Archive for the ‘Jesus the Good Shepherd’ Tag

“The Good Shepherd!”

A Sermon on Psalm 23 by Pastor Richard Andrews

Part A:

Part B:

Full Message:


Scripture: Psalm 23


Summary:

In this reflective and Spirit-led sermon, Pastor Richard Andrews explores the richness of Psalm 23, reminding us that Jesus is not just a shepherd, He is the Good Shepherd. Though often read during times of sorrow, Pastor Richard encourages us to reclaim this psalm as a daily declaration of trust, provision, and faith.

He begins by tracing David’s journey through the earlier psalms, where themes of battle, betrayal, praise, and prayer reveal a life lived in dependence on God. By Psalm 23, David is no longer speaking theoretically, he’s testifying that the Shepherd’s presence transforms every season.

Jesus confirms this in John 10, calling Himself the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep by name, leads them, protects them, and lays down His life for them. Pastor Richard emphasizes that this relationship is both personal and present. To say, “The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need” is to declare Christ’s sufficiency in every part of life.

“We have all things and abound; not because I have a good store of money in the bank, not because I have skill and wit with which to win my bread, but because the Lord is my shepherd.”— Charles H. Spurgeon

This quote captures the heart of the message: our sufficiency is not in what we possess, but in who possesses us.

Rather than centering on our struggles, the sermon shifts our focus to the One who walks with us through them, guiding, comforting, and carrying us when needed. And even when we stray, He gently leads us back by grace.

We also see that the Shepherd calls us into community, not just a personal walk with God, but life together in the body of Christ. Pastor Richard challenges us to encourage, serve, and love one another as members of the same flock.

Psalm 23 closes not in fear, but in peace and promise: a table prepared in the presence of enemies, an overflowing cup, and the assurance that goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives.

✨ Key Themes and Reflection Questions:

1. The Shepherd Who Satisfies 🐑🛏️

Theme: “The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need.” Christ alone provides for every need: physical, emotional, and spiritual.
Discipleship Question: Are you truly trusting Jesus to meet all your needs, or are you still striving for things outside of Him?
#ShepherdWhoSatisfies

2. Divine Rest in a Restless World 🌿💧

Theme: Jesus gives us rest: true soul-deep peace beside quiet waters and green pastures, not based on circumstances but grounded in His presence.
Discipleship Question: Where do you need to receive God’s rest this week, and what distractions might you need to lay down?
#RestInHim

3. Guidance with Purpose 🧭🚶‍♂️

Theme: “He leads me along right paths for His name’s sake.” God guides us not only for our good, but for His glory. Our lives are testimonies of His faithfulness.
Discipleship Question: Is your life reflecting the guidance of the Good Shepherd or being pulled by your own plans?
#GuidedByGod

4. Peace in the Dark Valley 🌑🕯️

Theme: Even in the valley of shadow and death, Jesus walks with us. His presence replaces fear with peace, and His rod and staff offer protection and comfort.
Discipleship Question: How can you lean into the Shepherd’s presence in your current valley?
#PeaceInTheValley

5. Anchored in Eternal Hope 🏡✨

Theme: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me… and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Our future is secure in Christ.
Discipleship Question: How does the promise of eternity with Jesus give you perspective for today’s challenges?
#EternalHope

Reflective Moment:

Psalm 23 isn’t a soft whisper; it’s a bold declaration. It reminds us who our Shepherd is and reclaims the peace and purpose that come only from His presence. When we live from the truth that “The Lord is my Shepherd; I have what I need,” everything changes: our thinking, our direction, our relationships, and even our rest.

Let this passage be more than comfort in hardship. Let it become your anthem for everyday life.

A Pastor’s Primary Responsibility at New Life!

shepherd6

Audio – Part A: 20 min

“https://trinityandhumanity.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/19.10.20-a-pastors-primary-responsibility-at-new-life-part-a-ephesians-4-tah.mp3”

Audio – Part B: 20min

“https://trinityandhumanity.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/19.10.20-a-pastors-primary-responsibility-at-new-life-part-b-ephesians-4-tah.mp3”

Full Message:

“https://trinityandhumanity.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/19.10.20-a-pastors-primary-responsibility-at-new-life-ephesians-4-tah.mp3”


Bible Verses: Ephesians 4   John 10: 11-14  1Peter 2: 25


 

Theological Theme:

The Father, Son and Spirit God Loves and Leads His Church and all humanity with order and not chaos. Part of that leadership and order happens in the Church, as it reads in Ephesians 4:11, where it notes that Jesus himself “gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers.”

Christ Connection:

Jesus, the Son of God as Man is the great Bishop and Overseer of human souls! In the Spirit He calls men and women to participate with him in his pastoring of his Church in its earthly/historical form. They are ones specially commissioned “12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. 14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. 15 But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ. 16 From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part.”

Missional Application:

Even as Christ on His Mission from the Father declared in the Spirit “the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”, Mark 1:15, so He sends forth his preachers and people to proclaim His Good News to all that they may receive and believe it.

Romans 10:14 “How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. 16 But not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed our message? 17 So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ. 18 But I ask, “Did they not hear?” Yes, they did:

Their voice has gone out to the whole earth,
and their words to the ends of the world.”


Photo Compliments: Pinterest