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A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, / he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. (1-3a)
He guides me in paths of righteousness / for his name's sake. Even though I walk / through the valley of the shadow of death, / I will fear no evil, / for you are with me; / your rod and your staff, / they comfort me. (3b-4) You prepare a table before me / in the presence of my enemies. / You anoint my head with oil; / my cup overflows. (5) Surely goodness and love will follow me / all the days of my life, / and I will dwell in the house of the LORD / forever. (6)

A. You need a shepherd (1)

1. Why does the Bible compare us to sheep? (I Samuel chapters 16 and 17)

2. Who is the true shepherd? (John 10:10-13)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. (John10:10-13)

B. What the Good Shepherd does for his sheep (2-3a)

1. He gives our souls rest (Matthew 11:28)

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matt. 11:28)

2. He nurtures our souls (Matthew 11:29-30; Hebrews 5:12-14)

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matt. 11:29-30)

In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. (Heb. 5:12-14)

3. He restores and revives our souls (Luke 15:4-7)

Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, `Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (Luke 15:4-7)

Summary

Much like sheep, human beings aren't strong enough or smart enough to make it through life alone. Our Good Shepherd doesn't merely provide for our physical and emotional needs. He gives rest for our souls, nurtures our souls and revives our souls. There is only one who is our Good Shepherd, but there are many false shepherds in this world who will rob us of our souls if we follow. Our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, will guide our lives and will lead us toward abundance if we follow after him.

For Discussion

1. Look for other scripture passages (Old and New Testaments) that mention sheep. 　What do they teach about this analogy (human beings likened to sheep)?
2. What does it mean for the Good Shepherd to revive our souls?

Introduction (1 Thessalonians 5:18, Psalm 100:4a, 22:3)

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (I Thessalonians 5:18)

enter his gates with thanksgiving and go into his courts with praise” (Psalm 100:4a). He lives in the praises of Israel. (Psalm 22:3)

A. When your mind is going “crazy” with thoughts of doom, dread, and death. (Romans 12:2, 1 Samuel 30:6)

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:2)

Lord, we don’t know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.” (II Chronicles 20:12b). God told them through a prophet that the battle was not theirs, but it was His (II Chronicles 20:15b). Praise the LORD; for his mercy endures for ever” (21b) Judah spent three days collecting all the spoils of their enemies (25b).

B. When depressed and oppressed. (1 Samuel 16:19-23, Acts 16:23-26)

C. When ministering to those who are sick or bedridden. (Psalm 103:1-5)

Bless the LORD, of my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. Who forgives all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases. Who redeems your life from destruction; Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfies your mouth with good things; so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103:1-5)

D. When training your mind to be obedient to Jesus. (Philippians 4:8, Psalm 23, 119:11)

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest. whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; If there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8)

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures: He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul: He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for You are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Psalm 23)

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee (Psalm 119:11)

E. When you want to bless God, your Father. (Malachi 3:16,17)

Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon His name. And they shall be Mine, saith the LORD (Malachi 3:16,17)

Summary

Jesus said in John 17:3, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” In reading and meditating upon the Psalms you will come to know God and love Him. Paul says in Romans 12:2, that our mind must be transformed/changed to know what is the good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. As you read and meditate upon the Psalms, your mind will be changed into the mind of Christ and you will know His will for your life on a daily basis.

For Discussion

1. How are you going to use the Psalms in your life because of this sermon?
2. What are some other stories in the Bible that show praising God will bring peace and deliverance into your life?

A. Longing (1-5)

1. Longing for mercy (1-3)

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. According to A psalm of David. O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. (1) Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am faint; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are in agony. (2) My soul is in anguish. How long, O LORD, how long? (3)

2. Longing for salvation (4-5)

Turn, O LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love. (4) No one remembers you when he is dead. Who praises you from the grave? (5)

B. Waiting (6-10)

1. Confessing our weakness (6-7)

I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. (6) My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes. (7)

2. Waiting with hope for the victory that is yet to come (8-10)

Away from me, all you who do evil, for the LORD has heard my weeping. (8) The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer. (9) All my enemies will be ashamed and dismayed; they will turn back in sudden disgrace. (10)

Summary

The Bible teaches that we can look to God for physical healing. Because death is the result of sin, the Bible also teaches that sickness and disease (which often lead to death) have their root in sin. In certain Old Testament contexts, this was interpreted literally in that if someone was sick, it could be traced to some specific offense that he or she committed, and the sickness was a form of punishment from God. Jesus worked to change that thinking in his ministry as he demonstrated that suffering could be approached as an opportunity for God's glory to be revealed. Regardless of the source of our particular suffering and sickness, we can have hope that God will ultimately redeem our suffering and bring good where evil seems to prevail. When we seek medical care for an illness, we can expect to go through a process involving an examination, then a diagnosis, and then an operation or some form of therapy. We also need to approach healing as a process when we go to God with our needs.

For Discussion

1) For what reason or purpose does God choose to heal?
2) Discuss the relationship between healing and modern medicine.

Today we will continue to learn more from this month series from the Book of Psalm. As we already know from these past weeks that book of psalm is like a music book but many of the psalms are consider to be a prayer. Psalms originally referred to stringed instruments (such as harp, lyre, and lute) then to songs sung with their accompaniment. Psalm 5 is also described as a prayer for protection from the wicked of King David. I think book of psalms is more like a personal diary for me, inside we can read a very personal, intimate relationship between God and King David. This thing inspired me to develop more intimate relationship with God. Let us read together our scripture for today

<< Psalm 5 >> New American Standard Bible © Prayer for Protection from the Wicked. For the choir director; for flute accompaniment. A Psalm of David.

1 Give ear to my words, O LORD, Consider my groaning.

2 Heed the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God, For to You I pray.

3 In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.

4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; No evil dwells with You.

5 The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes; You hate all who do iniquity.

6 You destroy those who speak falsehood; The LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.

7 But as for me, by Your abundant lovingkindness I will enter Your house, At Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You.

8 O LORD, lead me in Your righteousness because of my foes; Make Your way straight before me.

9 There is nothing reliable in what they say; Their inward part is destruction itself. Their throat is an open grave; They flatter with their tongue.

10 Hold them guilty, O God; By their own devices let them fall! In the multitude of their transgressions thrust them out, For they are rebellious against You.

11 But let all who take refuge in You be glad, Let them ever sing for joy; And may You shelter them, That those who love Your name may exult in You.

12 For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD, You surround him with favor as with a shield

Today I would like to focus on verse 1, 2 and 3.

1 Give ear to my words, O LORD, Consider my groaning. 2 Heed the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God,

King David groans to God. Have you ever been in the same condition and you feel that you groan to God? In Psalm 5 even King David starts his prayer by a groan, King David is speak with God openly and try to turn God’s attention to him

For to You I pray

As we pray, speak to God whatever you want to say. Often we come to prayer so full of our request or our feelings that we never consciously focus on God and sense His presence. King David was a great man of prayer because His prayer was focused on God.

3 In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice;

King David made it a point to pray in the morning. He did this because he wanted to honor God at the beginning of his day. We can start by a simple greeting “Good Morning” to God before we start our activity.

In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch

David gives us what to do before and after prayer. Before we pray, we should order our prayer. After we pray, we eagerly watch with expectancy to heaven, really believing that God will answer.

If we are in situation can’t say something, we can say something by sing, remembering some praise or worship song that we often sing on every Sunday. Many times I experienced when the song I sing is a prayer that I want to say at the same time. That is what I mean we can say our prayer by sing praise and worship.

(Example) I bring an offering of worship to my king No one on earth deserves the praises that I sing Jesus may you receive the honor that your due O Lord I bring an offering to you

Maybe not all of us here have same interests with one kind of music, rhythm, tone, or melody. But music that we are singing every Sunday together here is not just music, more than that my hope is every song that we are sing can be an expression basically for the love of God.

That is why before Sunday service, we, worship team joins in one heart pray, invite Holy Spirit to take over everything. No limit for Him. We are stand in front of you, but we are just a tools, it’s not about our skills, not about how wonderful we sing, it’s all about an offering of praise and worship.

Many times when I am lead the worship, I stop in the middle wonder how beautiful it is to hear all of you sing in one voice, praise and worship king of kings. He deserves to be praise, He deserves to be worship, we have nothing to offer, all of ours are His, only with praise and worship we can offer Him. Let us move to other essential thing relates with praise and worship,

let us move to the New Testaments in: John 4:23-24 (23)

A time will come, however, indeed it is already here, when the true (genuine) worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth (reality); for the Father is seeking just such people as these as His worshipers. (24) God is a Spirit (a spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (reality).

Jesus told the woman, " A time will come, however, indeed it is already here, when the true (genuine) worshipers will worship the Father . . . True worship begins with who is being worshipped. True worship begins at the foot of the throne of God　and ends at the foot of the throne. True worship is not determined by the place or time, by the style of music, by the speed of the songs or the volume of the worship leader. True worship deals with issues and realities that go far deeper than these things. True worshippers worship God.

TRUE WORSHIP IS IN SPIRIT

Worship is a spiritual act which requires the response of man to the call of God. True worship has to move beyond the sound of the music, the tempo of the music, the temperature of the building, the personality on the stage or time on the clock. In true worship we enter a spiritual dimension and there, and only there, we truly worship God. Sometimes it can be too worldly, too supernatural, and too mystical. But Jesus said, there is no other way to worship, than in spirit and in truth.

TRUE WORSHIP IS IN TRUTH

Jesus said of Himself, "I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh to the Father but by me" (Jn. 14:6). For our worship to be true, we must come by the cross. We can only come boldly to the throne of grace when we come by Jesus. True worship is build upon the foundation of truth which Jesus came to build the church upon. It is the truth that we cannot save ourselves. It is the truth that we need a Savior. It is the truth that Jesus is the way. When we worship in spirit and in truth, our worship is always fresh and it is always real, is in the right place, with the right God at the right time, for the right reason. this is my desire. I want us to be a true worshipper. I want us to worship Him and I want us to be changed by the experience.

Summary

God always hear our prayer. By prayer we can connect with God also praise and worship is other tool that can connect us and God. God is searching for the true worshipers. Let us learn to be the true worshipper by experience the power in praise and worship.

For Discussion

1) Do you believe in power in praise and worship?

2) Share it with your mini church member.

A. Calling on the Lord and being saved (1)

Psalm 4 / For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David. Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer. (1)

1) Call on God, especially in difficult times

2) Seek earnestly for freedom and mercy

 

B. What Christians can encourage others to do

How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? (2)

1) The Lord can hear his sheep and will listen to their call (3)

Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD will hear when I call to him. (3)

2) Search your heart and, in silence, listen to God's voice (4)

In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. (4)

3) Sacrifice and trust (5)

Offer right sacrifices and trust in the LORD. (5)

 

C. My desire

1) Let the light of your face shine on me (6)

 

Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?" Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD. (6)

2) Fill me with an incomparably great joy (7)

You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. (7)

3) Be my refuge of peace (8)

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. (8)

Summary

God always hears your call to him. So when you are suffering, call on God. The fact that we are able to do this is our privilege. Many people do not know this joy and they may even oppose you. But, even when they seem to be pushing you into the corner, you are in fact in a better position than them. Why? Because God is with you.

For Discussion

1) In what kind of circumstance was this psalm written?

2) What is a joy that is "greater than when their grain and new wine abound?"

A. Would your faith work in times like these?

1) David's difficulties (1-2)

Psalm 3 / A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom. O LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, "God will not deliver him." (1-2)

2) You will also face difficulties (7-8)

Arise, O LORD! Deliver me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked. From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people. (7-8)

B. What kind of faith works in the worst circumstances?

1) Knowing that God is the only one who will never desert you (3-5)

But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. (3-5)

2) Knowing that God is the only one who has the solution (6)

I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side. (6)

Summary

No matter what happens to you, God will never desert you. Even when everyone else leaves you, God will continue to stand by your side. So don't give up, even if you feel like the entire world has surrendered itself to sin. You will never be at a dead end. Your God is both all-knowing and almighty, and he is the one who has promised you an eternal life.

For Discussion

1) What happened to King David?
2) Do you ever think of things that could make you lose your faith?

A. When you make yourself a god, you become a rebel against the true king

1) When you make yourself a god, you become a rebel against the true king (1-3)

Psalm 2 / Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? (1) The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One. (2) "Let us break their chains," they say, "and throw off their fetters." (3)

2) God's judgment against rebellion (4-6)

The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. (4) Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, (5) "I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill." (6)

B. The Lord is the true king

1) Prophecies regarding the true king (7-9; Luke 3:22, 9:35; Acts 13:33)

I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father. (7) Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. (8) You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery." (9)

When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." (Luke 3:21-22)

"We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: " `You are my Son; today I have become your Father. ' (Acts 13:32-33)

A voice came from the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, whom I / have chosen; listen to him." (Luke 9:35)

2) Serving the Lord, who is the rightful king (10-12)

Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. (10) Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. (11) Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. (12)

Summary

Given our sinful nature as humans (turning away from God), it is not surprising that we rebel against God's order. But that rebellion brings happiness to no one. Two thousand years ago, God sent Jesus into this world as our visible Lord. Through that, God gave us the opportunity to return to the true king, whom we should serve. No happiness comes from making ourselves, or anyone other than Jesus, our Lord. If we want to be blessed, we should take refuge in the Lord.

For Discussion

1) Who is the Lord's Anointed One?

2) What was your refuge before you met Jesus?

A. People who walk with God

1) What they avoid; what they do (1-2)

" Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

2) Their happiness (3)

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

3) Their hope (6a)

For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,

B. People who turn away from God

1) The the tragedy of living in that way (4-5)

Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

2) The end of that life (6b)

but the way of the wicked will perish.

Summary

Life lived with God enables people to bear fruit like trees planted by streams of water. If you walk with God, you can live a life that is fulfilled, like trees that are filled with green leaves. That doesn't necessarily mean that you will succeed or gain fame in this world. It doesn't mean that you will become wealthy. In fact, if you keep on focusing on those things, you will not experience true prosperity. The prosperity that God gives to us brings a deeper and eternal fullness into our souls.

For Discussion

1) What does it mean for the Lord to watch over "the way of the righteous?"

2) Why are those who turn again God like "chaff that the wind blows away?