We were only two weeks into our time in Zambia when I attended my first funeral, that of a young child of a young family who would become our friends. /Pages 40 0 R Intro. I visited John during his last days and can testify that he had this assurance. She replied, Well, theres Billy and Harry and Martha and. The chef's knife is the essential tool for cooks. For centuries the Twenty-third Psalm has been one of the most treasured passages in all of Holy Scripture. Psalm 23 reminds us that God stands ready to be our shepherd if we will only let him. Perhaps you know the 23rd Psalm well like the entertainer, but do you know the Shepherd? Try. I like the theme of the 23rd Psalm. When Alisabeth was a toddler, she would often declare that she wanted. John Piper Sep 8, 1980. Psalm 23:1-3, 4, 5, 6. She was a real Christian for many years. c. = Confess that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior. That was an outstanding funeral sermon, and ( I guess) an exceptionally demanding one for you to preach. Even when she did not know what she wanted. David tells us that goodness follows us all the days of our lives. Our lives are always being shepherded. Judy trains sheepdogs, as well as others who have sheepdogs. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. God provided so well for him that he lacked nothing. - Psalms 23:4. He writes this Psalm from the perspective of sheep. To start saving items to a SermonFolder, please create an account. Sunday: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. Psalm 23:1. His son who was standing by his bedside said, No, no, father, you are dreaming. 0000017595 00000 n He hasnt left you to figure this out or find your way on your on. The table here speaks of feasting and fellowship. In Psalm 23, David is saying, "The Lord is to me what I've been to my sheep. Psalm 23:1-2 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. who is to shepherd my peopleIsrael. . But we do go through great and terrible difficulties all of the time, and God constantly warns us of these dangers and difficulties in His Holy Word. I pray Gods healing and consolation for you. To honestly and earnestly say that there are those without homes in our community, and what they need is significant assistance of housing, food, guidance in budgeting and job skills, encouragement, and support, so they can live a full life in their own space and place. FIRST-PERSON: Funeral service's 23rd Psalm recitation underscores today's biblical illiteracy. St. Peter wrote in his first letter (1 Pet 4:12) Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you., The Bible constantly tells us that there will be difficult times in life, and Psalm 23 voices such a warning. Jesus offers salvation to the all but many won't believe Him. Abraham is perhaps one of the most well-known Old Testament patriarchs. How can the Lord become your Shepherd? Our love has driven us to talk about our guests with compassion and a desire to serve those whose lives feel so different from those of us who are not worried about where we will sleep tonight. I want. a.) But what the Word of God does make very clear is that as we move through such times, God is with us. B. She made you feel important when she was around. Psalm 23:4: Deep Shades: A. S. Brooke. In the face of a world that spends obscene amounts of money to convince us via advertising that we have great wants and only the right clothes, toys, cars, or even vacations can fill them how radical it sounds I shall not want. God's Goodness is watching over us. Psalm 23:4 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. In this Psalm David, who is himself a shepherd, describes the LORD as his own personal shepherd. Through Gods grace, in Christ, we will be reunited with her in heaven, Prayer for the family, church and community. So I have to thank Judy and John for their open hearts and open pastures, as well as Keith Schneider who filmed and produced the segments. I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Absolutely amazing Fr. But as a preacher of the gospel, it is also my obligation to remind you that our eternal destiny is not determined by the ratio of our good deeds to our faults and failures, which the Bible more frankly calls sin. Ive seen it happen in the lives of others. Now, there was the danger that Sarah would become the wife of an Egyptian, and bear him children. His first impulse was to avoid the beggar, but there was something strangely familiar about him. Call it the light or call it the matrix, it doesnt matter. They are mine. We often think of ourselves as sheep, well-cared for by the good shepherd, but let me challenge us just a bit. Its a cruel hoax. Then I spoke with Z., Ashleys wife, and my denials gave way to silence and tears. Ted A. Giese / Friday October 23rd 2020: Season of Pentecost / Psalm 23 'Lord Take My Hand' 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 righteousnessfor His name's sake. It becomes a solid declaration that we are those people who have been richly blessed and so can lead lives of confidence, courage, and generosity, knowing that we have, indeed, been blessed to be a blessing.2. Required fields are marked *. The proof of that is not in what I say but in the life Ashley lived. I dont know when or where or how it will happen for you, but I promise you this, there will be moments when you catch glimpses of the light, and the day will come when the light pierces the shadow. Does this mean that everyone will be saved by Christ's death? You have simply awoken to what has always been here, what has aways been within you. The matrix Ashley experienced is the light behind the shadow. Its not true. If you travel through the mountains passes of Tibet you need a guide. We come to You and ask for Your divine presence in this place today and grant to us Your Spirit of comfort. Its a way forward. This is what happened a father gave his only son to the neighboring tribe and brought peace. Amen. This is part of what led faith leaders in our area to discern a need for Family Promise. To start saving items to a SermonFolder, please create an account. When a famine came to the land of Canaan, Abraham took Sarah, his wife, to Egypt. Sometimes the journey is filled with joy, and sometimes it is very sad and lonely. But dont forget all the great times you had together. Paul expects Christians to view death differently than the rest. You must know and love the sheep. He is there, right beside you, guiding and leading step by step. Message. 0000001149 00000 n This passage puts Psalm 23 into perspective. I love the connection you make with the Prologue of John. 23:4 ). The wise seek Jesus. Thank you for adding so much to the meaning of it all. We trust in the good shepherd. For the non-believer for the one who does not believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ the phrase "You return mankind to the dust" continues as a judgment for sin. Have you believed in the Good Shepherd? Through Christ we pray. Fourth, David's fear of death was gone because he was assured of God's presence. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Pastor Hromowyk preaching Psalm 23Hymns: 790 Praise to the Loard, the Almighty657 A Mighty fortress Is Our God717 Eternal Father, Strong to Save Marsh,. he would say again. What is the one thing necessary for a shadow to exist? Our Comfort is in Christ. 0000000017 00000 n Friday: They told him, In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet. Matthew 2:5. Yes, the shadow of death is our reality today. Thank you Anne. What is it that makes the difference? - Romans 3:23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Americans especially hated Germans with a deeply racist attitude. So whatever you might think about in your last moments, look to Jesus. Ask God to show you where you can walk to know abundant life. Or does death frighten you? The walk you are experiencing today is a temporary one. He restores my soul. A Psalm of David. Prophets have foretold the way of Jesus. Every one of you here today, whether you know it or not, is a part of that matrix. The length of the walk becomes insignificant once the discovery is made that the journey is only temporary. Beautiful, as your preaching usually is. He leads me beside still waters. After a number of years, God put Abraham's faith to its greatest test. Its what attracted you and me to him. 0000019053 00000 n If you knew her, you are blessed for having that opportunity. Hear us today, Father, and grant these requests of Your people. Sin necessitates death. %PDF-1.7 A good shepherd who lay down his life for the sheep. It portrays God as the shepherd who is at once a protector as well as a caregiver. Don Richardson recalls his life amongst the Sawi people of Irian Jaya in a book called The Peace Child. The Jews boasted that they were his descendants. They had sang songs of Christs birth together. 0000019265 00000 n /H [ 1248 406 ] Those who belong to the Good Shepherd receive a lavish welcome when they arrive home. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. As I give thanks to God for this last week in which we hosted Family Promise, including one of the first children born into the program (born on Maundy Thursday), this is one way in which knowing our community, loving the people, and shepherding have served well those in need. If I Could Start All Over Six Lessons for Your Twenties. >> Psalm 121: A Funeral Sermon Ministry Today 42: March 2008 By Paul Beasley-Murray Chair of Ministry Today and Senior Minister of Central Baptist Church, Chelmsford I cant remember when Alan and Alison first began to attend our church - it must have been toward the end of the last millennium. I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. For all of us gathered here today, the kindness and goodness of Mrs. Smith is the source of both our present grief, for we shall now be deprived of the benefit of her life. No, said Mr. Moody, I am not dreaming: I have been within the gates: I have seen the childrens faces. Awakening from a sleep, he said, Earth recedes, Heaven opens before me. Throughout this series, we will hear from Judy on living with sheep and sheepdogs. You won't be afraid if you know the Shepherd because He'll take you home. It is among the most familiar, so much so that even people who are not religious or very knowledgable about Scripture recognize these words. Scriptures: True hope in grief cannot come, apart of the gospel. In fact, 32 separate times through the Bible, we hear about God or Jesus as the good shepherd. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, It would be so wonderful if God would simply promise to us that we would never go through difficult times. The Christian can do even more than this. The psalm goes on to say, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. When Pharaoh rebuked Abraham, and asked why he would deceive him about his wife, Abraham admitted that he feared death. The Lord is my shepherd is a reminder of how well God knows us, how intimately and intuitively. for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," The Lord is my shepherd -. Amen. This was our . It also speaks to the present. The goodness and kindness of Mrs. Smith is the source of the warm memories which we have sought to recall and refresh in her eulogy a few moments ago. You see, Jesus was grieving. It brings comfort and encouragement to all who read it. /Type /Catalog 8"2UF@'x.s!3@9]8|,Uv QYtLM'FL 6EG:81#. 0000016588 00000 n Here goes. The Funeral Sermon for Helen Abercrombie Pastor Michael L. McCoy Grace, mercy and peace to you, in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Rev. In the next few moments, I want to offer to you the hope which David experienced, and which he expressed in Psalm 23. Will you repent of your sin and believe in Him? Do we know our neighbors well enough to know when a family member is sick, what they might need? As I was thinking about Joyce's life, her faith, and a Scripture to read, a passage came to my mind that Joyce read many, many times. This was because all demonstrations of kindness expressed by the Sawi were regarded with suspicion. It is in moments like this that I have no answers, explanations, or understanding for myself or for you. stream We seek Your help and power to understand Your way and Your will for our lives; remove all confusion and replace it with Your clarity. 0000003043 00000 n Before starting the program he said, I know the Psalm, but he knows the Shepherd! Oh Fr. or: R/. The Sawi then realized that this was what God had done for them. The rest have no hope. Late in the morning, the German officers raised a white flag and moved toward the British lines and under a flag of truce, conferred with the British officers. Not only did she have her family, she had the Holy Spirit of God at her side, like a shepherd who kept close watch on her. He goes on to say: "He makes me lie down in green pastures.". Allow us to see this life with the assurance and power of Christ Jesus, who has conquered death and is alive with an everlasting life. The source of this hope is to be found in the texts of both passages which you have heard today. No, this couldnt have happened. Others can truly identify with David, and the peace and security which he knew and cherished. Isaiah 53:6 says: All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. 3 You turn people back to dust, saying, "Return to dust, you mortals.". you are my son - everything I have is yours! " Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. 23 (READ). /L 109273 Whether it is Psalm 23, John 14, the last verse of Psalm 17, or a thousand other Bible passages, God's Word is powerful and will do its work. Sometimes it takes all we have just to take the next step. Only He can make us right with God again. I am glad it was what you needed Deb. << Thou hast anointed my head with oil; Jesus way leads to life. Shepherds know the needs of their sheep. All shall be well. Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Jesus Christ conquered sin, hell and the grave. John Piper Jan 10, 1988. Psalm 23:4: Comfort Through the Rod and Staff: F. B. Meyer, B. Neither of those are optional. The prophet Micah tell us of Jesus as the shepherd king from Bethlehem. But he said, "my" shepherd. The putter is the essential club for golfers. THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD Psalm 23 is the best-known psalm in the book of Psalms. Jesus rose from the dead, triumphant over death. This sermon may be particularly helpful when conducting a funeral of someone the minister did not personally know. Bob Ingle. 13 Psalm 23 - Lord Shepherd - Helen Abercrombie 1998 (MLM) - page 2 www.scholia.net shepherd; I shall not want. He restores my soul. Scripture: Psalm 25:8-9. >> You did create that! /S 429 b.) From the Gospel of Matthew, we get a glimpse of the scripture lesson we hear most around Epiphany. 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