I FOUND JESUS, COME AND SEE John 1:35-50

 

I FOUND JESUS, COME AND SEE

John 1:40-50

THE TEXT

John 1:40-50

40 Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. 41 Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, "We have found the Messiah" (which means "Christ").

42 Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, "Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas" (which means "Peter").

43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Come, follow me." 44 Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter's hometown.

45 Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, "We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth."

46 "Nazareth!" exclaimed Nathanael. "Can anything good come from Nazareth?"

"Come and see for yourself," Philip replied.

47 As they approached, Jesus said, "Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity." 

48 "How do you know about me?" Nathanael asked.

Jesus replied, "I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you." 

49 Then Nathanael exclaimed, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!"

50 Jesus asked him, "Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this." 51 Then he said, "I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth." Holy Bible, New Living Translation 

INTRODUCTION

We are all unique in the way God made us. By God’s divine design we all different in body size, growth and development, in the the way we think,

Process information and make decisions. 

This text show us different ways people come to Jesus. Some believe

Because someone they trust believe. Some hear the Word but don’t accept it until they have a life changing event in their life. Some hear the Word,

Meditate until they get more information. It is not how you come to Jesus, when you come, but the fact that you come that matters. 

In the beginning of Jesus ministry, He chose 12 disciples who were all different. It is the mix that makes life interesting and exciting. We are all in the stage where we are commanded to share the Word with others.  

It is important to understand that people receive and understand the Word in different ways and different times in their lives.

THE BEGINNING OF JESUS PUBLIC MINISTRY

This text describes the choosing of the first five disciples of Jesus. They may all have been followers of John the Baptist. The story begins when John the Baptist witness a dove from heaven sitting on Jesus after he baptized Him. 

TRAIN UP A CHILD IN THE WAY HE SHOULD GOD

John 1:32-33

 And John bare witness, saying, I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven; and it abode upon him. 

33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize in water, he said unto me, Upon whomsoever thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and abiding upon him, the same is he that baptizeth in the Holy Spirit.

From birth John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit and commission to be the fore runner of Jesus Christ. He was trained by his parents in the way he should go by the divine guidance of the Holy Spirit. Some disciples are trained at an early age for a particular job in the ministry. 

When I think about my son, I recognized that God prepared him for a ministry in Japan when he was in elementary school. I didn’t know it then but he made friends with Japanese students in his school. In college he met and then married a Japanese girl. After college, the mission began. He has been in Japan for 20 years and now teaches the Bible in churches there.

EVERY EVENT I LIFE IS ALLOWED BY GOD

John 1:35 Again on the morrow John was standing, and two of his disciples; 36 and he looked upon Jesus as he walked, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God!

Two of John’s disciples heard and followed Jesus ( V.37).

Some disciples come to Christ because they heard the Word from a preacher/teacher then followed Jesus.  They were convinced by what they

Heard by the power of the Holy Spirit, accepted it as the truth and their life with Jesus began.

Notice Jesus was involved, because He showed up at the right time in the right place for the two disciples to see Him. John had preached the coming of the Messiah clear enough for them to believe in Jesus the moment they saw Him

JESUS KNOWS THE MOMENT YOU BEGIN TO FOLLOW HIM

John 1:38 Jesus looked around and saw them following. "What do you want?" he asked them. They replied, "Rabbi" (which means "Teacher"), "where are you staying?"

39 "Come and see," he said. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day.

Jesus teaches us that new disciples need the attention of the shepherd. Fellowship is important in the growth and development of new believers.

Jesus is always aware that you are following Him and knows what questions to place in  your thoughts  to develop your education in the Word. 

Sometimes people need your time to get comfortable with you. Fellowship is a relationship of trust. To get to know Jesus you need to spend some quality time with Him, The two disciples made it their business to get to know the Savior in His space.  

Every believer needs some alone time with Jesus. There may be things that you may want to talk to Jesus about that you don't want to share with others. Meditation time with Jesus is important. 

SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH JESUS

V.39 "Come and see," he said. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day.

You have to come to Jesus for yourself. We are far removed from the time, the culture and the environment that Jesus lived in. We cannot assume that our environment, language and culture is anything like the time of Jesus. 

What was common to them is unknown to us. Your research into the culture

Of ancient times will help you gain a deeper insight into the meaning of the illustrations Jesus uses to explain spiritual truths. 

For example when Jesus said my sheep know me and will not follow anyone else. This  tells you that sheep are not dumb animals. Sheep remember the voice of their shepherd . They know his smell. They have poor frontal vision, but excellent side vision. They see the shepherd when he approaches them from behind. I suggest they know what their shepherd looks like.

You and I should know the voice of Jesus.  We know His voice if we know his Word. We ought to be as smart as sheep and not follow another voice. 

YOUR TESTIMONY IS IMPORTANT TO OTHERS

John 1:40 Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. 41 Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, "We have found the Messiah" (which means "Christ").

42 Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, "Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas" (which means "Peter").

Evangelism should start at home. We need to be sure our family members

Know of Jesus. Andrew had spent the day with Jesus. He now knew Jesus was a man like him but was the Messiah. Andrew made himself a friend to Jesus. 

We become friends with Jesus when we study His Word and invite others to join us in Bible Study. The text tells us the Bible Study had already started. It started in their youth because they were required to learn scripture and attend services in their Synagogues.  They were expecting and searching for the Messiah as prophesied in  the scriptures.

Jesus is coming again. We ought to be getting ready for  His return. We

Should have a joyful expectation of His return.

Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter which means little rock. Every believer has a name change. You have your earthly name assigned to you by your parents at birth. You new birth in Jesus comes with a name change.You now have Jesus the son of God attached to you name 

You were a child of the world, but now a child of the KIng.

YOU WERE GIVEN TO JESUS BY HIS FATHER

John 1:43-45

Jesus  knows where you are at all times. He went to Galilee to inform Philip  

That he was chosen as a disciple. Philip did not question, he accepted the position. Since Philip and Andrew live in the same city the two may have 

talked about Jesus. Our familiar with others makes a difference in the lives

Of those we know

The word of God spreads from mouth to mouth, We should value others

With love of the Word.

John 1:45 Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, "We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth."

Notice as the Word spreads, more information about Jesus is revealed. More detailed scripture was used in the evangelism. This suggest to me that as the Word spreads more research or what they had studied was coming to their memory.

WE SOMETIMES HEAR THE WORD WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING 

John 1:46 "Nazareth!" exclaimed Nathanael. "Can anything good come from Nazareth?"  "Come and see for yourself," Philip replied.

Nathanael's response to the revelation of Jesus was different from his friends. He received the information with skepticism. His own prejudice of the city was revealed. Nazareth was a small town of  200 to 400 people.

He expected the Messiah to be born in a much larger city with more

Prestige, or at least a city of some notoriety. 

God uses the poor not the rich, the weak not the strong to bring Him glory. Jesus was revealed to hard working fishermen not to scholars. He revealed His birth to shepherds not kings. He revealed Himself to the humble, not the proud. 

This is what the Lord does today, reveals Himself to those seeking Him. Those who recognize that they need a Savior.

Mark 10:25 It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Nathanael's question did not turn him away from Jesus, but made him look at himself. There are times when we speak without thinking, we become the devil's tool.  His first thought was to ignore the testimony of his friends. For Messiah to come from a small town did not match up with his expectations. Our ignorance of scripture shows up in our conversations. 

No where in the Old Testament scriptures which they quoted was the Messiah said to come from a wealthy, high class, notable city. The opposite is true. Bible Study is always in season. God will open our minds to receive it.

Come See Phillip replied.  You don’t argue your beliefs. You invited the unbeliever to Bible Study. Everybody is not at the same spiritual maturity.  You reach an unbeliever with tolerance and patience. Nathanael knew the Word, he needed more Word to see Jesus as the Messiah.

AT THE RIGHT TIME, JESUS WILL OPEN YOUR MIND TO HIM

John 1:47 As they approached, Jesus said, "Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity." 48 "How do you know about me?" Nathanael asked.

When Jesus is in your Bible Study, compliments and encouragements

Starts the study. See how the compliments deescalated the tension.   We ought always be pleased when others join us in Bible Study. Jesus knows your hearts and does not judge your opinions. Opinions change when the truth is revealed. One question leads to answers and clarification. The study of the Bible challenges your understanding.

JESUS KNEW YOU BEFORE YOU WERE BORN

John 1:48b -49 Jesus replied, "I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you." 49 Then Nathanael exclaimed, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!"

Let me suggest that Nathanael had heard his friends discussion about

Finding the Messiah but was puzzled by their belief. He didn’t reject their

revelation , he was puzzled by their excitement. He may have been under the fig tree meditating on the Word and came up with no satisfactory conclusion.

What appears to bring Nathanael to belief was Jesus' knowledge of where he was and what he was thinking. He saw Jesus, heard Jesus and believed.  His friends had come to an incomplete conclusion. Jesus was not the son of Joseph, but the Son of God, King of Israel. Perhaps Nathanael connected the dots of the virgin birth given in Isaiah 7:14 

FAITH IS THE BEGINNING OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH

John 1:50 Jesus asked him, "Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this." 51 Then he said, "I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth."

CONCLUSION

Constant Bible Study is the gateway to learn more about Jesus our Lord and Savior. Our faith grows as we continue our study and see the scriptures revealed in our daily life situations.  Heaven is our goal, Bible study and faith in Jesus is the ladder.

As your faith grows, God reveals more and more about Himself to you.

Notice God used the differences in His disciples to reveal a way to approach Bible study to others.

COME BE SAFE IN JESUS John 6:35-40

 COME AND BE SAFE

John 6:35-40

THE TEXT

John 6:35-41

35 Jesus replied, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But you haven't believed in me even though you have seen me. 37 However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. 38 For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. 39 And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. 40 For it is my Father's will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day." 

New Living Translation

INTRODUCTION

Throughout the Bible the Word is repeated over and over again in verses, played out in stories in the lives of men and women and in parables we can remember and relate too. I believe that  God plan is to ingrain the Word in

Our hearts and minds for spiritual growth and development.

Some who followed Jesus ask this question; John 6:28-29

28 They replied, "We want to perform God's works, too. What should we do?" 29 Jesus told them, "This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent." 

In all our getting this is the understanding that  God the Father wants for us. From Jesus' time on earth to now on it has not changed. The Bible is complete in its instructions with principles spread throughout the 66 Books.

The work is the work of the soul, not the work of the hands. It is a work of the heart. It is not a work that man can do independent of God. It can only be done through God. It starts with a recognition of one’s sinfulness  

THE BREAD OF LIFE 

35 Jesus replied, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 

The bread is the 66 books of the Bible.  Only the Word is life giving. Only the Word is life sustaining. The Word is food for the soul. The Word promises food for the body for the faithful

The never thirst is the constant abiding satisfaction in the  Lord.   He is all we need.  In Him is the promise of the desires of our hearts. The promise is with trials and tribulation which we are strengthen to endure

YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE NOT TO BELIEVE

John 6:36

 36 But you haven't believed in me even though you have seen me.

Everyone has seen the works of the Lord. No one is without the experience of the Lord’s glory around them each and every day. Many refuse to believe what they see is the Lord’s work,

Rom 1:20

 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

Even the most evil and the most vile person who have never set foot in a church does not exist without the Lord’s mercy. He works in our lives without our acceptance of Him or our consent. 

YOU WERE GIVEN TO  JESUS

John 6: 37 However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. 

God the Father has given every believer, past present and future, 

Whether he be born yet or not to Jesus. It is God the Father that caused

You and I, to come to Jesus. 

Notice the text says we were given to Jesus and will come. Our salvation has never been in our hands. Jesus says He will never reject those given to Him.  Our only choice is when we accept Jesus.  We have a choice of how much hell, how many trials and tribulations we endure before accepting the invitation.  We are only safe in Jesus. 

JESUS IS COMMITTED TO THE FATHER’S WILL

John 6:38

38 For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.

Because of His love for us, Jesus volunteered to step down from heaven

As Lord, take on the position of a servant to do the Fathers will. In the heavenly realm choices were made on your behalf. The Holy Spirit didn’t do it, the Angels in heaven couldn’t do it, But Jesus did it. Jesus took on Human flesh so His blood would satisfy the Father’s demand for justice.

YOU ARE IN GOD’S WILL

John 6: 39 And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day.

God the Father has a will, Jesus has a will, the angels have a will, and we are given a will.  It was the Father’s will that initiated the plan of salvation. 

I can not tell you if God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit got together and decided on you and me. We are not told. At creation we see all three working in unison to bring the world into existence (Genesis 1).

We were given to Jesus for safe keeping. You cannot get lost from Jesus.

We all make mistakes and ge off the straight and narrow path, But you are never lost from Jesus. You can’t make a mistake too big for Jesus to reject you. 

Jesus gave His commitment to those given Him to His disciples

Matt 18:12 "If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? 

The text give us the purpose of Jesus for His commitment. You will be raised up on the last days. Your entry in heaven is guaranteed. Why would the Lord do this to us? We are certainly unworthy of this commitment, His grace and mercy is undeserved, but given because of His love.

DIVINE SALVATION FOR YOU

John 6: 40 For it is my Father's will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day."

The first thing we see is that God the father is involved in all phases of our salvation. 

1. God the Father executed His will

2. He sent Jesus to be the author of our salvation

3. He position our mind to see Jesus 

4. He selected all believes

5. He drew every one He chose to Jesus 

6. He fixed the mind each believer accept Jesus 

7. He planned our entry into heaven

SUMMARY

• JESUS IS THE BREAD OF LIFE

• YOU WERE GIVEN TO JESUS FOR SAFE KEEPING

• NO ONE GIVEN TO JESUS WILL BE CAST OUT

• YOUR SALVATION IS THE FATHER’S WILL

• JESUS VOLUNTEERED TO BE YOUR PAYMENT FOR SIN

• THE WILL OF THE FATHER FOR YOU IS TO SEE JESUS AND BELIEVE

• YOUR PLACE IN HEAVEN WAS PREPARED THE MOMENT OF YOUR BELIEF

THE GREATEST JOY Luke 10:1-21

 THE GREATEST JOY  

LUKE 10:20

Luke 10:19-20

 20 But don't rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven." 

Holy Bible, New Living Translation 

This was the third year in Jesus' ministry. Many followed Him and heard His message. Some became disciples, but many did not. Jesus appointed 72

Disciples along with the 12 and sent them out 2 by to towns He would visit.

CHOSEN TO BE A DISCIPLE

Luke 10:1-2

The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. 2 These were his instructions to them: "The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.  NLT

1. Every disciple has the ministry to spread the Gospel.

2. Prayer should precede any mission work.

3. Jesus has prepared the lost to receive the message

4. Like John the Baptist, each believer prepares the way for Jesus to enter the hearts of those taught.

5. There are many disciples who remain nameless but are recognized by Jesus. We don’t know who the 72 were, but they were faithful.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR WITNESSING 

Luke 10:3-9

 3 Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Don't take any money with you, nor a traveler's bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don't stop to greet anyone on the road. 

5 "Whenever you enter someone's home, first say, 'May God's peace be on this house.' 6 If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you. 7 Don't move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide. Don't hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay. 

8 "If you enter a town and it welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you. 9 Heal the sick, and tell them, 'The Kingdom of God is near you now.

A HUMBLE SPIRIT AND TOTAL DEPENDENCY ON JESUS 

Verse 3 . Witnessing put us in a danger zone; sheep among wolves

Verse 4. Totally depend on Jesus for provisions and protection; Go out  

              Without money or extra clothing. Travel light 

              Don’t allow yourself to get distracted. Stay focus on the mission

MINISTRY TO FAMILIES

Verse 5-8. This is was not a homeless ministry,  It was a mission to  

              working families.

             a. They were commanded to stay in the homes of anyone that   

                   welcome them 

               b.We we enter the  any, home we are commanded to bestow the 

                   blessing of peace upon the household.

              c.  We are commanded to accept the hospitality of the home 

                   owners

              d. We are to humble ourselves before God and man knowing that 

                   their hospitality is our pay (verse 7)

              e. We are commanded to express our gratitude for their hospitality

YOU HAVE THE POWER AND AUTHORITY TO HEAL

Verse 9.  We are commanded to heal the sick .

               a. We have the power and the  authority. Jesus said anything we 

               ask the Father in His name  would be done for us. We must pray 

               with confidence that the Word is true.

              b.  Encourage families that kingdom of God is hear 

DON’T WASTE TIME ON THOSE WHO REJECT THE GOSPEL

Luke 10:10-11

 10 But if a town refuses to welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 11 'We wipe even the dust of your town from our feet to show that we have abandoned you to your fate

Luke 10:16

"Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting me. And anyone who rejects me is rejecting God, who sent me." 

Don’t waste time with families who reject the Gospel.

Shake the dust and move to the next family. The Harvest is plentiful 

Don’t argue or get offended when the Gospel is rejected. You have not failed they have rejected Jesus 

REJOICE, YOUR NAME IS REGISTERED IN HEAVEN

Luke 10:19-20

Nothing will injure you. 20 But don't rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven." 

1. We have promise of protection from Jesus when we serve

2. We are never to be proud of any accomplishment in the ministry. We are empowered by Jesus

The greatest joy of a faithful believer is that his/her name is registered in heaven. Our services on earth reserves our space in heaven

JESUS THANKED THE FATHER FOR CHOOSING YOU

21 At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, "O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way. 

It is the humble that gets into heaven not the wise and the clever. The wise and the clever have temporary non lasing advantages on earth. But those with a childlike faith have eternal advantages that includes favor on earth

SUMMARY

YOU WERE CALLED TO THE MISSION 

YOU WERE  CALLED TO PRAYER

YOU WILL FACE DANGER, BUT TRUST JESUS

PRAY A BLESSING  OF PEACE ON EVERY HOUSEHOLD

YOU HAVE DIVINE AUTHORITY TO HEAL

REJECTION IS PART OF MINISTRY

BE JOYFUL, YOUR  NAME IS REGISTERED IN HEAVEN

BECAUSE OF YOUR FAITHFULNESS, JESUS IS JOYFUL

A MESSAGE OF HOPE The 23rd Psalms

 A MESSAGE OF HOPE THE LORD Is MY SHEPHERD

PSALMS 23

23 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.

2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.

3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths,

bringing honor to his name.

4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, 

I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.

Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.

You honor me by anointing my head with oil.

My cup overflows with blessings.

6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me

all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord 

forever.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation 

BACKGROUND 

The 23 Psalms was written by KIng David. No one knows the exact date of this writing. Some say in the early years when he was anointed King.Other say in older years as king when he had to time to reflect on the goodness of God.  Looking back and being truthful we can only find how good God has been to us,  To me the 23rd Psalms is a reminder of what God does in my life on a moment by moment basis.

I will reflect from the New Living Translation

Verse 1. The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 

I must start with the holy name Lord. There are many names for the Lord in scripture, depending on the context.

In this verse the Name for Lord is Yehovah, self Existent or Eternal God.

God does not need the help of anyone. He was not made, He exist. He has no beginning or ending. Revelation     says He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending. The first thing I realize is I cannot comprehend Who He is. I know no human being that does not have a beginning. God does not have a beginning or end.

HOW DO YOU RELATE TO GOD?

Genesis 1:1 reads 

 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. His creative powers is beyond human comprehension. Look around you from the ground up as far as your eyes can see and beyond God created. 

The next verse in Genesis is beyond my imagination. Gen 1:2

2 The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

I have never been in a formless and empty situation. I have empty

Pockets in my pants but they are not formless. You can not look and not see something. 

God’s creative process is so complete that there is nothing new that man can discover with all the technology that exists or ever will exist. We can only confirm what scripture reveals about God with our experience 

Below is a partial list of names of God, we can review and identify with.  Which name do you identify most with? 

NAMES OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT / HEBREW BIBLE

Name of God	Meaning in English	Verses
El Shaddai	God Almighty	Genesis 17:1, Genesis 28:3, Genesis 35:11
’Eh·yeh	I Am	Exodus 3:14
El Elyon	The Most High God	Psalm 57:2, Genesis 14:18, Psalm 78:35
Adonai	Lord	Genesis 15:2, Exodus 4:10, Joshua 7:8
YHWH	He Who Is	Genesis 2:4, Genesis 2:21, Deuteronomy 6:2
YHWH Nissi	The Lord Is My Banner	Exodus 17:15
YHWH Raah	The Lord My Shepherd	Psalm 23:1, Genesis 49:24, Psalm 80:1
YHWH Rapha	The Lord Who Heals	Exodus 15:26
YHWH Shammah	The Lord Is There	Ezekiel 48:35
YHWH Tsidkenu	The Lord Our Righteousness	Jeremiah 23:6, Jeremiah 33:16
YHWH Mekoddishkem	The Lord Who Sanctifies (or sets apart)	Exodus 31:13, Leviticus 20:8
El Olam	God the Eternal	Genesis 21:33, Jeremiah 10:10, Isaiah 26:4
Elohim	God	Genesis 1:1, Exodus 3:12, Deuteronomy 7:9
Qanna	Jealous God	Exodus 20:5, Exodus 34:14, Deuteronomy 5:9
YHWH Jireh	The Lord Will Provide	Genesis 22:14
YHWH Shalom	The Lord Is Peace	Judges 6:24
YHWH Sabaoth	Lord of Hosts or Lord of the Powers	Jeremiah 9:15, 1 Samuel 1:3, Malachi 1:6

THE TEXT

THE SHEPHERD’S JOB

The Lord is my Shepherd. David’s first job was that of a shepherd. He knew full well the analogy between his job and the Lord’s work.  The job of a shepherd is the complete welfare of his flock. It is a 24/7 assignment caring for the survival of the flock. A shepherd is a good leader. We need good leaders who are about the welfare of the people rather than enriching themselves. 

The shepherd walked ahead of the flock leading them to a place of safety and abundance, 

GOD’S PROVISIONS

The second part of verse 1 of the 23rd Psalms David said I have all I need.

We first meet David as a shepherd boy tending his fathers flock. In 1 Sameul 16 David was anointed king by the prophet Sameul. It was another 15 to 20 years before  David took the position of King over Israel. David had years when King Saul was tried to kill him. It was not an easy road to

The throne. David had to rely on God to protect and provide for him and

His men before King Saul was killed in battle. 

David had a history with Lord because He had given him all he needed.

You and I have a history with the Lord’s provision and protection. We may

Not have all we want, but because we still exist, we have all we need.

THE SHEPHERD’S LEADERSHIP

Verse 2. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.

 The job of the shepherd was to lead the sheep to lush grazing land. Sheep have poor frontal vision and can easily get lost.  They remember voices and will follow the shepherd as he leads. 

You and I need to be able to know the voice of the Lord and the voice of the devil. We have to study the Bible and distinguish between the voice of God and the voice of the world. The good shepherd can be relied on to tell us  what is good and right. We have a choice to obey the Word or the world. 

The Good shepherd will lead us to a proper diet and water to refresh the soul. The world promotes junk foods, drinks that have no nourishing value. 

The text says peaceful streams, not turbulent water.  Sheep want drink from swift flowing waters. The Lord wants us to live in peace. We must find a way to avoid and exit turbulent situations. We should be the mediators of peace and not violence. 

THE RENEWAL OF STRENGTH

Verse 3. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths,

bringing honor to his name.

After a day of grazing, the shepherd leads the sheep to a place of rest. God gives us 24 hours in a day . 12 for work and 12 at night for rest. The spiritual lesson is the Lord provides forgiveness and peace for those who follow Him. 

The Word is a lamp for our feet. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. Constantly studying and meditating on the Word keeps us tuned to the Lord. Yielding to guidance and directions of the Holy Spirit keeps on the right path.  

It is the work we do serving others that honors the Lord, God designed and equipped us for good works;

1 Tim 6:18 that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come.

THE SHEPHERD’S PROTECTION

Verse 4.  Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

According the Jamison Fausset and Brown commentary Psalms 23:4

Hebrew idiom for the blackest darkness; hence, a position surrounded by great perils and deaths (Ps 44:19; Job 24:17): 

David understood the deep darkness that God  designed and allowed for his life. 

After King Saul learned he would no longer be king, he took every attempt to kill David; 

1 Sam 15:26 And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee; for thou hast rejected the word of Jehovah, and Jehovah hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.

Saul became bitter and angry and David was targeted for death. This was God’s design to establish David as a warrior who relied on Him for survival. 

We cannot control the conditions that God allows in our lives, but we can control our response. David said regardless of the conditions, I will fear no evil. 

2 Tim 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 

Because God loves us, He gives us the mental power and strength to face our fears with a sound mind.  In troubling times, the Devil shows up with doubt that God will not protect us. 

God is always in the midst of our troubles. He promised he would never  leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)

The rod and the staff are the shepherd's equipment to protect his sheep.

God is always on guard standing between us and danger. The battle is never ours, its the Lords (1 Samuel 17:47). We are comforted by our confidence in the promises of the Lord. 

GOD’S BLESSING FOR THE FAITHFUL

Verse 5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.

You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.

David may have been reflecting  on Israel history with the Lord

God set the  example when Israel was released from slavery in Egypt. Ex 12: And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they asked of the Egyptians for jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment. 36 And Jehovah gave the people favor 

The same example  was set when Israel was released from 70 years of Babylonian captivity by the enemy.

2 Chron 36:23 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath Jehovah, the God of heaven, given me; and he hath charged me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whosoever there is among you of all his people, Jehovah his God be with him, and let him go up.

Because of our faithfulness and total reliance on  the Lord in the midst of

Troubling times, He prepares a lavish banquet for us for our enemies to see.  For the faithful, God provides a peace that is beyond our  comprehension and certainly beyond our enemies. 

According to the Bible knowledge Commentary on Psalms 23:5

The image of anointing the head with oil, which was refreshing and soothing, harmonizes with the concept of a gracious host welcoming someone into his home. In view of the table and the oil David knew that his lot in life (his cup) was an abundant blessing from the Lord. 

God anoints each believer with oil welcoming as a guest in the kingdom of Heaven. No believer can deny the abundant blessing of the Lord in their  lives. We Can do nothing to deserve God’s grace and mercy. Justice demand payment, but grace resolves payment in the death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

OUR SPIRIT OF GRATEFULNESS

Verse 6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me

all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord 

forever.

Every believer needs to conclude each day regardless of the circumstance faced that God' s royal love is present, real and active. We may not understand how God is working but we must live confidently that all things are working out for our good (Romans 8:28). We don’t need to know how, we must believe it's true. 

Jesus our Lord and savior said this; John 15:7-8

7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. 

We don’t need to know when our breakthrough is coming, but must wait with confidence that God is working things out for us.  The greatest spiritual

Growth is in the waiting. 

Gal 5:5 For we through the Spirit by faith wait for the hope of righteousness.

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

 

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