Psalm 23_The Wilderness Sermon Information
Title: "Grace in the Wilderness”
Contextual note: Understanding the geographical context that serves as the backdrop of Psalm 23 is critical if we are to rightly interpret, understand, and apply it to our daily lives.
Outline:
1. Wilderness Narratives in the Bible
a. The grand wilderness narrative (Genesis to Revelation)
· Genesis 1-2 – Garden of Eden
· Genesis 3:23-24 – Adam driven from the garden
· Revelation 21:1-22:5 – Restoration of creation
b. The key wilderness narratives (Abraham, Moses/ Exodus, David, Jesus)
· Abraham (Genesis 11-25)
· Moses/ Israel (Exodus)
· David (1 & 2 Samuel)
· Jesus (Matthew 4)
c. The communal wilderness narrative (our local church context)
d. The individual wilderness narrative(s) (individual lives)
2. The nature of the wilderness (from Jack Beck, How Does God Use the Wilderness?)
a. The wilderness is vast and rugged
b. The wilderness is a land with precious little water
c. The wilderness is a land without grain
d. The wilderness is a land with little human habitation
e. The wilderness is a land with few travelers
f. The wilderness is a land without borders
g. The wilderness is a land that lacks everything
h. POINT: God uses the wilderness to humble, test, and teach his people to trust him (Deut 8:3-5)
3. How the wilderness changes us
a. The wilderness requires us to be humble – it disrupts pride
· Humility is the prerequisite for grace (Matt 5:3; James 4:6-8; Prov. 3:34)
b. The wilderness requires us to be dependent – it disrupts self-sufficiency
· Matt 6:11; 1 Cor 4:6-7; James 1:17
c. The wilderness requires us to be vigilant (awake and focused) – it disrupts apathy
· Rom 12:11; Eph 5:14-17; 1 Thess 5:6-8; Heb 3:12-15; 12:1-17; 1 Pet 1:13-21; 4:7-11
d. The wilderness requires us to be patient (adjust our pace) – it disrupts haste
· Lam 3:25-26; Rom 8:22-25; 12:12; Gal 5:22-25; Heb 10:35-36; Rev 6:9-11
e. The wilderness requires us to curb our appetites – it disrupts gluttony/ lust
· Rom 13:14; 1 Tim 6:6-10; Heb 13:5; 1 John 2:15-17
f. The wilderness requires us to be grateful – it disrupts entitlement
· Ps 100; Rom 15:5-6; Phil 4:4-7; 11-13; 1 Thess 5:16-18; Heb 12:28-29
The main question in every wilderness narrative is: “Will you trust me?” (Revelation 7:15–17)
MAIN IDEA + APPLICATION:
God leads his people into the wilderness to humble, test, and teach them to trust him for guidance and provision as his purposes are accomplished for his glory.
Living faithfully in the wilderness requires a radical reorientation to the Person and Work of Christ as our Shepherd, who gives us His peace and rest because He is with us.
Receive. Rest. Rejoice. Reproduce.
Discussion Questions:
1. What images most immediately come to mind when you read Psalm 23? How do they compare with the biblical context of the Judean wilderness?
2. How does our understanding of the geographical context of Psalm 23 shape our interpretation and application of it in our lives?
3. Recall some of the wilderness seasons in your life. What are some of the assumptions you made about God (his character, purpose, goodness, presence, etc.)? How has God used these hard seasons to shape character and hope in your life?
4. Consider this as honestly as you’re able: Would you rather God give you a path and a plan that leads to comfort, but does not require or promise his presence? OR would you choose a path that involves difficulty and uncertainty, but where God is ever present?
5. How does understanding the context in which God has called us to live out our faith prepare us to endure wilderness seasons with hope and joy? (see Romans 8; 1 Peter 1:15-21; 2:11-12, 21-25; 4:12-19). Why is this critical as we make disciples?
6. Main questions: Do you want life with the Shepherd, and will you trust Him? Confess any areas where you are struggling to trust God’s goodness and steadfast love. Use the unsettled and uncertain elements of your life to draw near to God in intimacy, trusting that He is gentle and patient with His people.
January 22, 2023
January 22, 2023 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Psalm 23:6
Theme: The Lord Is My Shepherd
Psalm: 23:6
Main Call of Psalm 23: Trust the Lord to shepherd your life.
Why?
1. The Lord provides us with everything we need (1–3).
2. The Lord protects us from every danger we face (4–5).
3. The Lord pursues us so that we may be with him eternally (6).
a. The Lord’s pursuit stems from his nature (6a)
o Because God is the source of goodness, He desires to do good to us even when we wander.
o Because God loyally loves us, He faithfully delivers those in relationship with Him.
b. The Lord’s pursuit encourages us to return to His house (6b).
o His pursuit enables our trust to return.
o Life’s journey brings us to God’s house.
o We possess eternal access.
Application Questions:
· In what ways does the Bible depict God as one who pursues us? Provide examples and explanations. What do these teach us about God?
· Why do you think the psalmist chose to pick the attributes of goodness and love to depict God’s pursuit of us?
· What is unique and different about God’s love for us? How should this impact the way that we act in love towards others?
· To what is the house of the Lord referring? What applications can we make to our own lives about returning to dwell in the Lord’s house? Is this a future reality or present one for us? Explain.
January 15, 2023
January 15, 2023 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Psalm 23:4–5
Theme: The Lord is My Shepherd
Passage: Psalm 23:4–5
Main Call of Psalm 23: Trust the Lord to shepherd your life.
Why?
1. The Lord provides us with everything we need (1–3).
2. The Lord protects us from every danger we face (4–5).
a. As life presents serious dangers, He removes our fear (4).
How?
o He is present with us.
o His implements comfort us.
b. In the presence of our enemies, He lavishes us with His blessings (5).
o He meets our physical needs.
o He joyously refreshes us.
o He showers us with blessings.
Application Questions:
· In what ways have you seen the Lord protect you from danger, either physical or spiritual? How has he shown himself present through these “dark valleys?”
· Since fear seems to be a normal emotional reaction to danger, what must the psalmist mean that he “will not fear” evil? Should we never be afraid?
· How are the Lord’s implements of rod and staff positive and negative images? How are we both positively and negatively “comforted” by the Lord’s use of these in our lives?
· How do we experience the Lord’s refreshing oil poured over our lives today?
· Is there anything that we must/can do to experience the Lord’s lavish blessings amid opposition? What might v. 5 this look like in our 21st century world?
January 8, 2023
January 8, 2023 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Psalm 23:1–3
Theme: The Lord is My Shepherd
Passage: Psalm 23:1–3
Main Call of Psalm 23: Trust the Lord to shepherd your life.
Why?
1. He provides us with everything we need (1–3).
a. Sustenance (2a): He provides what we need for life.
b. Rest (2b): He leads us to rest.
o Result: Spiritual Refreshment (3a)
c. Guidance (3b): He directs us into His will to do what is right.
o Reason/Result: He is glorified (3c).
Application Questions:
· What does the imagery of shepherd/sheep indicate to us about God? About ourselves?
· Why does it seem that our experience in life doesn’t match the description that we see here concerning God’s provision and guidance?
· Do we as sheep bear any responsibility or need to do anything to experience God’s shepherding care and provision? If so, what?
· How do these verses clarify our understanding of provision and rest?
· What does v. 3 teach us about finding God’s will for our lives?
· How does God’s work and role as Shepherd impact His reputation? How should that impact the way we live?
