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Ben Fetterolf
Follower of Jesus | Husband | Father | Pastor at Hampton Park Baptist Church of Greenville, SC
User since 2019
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The gospel is a comfort. But the gospel is also a call on our lives as believers. We need to hear both: the comfort AND call of the gospel.
Romans 8:1-9
How do you view God? Do you view him as angry at you? Or committed to you? This prophet helps us see how we *should* view God.
Obadiah 1-21
Livestream is a technological gift. But have we adequately thought through the potential downsides to this particular methodology?
Hebrews 10:24-25
I have died. The significance of that statement can't be overstated. I must believe it and live in light of it in order to truly live.
Romans 6:1-14
There are two realms (or kingdoms!) in which to live. The realm where death reigns and the realm where righteousness reigns.
Romans 5:12-21
Most conversations about biblical manhood/womanhood go to a few NT texts. But what God says in the very beginning sets a solid foundation.
Genesis 2:18-25
In what or whom do you find your joy? Does it last through the varying circumstances of life? Where can true, enduring joy be found?
Romans 5:1-11
"No list of sins I have not done; no list of virtues I pursue; no list of those I am not like can earn myself a place with you..."
Romans 4:1-12
What do your words say about your heart?
James 3:3-12
Trials bring dark days. But those times are most important to remember who God is and who we are.
Hebrews 10:32-39
How do you respond to disappointments and discouragements? Do you run from them? Avoid them? Paul teaches us how God intends to use them.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Grace, gift, faith. These are the words that dominate this foremost text on how to be made right with God.
Romans 3:21-31
What is the role of the law in the life of a believer? And what does the law teach us about God?
Romans 3:1-20
How highly do you view your words? Are you more likely to encourage others to listen to you or to listen to God?
James 1:19-21
Why do you call yourself a Christian? Your answer to that question is significant and identifies where you rest your hope.
Romans 2:17-29
Have you ever thought about how many sermons you've heard in your lifetime? Knowing is useless apart from faith and repentance.
Romans 2:1-16
We often think of God's wrath on the last day. But how is his wrath manifest in the present day?
Romans 1:18-32
Why do you like spending time with other Christians? Because you have mutual interests? Or because you long to see God at work among them?
Romans 1:8-17
Why did Paul write Romans? What is Romans about? These important questions are answered from the very start of the letter.
Romans 1:1-7
What role, if any, do works play in being made right with God?
Romans 4:1-5
Does God keep you in His love? Or do we keep ourselves in His love? Jude answers this very specifically.
Jude 17-25
Contending for the faith initially seems external. But the greatest battle for the faith may need to happen in my own heart.
Jude 8-16
You're probably familiar with loving others on Sunday. But what does love look like on Monday through Friday?
1 Thessalonians 4:9-12
Has your evangelism been fueled by guilt? Why not fuel it with joy?
1 John 1:1-4
view all (25 total)
When Yahweh Is My Shepherd...
Psalms 23:1-6
What do you feel you are lacking today? Are things spinning out of control? Anchor yourself in God's character and promises.
#promises
#shepherd
#comfort
Published April 15th, 2020
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Main point summary
Lesson
Bracket
notes
Main point summary
Because Yahweh is my shepherd, I lack nothing and will gain everything.
Lesson
The LORD is my shepherd; therefore, I lack nothing. What an amazing comfort! The LORD is my shepherd, I will not lack anything I need. Let me stop right here and ask what have you felt recently that you’ve been lacking? M oney? Do you feel the tension of a tight budget or of the strain this virus might put on your finances. The LORD is your shepherd; therefore, you lack nothing. Health? Are you battling through physical pain or the aging process (with all of its ups and downs) or through a disease with regular appointments and surgeries? Maybe this has caused you to wonder if God is even around. The LORD is your shepherd; therefore, you lack nothing. Friends? Do you feel lonely not being able to get out of your house right now? Isolated? Depressed? Desperately in need of encouragement? The LORD is your shepherd; therefore, you lack nothing. And HOW does the LORD come to you and lead you as shepherd? V.2 says he will lead you in good paths in order to refresh your soul. Will you let him do that? Will you pursue him in His Word and taste and see that he is good? Now, when we have more time than ever, is an especially good time for us to let him lead us in this way. He desires to refresh your soul in His good paths. V.3 says He will guide you along the right paths. Everyone else may not guide you along the right paths. But He will. What paths are you following right now? Who is leading you? Who is leading you in how to think about and respond to what our world is going through? Are you being led and shaped in how to think about COVID-19 by the 10 o'clock news? Are you choosing to meditate on what you've heard on talk news or everything you’ve read on social media? One could easily be swayed and tossed around by the most recent point of view coming from any number of media outlets. The LORD will guide you on the right paths for his name's sake. He wants to glorify his own name through you during this time. V.4 says that sometimes those right paths will include dark valleys. I don't think it is any coincidence that v.4 follows v.3. Dark valleys are times of questioning. They're times of wondering. Does God really know what he's doing? Is he even around? And it's in these times that we need to know God's character more than ever. In the dark valleys, "I will fear no evil" for you are with me. Notice that he doesn't say "for the LORD is with me" but transitions to a more personal way of referencing God and says "for YOU are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." God uses every means at his disposal to keep us on the right path in the midst of the darkest valleys. What an amazing comfort. In Paul Tripp’s book Suffering , he says this: “We all live in moments, locations, situations, or relationships that seem to be spinning out of control, but they are not out of control. Yes, they are way beyond the scope of our control, but they are under the rule of the One who is not only in complete control but is also perfectly good in every way. By the grace of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, God is your Father. He exercises his sovereignty with a father’s love for you. He hears your cries for help, and he stays near, and he is always reachable. He has authority you will never have, and he exercises it with a wise and loving heart for your benefit and the benefit of each of his children.” God is in complete control, working out all things for our good and for the sake of His name. This means that I have nothing to fear in the life and everything to look forward to in the life to come. What else can we conclude other than, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever"?
Bracket
editing
OT
Psalms 23:1-6
esv
niv
The Lord is my d shepherd;
The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not e want.
I lack nothing.
inference
He makes me lie down in green f pastures.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside still waters. 1
he leads me beside quiet waters,
series
He g restores my soul.
he refreshes my soul.
actionpurpose
He h leads me in i paths of righteousness 1
He guides me along the right paths
for his j name’s sake.
for his name’s sake.
Even though I k walk through the valley of l the shadow of death, 1
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I will m fear no evil,
I will fear no evil,
for n you are with me;
for you are with me;
your o rod and your staff, they comfort me.
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
actionmanner
ground
concessive
You p prepare a table before me in q the presence of my enemies;
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
you r anoint my head with oil;
You anoint my head with oil;
my s cup overflows.
my cup overflows.
actionresult
progression
ideaexplanation
Surely 1 goodness and mercy 2 shall follow me all the days of my life,
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall t dwell 3 in the house of the Lord u forever. 4
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Change from 3rd person to 2nd person. More personal.
"for his name's sake" seems like a distinct purpose. So, this series includes two things that God does with two distinct purposes.
One interesting progression here is from the third person to second person pronouns.
discourse
Comments
Brent Karding
Your sermon notes are helpful as well, especially your applications - personal and practical.

I think it would be good to expand on 6b some more. Almost all your notes are about 6a, "I will lack nothing."
Brent Karding
The ending of your Main Point Summary summarizes 6a and b well in a nice contrast, with "nothing" and "everything."
Brent Karding
Helpful point about the switch in pronouns! That supports a division after verse 3.
Brent Karding
I like your Series in 2-3, because 2 talks about providing food and drink, and the second about leading in the right away.

Another possibility would be making 2b-3a and 3b-c a two-part Series since both say "he leads me." 2b-3c could then be the second member of a Series, the first member of which would be 2a.
Ben Fetterolf
Ah, I see. It's helpful seeing how you're looking at the wording similarities for connections like that.
Disclaimer: The opinions and conclusions expressed on this page are those of the author and may or may not accord with the positions of Biblearc or Bethlehem College & Seminary.