Jesus Our Shepherd, Friend and Host

Catalina Foothills Church

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Jesus Our Shepherd, Friend and Host

December 31, 2023 • Pastor Rob Pendley • Psalm 23

Psalm 23 Catalina Foothills Church December 30, 2023

Quotes

It is the very character of God to cherish his sheep and

when they are diseased or weak to nurse and support them. --John Calvin

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 Spurgeon

The comfort is the presence of the shepherd in the midst of the danger rather than the comfort of the removal of the danger. --David Gibson

It is an utterly staggering thing to have as your shepherd the one who is strength itself, who never tires, never slumbers, and who never needs protection himself.

–David Gibson

Your Shepherd didn't just say you're going to the valley. He said you are going through the valley. In other words – you are going to make it. ― Louie Giglio

For discussion

Read the text through 2 or 3 times. What key words strike you? How is God pictured? What opportunities are presented for the follower of Christ?

The first and last lines of the psalm has the personal and covenant name of God…..Yahweh. (English Bibles signify this by saying “the LORD”. Note the small caps) Thoughts?

The very middle of the psalm contains the simple promise of God’s presence: Thou art with me. There are 26 words that lead up to “you are with me” and 26 words that follow. During the first 26 words God is referenced in the 3rd person. The final 26 words focus on God’s presence with us with the psalmist speaking TO God in the 2nd person. Thoughts?

I will not lack…. Because Yahweh is my shepherd. Discuss.

Where/when/about what ----are you tempted to think that you do indeed lack?

I will not fear…. Because THOU ART WITH ME.

Discuss

I shall dwell in the house of Yahweh…. Because Yahweh will bring me home. Discuss

Other Scripture

Isaiah 42:3 Jeremiah 2:6 John 10 John 4

The Cross Kills Fear and Restores Hospitality

March 3, 2024 • Pastor John Stone • Leviticus 19:33–34, Titus 1:7–8, Hebrews 13:1–3

Sermon Questions for 3/3/24: The Cross kills fear and brings hospitality How do we see God practicing hospitality in creation? How did Israel experience hospitality from God? How have we experienced hospitality? How do we see it in the new heavens and new earth? If God is hospitable how does that shape our call to follow Jesus? How do we see Jesus do hospitality? How does a church become hospitable? How is hospitality to shape the official leaders in a church? What is a good definition of hospitality? What are the things that promote fear of hospitality in us? How does love drive out fear? How does loving our neighbor reflect our love for God? What does it mean to be normally hospitable? Name a place where you experienced hospitality and how does that help you think about its practice?

How the Cross Kills Exhaustion and Restores Rest

February 25, 2024 • Pastor John Stone • Psalm 62

What are some things that assault you into exhaustion? What is the difference between physical, emotional, and spiritual exhaustion? What is a potential source of spiritual exhaustion? How is the writer of this Psalm experiencing all three? Why does the Psalmist describe the people doing the assaulting as breath and nothing? Why is it so hard to see the truth about assaulters? What is the perspective he is asking us to embrace about the assaults to us? How does rest come to this writer? How can he be certain he is OK when he never speaks a word about himself? What is revealed in the lack of his not speaking of his own works and life? How are verses 11 & 12 bring hope and rest to the writer? Why might some evangelicals misread verse 12?

Wrestling with God

February 11, 2024 • Pastor John Stone • Jonah 4

Questions for Jonah 4 – 2/11/24 Why is Jonah struggling with God? How does Jonah represent both Israel and the church today? What is God teaching both groups? How do we try to make God in our image and not vice versa? How is Jonah frustrated and against God’s call on his life? Where does Jonah’s anger come from? How is Jonah being arrogant in this anger? How is Jonah’s desire for death an avoidance of a harder death? Why is Jonah sad about God’s grace? How is this about justice for Jonah? How was Jonah missing the grace he received? Why do none of us want grace.