:05:03.039 is watching over each and every one of us. 00:05:04.439 --> 00:05:08.819 And it is because he knows that the great Jehovah 00:05:08.819 --> 00:05:11.180 is watching over him at all times, 00:05:11.360 --> 00:05:12.420 he can say, 00:05:12.420 --> 00:05:15.420 I shall not want. 00:05:16.040 --> 00:05:17.600 The Lord is my shepherd. 00:05:17.759 --> 00:05:18.900 I shall not want. 00:05:19.560 --> 00:05:22.840 When the Lord is over me and caring for me, 00:05:23.520 --> 00:05:28.180 there is nothing that I want except him alone. 00:05:28.300 --> 00:05:31.060 And he will provide all that is needed 00:05:31.060 --> 00:05:33.259 because his heart is full of love, 00:05:33.580 --> 00:05:34.439 and therefore, 00:05:34.960 --> 00:05:37.160 I shall not want. 00:05:37.160 --> 00:05:41.180 It means that I don't need to be wanting 00:05:41.180 --> 00:05:42.920 to match the money and the possessions 00:05:42.920 --> 00:05:46.700 of every other person that I look out and see. 00:05:47.640 --> 00:05:51.040 It means that if famine was to strike our land, 00:05:51.120 --> 00:05:53.260 and certainly in rural country areas, 00:05:53.920 --> 00:05:55.320 they have had it hard, 00:05:55.420 --> 00:05:57.800 and we have had a blessed time here in the city, 00:05:58.400 --> 00:06:00.800 or calamity was to strike our city, 00:06:01.220 --> 00:06:03.300 or when old age and the limitations 00:06:03.300 --> 00:06:04.740 that come with old age, 00:06:04.780 --> 00:06:05.800 when they strike, 00:06:05.800 --> 00:06:10.040 or the position of a great job is not forthcoming, 00:06:10.340 --> 00:06:12.600 or the life partner that I dream of 00:06:12.600 --> 00:06:14.259 doesn't seem to appear, 00:06:14.939 --> 00:06:17.939 I can even say in every one of those situations 00:06:17.939 --> 00:06:19.960 very confidently, 00:06:20.879 --> 00:06:22.060 I shall not want. 00:06:23.139 --> 00:06:26.780 And it is because the Lord is my shepherd. 00:06:27.540 --> 00:06:32.540 And it is only if the Lord is my shepherd. 00:06:32.540 --> 00:06:38.560 Those who do not know this shepherd, 00:06:38.780 --> 00:06:40.600 those who do not know the Lord, 00:06:40.980 --> 00:06:43.800 will always be left wanting. 00:06:44.400 --> 00:06:44.860 Always. 00:06:45.920 --> 00:06:47.700 And yet with this great shepherd, 00:06:47.939 --> 00:06:50.040 I shall not want. 00:06:50.280 --> 00:06:53.900 Because everything I need is found in him. 00:06:54.240 --> 00:06:55.140 He will care, 00:06:55.439 --> 00:06:57.439 he will provide for those he loves 00:06:57.439 --> 00:07:01.120 in ways that we cannot even dream of. 00:07:01.120 --> 00:07:05.259 So how dare we even think 00:07:05.259 --> 00:07:06.879 that something over there 00:07:06.879 --> 00:07:08.040 is going to be even better. 00:07:09.860 --> 00:07:12.560 He makes me lie down in green pastures, 00:07:12.879 --> 00:07:15.280 he leads me beside still waters. 00:07:15.439 --> 00:07:16.540 Now Charles Spurgeon, 00:07:17.040 --> 00:07:18.259 the great theologian, 00:07:18.639 --> 00:07:20.579 points out that the Christian life 00:07:20.579 --> 00:07:23.300 has two elements to it, 00:07:23.699 --> 00:07:25.879 the contemplative and the active. 00:07:25.879 --> 00:07:27.879 Now first the contemplative. 00:07:28.800 --> 00:07:30.819 He says is in this psalm, 00:07:31.279 --> 00:07:34.740 he makes me lie down in green pastures. 00:07:35.560 --> 00:07:38.540 Now what are the green pastures exactly? 00:07:39.199 --> 00:07:42.719 Well Spurgeon says that the green pastures 00:07:42.719 --> 00:07:44.959 are the scriptures of truth. 00:07:45.219 --> 00:07:46.199 It's God's word. 00:07:46.879 --> 00:07:48.139 Always fresh, 00:07:48.839 --> 00:07:49.839 always rich, 00:07:50.459 --> 00:07:52.000 never exhausted. 00:07:52.000 --> 00:07:56.920 sweet and full doctrines of the gospel. 00:07:58.100 --> 00:08:00.839 It's food for souls, 00:08:01.459 --> 00:08:04.100 just like the green pastures 00:08:04.100 --> 00:08:06.339 are nutrients for the sheep. 00:08:06.339 --> 00:08:10.919 When by faith we can rest 00:08:10.919 --> 00:08:13.179 in the promises of God, 00:08:13.659 --> 00:08:15.179 we are like the sheep 00:08:15.179 --> 00:08:17.819 who can rest in the pastures, 00:08:18.359 --> 00:08:19.379 finding peace, 00:08:19.859 --> 00:08:21.060 finding refreshment, 00:08:21.319 --> 00:08:21.759 safety, 00:08:21.979 --> 00:08:22.620 security 00:08:22.620 --> 00:08:24.919 and deep satisfaction. 00:08:26.799 --> 00:08:27.319 You see, 00:08:27.859 --> 00:08:29.579 a sheep will not lie down, 00:08:30.379 --> 00:08:32.360 my sheep owning friend told me this, 00:08:32.439 --> 00:08:34.139 I know nothing about sheep, 00:08:34.139 --> 00:08:35.759 but apparently, 00:08:36.399 --> 00:08:38.679 sheep will not lie down 00:08:38.679 --> 00:08:41.240 if they believe that they are in danger 00:08:41.240 --> 00:08:45.580 or they suspect that there's potential danger. 00:08:46.559 --> 00:08:48.559 They need to be on all fours 00:08:48.559 --> 00:08:50.299 so that they can quickly make haste 00:08:50.299 --> 00:08:52.299 and get away when the danger comes. 00:08:53.240 --> 00:08:54.360 But in confidence, 00:08:54.679 --> 00:08:55.439 these sheep, 00:08:56.000 --> 00:09:00.059 they're resting in complete security and comfort 00:09:00.059 --> 00:09:03.179 for they know and understand 00:09:03.179 --> 00:09:04.599 that the shepherd is nearby 00:09:04.599 --> 00:09:06.919 and the shepherd is actually going to protect them 00:09:06.919 --> 00:09:08.559 from every angle. 00:09:10.559 --> 00:09:12.599 David has been nourished 00:09:12.599 --> 00:09:14.119 by God's word 00:09:14.119 --> 00:09:17.579 and it is that that sustains him. 00:09:18.699 --> 00:09:20.319 He rests in the comfort 00:09:20.319 --> 00:09:23.699 that only God himself can satisfy. 00:09:23.700 --> 00:09:25.300 Now, 00:09:25.420 --> 00:09:27.440 spending time in God's word 00:09:27.440 --> 00:09:28.980 will nourish 00:09:28.980 --> 00:09:31.060 all of our souls. 00:09:31.980 --> 00:09:33.500 It will grow you 00:09:33.500 --> 00:09:34.280 in wisdom 00:09:34.280 --> 00:09:35.460 and discernment. 00:09:35.759 --> 00:09:36.759 It will correct 00:09:36.759 --> 00:09:38.300 and rebuke you 00:09:38.300 --> 00:09:39.100 where needed. 00:09:39.320 --> 00:09:40.520 It will constantly 00:09:40.520 --> 00:09:41.759 show you 00:09:41.759 --> 00:09:42.680 the glory 00:09:42.680 --> 00:09:43.920 and the majesty 00:09:43.920 --> 00:09:45.480 that we've been learning about 00:09:45.480 --> 00:09:46.340 all these weeks 00:09:46.340 --> 00:09:48.340 and it will cause you 00:09:48.340 --> 00:09:49.680 to surrender 00:09:49.679 --> 00:09:51.219 to him 00:09:51.219 --> 00:09:52.759 because all 00:09:52.759 --> 00:09:54.559 is already his. 00:09:56.019 --> 00:09:57.259 That's what happens 00:09:57.259 --> 00:09:58.159 when we spend time 00:09:58.159 --> 00:09:58.939 in God's word. 00:10:00.339 --> 00:10:00.739 Now, 00:10:00.839 --> 00:10:01.959 some of you may be 00:10:01.959 --> 00:10:02.719 distracted 00:10:02.719 --> 00:10:03.659 from the truth 00:10:03.659 --> 00:10:05.019 and so remain restless 00:10:05.019 --> 00:10:06.959 and find it impossible 00:10:06.959 --> 00:10:08.139 to lie down 00:10:08.139 --> 00:10:09.620 in those green pastures 00:10:09.620 --> 00:10:12.559 and if that is you today, 00:10:13.079 --> 00:10:14.839 I need to say to you, 00:10:15.399 --> 00:10:16.319 you need 00:10:16.319 --> 00:10:17.359 to seek 00:10:17.359 --> 00:10:18.240 the shepherd. 00:10:18.240 --> 00:10:20.240 You need 00:10:20.240 --> 00:10:21.240 to spend time 00:10:21.240 --> 00:10:22.100 in God's word. 00:10:22.639 --> 00:10:23.000 You need 00:10:23.000 --> 00:10:23.980 to be fed 00:10:23.980 --> 00:10:25.120 and you need 00:10:25.120 --> 00:10:26.360 to be nourished 00:10:26.360 --> 00:10:27.720 for that 00:10:27.720 --> 00:10:28.659 is what 00:10:28.659 --> 00:10:29.720 will be lacking 00:10:29.720 --> 00:10:30.820 in your life. 00:10:31.220 --> 00:10:32.019 I know 00:10:32.019 --> 00:10:32.940 personally 00:10:32.940 --> 00:10:33.840 that when 00:10:33.840 --> 00:10:34.600 my life 00:10:34.600 --> 00:10:35.180 goes 00:10:35.180 --> 00:10:36.139 off 00:10:36.139 --> 00:10:37.639 on the wrong track, 00:10:37.860 --> 00:10:39.320 I can immediately 00:10:39.320 --> 00:10:40.320 look and see 00:10:40.320 --> 00:10:41.100 how much time 00:10:41.100 --> 00:10:41.840 I am spending 00:10:41.840 --> 00:10:42.620 in God's word 00:10:42.620 --> 00:10:43.879 and I know 00:10:43.879 --> 00:10:44.419 that there is 00:10:44.419 --> 00:10:45.100 an absolute 00:10:45.100 --> 00:10:46.180 direct correlation 00:10:46.180 --> 00:10:47.000 between the two 00:10:47.000 --> 00:10:47.779 and I know 00:10:47.779 --> 00:10:48.240 there is many 00:10:48.240 --> 00:10:48.779 of you out 00:10:48.779 --> 00:10:49.179 there who 00:10:49.179 --> 00:10:49.839 think the same 00:10:49.839 --> 00:10:50.139 too. 00:10:51.339 --> 00:10:52.059 The second 00:10:52.059 --> 00:10:52.779 element of the 00:10:52.779 --> 00:10:53.360 Christian life 00:10:53.360 --> 00:10:53.879 that Spurgeon 00:10:53.879 --> 00:10:54.579 talks about 00:10:54.579 --> 00:10:56.299 is gracious 00:10:56.299 --> 00:10:57.179 activity. 00:10:58.539 --> 00:10:58.799 Now, 00:10:59.159 --> 00:10:59.980 we are not 00:10:59.980 --> 00:11:01.740 only to 00:11:01.740 --> 00:11:02.639 think 00:11:02.639 --> 00:11:03.639 but we are 00:11:03.639 --> 00:11:04.139 to act. 00:11:04.279 --> 00:11:04.740 We are not 00:11:04.740 --> 00:11:06.000 only to talk 00:11:06.000 --> 00:11:06.740 but we are 00:11:06.740 --> 00:11:07.360 to walk 00:11:07.360 --> 00:11:08.139 the talk. 00:11:08.339 --> 00:11:08.639 You know 00:11:08.639 --> 00:11:09.279 what I mean. 00:11:10.039 --> 00:11:10.379 You see, 00:11:10.559 --> 00:11:11.819 we have a real 00:11:11.819 --> 00:11:12.419 danger 00:11:12.419 --> 00:11:13.939 of just 00:11:13.939 --> 00:11:14.759 gathering 00:11:14.759 --> 00:11:15.479 heaps 00:11:15.479 --> 00:11:16.059 and heaps 00:11:16.059 --> 00:11:16.559 of head 00:11:16.559 --> 00:11:17.139 knowledge 00:11:17.139 --> 00:11:18.379 of the 00:11:18.379 --> 00:11:18.799 Bible 00:11:18.799 --> 00:11:19.799 and we 00:11:19.799 --> 00:11:20.240 do not 00:11:20.240 --> 00:11:20.539 walk 00:11:20.539 --> 00:11:21.059 the talk. 00:11:22.259 --> 00:11:22.500 Now, 00:11:22.579 --> 00:11:22.939 what is 00:11:22.939 --> 00:11:23.439 the point 00:11:23.439 --> 00:11:24.099 if we 00:11:24.099 --> 00:11:24.979 can find 00:11:24.979 --> 00:11:26.059 any verse 00:11:26.059 --> 00:11:26.599 at the drop 00:11:26.599 --> 00:11:27.139 of a hat, 00:11:27.259 --> 00:11:27.740 find all 00:11:27.740 --> 00:11:28.459 those little 00:11:28.459 --> 00:11:29.259 letters 00:11:29.259 --> 00:11:29.740 that we 00:11:29.740 --> 00:11:30.219 find in 00:11:30.219 --> 00:11:30.639 the Bible? 00:11:30.759 --> 00:11:31.079 We can 00:11:31.079 --> 00:11:31.559 go to 00:11:31.559 --> 00:11:31.759 them 00:11:31.759 --> 00:11:32.240 because we 00:11:32.240 --> 00:11:32.659 know our 00:11:32.659 --> 00:11:33.259 Bible so 00:11:33.259 --> 00:11:33.559 well. 00:11:33.899 --> 00:11:34.339 What is 00:11:34.339 --> 00:11:34.699 the point 00:11:34.699 --> 00:11:35.000 of being 00:11:35.000 --> 00:11:35.479 able to 00:11:35.479 --> 00:11:35.919 do that? 00:11:36.019 --> 00:11:36.299 What is 00:11:36.299 --> 00:11:36.679 the point 00:11:36.679 --> 00:11:36.980 of being 00:11:36.980 --> 00:11:37.559 able to 00:11:37.559 --> 00:11:38.379 discuss 00:11:38.379 --> 00:11:38.879 every 00:11:38.879 --> 00:11:39.500 theological 00:11:39.500 --> 00:11:40.139 debate 00:11:40.139 --> 00:11:40.779 and feel 00:11:40.779 --> 00:11:41.059 that you 00:11:41.059 --> 00:11:41.360 have come 00:11:41.360 --> 00:11:41.740 out a 00:11:41.740 --> 00:11:41.919 winner? 00:11:42.279 --> 00:11:42.759 What is 00:11:42.759 --> 00:11:43.159 the point 00:11:43.159 --> 00:11:43.679 of that 00:11:43.679 --> 00:11:44.480 if in 00:11:44.480 --> 00:11:45.100 fact you 00:11:45.100 --> 00:11:45.679 are not 00:11:45.679 --> 00:11:46.199 loving 00:11:46.199 --> 00:11:46.860 people as 00:11:46.860 --> 00:11:48.120 Christ wishes 00:11:48.120 --> 00:11:48.559 for you 00:11:48.559 --> 00:11:48.939 to love 00:11:48.939 --> 00:11:49.139 them? 00:11:49.399 --> 00:11:49.799 What is 00:11:49.799 --> 00:11:50.299 the point? 00:11:52.059 --> 00:11:52.419 See, 00:11:52.519 --> 00:11:53.000 the life 00:11:53.000 --> 00:11:54.019 we live 00:11:54.019 --> 00:11:54.639 needs to 00:11:54.639 --> 00:11:55.199 reflect the 00:11:55.199 --> 00:11:55.799 truths 00:11:55.799 --> 00:11:56.439 that we 00:11:56.439 --> 00:11:56.740 know. 00:11:58.259 --> 00:11:58.759 Otherwise, 00:11:59.100 --> 00:11:59.539 we run 00:11:59.539 --> 00:12:00.199 the risk 00:12:00.199 --> 00:12:01.519 of being 00:12:01.519 --> 00:12:02.460 in the 00:12:02.460 --> 00:12:03.039 pasture 00:12:03.039 --> 00:12:04.100 not as 00:12:04.100 --> 00:12:04.720 a sheep 00:12:04.720 --> 00:12:05.500 but as 00:12:05.500 --> 00:12:06.000 a wolf 00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:06.720 dressed as 00:12:06.720 --> 00:12:07.120 a sheep. 00:12:08.080 --> 00:12:08.419 And as 00:12:08.419 --> 00:12:08.899 you might 00:12:08.899 --> 00:12:09.340 know, 00:12:09.340 --> 00:12:10.060 scripture 00:12:10.060 --> 00:12:10.800 tells us 00:12:10.800 --> 00:12:11.480 that Jesus 00:12:11.480 --> 00:12:11.980 will be 00:12:11.980 --> 00:12:12.720 coming back 00:12:12.720 --> 00:12:13.500 and he 00:12:13.500 --> 00:12:14.280 will call 00:12:14.280 --> 00:12:14.879 his sheep 00:12:14.879 --> 00:12:15.639 to himself 00:12:15.639 --> 00:12:16.100 and there 00:12:16.100 --> 00:12:16.399 will be 00:12:16.399 --> 00:12:17.000 many who 00:12:17.000 --> 00:12:17.259 say, 00:12:17.440 --> 00:12:17.700 Lord, 00:12:17.840 --> 00:12:18.160 Lord, 00:12:18.160 --> 00:12:19.759 and Jesus 00:12:19.759 --> 00:12:20.280 will turn 00:12:20.280 --> 00:12:20.680 and say, 00:12:20.759 --> 00:12:21.060 I never 00:12:21.060 --> 00:12:21.600 knew you. 00:12:22.420 --> 00:12:23.240 I do 00:12:23.240 --> 00:12:24.139 not want 00:12:24.139 --> 00:12:25.160 for any 00:12:25.160 --> 00:12:26.040 person in 00:12:26.040 --> 00:12:26.600 this building 00:12:26.600 --> 00:12:27.700 today to 00:12:27.700 --> 00:12:28.200 be one of 00:12:28.200 --> 00:12:28.379 them. 00:12:29.300 --> 00:12:30.100 I want 00:12:30.100 --> 00:12:30.620 you to 00:12:30.620 --> 00:12:31.100 be the 00:12:31.100 --> 00:12:31.720 sheep that 00:12:31.720 --> 00:12:32.500 calls out 00:12:32.500 --> 00:12:33.440 and Jesus 00:12:33.440 --> 00:12:34.000 welcomes 00:12:34.000 --> 00:12:34.480 you with 00:12:34.480 --> 00:12:35.160 open arms. 00:12:37.920 --> 00:12:38.519 Now, 00:12:38.600 --> 00:12:38.879 in our 00:12:38.879 --> 00:12:39.160 living 00:12:39.159 --> 00:12:39.879 out this 00:12:39.879 --> 00:12:40.299 walk, 00:12:41.019 --> 00:12:41.539 we are 00:12:41.539 --> 00:12:41.919 slowly 00:12:41.919 --> 00:12:42.259 being 00:12:42.259 --> 00:12:43.000 changed 00:12:43.000 --> 00:12:44.039 to reflect 00:12:44.039 --> 00:12:44.659 the character 00:12:44.659 --> 00:12:45.439 of Jesus. 00:12:45.980 --> 00:12:46.539 Not for 00:12:46.539 --> 00:12:47.500 our own 00:12:47.500 --> 00:12:47.959 sake, 00:12:48.360 --> 00:12:49.059 but for 00:12:49.059 --> 00:12:49.659 the Lord's 00:12:49.659 --> 00:12:50.039 and for 00:12:50.039 --> 00:12:50.659 his glory 00:12:50.659 --> 00:12:51.159 and for 00:12:51.159 --> 00:12:51.919 his majesty. 00:12:52.779 --> 00:12:53.379 And we're 00:12:53.379 --> 00:12:53.980 all in a 00:12:53.980 --> 00:12:54.559 process of 00:12:54.559 --> 00:12:54.919 change. 00:12:55.039 --> 00:12:55.339 None of 00:12:55.339 --> 00:12:55.679 us have 00:12:55.679 --> 00:12:56.740 arrived and 00:12:56.740 --> 00:12:57.079 none of 00:12:57.079 --> 00:12:57.519 us will 00:12:57.519 --> 00:12:57.860 until 00:12:57.860 --> 00:12:58.219 heaven, 00:12:59.299 --> 00:13:00.079 but we're 00:13:00.079 --> 00:13:00.539 all in a 00:13:00.539 --> 00:13:01.159 process of 00:13:01.159 --> 00:13:02.059 change that 00:13:02.059 --> 00:13:02.899 the Lord 00:13:02.899 --> 00:13:03.659 will give 00:13:03.659 --> 00:13:03.939 us. 00:13:03.940 --> 00:13:04.940 change. 00:13:04.940 --> 00:13:05.500 We are 00:13:05.500 --> 00:13:06.360 to expect 00:13:06.360 --> 00:13:07.200 change in 00:13:07.200 --> 00:13:08.560 ourselves and 00:13:08.560 --> 00:13:09.120 we are to 00:13:09.120 --> 00:13:10.340 expect change 00:13:10.340 --> 00:13:11.400 in others. 00:13:12.580 --> 00:13:13.420 The angry 00:13:13.420 --> 00:13:14.120 person that 00:13:14.120 --> 00:13:14.780 comes to 00:13:14.780 --> 00:13:15.340 the shepherd 00:13:15.340 --> 00:13:16.720 cannot expect 00:13:16.720 --> 00:13:17.620 to continue 00:13:17.620 --> 00:13:18.440 to get away 00:13:18.440 --> 00:13:19.000 with being 00:13:19.000 --> 00:13:19.460 angry. 00:13:20.200 --> 00:13:20.540 Sure, 00:13:20.780 --> 00:13:21.440 change doesn't 00:13:21.440 --> 00:13:22.320 happen overnight, 00:13:23.160 --> 00:13:24.260 but it does 00:13:24.260 --> 00:13:24.940 happen when we 00:13:24.940 --> 00:13:25.360 allow the 00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:26.080 Holy Spirit 00:13:26.080 --> 00:13:27.140 to touch our 00:13:27.140 --> 00:13:27.740 lives, to 00:13:27.740 --> 00:13:28.420 minister to 00:13:28.420 --> 00:13:28.920 us, to 00:13:28.920 --> 00:13:29.580 convict us 00:13:29.580 --> 00:13:30.100 of sin, 00:13:30.100 --> 00:13:31.080 and then 00:13:31.080 --> 00:13:31.659 helps us 00:13:31.659 --> 00:13:32.100 to become 00:13:32.100 --> 00:13:32.580 the person 00:13:32.580 --> 00:13:33.200 God wants 00:13:33.200 --> 00:13:33.580 us to 00:13:33.580 --> 00:13:33.800 be. 00:13:34.540 --> 00:13:35.180 The one 00:13:35.180 --> 00:13:35.519 with a 00:13:35.519 --> 00:13:36.560 critical spirit 00:13:36.560 --> 00:13:37.740 cannot expect 00:13:37.740 --> 00:13:38.379 to be allowed 00:13:38.379 --> 00:13:39.019 to continue 00:13:39.019 --> 00:13:40.159 exercising the 00:13:40.159 --> 00:13:41.120 negative traits 00:13:41.120 --> 00:13:42.080 if the Lord 00:13:42.080 --> 00:13:42.580 is their 00:13:42.580 --> 00:13:42.920 shepherd. 00:13:43.600 --> 00:13:44.580 That person 00:13:44.580 --> 00:13:45.460 would be, on 00:13:45.460 --> 00:13:45.800 the other 00:13:45.800 --> 00:13:46.240 hand, be 00:13:46.240 --> 00:13:47.500 grieved at 00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:48.200 the criticism 00:13:48.200 --> 00:13:49.100 and be asking 00:13:49.100 --> 00:13:50.100 the Lord to 00:13:50.100 --> 00:13:50.980 help them see 00:13:50.980 --> 00:13:51.820 all that is 00:13:51.820 --> 00:13:52.600 right and 00:13:52.600 --> 00:13:53.580 pure and 00:13:53.580 --> 00:13:54.600 honourable, 00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:55.720 all of that 00:13:55.720 --> 00:13:56.440 that is around 00:13:56.440 --> 00:13:57.420 them every day, 00:13:57.660 --> 00:13:58.279 every moment. 00:13:58.279 --> 00:14:00.539 The person 00:14:00.539 --> 00:14:01.039 who says 00:14:01.039 --> 00:14:01.419 that the 00:14:01.419 --> 00:14:02.100 Lord is my 00:14:02.100 --> 00:14:03.319 shepherd and 00:14:03.319 --> 00:14:04.120 yet is 00:14:04.120 --> 00:14:05.519 totally self-centred 00:14:05.519 --> 00:14:06.839 needs to 00:14:06.839 --> 00:14:08.000 actively seek 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:08.740 what the 00:14:08.740 --> 00:14:09.159 Lord would 00:14:09.159 --> 00:14:09.559 have them 00:14:09.559 --> 00:14:10.220 do to be 00:14:10.220 --> 00:14:10.980 other person 00:14:10.980 --> 00:14:12.659 centred and 00:14:12.659 --> 00:14:13.240 to start 00:14:13.240 --> 00:14:13.759 serving. 00:14:15.240 --> 00:14:15.759 But the 00:14:15.759 --> 00:14:16.579 great news 00:14:16.579 --> 00:14:17.319 for all of 00:14:17.319 --> 00:14:17.679 that, and 00:14:17.679 --> 00:14:18.360 we all have 00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:19.019 our own 00:14:19.019 --> 00:14:20.059 little quirks 00:14:20.059 --> 00:14:20.539 that need 00:14:20.539 --> 00:14:21.079 changing, 00:14:21.419 --> 00:14:21.860 they're just 00:14:21.860 --> 00:14:22.480 a couple of 00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:23.220 the common 00:14:23.220 --> 00:14:24.120 ones, but 00:14:24.120 --> 00:14:24.720 we all have 00:14:24.720 --> 00:14:25.039 it, me 00:14:25.039 --> 00:14:25.539 included. 00:14:26.659 --> 00:14:27.019 But the 00:14:27.019 --> 00:14:27.579 great news 00:14:27.579 --> 00:14:28.079 is that we 00:14:28.080 --> 00:14:28.460 are not 00:14:28.460 --> 00:14:28.920 alone. 00:14:29.740 --> 00:14:30.220 See, the 00:14:30.220 --> 00:14:30.960 Holy Spirit 00:14:30.960 --> 00:14:31.580 is there 00:14:31.580 --> 00:14:32.759 graciously leading 00:14:32.759 --> 00:14:33.759 all of us 00:14:33.759 --> 00:14:35.200 by those 00:14:35.200 --> 00:14:36.040 still waters 00:14:36.040 --> 00:14:37.100 to minister 00:14:37.100 --> 00:14:37.940 to us, to 00:14:37.940 --> 00:14:38.879 change us, to 00:14:38.879 --> 00:14:40.360 renew us, but 00:14:40.360 --> 00:14:40.960 he will do it 00:14:40.960 --> 00:14:41.980 quietly and he 00:14:41.980 --> 00:14:42.460 will do it 00:14:42.460 --> 00:14:42.780 gently. 00:14:44.100 --> 00:14:44.700 And we 00:14:44.700 --> 00:14:45.480 cannot change 00:14:45.480 --> 00:14:46.639 ourselves and 00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:47.300 we cannot be 00:14:47.300 --> 00:14:47.879 the one who 00:14:47.879 --> 00:14:48.759 takes ourselves 00:14:48.759 --> 00:14:49.460 along the 00:14:49.460 --> 00:14:50.200 still waters. 00:14:51.139 --> 00:14:51.820 But with an 00:14:51.820 --> 00:14:52.379 open and 00:14:52.379 --> 00:14:53.160 willing heart, 00:14:54.360 --> 00:14:55.440 we can be 00:14:55.440 --> 00:14:56.440 led, we 00:14:56.440 --> 00:14:57.620 can be ministered 00:14:57.620 --> 00:14:58.159 to and we 00:14:58.159 --> 00:14:58.460 can be 00:14:58.460 --> 00:14:59.019 changed. 00:15:00.659 --> 00:15:01.740 He restores 00:15:01.740 --> 00:15:02.500 my soul. 00:15:03.860 --> 00:15:04.639 At some 00:15:04.639 --> 00:15:05.320 stage in our 00:15:05.320 --> 00:15:05.799 life, we 00:15:05.799 --> 00:15:06.519 have all 00:15:06.519 --> 00:15:07.799 been in 00:15:07.799 --> 00:15:08.440 the place 00:15:08.440 --> 00:15:09.039 where our 00:15:09.039 --> 00:15:10.440 soul needs 00:15:10.440 --> 00:15:11.240 restoring. 00:15:11.240 --> 00:15:12.179 The great 00:15:12.179 --> 00:15:13.320 news is, when 00:15:13.320 --> 00:15:14.480 our soul grows 00:15:14.480 --> 00:15:15.840 sorrowful, he 00:15:15.840 --> 00:15:16.700 revives it. 00:15:17.440 --> 00:15:18.259 When it is 00:15:18.259 --> 00:15:18.899 sinful, he 00:15:18.899 --> 00:15:20.080 sanctifies it 00:15:20.080 --> 00:15:20.799 and makes it 00:15:20.799 --> 00:15:21.100 whole. 00:15:21.360 --> 00:15:22.000 When it is 00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:22.600 weak, he 00:15:22.600 --> 00:15:23.620 strengthens it. 00:15:23.620 --> 00:15:25.980 he does 00:15:25.980 --> 00:15:27.299 it, the 00:15:27.299 --> 00:15:27.600 shepherd. 00:15:28.340 --> 00:15:29.159 He restores 00:15:29.159 --> 00:15:30.080 my soul and 00:15:30.080 --> 00:15:32.039 so I need 00:15:32.039 --> 00:15:33.019 to stop and 00:15:33.019 --> 00:15:35.139 ask you, does 00:15:35.139 --> 00:15:36.879 your soul need 00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:38.100 restoring today? 00:15:40.220 --> 00:15:41.159 Is your 00:15:41.159 --> 00:15:42.060 spiritual life 00:15:42.060 --> 00:15:42.620 at a low 00:15:42.620 --> 00:15:43.019 ebb? 00:15:44.100 --> 00:15:45.100 Because if it 00:15:45.100 --> 00:15:45.840 is, you need 00:15:45.840 --> 00:15:46.539 to ask the 00:15:46.539 --> 00:15:47.200 great shepherd 00:15:47.200 --> 00:15:48.399 to restore 00:15:48.399 --> 00:15:48.659 it. 00:15:48.659 --> 00:15:50.100 don't leave 00:15:50.100 --> 00:15:50.959 here today 00:15:50.959 --> 00:15:53.379 feeling lost 00:15:53.379 --> 00:15:54.299 and empty 00:15:54.299 --> 00:15:55.319 and downtrodden. 00:15:56.719 --> 00:15:57.620 And we can 00:15:57.620 --> 00:15:58.539 confidently ask 00:15:58.539 --> 00:15:59.360 the great shepherd 00:15:59.360 --> 00:16:00.719 because as we 00:16:00.719 --> 00:16:01.679 can see, he 00:16:01.679 --> 00:16:02.480 is the one who 00:16:02.480 --> 00:16:03.379 guides us in 00:16:03.379 --> 00:16:04.059 paths of 00:16:04.059 --> 00:16:05.059 righteousness for 00:16:05.059 --> 00:16:06.039 his name's 00:16:06.039 --> 00:16:06.360 sake. 00:16:07.620 --> 00:16:08.459 Now it is 00:16:08.459 --> 00:16:09.719 the one who 00:16:09.719 --> 00:16:11.219 can truly say 00:16:11.219 --> 00:16:12.819 the Lord is 00:16:12.819 --> 00:16:13.699 my shepherd 00:16:13.699 --> 00:16:14.939 that will 00:16:14.939 --> 00:16:15.519 follow the 00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:16.039 leading that 00:16:16.039 --> 00:16:16.379 the Lord 00:16:16.379 --> 00:16:16.860 gives. 00:16:16.860 --> 00:16:18.259 And we 00:16:18.259 --> 00:16:18.820 do that 00:16:18.820 --> 00:16:19.399 because we 00:16:19.399 --> 00:16:20.159 love the 00:16:20.159 --> 00:16:21.060 master, we 00:16:21.060 --> 00:16:21.879 love the 00:16:21.879 --> 00:16:22.159 shepherd. 00:16:23.139 --> 00:16:23.899 We cannot 00:16:23.899 --> 00:16:24.560 pick and 00:16:24.560 --> 00:16:26.460 choose which 00:16:26.460 --> 00:16:27.159 parts of the 00:16:27.159 --> 00:16:28.399 commandments we 00:16:28.399 --> 00:16:28.840 want to 00:16:28.840 --> 00:16:29.139 follow. 00:16:29.419 --> 00:16:29.899 We cannot 00:16:29.899 --> 00:16:30.580 ask the 00:16:30.580 --> 00:16:31.580 Lord to 00:16:31.580 --> 00:16:32.600 grow us 00:16:32.600 --> 00:16:33.139 into the 00:16:33.139 --> 00:16:33.659 people he 00:16:33.659 --> 00:16:34.419 desires us 00:16:34.419 --> 00:16:35.259 to be but 00:16:35.259 --> 00:16:35.860 to say, 00:16:36.120 --> 00:16:36.539 but please 00:16:36.539 --> 00:16:37.180 don't touch 00:16:37.180 --> 00:16:38.460 this part of 00:16:38.460 --> 00:16:39.139 my life over 00:16:39.139 --> 00:16:39.580 here because 00:16:39.580 --> 00:16:40.120 that bit's 00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:40.659 for me to 00:16:40.659 --> 00:16:41.420 take control 00:16:41.420 --> 00:16:41.680 of. 00:16:42.620 --> 00:16:43.220 What we 00:16:43.220 --> 00:16:43.820 come to the 00:16:43.820 --> 00:16:44.259 shepherd and 00:16:44.259 --> 00:16:44.820 we ask the 00:16:44.820 --> 00:16:45.320 shepherd to 00:16:45.320 --> 00:16:46.700 change absolutely 00:16:46.700 --> 00:16:47.879 every part of 00:16:47.879 --> 00:16:49.000 our life to 00:16:49.000 --> 00:16:49.759 his glory. 00:16:51.440 --> 00:16:52.160 When the 00:16:52.160 --> 00:16:52.800 Lord is our 00:16:52.800 --> 00:16:53.440 shepherd we 00:16:53.440 --> 00:16:54.320 allow leading 00:16:54.320 --> 00:16:55.540 to occur because 00:16:55.540 --> 00:16:56.400 it will lead to 00:16:56.400 --> 00:16:57.379 righteous living 00:16:57.379 --> 00:16:58.840 because of 00:16:58.840 --> 00:16:59.640 God's love for 00:16:59.640 --> 00:17:00.259 each and every 00:17:00.259 --> 00:17:00.980 one of us. 00:17:01.540 --> 00:17:02.500 And we need 00:17:02.500 --> 00:17:03.620 changing, we 00:17:03.620 --> 00:17:04.220 need to be 00:17:04.220 --> 00:17:05.340 made new, we 00:17:05.340 --> 00:17:06.600 need a saviour to 00:17:06.600 --> 00:17:07.340 deal with our 00:17:07.340 --> 00:17:08.759 sin and we 00:17:08.759 --> 00:17:09.880 have one and 00:17:09.880 --> 00:17:10.319 the leading 00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:11.400 occurs for his 00:17:11.400 --> 00:17:12.100 name's sake, 00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:13.059 not for our 00:17:13.059 --> 00:17:13.319 own. 00:17:13.319 --> 00:17:16.419 Even though I 00:17:16.419 --> 00:17:17.279 walk through the 00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:17.839 valley of the 00:17:17.839 --> 00:17:18.419 shadow of 00:17:18.419 --> 00:17:18.919 death, I 00:17:18.919 --> 00:17:19.659 will fear no 00:17:19.659 --> 00:17:20.579 evil for thy 00:17:20.579 --> 00:17:21.279 rod and thy 00:17:21.279 --> 00:17:22.039 staff, they 00:17:22.039 --> 00:17:22.700 comfort me. 00:17:23.419 --> 00:17:24.579 This verse has 00:17:24.579 --> 00:17:25.599 always challenged 00:17:25.599 --> 00:17:26.539 me because it 00:17:26.539 --> 00:17:27.740 does not say 00:17:27.740 --> 00:17:31.019 if you go 00:17:31.019 --> 00:17:31.399 through the 00:17:31.399 --> 00:17:31.919 valley of the 00:17:31.919 --> 00:17:32.339 shadow of 00:17:32.339 --> 00:17:32.559 death. 00:17:32.619 --> 00:17:33.119 It actually 00:17:33.119 --> 00:17:33.779 says when. 00:17:36.119 --> 00:17:37.039 There is an 00:17:37.039 --> 00:17:39.179 expectation that 00:17:39.179 --> 00:17:39.859 there are tough 00:17:39.859 --> 00:17:41.559 times and that 00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:42.220 we're going to 00:17:42.220 --> 00:17:43.359 go through 00:17:43.359 --> 00:17:44.119 that valley. 00:17:44.679 --> 00:17:45.480 That's a 00:17:45.480 --> 00:17:45.720 given. 00:17:46.139 --> 00:17:46.700 That's not a 00:17:46.700 --> 00:17:47.159 surprise. 00:17:47.299 --> 00:17:47.740 We should never 00:17:47.740 --> 00:17:48.619 be surprised when 00:17:48.619 --> 00:17:49.539 tough times come. 00:17:50.240 --> 00:17:50.879 It's a given. 00:17:55.419 --> 00:17:56.639 Now many of 00:17:56.639 --> 00:17:58.539 you actually 00:17:58.539 --> 00:18:00.159 know, have 00:18:00.159 --> 00:18:02.119 known fear and 00:18:02.119 --> 00:18:03.599 many choose to 00:18:03.599 --> 00:18:04.980 live with fear of 00:18:04.980 --> 00:18:05.859 going through the 00:18:05.859 --> 00:18:06.700 tough times, 00:18:07.119 --> 00:18:08.059 whatever they may 00:18:08.059 --> 00:18:08.460 be. 00:18:09.599 --> 00:18:10.240 But might I 00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:11.399 say I actually 00:18:11.400 --> 00:18:12.480 do not believe 00:18:12.480 --> 00:18:14.340 that for 00:18:14.340 --> 00:18:15.519 somebody who 00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:16.720 is saying that 00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:17.580 they follow the 00:18:17.580 --> 00:18:18.380 Lord as their 00:18:18.380 --> 00:18:20.000 shepherd, that 00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:21.100 indeed living with 00:18:21.100 --> 00:18:22.900 fear is possible 00:18:22.900 --> 00:18:25.300 or that it is 00:18:25.300 --> 00:18:27.460 allowed or that 00:18:27.460 --> 00:18:28.440 it is correct. 00:18:29.420 --> 00:18:30.860 It's not okay 00:18:30.860 --> 00:18:32.000 because it 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:33.680 reflects a 00:18:33.680 --> 00:18:35.120 lack of trust in 00:18:35.120 --> 00:18:35.840 the shepherd for 00:18:35.840 --> 00:18:36.640 all things. 00:18:37.980 --> 00:18:38.740 Now there's a 00:18:38.740 --> 00:18:39.640 word in this 00:18:39.640 --> 00:18:40.759 particular verse 00:18:40.759 --> 00:18:41.800 that excited 00:18:41.800 --> 00:18:42.820 me and that 00:18:42.820 --> 00:18:43.680 word is the 00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:44.400 word shadow. 00:18:45.140 --> 00:18:46.100 This is a new 00:18:46.100 --> 00:18:46.960 revelation for 00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:47.200 me. 00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:48.820 You see, what 00:18:48.820 --> 00:18:50.220 dawned on me is 00:18:50.220 --> 00:18:51.520 that a shadow 00:18:51.520 --> 00:18:53.460 cannot harm you. 00:18:54.820 --> 00:18:56.440 It says that we 00:18:56.440 --> 00:18:57.120 go through the 00:18:57.120 --> 00:18:57.720 valley of the 00:18:57.720 --> 00:18:58.800 shadow of death 00:18:58.800 --> 00:19:01.980 and what I also 00:19:01.980 --> 00:19:03.220 learned is that 00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:04.280 where there is a 00:19:04.280 --> 00:19:05.140 shadow, there is 00:19:05.140 --> 00:19:06.080 always light. 00:19:06.079 --> 00:19:06.139 light. 00:19:06.639 --> 00:19:08.079 There is light to 00:19:08.079 --> 00:19:09.000 cast the shadow 00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:11.139 and I love 00:19:11.139 --> 00:19:11.500 that. 00:19:11.759 --> 00:19:12.819 I love knowing 00:19:12.819 --> 00:19:13.500 that there is 00:19:13.500 --> 00:19:14.480 light because it 00:19:14.480 --> 00:19:16.480 is the light of 00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:17.379 the shepherd that 00:19:17.379 --> 00:19:18.899 is being cast. 00:19:19.339 --> 00:19:20.159 See, a shadow 00:19:20.159 --> 00:19:21.659 of a dog cannot 00:19:21.659 --> 00:19:23.599 bite you, a 00:19:23.599 --> 00:19:24.559 shadow of a 00:19:24.559 --> 00:19:26.019 sword cannot 00:19:26.019 --> 00:19:29.039 kill you, and 00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:30.279 the shadow of 00:19:30.279 --> 00:19:31.199 death cannot 00:19:31.199 --> 00:19:32.179 destroy us. 00:19:32.180 --> 00:19:33.920 So let us 00:19:33.920 --> 00:19:34.940 not be afraid. 00:19:35.660 --> 00:19:36.539 There is light 00:19:36.539 --> 00:19:37.980 and the light is 00:19:37.980 --> 00:19:39.180 the one who is 00:19:39.180 --> 00:19:39.660 with me. 00:19:40.080 --> 00:19:41.640 That is, I have 00:19:41.640 --> 00:19:42.779 a perfect comfort 00:19:42.779 --> 00:19:44.060 and security because 00:19:44.060 --> 00:19:45.240 the Lord is with 00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:47.039 me in any and 00:19:47.039 --> 00:19:48.420 every situation 00:19:48.420 --> 00:19:52.259 if he is my 00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:52.539 shepherd. 00:19:52.539 --> 00:19:55.180 And now finally 00:19:55.180 --> 00:19:55.819 we come to the 00:19:55.819 --> 00:19:56.720 last two verses 00:19:56.720 --> 00:19:58.019 and we change 00:19:58.019 --> 00:19:58.920 from a pastoral 00:19:58.920 --> 00:19:59.759 scene and we go 00:19:59.759 --> 00:20:00.519 to a banqueting 00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:01.039 scene. 00:20:02.119 --> 00:20:03.099 You prepare a 00:20:03.099 --> 00:20:04.059 table before me 00:20:04.059 --> 00:20:04.639 in the presence 00:20:04.639 --> 00:20:05.500 of my enemies. 00:20:05.779 --> 00:20:06.680 You anoint my 00:20:06.680 --> 00:20:07.519 head with oil. 00:20:07.759 --> 00:20:09.259 My cup overflows. 00:20:10.019 --> 00:20:11.039 Now many of us 00:20:11.039 --> 00:20:12.039 would like to 00:20:12.039 --> 00:20:12.460 think that we 00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:13.639 have no enemies. 00:20:14.779 --> 00:20:15.619 I'd like to 00:20:15.619 --> 00:20:16.279 think I have no 00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:16.720 enemies. 00:20:17.720 --> 00:20:19.220 But if we are 00:20:19.220 --> 00:20:20.159 aligned with 00:20:20.159 --> 00:20:21.859 Jesus, we have 00:20:21.859 --> 00:20:22.839 many enemies 00:20:22.839 --> 00:20:24.539 for the world 00:20:24.539 --> 00:20:25.939 hates God 00:20:25.939 --> 00:20:27.919 and the world 00:20:27.919 --> 00:20:28.599 will hate 00:20:28.599 --> 00:20:29.799 those who 00:20:29.799 --> 00:20:30.579 belong to God. 00:20:31.219 --> 00:20:32.179 But there is a 00:20:32.179 --> 00:20:33.359 calmness in front 00:20:33.359 --> 00:20:34.159 of the enemies 00:20:34.159 --> 00:20:34.519 here. 00:20:35.079 --> 00:20:35.619 Nothing is 00:20:35.619 --> 00:20:36.039 hurried. 00:20:36.439 --> 00:20:36.979 There is no 00:20:36.979 --> 00:20:38.459 confusion, no 00:20:38.459 --> 00:20:39.000 disturbance. 00:20:39.219 --> 00:20:40.119 The enemy is 00:20:40.119 --> 00:20:41.579 at the door 00:20:41.579 --> 00:20:42.740 and yet God 00:20:42.740 --> 00:20:43.679 is preparing a 00:20:43.679 --> 00:20:44.979 table and the 00:20:44.979 --> 00:20:45.639 psalmist sits 00:20:45.639 --> 00:20:46.459 down and eats 00:20:46.459 --> 00:20:47.479 as if everything 00:20:47.479 --> 00:20:48.439 is at perfect 00:20:48.439 --> 00:20:48.919 peace. 00:20:49.839 --> 00:20:50.799 Is this your 00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:51.199 life? 00:20:51.859 --> 00:20:52.899 It's a 00:20:52.899 --> 00:20:53.359 picture of 00:20:53.359 --> 00:20:53.819 peace. 00:20:54.419 --> 00:20:54.899 Is your 00:20:54.899 --> 00:20:55.500 life a 00:20:55.500 --> 00:20:56.000 picture of 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:56.639 peace at 00:20:56.639 --> 00:20:57.099 this moment 00:20:57.099 --> 00:20:57.559 in time? 00:20:58.479 --> 00:20:58.979 Have you 00:20:58.979 --> 00:20:59.639 ever tried to 00:20:59.639 --> 00:21:00.159 eat when 00:21:00.159 --> 00:21:00.740 you're worried 00:21:00.740 --> 00:21:01.199 or you're 00:21:01.199 --> 00:21:01.959 sick at heart 00:21:01.959 --> 00:21:02.359 or you're 00:21:02.359 --> 00:21:03.179 feeling heavy 00:21:03.179 --> 00:21:03.779 at heart 00:21:03.779 --> 00:21:04.579 or you're 00:21:04.579 --> 00:21:05.139 afraid? 00:21:05.779 --> 00:21:06.479 For some 00:21:06.479 --> 00:21:07.919 reason, food 00:21:07.919 --> 00:21:09.000 loses its 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:10.979 attraction when 00:21:10.979 --> 00:21:11.659 we're worried 00:21:11.659 --> 00:21:12.219 and when we're 00:21:12.219 --> 00:21:12.639 afraid. 00:21:12.979 --> 00:21:13.779 Our stomachs 00:21:13.779 --> 00:21:14.299 are taut, 00:21:14.459 --> 00:21:15.159 our adrenaline 00:21:15.159 --> 00:21:16.519 sort of goes 00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:17.779 sky high and 00:21:17.779 --> 00:21:18.579 the last thing 00:21:18.579 --> 00:21:19.299 our bodies 00:21:19.299 --> 00:21:20.319 want to do 00:21:20.319 --> 00:21:21.699 when we're 00:21:21.699 --> 00:21:22.539 afraid is to 00:21:22.539 --> 00:21:23.480 sit down and 00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:24.359 eat something. 00:21:24.919 --> 00:21:25.359 That's why 00:21:25.359 --> 00:21:25.919 people lose 00:21:25.919 --> 00:21:26.460 their appetite 00:21:26.460 --> 00:21:27.519 when danger 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:28.659 is present. 00:21:28.659 --> 00:21:30.659 But the one 00:21:30.659 --> 00:21:31.359 who has the 00:21:31.359 --> 00:21:32.039 Lord as their 00:21:32.039 --> 00:21:33.879 shepherd is at 00:21:33.879 --> 00:21:34.799 peace in all 00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:35.299 things. 00:21:37.139 --> 00:21:38.359 You anoint my 00:21:38.359 --> 00:21:39.119 head with oil 00:21:39.119 --> 00:21:39.779 and my cup 00:21:39.779 --> 00:21:40.579 overflows. 00:21:41.240 --> 00:21:43.119 If only we all 00:21:43.119 --> 00:21:44.240 lived in this 00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:45.460 daily enjoyment 00:21:45.460 --> 00:21:45.940 of this 00:21:45.940 --> 00:21:46.420 blessing, 00:21:47.079 --> 00:21:48.019 receiving a 00:21:48.019 --> 00:21:49.400 fresh anointing 00:21:49.400 --> 00:21:49.880 for our 00:21:49.880 --> 00:21:51.039 everyday duties, 00:21:51.519 --> 00:21:52.620 day by day 00:21:52.620 --> 00:21:54.259 we all need 00:21:54.259 --> 00:21:55.240 to go to 00:21:55.240 --> 00:21:56.360 God to be 00:21:56.360 --> 00:21:57.680 refreshed by 00:21:57.680 --> 00:21:58.539 his spirit, 00:21:58.740 --> 00:21:59.960 to live the 00:21:59.960 --> 00:22:00.980 day under 00:22:00.980 --> 00:22:01.720 the Lordship 00:22:01.720 --> 00:22:02.319 of Jesus, 00:22:02.600 --> 00:22:04.279 to be refreshed, 00:22:04.860 --> 00:22:05.720 to be renewed 00:22:05.720 --> 00:22:06.840 by God alone 00:22:06.840 --> 00:22:08.120 for we cannot 00:22:08.120 --> 00:22:09.400 do this in 00:22:09.400 --> 00:22:09.860 our own 00:22:09.860 --> 00:22:10.440 strength. 00:22:12.440 --> 00:22:13.600 But we are 00:22:13.600 --> 00:22:14.180 not left 00:22:14.180 --> 00:22:14.620 alone. 00:22:14.619 --> 00:22:15.439 we have 00:22:15.439 --> 00:22:16.019 God's 00:22:16.019 --> 00:22:17.319 spirit to 00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:18.239 daily empower 00:22:18.239 --> 00:22:19.839 us to be 00:22:19.839 --> 00:22:20.579 who God 00:22:20.579 --> 00:22:21.119 wants us 00:22:21.119 --> 00:22:21.579 to be. 00:22:22.399 --> 00:22:23.279 So can 00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:24.079 you say 00:22:24.079 --> 00:22:25.379 your cup 00:22:25.379 --> 00:22:26.359 overflows, 00:22:26.759 --> 00:22:27.319 that you 00:22:27.319 --> 00:22:28.839 are abundantly 00:22:28.839 --> 00:22:30.279 and lavishly 00:22:30.279 --> 00:22:31.179 filled with 00:22:31.179 --> 00:22:31.879 the love, 00:22:32.059 --> 00:22:32.799 the mercy, 00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:33.779 the protection, 00:22:34.379 --> 00:22:35.199 the forgiveness, 00:22:35.559 --> 00:22:36.399 the renewal 00:22:36.399 --> 00:22:37.339 of the Lord 00:22:37.339 --> 00:22:38.719 that the Lord 00:22:38.719 --> 00:22:39.479 offers you? 00:22:39.619 --> 00:22:40.399 Can you say 00:22:40.399 --> 00:22:40.719 that? 00:22:41.879 --> 00:22:43.599 Or are you 00:22:43.599 --> 00:22:44.819 quietly grumbling 00:22:44.819 --> 00:22:45.959 to yourself 00:22:45.959 --> 00:22:46.859 on the side 00:22:46.859 --> 00:22:47.639 that you 00:22:47.639 --> 00:22:48.480 deserve more, 00:22:49.219 --> 00:22:49.799 that you 00:22:49.799 --> 00:22:50.619 deserve things 00:22:50.619 --> 00:22:51.679 to go your 00:22:51.679 --> 00:22:52.059 way? 00:22:52.819 --> 00:22:53.859 For whoever 00:22:53.859 --> 00:22:55.699 is discontented 00:22:55.699 --> 00:22:57.299 in anything 00:22:57.299 --> 00:22:58.059 whatsoever 00:22:58.059 --> 00:22:59.719 cannot say, 00:23:00.559 --> 00:23:01.019 my cup 00:23:01.019 --> 00:23:01.819 overflows. 00:23:02.819 --> 00:23:03.639 I'll say it 00:23:03.639 --> 00:23:04.339 again for you. 00:23:05.000 --> 00:23:05.559 Whoever 00:23:05.559 --> 00:23:09.059 is discontented 00:23:09.059 --> 00:23:10.339 in anything 00:23:10.339 --> 00:23:11.139 at all 00:23:11.139 --> 00:23:11.879 in life 00:23:11.879 --> 00:23:13.679 cannot say, 00:23:13.679 --> 00:23:14.359 my cup 00:23:14.359 --> 00:23:15.119 overflows. 00:23:17.720 --> 00:23:18.279 Surely 00:23:18.279 --> 00:23:19.000 goodness and 00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:19.419 love will 00:23:19.419 --> 00:23:19.879 follow me 00:23:19.879 --> 00:23:20.579 all the days 00:23:20.579 --> 00:23:21.220 of my life 00:23:21.220 --> 00:23:22.039 and I will 00:23:22.039 --> 00:23:22.639 dwell in the 00:23:22.639 --> 00:23:23.200 house of the 00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:23.779 Lord forever. 00:23:24.579 --> 00:23:25.259 Goodness and 00:23:25.259 --> 00:23:25.839 love here are 00:23:25.839 --> 00:23:26.559 like guardian 00:23:26.559 --> 00:23:27.980 angels that 00:23:27.980 --> 00:23:29.359 follow every 00:23:29.359 --> 00:23:29.980 believer 00:23:29.980 --> 00:23:31.640 everywhere they 00:23:31.640 --> 00:23:32.039 go, 00:23:32.279 --> 00:23:32.799 through the 00:23:32.799 --> 00:23:33.519 dark times 00:23:33.519 --> 00:23:33.900 and through 00:23:33.900 --> 00:23:34.400 the bright 00:23:34.400 --> 00:23:34.940 days. 00:23:35.759 --> 00:23:36.400 God is 00:23:36.400 --> 00:23:37.099 more than 00:23:37.099 --> 00:23:37.500 a God 00:23:37.500 --> 00:23:38.440 who provides, 00:23:38.640 --> 00:23:39.140 he is more 00:23:39.140 --> 00:23:39.740 than a God 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:40.440 who protects, 00:23:40.559 --> 00:23:41.140 he is a God 00:23:41.140 --> 00:23:41.680 that makes 00:23:41.680 --> 00:23:42.500 all of our 00:23:42.500 --> 00:23:42.880 life, 00:23:43.319 --> 00:23:44.120 both present 00:23:44.120 --> 00:23:45.420 and future, 00:23:45.819 --> 00:23:46.460 a wonderful 00:23:46.460 --> 00:23:46.880 thing. 00:23:47.079 --> 00:23:47.759 He is a God 00:23:47.759 --> 00:23:48.339 of promise. 00:23:49.440 --> 00:23:49.920 And Jesus 00:23:49.920 --> 00:23:50.660 spoke of 00:23:50.660 --> 00:23:52.279 having and 00:23:52.279 --> 00:23:53.079 giving an 00:23:53.079 --> 00:23:53.960 abundant life. 00:23:54.660 --> 00:23:55.099 He says, 00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:56.059 I have come 00:23:56.059 --> 00:23:57.160 so that you 00:23:57.160 --> 00:23:57.980 may have life 00:23:57.980 --> 00:23:58.500 and have it 00:23:58.500 --> 00:23:59.339 more abundantly. 00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:00.860 That's what 00:24:00.860 --> 00:24:01.500 David is 00:24:01.500 --> 00:24:02.440 describing when 00:24:02.440 --> 00:24:03.160 he says, 00:24:03.700 --> 00:24:04.460 surely goodness 00:24:04.460 --> 00:24:05.259 and mercy 00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:06.259 shall follow 00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:06.740 me all the 00:24:06.740 --> 00:24:07.299 days of my 00:24:07.299 --> 00:24:07.640 life. 00:24:08.120 --> 00:24:09.099 With God 00:24:09.099 --> 00:24:09.920 by our 00:24:09.920 --> 00:24:10.500 side, 00:24:10.839 --> 00:24:11.579 life is 00:24:11.579 --> 00:24:11.920 good. 00:24:12.319 --> 00:24:12.900 Our lives 00:24:12.900 --> 00:24:13.480 are fulfilled 00:24:13.480 --> 00:24:14.299 in ways that 00:24:14.299 --> 00:24:14.740 we cannot 00:24:14.740 --> 00:24:15.640 even begin 00:24:15.640 --> 00:24:16.400 to imagine. 00:24:17.380 --> 00:24:17.819 Not the 00:24:17.819 --> 00:24:18.400 fullness of 00:24:18.400 --> 00:24:18.940 possessions, 00:24:19.660 --> 00:24:20.120 not the 00:24:20.120 --> 00:24:21.000 abundance of 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:21.599 things, 00:24:22.079 --> 00:24:22.620 but the 00:24:22.620 --> 00:24:23.279 abundance of 00:24:23.279 --> 00:24:23.680 God, 00:24:23.839 --> 00:24:24.759 God's love, 00:24:24.900 --> 00:24:25.660 God's peace, 00:24:25.819 --> 00:24:26.460 God's joy, 00:24:26.620 --> 00:24:27.240 God's goodness. 00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:29.200 And I 00:24:29.200 --> 00:24:29.960 can guarantee 00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:30.600 you, 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:31.580 if you 00:24:31.580 --> 00:24:32.140 have these 00:24:32.140 --> 00:24:32.620 things and 00:24:32.620 --> 00:24:33.200 nothing else, 00:24:33.299 --> 00:24:33.620 you are 00:24:33.620 --> 00:24:35.340 infinitely more 00:24:35.340 --> 00:24:36.779 rich than if 00:24:36.779 --> 00:24:37.759 you had all 00:24:37.759 --> 00:24:38.500 the material 00:24:38.500 --> 00:24:39.500 prosperity that 00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:40.120 the world has 00:24:40.120 --> 00:24:40.559 to offer. 00:24:41.580 --> 00:24:42.279 But there's 00:24:42.279 --> 00:24:42.900 more to this 00:24:42.900 --> 00:24:43.400 psalm than 00:24:43.400 --> 00:24:43.960 this present 00:24:43.960 --> 00:24:45.100 earthly existence. 00:24:45.880 --> 00:24:46.580 The shepherd's 00:24:46.580 --> 00:24:47.440 psalm reminds 00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:48.700 us that God 00:24:48.700 --> 00:24:49.519 has prepared 00:24:49.519 --> 00:24:50.940 for us a 00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:51.480 marvellous 00:24:51.480 --> 00:24:52.240 future, an 00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:52.819 eternal 00:24:52.819 --> 00:24:54.460 security, a 00:24:54.460 --> 00:24:55.259 heavenly home. 00:24:56.259 --> 00:24:56.759 Now many 00:24:56.759 --> 00:24:57.319 people have 00:24:57.319 --> 00:24:57.980 an uncertain 00:24:57.980 --> 00:24:58.879 hope of 00:24:58.879 --> 00:24:59.519 eternity. 00:25:00.180 --> 00:25:01.000 I can tell 00:25:01.000 --> 00:25:01.500 you for all 00:25:01.500 --> 00:25:02.200 the people I 00:25:02.200 --> 00:25:03.019 have asked 00:25:03.019 --> 00:25:04.420 over the 00:25:04.420 --> 00:25:05.740 years, many, 00:25:05.920 --> 00:25:06.559 many people 00:25:06.559 --> 00:25:07.599 will say, if 00:25:07.599 --> 00:25:08.559 I ask, are 00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:09.339 you certain of 00:25:09.339 --> 00:25:10.079 heaven, they 00:25:10.079 --> 00:25:10.660 will say, I 00:25:10.660 --> 00:25:11.319 hope so. 00:25:13.859 --> 00:25:15.000 Or maybe. 00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:16.900 But these 00:25:16.900 --> 00:25:17.359 words of 00:25:17.359 --> 00:25:18.059 Psalm 23, 00:25:18.240 --> 00:25:18.759 they're not a 00:25:18.759 --> 00:25:19.920 vague expression 00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:21.079 of uncertainty. 00:25:21.640 --> 00:25:22.559 They are a 00:25:22.559 --> 00:25:24.259 declaration of 00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:25.220 certainty, a 00:25:25.220 --> 00:25:26.579 confidence that 00:25:26.579 --> 00:25:27.220 God has 00:25:27.220 --> 00:25:28.220 provided a 00:25:28.220 --> 00:25:29.579 glorious future 00:25:29.579 --> 00:25:30.319 and an 00:25:30.319 --> 00:25:31.240 eternal home 00:25:31.240 --> 00:25:32.240 for us. 00:25:32.960 --> 00:25:33.640 David doesn't 00:25:33.640 --> 00:25:34.319 say, I hope 00:25:34.319 --> 00:25:34.900 to be there. 00:25:34.980 --> 00:25:36.299 He says, I 00:25:36.299 --> 00:25:37.059 will be there. 00:25:38.339 --> 00:25:38.920 And in the 00:25:38.920 --> 00:25:39.460 New Testament, 00:25:39.619 --> 00:25:40.500 the reason for 00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:41.299 our confidence 00:25:41.299 --> 00:25:42.599 is made clear. 00:25:43.099 --> 00:25:43.740 Paul said, it 00:25:43.740 --> 00:25:44.440 is not by 00:25:44.440 --> 00:25:45.180 works you 00:25:45.180 --> 00:25:45.920 are saved. 00:25:47.480 --> 00:25:48.259 Lest any 00:25:48.259 --> 00:25:48.799 man should 00:25:48.799 --> 00:25:50.000 boast, it 00:25:50.000 --> 00:25:51.059 is by grace. 00:25:51.059 --> 00:25:52.940 What is 00:25:52.940 --> 00:25:53.799 this grace 00:25:53.799 --> 00:25:54.480 of God? 00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:56.259 It is God, 00:25:56.500 --> 00:25:57.220 it is the 00:25:57.220 --> 00:25:57.779 God who 00:25:57.779 --> 00:25:58.700 loved the 00:25:58.700 --> 00:25:59.799 world, who 00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:00.619 gave his 00:26:00.619 --> 00:26:01.419 only son that 00:26:01.419 --> 00:26:02.240 whoever believes 00:26:02.240 --> 00:26:02.819 in him should 00:26:02.819 --> 00:26:04.319 not perish but 00:26:04.319 --> 00:26:05.279 have everlasting 00:26:05.279 --> 00:26:05.899 life. 00:26:06.119 --> 00:26:06.980 It is through 00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:07.980 Christ's death on 00:26:07.980 --> 00:26:09.220 the cross that 00:26:09.220 --> 00:26:09.940 our sins are 00:26:09.940 --> 00:26:10.279 forgiven. 00:26:10.859 --> 00:26:11.500 It is through 00:26:11.500 --> 00:26:12.299 his resurrection 00:26:12.299 --> 00:26:13.359 from the grave 00:26:13.359 --> 00:26:15.379 that we are 00:26:15.379 --> 00:26:16.099 given an 00:26:16.099 --> 00:26:16.980 assurance of 00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:17.859 eternal life. 00:26:18.259 --> 00:26:18.899 And it is 00:26:18.899 --> 00:26:20.379 through faith in 00:26:20.380 --> 00:26:21.360 what God has 00:26:21.360 --> 00:26:22.040 done in 00:26:22.040 --> 00:26:23.040 Jesus Christ 00:26:23.040 --> 00:26:23.960 that we 00:26:23.960 --> 00:26:25.480 receive this 00:26:25.480 --> 00:26:27.080 precious promise. 00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:28.540 And when we 00:26:28.540 --> 00:26:29.180 come to God 00:26:29.180 --> 00:26:29.820 in faith, 00:26:30.460 --> 00:26:31.260 trusting in 00:26:31.260 --> 00:26:32.120 his provision, 00:26:32.680 --> 00:26:33.760 depending on 00:26:33.760 --> 00:26:34.720 his protection, 00:26:35.320 --> 00:26:36.660 we know that 00:26:36.660 --> 00:26:37.600 we can rely 00:26:37.600 --> 00:26:38.620 upon his 00:26:38.620 --> 00:26:39.120 promise. 00:26:40.040 --> 00:26:40.700 And with the 00:26:40.700 --> 00:26:41.580 assurance of 00:26:41.580 --> 00:26:42.600 faith, we 00:26:42.600 --> 00:26:43.860 can declare 00:26:43.860 --> 00:26:45.640 our confidence 00:26:45.640 --> 00:26:46.800 as well. 00:26:47.460 --> 00:26:48.300 And with 00:26:48.300 --> 00:26:49.600 this, we 00:26:49.599 --> 00:26:50.939 can also say 00:26:50.939 --> 00:26:52.339 the Lord is 00:26:52.339 --> 00:26:53.000 my shepherd, 00:26:53.500 --> 00:26:54.619 I shall not 00:26:54.619 --> 00:26:55.019 want. 00:26:55.759 --> 00:26:56.139 Amen.