Grace Church
#7 - Jehovah Raah: The God Who is My Shepherd
Our series for the months of February and March is entitled "What's In A Name?" In it you will learn the meaning behind the names that are used in the scriptures to identify the many character qualities of God. 1. Intro 2. Elohim (The God who creates) 3. Yahweh (The God who is personal) 4. Abba (The God who is intimate) 5. Adoni (The God who rules) 6. Jehovah Jireh (The God who provides) 7. Jehovah Rohi (The God who is my shepherd) 8. Jehovah Rapha (The God who heals)
Locations & Times
Grace Community Church
8950 M-79, Nashville, MI 49073, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
Our series for February and March is entitled, "What's In a Name?"
The series title is a question so that we can think about what is found in a name. It identifies a person, place, or object and brings a distinction between it and another.
So far we've looked at 5 names of God:
Elohim - The God who is Creator
Yahweh - The God who is Personal/Relational
Abba - The God who is Intimate
Adonai - The God who Rules
Jehovah Jireh - The God who Provides
The series title is a question so that we can think about what is found in a name. It identifies a person, place, or object and brings a distinction between it and another.
So far we've looked at 5 names of God:
Elohim - The God who is Creator
Yahweh - The God who is Personal/Relational
Abba - The God who is Intimate
Adonai - The God who Rules
Jehovah Jireh - The God who Provides
Last week we began looking at some of the compound names of God. In Scripture we often see the main name of God (Yahweh or Jehovah) explained further by the inclusion of a second name. This name adds an additional characteristic that helps us to know Him a little better.
Today our text is Psalm 23 (using the King James Version), the most well-known chapter in the Bible.
It's a short passage that talks about a shepherd and how he cares for his sheep.
It's a short passage that talks about a shepherd and how he cares for his sheep.
The word LORD (capitalized) is Jehovah - the relational one, and carries the idea of being self-existent and eternal.
The word for "shepherd" is the word Raah and is used to describe someone who feeds, leads, and cares for his flock of sheep.
The word for "shepherd" is the word Raah and is used to describe someone who feeds, leads, and cares for his flock of sheep.
1. Shepherds and Sheep
v. 1
Proverbs 21:2
God uses the idea of sheep to describe humanity. Here are 7 characteristics:
1. Destructive
2. Directionless
3. Defenseless
4. Dirty
5. Docile
6. Dependent
7. Dumb/Dimwitted
Sheep have no idea about their future or how to navigate their present.
This is why King David wrote Psalm 23. Sheep and mankind really need a shepherd. But you must have the right shepherd!
v. 1
Proverbs 21:2
God uses the idea of sheep to describe humanity. Here are 7 characteristics:
1. Destructive
2. Directionless
3. Defenseless
4. Dirty
5. Docile
6. Dependent
7. Dumb/Dimwitted
Sheep have no idea about their future or how to navigate their present.
This is why King David wrote Psalm 23. Sheep and mankind really need a shepherd. But you must have the right shepherd!
2. Green Pastures, Quiet Waters, and a Restored Soul
v. 2-3a
Note that God doesn't ask, suggest, or beg for you to lie down. He puts you in situations where you have no other options.
God wants us to trust that He knows best for our life.
God's desire is to renew us so that we are healthy and productive from the strain of life and the danger of our environment.
v. 2-3a
Note that God doesn't ask, suggest, or beg for you to lie down. He puts you in situations where you have no other options.
God wants us to trust that He knows best for our life.
God's desire is to renew us so that we are healthy and productive from the strain of life and the danger of our environment.
3. The Paths of Righteousness
v. 3b
It's easy for sheep to get off track and become lost. Because of this, a shepherd has to be guiding them with his eyes on the future.
We see this Biblically speaking as God and the church leaders (shepherds) must have the right agenda in mind for the people, even when it's not what the people want.
God is primarily concerned with our holiness, healthiness, and happiness - and always in that order!
v. 3b
It's easy for sheep to get off track and become lost. Because of this, a shepherd has to be guiding them with his eyes on the future.
We see this Biblically speaking as God and the church leaders (shepherds) must have the right agenda in mind for the people, even when it's not what the people want.
God is primarily concerned with our holiness, healthiness, and happiness - and always in that order!
4. Valleys, Shadows, a Rod, and a Staff
v. 4
Living on a mountain top can be fun, but you have to go down to the valleys from time to time. Valleys expose us and test us.
Our Shepherd has his rod and staff that He uses to fight for us and defeat enemies that would harm us.
The valleys and shadows are always there but we have to decide on what we will focus our heart and mind...either the shadows or the Shepherd.
v. 4
Living on a mountain top can be fun, but you have to go down to the valleys from time to time. Valleys expose us and test us.
Our Shepherd has his rod and staff that He uses to fight for us and defeat enemies that would harm us.
The valleys and shadows are always there but we have to decide on what we will focus our heart and mind...either the shadows or the Shepherd.
5. A Table, Oil, and an Overflowing Cup
v. 5
After reflecting on God's protection, David reflects on God's provision for him as he reminisces about how he used to care for his sheep. His words carry some imagery of his current status as king.
The idea of the cup runneth over speaks of abundance. David is expressing how Jehovah has provided for his every need.
v. 5
After reflecting on God's protection, David reflects on God's provision for him as he reminisces about how he used to care for his sheep. His words carry some imagery of his current status as king.
The idea of the cup runneth over speaks of abundance. David is expressing how Jehovah has provided for his every need.
6. Goodness, Mercy, and the House of God
v. 6
David speaks with a calm assurance, not in a tone of hoping or anxious uncertainty.
Goodness - speaks of the Shepherd's undeserved acts of presence, protection, and provision all along the journey.
Mercy - speaks of the Shepherd's faithfulness in not punishing the sheep for their blundering and stubbornness as they traveled along the rough roads.
In John 10:11 Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd." He alone can meet all of our needs, we just need to listen to His voice!
v. 6
David speaks with a calm assurance, not in a tone of hoping or anxious uncertainty.
Goodness - speaks of the Shepherd's undeserved acts of presence, protection, and provision all along the journey.
Mercy - speaks of the Shepherd's faithfulness in not punishing the sheep for their blundering and stubbornness as they traveled along the rough roads.
In John 10:11 Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd." He alone can meet all of our needs, we just need to listen to His voice!
Online Giving Link
https://gc3.breezechms.com/give/onlineYouTube Channel Link
https://www.youtube.com/c/GraceChurchMITools Link
https://www.gc3.org/tools/H.O.M.E. Group Info. and Sign-Up
https://www.gc3.org/home-groups/CJ's Pre-Order Link
https://www.gc3.org/cjs/Easter Egg Hunt Information
The Annual Easter Egg Hunt is taking place on April 3rd at 10:00 am at Putnam Park in Nashville.
If you want to help but have not yet signed up you can contact Emily Mater (emily@gc3.org). We are looking for donations of candy that will fit inside plastic Easter eggs. Candy can be dropped off in the bins in the lobby on or before March 28th. Eggs will be stuffed for the event on March 31st at 6:30 pm.
If you want to help but have not yet signed up you can contact Emily Mater (emily@gc3.org). We are looking for donations of candy that will fit inside plastic Easter eggs. Candy can be dropped off in the bins in the lobby on or before March 28th. Eggs will be stuffed for the event on March 31st at 6:30 pm.
2021 Grace Church Bible Study Plan
https://www.gc3.org/bible/Church Service Plans
During the month of March we will continue with a 1 hour service.
On Easter Sunday, April 4th, we will start back to our regular 1 1/2 hour services.
On Easter Sunday, April 4th, we will start back to our regular 1 1/2 hour services.
Baby Bottle Bounce Back
Don't forget, filled bottles should be returned to the church no later than March 21st. If you forget, please drop bottle to the church next week.
Israel Study Tour 2022
Pastor Don will be leading a study tour May 4 -18 of 2022 in the land of Israel. The tour will include historical cities like Jerusalem, Tiberias, Nazareth, Samaria, Jericho and take in sites like the Dead Sea, Jordan River, and Sea of Galilee, the Mount of Olives and the garden of Gethsemane. There is a year's worth of preparation that is part of the discovery into the land where Jesus lived, died, and ascended into heaven. Therefore, we would like to know who might be interested in learning more about this opportunity.
Please email lisa@gc3.org to be added to this group by April 11. You'll be contacted regarding an informational meeting later in April.
Please email lisa@gc3.org to be added to this group by April 11. You'll be contacted regarding an informational meeting later in April.
Birthdays and Anniversaries:
Tuesday, March 23 - Scott & Karmen Binkowski
Wednesday, March 24 - Xander Lyles
Thursday, March 25 - Pastor Don Roscoe
Tuesday, March 23 - Scott & Karmen Binkowski
Wednesday, March 24 - Xander Lyles
Thursday, March 25 - Pastor Don Roscoe