Service Notes for 31/5/20

Pentecost Sunday 2020

31/5/20

God-willing our church services will be live on Facebook on a Sunday at 9:30am at: https://www.facebook.com/malloyd

After that you can catch up there or on the churches Facebook pages or Warbleton Church You Tube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPBFrhqP5nL6QnmkZKfP5yw

Our weekly notice sheet is available here: https://www.warbletonchurch.org.uk/

(A reminder that you can now also give to Warbleton Parish Church online via the church Facebook page or at https://www.warbletonchurch.org.uk/give/)

ORDER OF SERVICE

Before the service we’ll play the music to the hymn Come Down, O Love Divine.

Words: https://www.jubilate.co.uk/songs/come_down_o_love_divine_jubilate_version

Welcome, notices and introduction

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

(And also with you.)

Introduction

The love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

(cf. Romans 5:5)

Opening Prayer

Invitation to confession

What God has prepared for those who love him, has been revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything.

Therefore, let us in penitence and faith open our hearts to the Lord who has prepared good things for those who love him.

(cf. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10)

Silence

Confession

You raise the dead to life in the Spirit:

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

You bring pardon and peace to the broken in heart:

Christ, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

You make one by your Spirit the torn and divided:

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Absolution

May the Father forgive you by the death of his Son and strengthen you to live in the power of the Spirit all your days.

Amen.

Psalm 68:3 – “May the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.”

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (sung by Judith with words video)

Bible Readings

Joel 2:28-32 (read by Jonathan)

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thank be to God!

John 14:15-27 (read by Shirley)

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thank be to God!

Sermon (Preached by The Rev’d Neil Jeffers, The Chaplain of Pangbourne College)

Sermon notes on John 14:15-27

How Pentecost Addresses Loneliness (in lockdown)

Jesus promises the Christian believer is never truly alone (v18)

(1) The Spirit is Jesus with us

The Spirit’s closeness and presence – he will be with you and in you (v17)

(2) The Spirit is Jesus speaking through the Apostles (vv25-26)

* * *

The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is,
seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.

Intercessions

Using the response:

Lord, come and bless us

and fill us with your Spirit.

And concluding:

Generous God,

you sent your Holy Spirit upon your Messiah at the river Jordan,

and upon the disciples in the upper room:

in your mercy fill us with your Spirit,

hear our prayer,

and make us one in heart and mind

to serve you with joy for ever. Amen.

The Collect of the day is said

God, who as at this time
taught the hearts of your faithful people
by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit:
grant us by the same Spirit
to have a right judgement in all things
and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort;
through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said

Being made one by the power of the Spirit,
let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.

The Blessing

Filled with the Spirit’s power, go in the light and peace of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia.

Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.

After the service, we’ll play:

Breathe On Me, Breath of God (with vocals and words video)

Please feel free to comment, like and share etc.

Satisfied and yet growing

Hans Boersma, Seeing God: The Beatific Vision in the Christian Tradition (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2018)  considers the Christian vision of God in the New Creation (pp68f).

Since God is infinite, it make sense that our vision of God should continue to grow. Even when we see God, we will desire to see more of him. Theologians such as Gregory of Nyssa, Gregory Palamas and Jonathan Edwards have stressed this. God is always still incomprehensible to us - we cannot fully know him. He is the Uncreated Creator and we remain creatures. There is always more of him for us to know.

And yet we will also know rest and satisfaction in God. The Thomist tradition has stressed this.

We can perhaps seek to hold on to both of these insights:

We will always know him to the fullness of our capacity, yet by the grace of God our capacity will always continue to grow. 

Drew Dyck, Your Future Self Will Thank You - some jottings in place of a review

Drew Dyck, Your Future Self Will Thank You: Secrets of Self-Control from the Bible and Brain Science (A Guide for Sinners, Quitters, and Procrastinators) (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2019)

ISBN: 9780802418296

$14.99 US pb

224pp

Drew Dyck identifies a real issue: why don’t we make more obvious progress in the Christian life? What keeps us growing more Christ-like? In this helpful and highly readable work, he charts his own journey with seeking to cultivate self-control and provides insights from the bible and recent research.

Self-control is particularly important because, in the words of Fuller Seminary’s Thrive Centre, it is “an instrumental virtue. It facilitates the acquisition/development of other virtues: joy, gratitude, generosity.” (p15)

A particular strength of the book is that it summarises and popularises elements of some other studies such as James K. A. Smith, You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit or David Brooks, The Road to Character and The Social Animal and Nicholas Carr, The Shallows, as well as a number of scientific papers.

Dyck argues that information (biblical and theurgical knowledge) is necessary but not sufficient for change. In conclusion he urges: “Place God at the centre of your life. Flee temptation. If you can’t flee it, stand and fight. Eliminate distractions. Set sanctified goals [of significance, related to God]. Grow your willpower. Break bad habits and replace them with healthy ones. Wage holy was on your sin. And above all, stay connected to God. As you do so, you will see the fierce fruit of self-control begin to florish.” (p214).  

Recent research argues that will power is a finite resource (“ego depletion”). We should seek to manage and conserve it e.g. by adapting our schedules. But will power can also grow: like a muscle, it becomes stronger with use, when we do hard things. And it must be replenished e.g. by sleep.  

Habit is an important aid to self-control. We can develop good habits if a cue leads to a routine and reward (p122f). Sometimes we can nudge ourselves into better behaviours by making them easier. It may be effective to switch bad habits for something better rather than merely trying to STOP IT!

“The fresh start effect” means that we have a better chance of change if we can leave the past behind us. Temporal markers such as a birthday or New Year or even a new week can help people to pursue a new goal (p152).

“The What The Hell Effect” means that if people breach a resolution in a small way they can sometimes give way to a major blow out (p153).

Unfortunately, some quotations lack citations. For example, I would like to know where John Owen said “Be killing sin or it will be killing you” (p198).

Here are some moments I found noteworthy:

“He who reigns within himself and rules passions, desires, and fears is more than a king.” (John Milton) (p17)

Advice from Dyck’s high school English teacher, Mr Sologar: “If you fail to control yourself, others will control you.” (p17)

Proverbs 16:32 NLT: “better to have self-control than to conquer a city”

“It’s easy to imagine your life’s outcome as the product of a few big decisions. We envision a lone hero showing extraordinary courage at a climactic moment. Or a tragic hero losing control at a critical juncture. That might ne how things work in the movies.

In reality, our destines are determined in a more mundane manner. As the writer Annie Dillard reminds us, “How we spend our says is, of course, how we send our lives.” While we may be tested in dramatic moments, the fabric of life is stitched slowly, through a thousand tiny choices that end up defining our lives. The difference of those accumulated decisions is dramatic. They can add up to a life crippled by sloth and sin or to one characterized by freedom and flourishing.” (p28-9)

The four New Testament words for self-control: sober, restrained, balanced and mastered (p30f)

“He who has a “why” to live for can bear almost any “how.”” (Nietzsche) (p35)

“People spend their whole lives climbing the ladder of success only to find, once they reach the top, that the ladder is leaning against the wrong wall.” (Thomas Merton) (p36)

“O God, help us to be masters of ourselves that we may be servants of others.” (Sir Alec Paterson) (p41)

“The winners in the Isthmian Games received a crown made from celery or pine leaves. Talk about temporary!” (p45)

1 Corinthians 9:26-27 – “Paul transforms his body from an enemy into an ally. He makes it his slave, an agent to serve his ultimate purpose rather than sabotaging it. Whereas before it threatened to take him out of the race, now it can help him win it.” (p46)

The Odyssey and The Argonautica on two methods of avoiding temptation – blocking their ears to the Sirens or listening to a sweeter song (pp52-53)

“We have an enemy, and he is us” (Walt Kelly) (p60)

“I’ve been at this being-a-human thing for four decades now and the evidence is in. I am a son of Adam. I am an apple-biter. I am a blamer. Heck, just this morning I lost my shoes, and falsely accused my wife of hiding them!” (p63)

“David Brooks argues that we live in a post-character culture. We care more about success and achievements (what Brooks calls “resume virtues”) than we do about cultivating traits like honesty or faithfulness (what Brooks calls “eulogy virtues,” the kind of qualities that get mentioned at your funeral).” (p65)

The temptations of Christ in Matthew 4: “Satan’s temptations are all shortcuts.” (p69)

Useful summary of the argument so far p78

James K. A. Smith – Descartes defined the human person as res cognitans, a thinking thing and discounts the importance of feelings and physicality (p101)

The resurrection body as like a Second Edition of a worn out book, a new elegant edition revised and corrected by the author (p118)

I protest this prose!

You will quite rightly say that this is grumpy and irrational, but I have been reading a recent book by an American and I would like to protest against its prose.

I have so far discovered that the author "can identify". He means he can identify with those who suffer from a lack of self control.

I have been told that Smith "is very relatable". He is someone to whom we can relate.

I have read that researchers "referenced dopamine". They referred to dopamine.

I have been encouraged to engage Scripture. I hope to engage with it.

Thank you!

Parish Magazine Item for June

On church buildings and meetings in lock down

From The Rectory

Sadly, as I write (24/5/20), our church buildings remain locked. There is not definite clarity on when they will be able to open either for private prayer or for public services.

The government has said that the earliest that church services might be able to resume is Saturday 4^th July, but that would be with social distancing and likely other conditions. Face coverings might be recommended. In some states in Germany, those wishing to attend had to register in advance and sign in on arrival. Singing was not allowed.

The latest Church of England advice can be found at:

churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-churches

And this will continue to be updated.

We will of course let you know via the Warbelton Church website and social media when we are able to say anything more definite. Keep an eye on: warbletonchurch.org.uk

We will want to open up our church buildings as soon as that is permitted and it can be done with a reasonable degree of safety, but we recognise that will be a challenge. Ideally one would have teams of people on hand to clean everything several times a day and monitor use.

These extraordinary times give us an opportunity to reflect on our church buildings.

Sometimes they are a headache to those of us who have to worry about heating and maintaining them. The location and facilities are not necessarily ideal. Why they didn’t install loos, kitchens, a range of Sunday school rooms, 21^st Century audio-visual systems and Wi-Fi in the 13^th Century I just don’t know!

Yet I think we should be very grateful for our church buildings. There is something wonderful to be able to meet and pray where our forefathers have for generations or for centuries. Our iconic church buildings are intended to make a public statement that Jesus Christ is Lord. Christian faith is not actually meant to be something merely private and domestic. It is open to all and should have its public manifestations. We pray that “the church” might be at the heart of and transform our communities. Our buildings are a sign of that intent.

At their best, our church buildings can remind us that our faith is always ancient and modern. Christianity wasn’t some fad dreamt up in 1960, but neither is it ever out of date. Our buildings shouldn’t be museum pieces set in aspic. They should adapt for contemporary use whilst valuing the inheritance with which we’ve been entrusted from the past for the future. And so it is with the Christian faith. We have much to learn from previous generations, but the unchanging faith of the Scriptures needs to be applied afresh in each generation. Some traditions which have been passed down to us ought to be prized. Others will need sensitive revision!

But our church buildings are not of the essence of the Christian faith. Of course we mustn’t make idols of them. They are not magic means of getting in touch with the divine.

Even in Old Testament times when God had promised to be especially present in the Jerusalem Temple to bless his people, he warned them to remember that he is the creator of heaven and earth who fills all things. Of course he does not live in temples made by human hands. He isn’t limited or confined to so called “sacred spaces”.

People will sometimes say that they can commune with God as well on a hillside or beach as in a church building. True enough. But this does risk missing something and that is that we need one another.

The Bible’s word for church means those who are called out. It refers not to a building but to a gathering or assembly of people, a congregation. It could be used for civic meetings called for a purpose such as an election or a political decision. The ancient people of Israel gathered at Mount Sinai to receive the Law of God gives us a picture of the Church. Church is the people of God gathered around the Word of God to worship him – and that could be in a church building or on the village green, or elsewhere.  

The Bible warns us not to neglect meeting together. We need one another to encourage and help one another. Just as our generation doesn’t have a monopoly on the truth, neither do I or my family. The church is a body of many different parts, all of which are valuable and necessary. God in his wisdom has given us all different gifts which we are to use together for the common good – for the health of the whole body.

At the moment, we can’t meet together as we would like to, but the phone and internet have helped us to continue to minister to one another. Imperfect as it is, we are able to gather together on a Sunday live on Facebook or catch up on You Tube, or listen to sermons via the website or over the phone. More than twenty of us have met at least once on a Wednesday evening via Zoom for prayer, Bible study and fellowship and anyone connected to our churches is very welcome to join us. Drop me an email if you’d like to know how. marc_lloyd@hotmail.com

Let’s give thanks for our church buildings and pray that we are able to get back into them soon and safely. Ask God to give us his wisdom and help (including financial resources!) that our buildings would be good servants of the gospel in these parishes for present and future generations. But let’s above all pray for one another at this time, for our fellowship in Jesus Christ which does not depend on a building. Let us pray that we might be the healthy and growing body of Christ in these parishes, wherever and how ever we are able to meet together, for Jesus’ name sake. Amen.

The Revd Marc Lloyd

Service Notes for 24/5/20

The Seventh Sunday of Easter (Sunday after Ascension Day)

24/5/20

Psalm 68:1-10, 32-end

Acts 1:6-14

John 17:1-11

God-willing our church services will be live on Facebook on a Sunday at 9:30am at: https://www.facebook.com/malloyd

After that you can catch up there or on the churches Facebook pages or Warbleton Church You Tube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPBFrhqP5nL6QnmkZKfP5yw

Our weekly notice sheet is available here: https://www.warbletonchurch.org.uk/

Before the service we’ll play the Ascension hymn: Hail The Day That Sees Him Rise

Words: https://hymnary.org/text/hail_the_day_that_sees_him_rise

Video with words: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjofDCZlyRY

Welcome, notices, introduction

The Seventh Sunday of Easter

The Sunday after the Ascension

Next Sunday: Pentecost / Whitsun

Some words from The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome:

We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again;

Death no longer has dominion over him.

It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised who is at the right hand of God who intercedes for us.

O Lord, open our lips

and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Send your Holy Spirit upon us,
and clothe us with power from on high. Alleluia.

Blessed are you, creator God,
to you be praise and glory for ever.
As your Spirit moved over the face of the waters
bringing light and life to your creation,
pour out your Spirit on us today
that we may walk as children of light
and by your grace reveal your presence.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.

We join in the angels’ praise of God with some words from Psalm 103:

Bless the Lord, O 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 sins
and heals all your infirmities;

Who redeems your life from the Pit
and crowns you with faithful love and compassion;

Who satisfies you with good things,
so that your youth is renewed like an eagle’s.

The Lord executes righteousness
and judgement for all who are oppressed.

He made his ways known to Moses
and his works to the children of Israel.

The Lord has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom has dominion over all.

Bless the Lord, you angels of his,
you mighty ones who do his bidding
and hearken to the voice of his word.

Bless the Lord, all you his hosts,
you ministers of his who do his will.

Bless the Lord, all you works of his,
in all places of his dominion; 
bless the Lord, O my soul.

Psalm 103.1-7, 19-22

Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

Confession

Jesus said the Holy Spirit of truth will convict the world of guilt, about sin, righteousness and judgement.

We know that we have grieved the Holy Spirit of God.

So in sorrow for our sins and with repentance and faith, let us confess our sins.

Lord God,

we have sinned against you;

we have done evil in your sight.

We are sorry and repent.

Have mercy on us according to your love.

Wash away our wrongdoing and cleanse us from our sin.

Renew a right spirit within us

and restore us to the joy of your salvation;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Absolution

May the Father of all mercies

cleanse you from your sins,

and restore you in his image

to the praise and glory of his name,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Hymn: There is a Redeemer

Words: https://www.divinehymns.com/lyrics/there-is-a-redeemer-song-lyrics/

Video with words and music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUqfdaCLm0Y

Bible Readings

Psalm 68:1-10, 32-end

The response after each reading is:

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God!

Acts 1:6-14

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God!

  

John 17:1-11

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God!

Sermon

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried;

he descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again;

he ascended into heaven,

he is seated at the right hand of the Father,

and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic Church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting.

Amen.

Intercessions

Using the response:

Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer

The Collect

O God the King of glory,
you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ
with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven:
we beseech you, leave us not comfortless,
but send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us
and exalt us to the place where our Saviour Christ is gone before,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Being made one by the power of the Spirit,
let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.

The Blessing (T&S p488)

Hymn: O Church Arise And Put Your Armour On

Words: https://www.stuarttownend.co.uk/song/o-church-arise/

Video with words: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A98YQHG8tLY

Please feel free to comment, like and share etc.

Psalm 23 notes

God willing, in our midweek meeting on Wed 27th May, we will be looking at Psalm 23 led a member of the congregation who is much more organised than I am! She has provided these notes which you may like to have a look at in advance, or do just feel free to turn up:

Verse 1

·        The Psalm begins The LORD…… Why do you think David says “The LORD” instead of “God”

·        My shepherd. What are the qualities of a shepherd which make this a suitable analogy for David’s relationship with God?

·        Would it make any difference if David said “a” shepherd or “the” shepherd?

·        What is the result of David having The LORD as his shepherd?  Does this mean David will always get what he asks for?  What about Christians who suffer?

Verse 2

·       

What is the shepherd providing in these verses? Why does the sheep have to rely on the shepherd for these? What does this mean for David?

Verse 3a

·       

What does this mean for David?

Verse 3b

·        What are paths of righteousness?

·        What is the LORD’s purpose in leading in this way?

Verse 4

·        What would a shepherd use a rod and staff for? How would that comfort David?

Verse 5

·       

Here we see the LORD as a host. What is it about customs in those times which make this analogy work alongside that of a shepherd?

Verse 6

·         

What are the consequences of the LORD’s commitment to David?

How does this apply to the Lord Jesus?

How does this apply to us?

Main idea?

Theme sentence.

Points for praise from this Psalm.

Background notes

The LORD

The Hebrew term Yhwh is believed to derive from the root hwy, meaning “to be.” The name suggests that God simply is.  

Also, this name became a special designation which emphasized God’s relationship to the nation of Israel. It stresses his enduring presence with Israel in their redemptive history.

God’s covenant with Abraham Genesis 15 - ratified with sacrifice. The LORD was committed to the covenant. For the sacrifice animals were cut in half and normally both parties would walk through, but God walked through alone showing he promised to keep the covenant for both sides.

Shepherd

The shepherd took total responsibility for the sheep to protect them and provide for their needs.

The Lord as Host

Hospitality. Guests were anointed when they arrived for a banquet as a sign of honour. To fail to anoint the guest was a mark of disrespect.   The host also took the responsibility of protecting him. The story of Lot offers graphic evidence of the importance of protection.   (Gen 19:8, RSV). 

Alec Motyer Psalm 23 Sermon

1. I shall not want – provision

2. I will fear no evil – protection

3. I will dwell in house of Lord for ever.   Need for assurance and certainty . We don’t know what to expect but the one expectation is sure, I will dwell in the house of Lord for ever.

Some points in detail

Lord attends in person to every need because he is shepherd. Just one of the pictures of the Lord. No picture contains all the truth, every picture true all the time.

v2           rest  – Makes me lie down in green pastures he’s in charge all the time.

activity – leads me beside still waters

v3           inwardly -  he restores my soul

               outwardly -  he leads me in paths of righteousness

v4,5       Life’s troubles

v5           Life’s joys

Dark times and feasting times Lord looks after us.

v 6          enemy and friend

v5,6       ongoing present – surely goodness and mercy will follow me

future – will dwell in house of Lord

In every situation, in every circumstance in every time Lord is attending to every need.

As need grows greater presence becomes greater – v4 ‘my’ in deepest darkness Lord ceases to become ‘He’ out front but ‘you’ alongside. Close presence of the personal God

v5 No matter what circumstance he can provide. Maybe written when fleeing from Absalom.  The party – Barzillai the Gileadite brought out bread …. and cakes and raisins and water. To meet king in wilderness. David saw hand of God.

v2 He leads me – he’s out in front.

v4 He is with me – in front too.

v6 Bringing up the rear – goodness and mercy follow me.

On a road that leads home come what may. Road does not make sense to us. He leads me in paths of righteousness ( that which is right with God ) A path which is right in his eyes, make sense to him, even if not to us.

I dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. ( Temple not built yet ) Eternal habitation.

Rico Tice All Souls Langham Place  

David was capable of great sins. He had a heart for the Lord.  So what holds his life together?

Whatever the situation David is convinced The Lord is his shepherd.

This is because of the covenant love of God – a God who commits himself to his people.

Mainspring of David’s theology is God’s covenant.

v6 Your goodness and love will follow me. That’s what David had grasped.

God makes promises we can trust.

We talk about committed Christians but we have a committed God a committed Shepherd, who lays down life for sheep.

As you go through difficult times the Lord is your shepherd.

The LORD YAHWEH – God’s covenant name revealed to Moses. Holy, faithful, committed God was going to save and rescue his people – that’s his character.

450 years previously had made a promise to Abraham which he was going to keep.

IS   He is committed whatever is devouring us now.

MY        Lord is “MY” shepherd not “a” or “the”. I may wander off but he is my shepherd.

SHEPHERD   Takes responsibility for the flock, for you. We are sheep who keep straying.  

Shepherd is also KING. Lays down life for sheep. Jesus.

v6 Host takes total responsibility for the guests.

He is provider and protector.

Verse 1 provider – Exodus – God provided cloud and fire, food, water, clothes which did not wear out.

Provides for my soul too.

Green pastures – ease and safety. Do you have a slave driver God- this is not the God of the Bible. Sabbath rest

v3 Refreshes soul – gives my life back to me. As I come weary – go to him –

Protector – to guide me in right paths. In scripture right relating to God and others. Relational thing.

This means God lays down the course of my life according to his right relating to me as my shepherd covenant God.

In practice will not take us on a path which leads us away from Him. Nothing futile, pointless, irrelevant.

v3  For his name’s sake – lead you in a way which brings honour to his name.

v4  Even in painful experiences I’ll fear no evil – for you are with me. Travelling God with you.

Rod cudgel to defend the sheep.

Staff to haul sheep in right direction.

Cudgel is the sovereignty that he rules over all things. Authority he has given to Jesus over all things. Matt 28 Comfort – this is what makes life safe to be a Christian. Good shepherd is bigger and stronger than death.

Does not mean I escape the darkest vale. Not escapism.

When I’m worried sick I have to trust him – because he is trustworthy. Committed God. In darkest time.

V5 Victory – there are enemies but I eat a banquet. I have victory.

Will dwell in house of Lord forever.

Further Scripture References

Good and Bad Shepherds

Ezekiel 34   v 1 ff

Jeremiah 23 v 1-4

Isaiah 40 v 10 - 11

John 10 v 1- 18  

Enemies

1 Peter 5:8 

Ephesians 6 v 10-17  

The LORD’S keeping power

Jude  verse 24-5