THE TWENTY-THIRD PSALM

Psalm 23

Sunday Morning Sermon

April 18, 1999

Fair Ave Baptist Church

The 23rd Psalm is probably the most famous passage of Scripture in the Bible.  Most everyone can quote most or part of it.

Jesus is the Great Living Shepherd.  This Psalm tells what the Shepherd does for His sheep.

Let’s examine this great passage of Scripture and see what Jesus does for us.

1.       JESUS GIVES SATISFACTION AND REST - VERSE 2

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters.”

Sheep lie down only when they are satisfied.

Are you satisfied?

Only Jesus can satisfy.

I wish we could learn that.

“in green pastures”

The “green pastures” refers to all the blessings that are ours in Christ.

Eph. 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.”

Hasn’t Jesus been good to us?

We have a home in heaven.

We’re alive.

We’re in church.

We’ve got a Bible.

“beside still waters”

The “still waters” are the waters of quietness.

Rom. 5:1, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

“still waters”

“peace”

I am so glad that I can have those “still waters” and “peace” through Jesus Christ.

Isn’t that what you want?

1.       Jesus gives satisfaction and rest

2.       JESUS GIVES RESTORATION AND GUIDANCE - VERSE 3

“He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake.”

Sometimes we wonder away and stray.

Isaiah 53:6, “All we like sheep have gone astray.”

Have you strayed from the Lord?

He wants to restore you.

Isn’t that great.

“He restoreth my soul.”

“He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake”

Jesus leads me,

He leads me in the paths of righteousness,

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

That’s why we need to live right,

That’s why we need to do right,

That’s why we need to be right,

FOR HIS NAME’S SAKE.

1.       Jesus gives satisfaction and rest

2.       Jesus gives restoration and guidance

3.       JESUS GIVES COURAGE AND COMFORT - VERSE 4

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.”

Notice the words, “shadow of death.”

Are you in the shadow of some great disappointment?

Are you in the shadow of some great burden?

Is your heart heavy this morning?

Hey, He is with me.

He is with you.

He is there to comfort you.

1.       Jesus gives satisfaction and rest

2.       Jesus gives restoration and guidance

3.       Jesus gives courage and comfort

4.       JESUS GIVES DELIVERANCE AND VICTORY - VERSE 5

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.”

When the enemies come, and they will,

Jesus will be there.

He will deliver us.

He will also give us the victory.

I Cor. 10:13, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

The Devil will throw everything at you,

Satan will try his very best,

The enemies will give it their best shot,

BUT Jesus will be there for deliverance,

Jesus will give you the victory.

1.       Jesus gives satisfaction and rest

2.       Jesus gives restoration and guidance

3.       Jesus gives courage and comfort

4.       Jesus gives deliverance and victory

5.       JESUS GIVES ASSURANCE AND CONFIDENCE - VERSE 6

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”

Whether we live for days, months or years, we can be sure that “goodness and mercy” will follow us all the way through.

I close with this thought.

David believed in eternal security when he said, “I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”

The assurance for salvation will come from Jesus.

Jesus does so much for us,

He gives us satisfaction and rest,

He gives us restoration and guidance,

He gives us courage and comfort,

He gives us deliverance and victory,

He gives us assurance and confidence.