The Lord Is My Shepherd

In one paragraph

Pastor Ray stepped away from the regular Luke series this week because of two deaths in the congregation, including Steve Marsteller's passing on Wednesday and Moosey Woodling's funeral the day before. Comforted by Psalm 23 during Moosey's service, he felt led to slow down and walk through all six verses. It was not his normal style, but the moment called for it. The message grew out of the...

Read together

1. Luke 15 previous week's study covering the lost sheep, lost coin, and prodigal son parables
2. Luke 15 (lost sheep parable) quoted directly: what man among you if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them doesn't leave the other 99 in open pasture and go after the one that's lost
3. Luke 15 (lost sheep parable) quoted: when he's found it he puts it up on his shoulders rejoicing, and there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous persons who have no need of repentance
4. Psalm 23 read and expounded in full as the main sermon text, chosen for comfort after deaths in the congregation
5. Ezekiel 34 woe to bad shepherds who fed themselves and not the flock, followed by God's promise to search for his sheep himself
6. Romans 8:38-39 read as closing comfort: neither death nor life nor angels nor principalities shall separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord
7. 1 Thessalonians 3 benediction: may the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else
8. 1 Thessalonians 5 benediction follow-up: encourage one another and build each other up

Talk about it

1. Pastor Ray said he has always read the line about '99 righteous persons who need no repentance' as a sideways comment toward the Pharisees, but then got challenged on that this week. He landed on the idea that the 99 represent safety in the body of Christ together. Which reading resonates more with you, and why?
2. Pastor Ray walked through Psalm 23 describing God as both shepherd and friend, and pointed out the shift that happens partway through the psalm from talking about God to talking directly to Him. Have you ever noticed that shift before, and what does it tell you about the kind of relationship David had with God?
3. The rod and the staff in Psalm 23 serve two different purposes, one to guide the sheep and one as a weapon against enemies. Pastor Ray said both of those comfort him. Which of those two images do you find more comforting right now, and what does that say about where you are?
4. Pastor Ray read from Ezekiel 34 about shepherds who fed themselves instead of the flock, and said religious abuse inoculates people against the actual gospel. Have you seen that happen, and how do you think a congregation guards against it?
5. The benediction from Thessalonians called the congregation to encourage one another, build each other up, and go after anyone who seems to be wandering. What does that actually look like in practice, and what makes it hard to do?