August 16, 2015
The Good Shepherd’s Presence, Correction and Protection!
Mike Fritscher

Psalm 23

1. He Indeed Is Good!
2. He Lays Down His Life For You!
3. He Knows and Loves You!
4. His Leads Us To the Places We Are Meant to Be!

2 Corinthians 3:17 The Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. 18 and we all with unveiled faces are beholding as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord are being transformed into the same Image from Glory to Glory, just as from the Spirit!

I. His Presence!

Isaiah 43:1-8 – I am With You! Matthew 28:20 I am with you always, even to the end of the age! Psalm 46:7 The Lord of hosts is with us Hebrews 13:5 I will never desert You, nor will ever forsake you!

When God Is Present:

• You Are Distinguished From the Rest of the World!

Exodus 33:14 and He said, And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15 Then he said to Him, “If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here. 16 “For how then can it be known that I have found favor in Your sight, I and Your people? Is it not by Your going with us, so that we, I and Your people, may be distinguished from all the other people who are upon the face of the earth?”

Distinguished: To be distinct, marked out, separate, set apart.

• You Find Fullness of Joy and Pleasures!

Psalm 16:11 You will make known to me the path of life; In your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

• Your Entire Being Is at Peace!

Isaiah 41:10-14 No Fear, no anxiety, strengthened, helped, upheld, your adversaries – shamed and dishonored, as nothing and non-existent.

Galatians 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh! 22 But the Spirit’s Fruit is love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control;

He Is With Me to Save Me! The Good Shepherd at His Conception: Matthew 1:21-23

II. His Correction! Your Rod and Staff Comfort Me!

Hebrews 12:1-13 – Calls the Journey a Race!

1. Fix Our Eyes On Jesus and His Work!
2. Give Attention to Our Part!
3. Consider the Struggle of Jesus!
4. Receive God’s Discipline and the Peaceful Fruit of Righteouness.

What does God’s discipline look like? Attitude Adjustments and Consequences of Sin: David’s Sin: 2 Samuel 12; Psalm 51

Why Does He Discipline Us?

The Word of God and the Shepherd’s :

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

III. His Protection! The Rod and Staff as Protection!

David: Protector from Bears, Lions and Giants!

1 Samuel 17:31-37;40-51

Yahweh Rohi – I Am Shepherd! He Leads, guides, knows you, loves you, takes care of you, protects you, delivers you. He comforts, gives your rest and gives you His best. He is always with you, never leaves you. When you are lost He leaves the 99 and searches for you. He shows you the right way to go every time. He is with you in Hard ties even in the valley of shadow of death. He heals you, anoints you, follows you with goodness and loving-kindness. You have confidence that He will never leave you but you will dwell with him all the days of your life. When God is your Shepherd, your cup overflows.