The Good Shepherd

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The Good Shepherd

The Shepherd in the Psalm

April 18, 2021 • Jonathan Pokluda • Psalm 23:1–3

If you had to compare yourself to an animal, what animal would you choose? What about a sheep? When you think about a sheep, what comes to mind? As we start our new series, The Shepherd in the Psalm, JP teaches us about sheep and how God, our Good Shepherd, leads them.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

-The sheep is the only animal in the animal kingdom without a defense mechanism.

-The Scripture compared and calls us, humans, one animal: sheep.

-The carrot that the enemy often dangles in front of us is freedom. We think we want it and can handle it, but in reality, it will kill us.

-Do you believe that you need to be under the care of someone? Scripture is clear that is how God made us to live.

-God, our good Shepherd, is in charge and we are not.

-Psalm 23 is one of the most well know and most referenced passages in all of Scripture.

-The Shepherd leads us to rest.

-Christianity is not an “I have to” faith, but an “I get to” faith.

-Sheep won’t rest unless they are free from fear, conflict, parasites & flies (worries & anxiety & things to do), and hunger.

-So many Christians have fears that are in exact opposition to God’s Word and His promises to us.

-Sheep are self destructive animals.

-If dependence is the goal, then your weakness is the advantage.

-The Shepherd leads us to restoration.

-Sheep are completely fine drinking from water that will kill them. And the reality is, so are we.

-You can not and will not grow as a follower of Jesus Christ without the spiritual disciplines.

-God delights in taking broken things and making them new.

-The person who is least OK is the one who is most committed to making everyone think they are OK.

-The Shepherd leads us to Righteousness.

-Christ, our Good Shepherd, has our best interests in mind. Always.

-When we follow God’s interests for our lives, His reputation is on the line, not ours. We can trust Him.

-God doesn’t only show us which way to go, He pays for the times when we go the wrong way.

-The greatest apologetic today are believers who trust God in really difficult times.

-Our desire for freedom and to be on our own transcends all ages and demographics. Left to ourselves, we will die.

MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

-Suggested Scripture study: Psalm 23:1-3; Proverbs 14:12; Matthew 11:28-30; Psalm 127:2; Jeremiah 2:13

-Book: A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller

-Sermon Series: Conflicted

The Shepherd Provides

May 2, 2021 • Jonathan Pokluda • Psalm 23:5–6

Who is the most discontent person you know? What about the most content person you know? What do you think accounts for the difference between the two? As we finish our sermon series, The Shepherd in the Psalm, JP teaches us about how God, The Shepherd, Provides. KEY TAKEAWAYS -The Shepherd provides peace. -Your Shepherd never sleeps or slumbers. He’s always watching over you. -The worst thing about hell might be the fact that you see what you are missing out on forever and ever and ever. It’s eternal FOMO (fear of missing out). -The end of Psalm 23 is like a giant exhale. It’s the reality that the sheep will be with the shepherd forever. -The Shepherd provides contentment. -So often, our biggest enemy is in-between our ears. It’s all the thoughts spinning in our head. -Why do we have a scarce mentality? -The Shepherd is our provision. -It’s not just that the Shepherd provides. That is true, but it’s incomplete. Everything we need is found in Him. -When you meet Jesus someday, will you know Him, or will He be a stranger to you? -If you don’t acknowledge you will spend eternity in heaven or hell, you are simply fooling yourself and being a fool by making this world your home. -The greatest thing you can do every single day for the rest of your life is to live fully surrendered to your Shepherd. -Much sooner than you think you will die and meet God face to face and face judgment. -Make no mistake, one day Jesus is coming back. Don’t be diluted by the things that you see, touch, and feel right now. MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES -Suggested Scripture Study: Psalm 23:5-6; Psalm 121:1-4; Luke 16:22-23; Psalm 16:5; Luke 12:35-37; Isaiah 53:5-6; Psalm 100:3; -Sermon: The Shepherd Comforts and Protects -Sermon: The Good Shepherd

The Shepherd Comforts and Protects

April 25, 2021 • Jonathan Pokluda • Psalm 23:4

Have you ever been somewhere and realized you were out of place? What about being out of place in a hard or difficult or dangerous situation? As we continue our series, The Shepherd in the Psalm, JP teaches us about the Shepherd’s presence and comfort as we walk with Him. KEY TAKEAWAYS -In moments of trouble and in dark valleys, who you are with really matters. -In times of trouble, God doesn’t always protect us (in a fallen world and on this side of death), but He does always promise to comfort us. -The Shepherd is with us in dark valleys. -Sheep are closest to their predators when they walk through valleys; however, they are even closer to their shepherd. -You are either entering a valley, in a valley, or preparing for a valley. -When you enter a valley it’s the starting line, not the finish. -Sometimes sheep can’t see the Shepherd, but they follow the sheep who are following the Shepherd. -You must keep going when you are in the valley. Put one foot in front of the other and keep going. Don’t isolate and tap out. -We are protected by the Shepherd’s presence. -We don’t talk enough about the reality that satan and his demons hate us and want to steal, kill, and destroy us. -Make no mistake, satan will absolutely destroy you. You are no match for him. However, he is no match for your Shepherd. He is terrified of your Shepherd. -If dependence is the goal, weakness is the advantage. -If closeness to the Shepherd is the goal, then the valley is the advantage. -Christians talk about our Dad and to our Dad. It’s theology and a relationship. -We are comforted by the Shepherd’s presence. -The rod is used for both protection and correction. -The Word of God is our rod http://today...it protects and corrects us as we read it and apply it to our lives. -The staff saves and directs. -The Holy Spirit saves us and gives us direction. -When you are looking for protection, proximity is everything. -What would you do if you knew God was with you? From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible goes out of its way to show you that God is with you. -It’s time to stop playing religious games and leaving the Shepherd at church on Sunday. Take Him with you everywhere you go. MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES -Suggested Scripture study: Psalm 23:4; John 16:33; 1 Peter 5:8; John 10:10; Ephesians 4:27; James 4:7; Ephesians 6:11-12; John 16:7; 1 Samuel 17:37-47 -Sermon: The Good Shepherd -Book: A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller