We welcome you to Stone's Hill today!

A typical Stone's Hill service has:

* music (so feel free to sing out);

* some announcements (things that are upcoming that you can be a part of);

* a message out of the Bible (God speaks to us through his Word);

* and an opportunity for you to respond to the message (either immediately in the case of a decision that needs to be made OR in the future as you live out the message in your daily life.)

So relax and enjoy your morning! We're so glad you are here!

MESSAGE TEXT
Psalm 23:1-6
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This Psalm written by King David is called “The Shepherd Psalm." What we have in Psalm 23 is basically a year in the life of a shepherd and sheep. It starts out in Spring with the green fields and fresh clover. The sheep meander down into the dangerous valley for water as they make their journey. They come up out of the valley to the tableland of Summer where they have a feast of lush vegetation and face the pests of gnats and flies and other things (and need anointing oil). As things cool and they head into Winter, they are led back home again where they dwell.
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In all of this, the focus is on the Shepherd. If the Shepherd is left out, the Psalm loses its sweetness and the sheep lose their way. The sheep must then fare for themselves, find their own green pastures, still waters and right paths. They must pass through dangerous valleys alone, face enemies by themselves, endure untreated scrapes and bruises, know nothing of goodness and mercy following and, saddest of all, come to the end of life without hope or home.
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MESSAGE OUTLINE
We will be looking at this Psalm in three parts. Three movements: We will look at “The Shepherd on the Path” from verses 1-3. “The Shepherd in the Valley” from verse 4. “The Shepherd at Home” from verses 5-6. The two perspectives: What a shepherd does for sheep and what God does for us. This picture of life lived in God’s care touches our deepest longings and speaks directly to our darkest fears. Three “I” statements to help you take back your focus and do a digital detox.
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The Shepherd on the Path – Psalm 23:1-3
He stills and steers. “I lack nothing.”
Less time inside with a screen and more time outside with God.
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The Shepherd in the Valley- Psalm 23:4
He saves and sustains. “I fear no evil.”
Less time numbing the hurt and more time solving real problems.
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The Shepherd at Home – Psalm 23:5-6
He secures and satisfies. “I will dwell.”
Less time on social media and more time in front of actual faces.
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PROPOSITION
The name of the Lord (Heb. Yahweh) occurs only twice in the psalm, namely, in the first verse and in the last (v. 6). In this way a framework is created which places the emphasis on the Lord. The psalmist center point comes in verse 4: you are with me. Mark Hitchcock observed that there are twenty-six Hebrew words before this statement and twenty-six Hebrew words after this statement. You are with me – meaning, He doesn’t leave. Because the Lord was David’s Shepherd, his needs were met. Yahweh is with (v. 1) under (v. 2) beside (v. 2) after (v. 6) before (v. 5) and ahead of (v. 6) all His trusting children. They shall not want for food (v. 2) drink (v. 2) strength (v. 3) guidance (v. 3) comfort (v. 4) satisfaction (v. 5) or life (v. 6).
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APPLICATION
Don’t try to be your own shepherd. “I'll be my own God. I'll answer my own prayers. I'll choose my own religion. I'll be my own shepherd. I'll find my own flock. I’ll use the flashlight of my own abilities and resources to walk through any old Valley. You can't frighten me. I'll anoint my own head. I'll fill my own cup. I'll heal my own wounds. I'll choose my own address at the end of the day.” Do you know where the green pastures or quiet waters are? Do you want your paths or His paths? Do you know how to get through the darkest valleys? Can you hold off the wolves with your rod alone? Do you know how to deal with your enemies? Make Him your Shepherd. Knowing Psalm 23 is good, but knowing the Shepherd is better.
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CONCLUSION
A shepherd owns the sheep (v2), and the Good Shepherd owns us. He says ‘My sheep will never perish (Jn 10:28). A shepherd leads the sheep, (v2, 3) and the Good Shepherd leads us into rest and into righteousness. A shepherd restores the sheep, (v3) and the Good Shepherd retrieves us when we are lost and restores us when we are spent. A shepherd protects the sheep (v4) and the Good Shepherd protects us from evil and from enemies. A shepherd feeds the sheep (v5) and the Good Shepherd invites us to His table and presents us with an overflowing cup. A shepherd loves the sheep (v6) and the Good Shepherd loves us with a love that pursues us and one day will welcome us into His presence. So it is really no surprise when Jesus arrived and identified himself as a shepherd. In John 10:11: Jesus said, “I am the good Shepherd; the good Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.” (John 10:11) Jesus claims to be God in claiming to be the Good Shepherd. Before Abraham was, I Am. He’s Yahweh of Exodus 3. He's qualified to be your Shepherd.