My Shepherd -- Part 2 of 2

I. The Lord - But Who is This Lord?

A. Last week we noted that this word "Lord" is in capital letters, meaning Jehovah

1. This is the redemptive name of Deity - in this name we find sufficiency for every need of humanity.

2. David, in this psalm calls Jehovah - the Shepherd

3. Being a Shepherd, he chose that name fully

B. Being a Shepherd included many provisions.

1. Because He is my Shepherd - I shall not lack

2. I'll not lack inner peace - if He is my Shepherd

3. He will restore our soul - the word "restore" means to return to its original position.

4. As Shepherd, He Guides us and leads in the right paths.

5. As Shepherd, He will be with us in the darkest hours, He will go through it with us

6. As Shepherd, He uses His rod to correct us and with His staff He comforts us and draws us to His side.

7. As Shepherd, He will carry us through life and take us to our eternal home.

II. The New Testament Reveals the Name of the Shepherd (John 10:11)

A. Jesus says, "I am the Good Shepherd".

1. The one whom David talked about in Psalm 23 is the none other than Jesus Christ

2. But who is this Christ?

B. Paul tells us this One who is the Good Shepherd is also the Creator of the Universe (Col. 1:15-20)

1. If we pause to reflect upon the power and person of Christ like David, we will gladly own Him as our Shepherd.

2. When we make our confession of faith in Jesus as our Savior we are owning Him as Shepherd.

3. This links a lump of common clay to the Divine Potter and we become the cherished object of divine benevolence

and care.

C. Think of it, the eternal God in the Person of Christ is concerned about me as an individual.

1. That immediately gives great purpose and enormous meaning to my short sojourn on this planet.

2. Why am I here - to glorify with my life this one who is my Shepherd.

3. Where am I going? To dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

D. The question remains - Am I going alone or am I responsible to take someone with me?

III. Lord is my Shepherd.

A. What is the emphasis? Does it mean that I own Him or does it mean He owns me?

1. The emphasis is on the Shepherd being Lord over the sheep.

2. He is the owner who bought these sheep (I Cor. 6:20; I Cor. 7:23; II Peter 2:1)

3. He has the right and the responsibility to manage these sheep.

B. At Calvary He not only bought His sheep, He also demonstrated the desire of His heart for each of us to come under his benevolent care.

1. In John 10:11 He is the good Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep.

2. Paying the price for the sheep is but the first stage for a Shepherd.

3. Once He buys the sheep, He must now tend them.

C. Sheep do not take care of themselves

I. They require more attention than any class of livestock.

2. It is no accident that Jesus has chosen to call us sheep. The sheep of His pasture.

3. The behavior of sheep and human beings is similar in many ways.

4. Sheep are fearful, timid, stubborn and stupid.

5. Aren't these all traits of human beings?

IV. We Under His Management?

A. Many who claim to be His sheep have never yielded themselves to His direction and management.

1. Yet they lay claim to Him as their Shepherd

2. We want it both ways - we want Him as our Savior, but refuse Him as Shepherd (Lord).

3. When we acknowledge Him as Shepherd we are making Him Lord of our lives.

4. Do you really belong to Him?

B. Do Your Recognize His Right to You?

1. Have you submitted to His management?

2. Do you sense a purpose in your life and a deep contentment because you are under His direction?

3. If so, then I can exclaim proudly, "The Lord is my Shepherd... I'm thrilled to belong to Him!"