Redeemer Church Mauritius
The Shepherd of His People - Phil Kendon
The religious leaders and scholars knew that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem because it was foretold by the prophets. But this is not all the prophets said. The King to be born in Bethlehem would be a ruler who would shepherd his people. This image of leadership appears all through the Old Testament scriptures and reaches a high point in Psalm 23 where David describes the Lord – his shepherd. It is a beautiful and moving psalm that draws us into an intimate and dependent relationship with God, like a sheep with their shepherd.
Locations & Times
Redeemer Church Mauritius
Mauritius
Sunday 9:30 AM
1. Psalm 23, Verse 1
The Lord is my shepherd
- A good shepherd produces strong and healthy sheep but a bad shepherd produces sick and weak sheep.
I lack nothing
- I am content under the care of my shepherd.
The Lord is my shepherd
- A good shepherd produces strong and healthy sheep but a bad shepherd produces sick and weak sheep.
I lack nothing
- I am content under the care of my shepherd.
2. Psalm 23, Verse 2
He makes me lie down in green pastures
- Sheep lie down when they are not afraid, not fighting each other, are free of bugs and parasites, and when they are well fed.
He leads me besides quiet waters
- Water is vital for the survival of every living creature and a shepherd does whatever it takes to get their sheep to water.
He makes me lie down in green pastures
- Sheep lie down when they are not afraid, not fighting each other, are free of bugs and parasites, and when they are well fed.
He leads me besides quiet waters
- Water is vital for the survival of every living creature and a shepherd does whatever it takes to get their sheep to water.
3. Psalm 23, Verse 3
He restores my soul
- A shepherd lifts us up from a fall when we cannot get up ourselves.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
- A shepherd moves their flock when they need to find alternative pasture
He restores my soul
- A shepherd lifts us up from a fall when we cannot get up ourselves.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
- A shepherd moves their flock when they need to find alternative pasture
4. Psalm 23, Verse 4
Even though I walk through the valley
- Valleys are the pathway to higher ground. They have lush grass but many dangers.
Your rod and staff comfort me
- He protects us from predators and draws us near to himself.
Even though I walk through the valley
- Valleys are the pathway to higher ground. They have lush grass but many dangers.
Your rod and staff comfort me
- He protects us from predators and draws us near to himself.
5. Psalm 23, Verse 5
You prepare a table before me
- He prepares our feeding pastures before we need them.
You anoint my head with oil
- Shepherds stop diseases and treat wounds with oil.
You prepare a table before me
- He prepares our feeding pastures before we need them.
You anoint my head with oil
- Shepherds stop diseases and treat wounds with oil.
6. Psalm 23, Verse 6
Surely goodness and love will follow me
- Is there a trail of goodness and love behind me or am I leaving a different trail?
I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever
- Are we proud to belong to our shepherd making others jealous of our relationship with God?
Surely goodness and love will follow me
- Is there a trail of goodness and love behind me or am I leaving a different trail?
I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever
- Are we proud to belong to our shepherd making others jealous of our relationship with God?
7. My reaction
- Am I disturbed by the birth of the shepherd King or am I willing to bow down in worship?
Matthew 2:11 (NIV)
On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
- Herod and the religious leaders were disturbed but the three Magi bowed down in worship.
- Am I disturbed by the birth of the shepherd King or am I willing to bow down in worship?
Matthew 2:11 (NIV)
On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
- Herod and the religious leaders were disturbed but the three Magi bowed down in worship.
Remember:
Out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people, Israel.
Out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people, Israel.
