Sermon Title: "The Lord Is My Shepherd”

The message centers on Psalm 23 and the comfort, care, guidance, protection, and salvation found in the Lord as our Shepherd. It reminds listeners that Psalm 23 is not only for funerals, but for every season of the believer’s life.

The preacher explained that Psalm 23 is often heard at funerals, but it should not be trapped there. It is a living passage of encouragement for both difficult times and good times, because it reveals the faithful care of God for His people.

The sermon emphasized the personal nature of David’s words. David did not say the Lord is simply a shepherd, but “my shepherd.” This shows that the Lord personally knows, leads, provides for, and takes responsibility for His own sheep.

This phrase teaches that the Lord provides everything His people truly need. Life may still include grief, sickness, family burdens, financial pressure, and uncertainty, but the believer can trust that the Shepherd’s provision is wise, loving, and sufficient.

The green pastures and still waters picture the Shepherd’s care, rest, nourishment, and peace. Like sheep, we cannot safely lead ourselves, but the Lord knows where to bring His people so their souls can be refreshed and restored.

The sermon explained that the Lord knows how fragile and weary His people can become. He restores the soul through His Spirit, His Word, encouragement from others, and the faithful support of the church family.

The Lord does not restore His people so they can continue in sin. He restores them so they can walk rightly before Him. His guidance is tied to His glory, and He leads His sheep in ways that magnify His name.

The valley reminds us that believers will still face dark, difficult, and dangerous seasons. However, the sermon emphasized that true peace is not the absence of danger, but the presence of God. David could fear no evil because the Shepherd was with him.

The rod pictures the Shepherd’s authority and protection, while the staff pictures His guidance and correction. The Lord both defends His sheep from danger and corrects them when they begin to stray.

Psalm 23 does not say the enemies disappear. It says the Lord prepares a table in their presence. The sermon pointed out that the enemy may still be near, but the greater reality is that the Shepherd is also present with His people.

The sermon explained that David shifts from the image of sheep and shepherd to the image of an honored guest at a royal banquet. The Lord welcomes His people, blesses them, provides for them, and gives them a place in His house.

This phrase points to the abundant blessing of God. The Lord does not only protect and lead His people; He also blesses them with more grace, mercy, and spiritual provision than they could ever deserve.

The sermon described goodness as God’s favor and blessing, and mercy as His covenant love. God’s goodness and mercy follow His people, stay close to them, and carry them through this life toward the hope of dwelling with Him forever.

No. The sermon made clear that not everyone belongs to the Shepherd’s fold. A person must personally come to Jesus Christ by faith, because He is the Good Shepherd, the only door, and the only way of salvation.

The sermon closes by pointing to the virgin birth, sinless life, substitutionary death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Lost sinners were urged to turn from sin, trust Christ as Lord and Saviour, and make certain that the Lord is truly their Shepherd.