“THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD” – SERMON 2
“…I shall not want.”
Psalm 23:1
Introduction:
On last Sunday morning, we began an in-depth study of this
wonderful Psalm. Today, we will proceed with our examination and
consideration of what this shepherd, King David, through the
inspiration of God, pens in revelation of THE SHEPHERD, the
Lord Jesus Christ.
Today, we will spend our allotted time on the second phrase of
this beloved verse of Scripture, “…I shall not want.” Obviously,
this is a sentiment of a sheep that is perfectly content and utterly
satisfied with its Shepherd and with its lot in life.
When David spoke these words, he was speaking words of
satisfaction. He had just made the statement, “The LORD is my
shepherd…” and he continues on to say that he shall not want
another shepherd. He is satisfied with his Shepherd – the LORD.
I. I shall not want another Saviour. Why? Because:
A. My Saviour is God – Jn. 1:1,14, “In the beginning was the
Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was
God…And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,
(and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of
the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
B. My Saviour, God, is perfect – Mt. 5:48, “…your Father
which is in heaven is perfect.”
C. My Saviour, God, is Omnipotent – Mt. 28:18, “And Jesus
came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto
me in heaven and in earth.”
1. “All” means “all; the whole.”
2. “Power”
means
“ability;
force;
capacity;
competency; mastery (superhuman, potentate);
authority; strength.”
D. My Saviour, God, is omniscient. Ps. 139:1-4 is a classic
passage where this Divine attribute of God is taught.
“O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou
knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou
understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my
path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my
ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O
LORD, thou knowest it altogether.”
E. My Saviour, God, is omnipresent. Continuing from the
previous passage, we learn that God is also endued with
this Divine attribute. Ps. 139:7-10,13,15-16, “Whither
shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy
presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I
make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the
wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of
the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right
hand shall hold me.” “For thou hast possessed my reins:
thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.” “My
substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in
secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the
earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being
unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written,
which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there
was none of them.”
F. My Saviour, God, is also compassionate – Mt. 9:36, “But
when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with
compassion on them, because they fainted, and were
scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.” He
cares about me!
G. My Saviour, God, is the only Saviour – Jn. 14:6, “Jesus
saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no
man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” In Acts 4:12,
Peter said about Christ, “Neither is there salvation in any
other: for there is none other name under heaven given
among men, whereby we must be saved.”
I shall not want another Saviour! I am satisfied with
my Jesus and His salvation! “…I shall not want.”
II. I shall not want another Shepherd. Why? Because:
B. He is the best Provider – vss. 2,5; Mt. 6:33, “But seek ye
first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all
these things shall be added unto you.”
1. My Shepherd knows the best way to take care of His
sheep, and He is on the job twenty-four hours a day to
see that we may have the proper provisions to meet
our needs.
2. Again I quote from the book by Phillip Keller, “This
utterly self-less Shepherd is alert to the welfare of His
flock at all times.”
A. He is the best Owner! We could not have a better Owner!
1. He is our Owner.
3. He is the best Guide – vs. 3; Prov. 3:6, “In all thy
ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy
paths.” He has never led one person astray!
1 Cor. 6:20, “For ye are bought with a price…”
1 Pet. 1:18-19, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were
not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and
gold…But with the precious blood of Christ.”
2. The hireling cares not for the sheep.
3. Some sheep owners may not care for their sheep as
they should.
4. The Good Shepherd loves and cares for His sheep.
Phillip Keller, the author of A Shepherd Looks At
Psalm 23 says, “The welfare of any flock is entirely
dependent upon the management afforded them by
their owner, and no trouble is too great as this
Sheepman cares for His flock…He is the Rancher
who is outstanding because of His fondness for His
sheep – He loves them for their own sake as well as
for His personal pleasure in them.” –
4. He is the best Guard – Jn. 10:11, “I am the good
shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the
sheep.”
I shall not want another Shepherd! I am satisfied with
my Jesus and His care for me! “…I shall not want.”
Conclusion:
When one has the Best, why would one want anything or
anyone else? Anyone or anything else in inferior to the LORD. In
Him, we have the best Saviour and the best Shepherd. Oh may we
be content with the One whom we have. Contentment should be the
hallmark of the man or woman who has put his or her affairs in the
hands of God. May we, like David, say, “…I shall not want.”
Before closing this discourse, let me say: If Jesus is not your
Saviour, we invite you to receive Him into your heart. He is the
only Saviour; the Best Saviour one could ever hope to have. If you
haven’t already, please open your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ. He
will become your Saviour.