top of page
Search

Sermon Notes: Overcoming Fear: Understanding Jesus is our protector and provider 3/21/21

David Campbell Jr.

The Lord is my shepherd, I will not be in need.

· This Psalm speaks of God as our Shepherd

o A shepherd not only provides for the sheep

o He also protects

o Jesus in John 10:11-12: 11 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters the flock.

· Jesus shows us that He is our good shepherd

· He shows a marked difference between a simple hired hand

o Christ has demonstrated His love for us through His suffering and death

· Often times the reason fear sets in is because we worry about our needs

· We worry if needs will be met

· Jesus told us not to worry about tomorrow, but simply to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness




2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside [a]quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the [b]paths of righteousness For the sake of His name.

o Green pastures and quiet waters were important for the care of a sheep

o Green pastures are a picture of peace and safety

o A sheep has no way to defend themselves

o Green pastures point to being safe and secure

o A sheep will not drink at moving water

o Their coat is already heavy and readily absorbs water

o If they fall in they will drown

o For them to drink and be refreshed they need to be led to still and quiet waters

o It is important to see that the shepherd leads

o It is God who leads and provides our provision

o We have nothing to fear because everything that God does in our lives is because of His love for us

o Even in the most difficult moments in life, God has a purpose behind it

o Romans 8:28 states He works all things

o That means not somethings, but everything

o The restoration of our soul can only be found in Christ

o Jesus says come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest

o In Christ is a place of rest

o It is a place of refreshing

o The Lord guides us on the right path

o Everything He does is a reflection of His name and character

o Through His word He has revealed His goodness and His faithfulness.

o When He says for the sake of the name it points to His reputation always being on the line

o If God is true and perfect He cannot lie

o Therefore when He gives a promise, he will fulfill it by His power and grace

o He is a covenant keeping God and what we have in Christ is the greatest covenant through His shed blood.


4 Even though I walk through the [c]valley of the shadow of death, I fear no [d]evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

o The shadow of death was a dark valley that was narrow and highly elevated on both sides

o There could be unseen enemies at any moment

o Without the leading of the shepherd a sheep was very vulnerable

o It speaks of the danger in not following God

o Sometimes the mistake we make is we get ahead of God

o We may be outside of His will moving in a direction He is not leading us to go in

o But the reason we don’t fear evil is because He is with us

o A rod was used by a shepherd to fight off enemies

o A staff was used to guide and lead the sheep

o Often a staff is used to manage and catch sheep

o God not only protects, He also guides

o He cares about every little detail of our lives

o But ultimately, we live without fear because He is with us


5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You [e]have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6 [f]Certainly goodness and [g]faithfulness will follow me all the days of my life, And my dwelling will be in the house of the Lord [h]forever.

o God prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemy

o No matter how many are against us, we must remember He is for us

o A table is a place of provision and supply

o Even in the midst of impossible situation, He will still provide

o When a honored guest would come in their head was often anointed

o Our cup overflows because there is no end to His provision

o As David writes this Psalm every thing He writes points to not only the protection and safety found in the Lord, but that His provision and resources are without end

o Goodness in the original Hebrew means good, pleasant, agreeable, benefit, or welfare

o Mercy speaks of God’s Goodness, kindness, and faithfulness

o Both of these are only found in Jesus Christ

o Through Christ the grace of God is poured out on our lives

o We will never be in want because Christ has promised to provide

o Ultimately our dwelling with be with the Lord

o Let us not forget this earth and nation is not our home

o I personally am thankful God has allowed me to be born and raised in America

o I thank God for the history of this nation

o But this world is not our home

o Many today fear death and sickness

o But to die is to be in the presence of the Lord

o Paul said it this way in Philippians 1:21-24 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 [u]But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know [v]which to choose. 23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; 24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sakes.

o Paul’s ultimate desire is to be with Christ

o But He knows there is work for Him to do on this earth

o This must be our perspective in life

o This will guard us from fear and holding on to this world

o The world is passing away

The bottom line is Jesus will provide

Jesus will protect

How we overcome fear is to trust the Lord

To stand upon His word

When fear floods our souls we must move our focus from fear to the promises of God’s word


20 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page