Grace World Outreach Church
Pastor Daniel K Norris
Psalm 23:1-6 ESV
REST and RESTORATION when your world is ROCKED
1) When my world is rocked, remember… His Names Is THE Good Shepherd
Jehovah Roi - The Lord My Shepherd
John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
The Resume of a Good Shepherd
a) A Good Shepherd Lays Down His Life
“The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (vs 11, 15, 17, 18)
b) A Good Shepherd Loves His Lambs
Vs 14 “I know my own and my own know me"
The fullness of life a sheep experiences is a reflection of the faithfulness of his shepherd
c) A Good Shepherd Leads His Lambs
Vs 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice.
With out a loving leader, sheep follow whoever “baah’s” the loudest
2) When my word is rocked, remember… Jesus Is MY Good Shepherd
Ps 95:7 For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.
He is Mine, I am His…There is a personal relationship with our shepherd that we must embrace!
We live in a world with a multitude of voices…all shouting to get your attention and lead you astray
The Good Shepherd lays down, loves and leads His sheep, the sheep in turn simply listen for His voice
a) Learn His Voice
b) Trust His Voice
c) Obey His Voice
Your willingness to obey is proportionate to your ability to trust
3) When my world is rocked, remember… Because Jesus Is my Good Shepherd, I have all I need
23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
The telltale sign of a shepherd-less sheep - They have want in their life
Want - feeling of lack, insufficiency, uncertainty, a deficit
The Good Shepherd provides rest and restoration
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
a) He gives me REST
A sheep will only lie down when it feels 100% safe and secure
Are you at rest, or are you restless?
Where are the areas in your life that fear is present?
b) He gives me RESTORATION
A sheep knows his or her shepherd but a shepherd is known by his sheep
A shepherd who does not care for his sheep would quickly develop a bad reputation
Jesus is a Good shepherd that I can fully trust will my all!
What area of your life do you need restoration?
Stop doing it on your own… trust in HIS NAME! Jehovah Roi
(Mt 9:35–36) And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
A Shepherd-less Sheep is
- Harassed - bombarded with the negative attacks of a world rocked
- Helpless - feels unable to defend or find rest and restoration
Jesus says, "28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matt 11:28-30)
UNITE714 | English
#UNITE714Dates: 28 June 2020 through 4 July 2020
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.Galatians 6:7-10 (ESV)
THE PRAYER
Lord, we have been walking through a time of unprecedented worldwide pressure and pain. We are so grateful that in many nations around the world, COVID-19 has been mitigated. Other precious cities and nations, however, are still being battered by this pandemic. Furthermore, the world’s economies are reeling, social unrest is erupting, and the historic tensions between nations are beginning to simmer and boil afresh. Even in the midst of this pressure and pain, we continue to stand in faith. Our choices—to believe, to pray, to love, to give, and to read your Word—make a difference. Even when our circumstances don’t seem to be changing as fast as we would like, we ourselves change when we choose to obey You. We rest in the fact that even when everything seems out of control, You are still in control.
Heavenly Father, as we draw close to you and to one another, fill us every day with fresh faith, love, hope, and joy.
Lord, we have fought to not grow weary in well doing. Give us the strength not to quit. Every time we see a victory, we are confronted by another complex challenge. You are a God who heals. So, we continue to cry out to You for the eradication of COVID-19 and an outpouring of Your Spirit.
Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, eradicate COVID-19, restore our nations, and bring healing to all the people in our world.
Lord, You say that if we do not become weary in well doing, we will reap a harvest at the proper time, if we don’t quit. Around the world, Christians from every tribe, tongue, and nation unite in the belief that a fresh move of Your Holy Spirit is imminent.
Heavenly Father, we boldly come before Your throne, united in one voice, asking You to give us the greatest evangelistic harvest in human history.
Lord, the multiple crises shaking our world have opened countless doors for us to love and care for others in Your name. Let us continue to give, to love, to serve, and to minister to the people around us. Your Gospel is the answer to the deepest needs of our world.
Heavenly Father, empower us to both live and proclaim the Gospel.