Pastor Cho's Sermon Outline - Yoido Full
Gospel Church - Seoul, KoreaThe Lord Is My Shepherd (Part 2) Psalms 23:4 2003-03-30
In Israel in the desert of Judea, there is an enormous valley called the valley of the shadow of death. If someone fell down into it and somehow survived, it would be impossible to climb up out of it. David wrote about it should he somehow walk through such a valley, because he would not be afraid; the Lord his Shepherd would guide his steps. We have all had or will have such an experience in our lives, like walking through the valley of the shadow of death. Only those who have accepted Christ as their Shepherd will be able to happily walk through that valley without fear.
Joseph walked through the valley of the shadow of death. At age 17, Joseph's brothers sold him to the Ishmaelites who took him to Egypt where he became a servant to Potiphar, captain of the Royal Guard of the Pharaoh (Genesis 39:2-4). Joseph prospered. God is always with us, whether things are going well or not. Then Potiphar's wife falsely accused him of sleeping with her (Genesis 39:7-18). Joseph knew God was with him, and he had not sinned. Nevertheless, Potiphar put Joseph in prison, and the Lord was still with him (Genesis 39:20-23). Joseph interpreted dreams for Pharaoh, and he put Joseph in charge of the whole land of Egypt (Genesis 40:1-23; 41:37-43).
Paul experienced a wind of hurricane force, called the "northeaster." God gave a warning to Paul, and he warned the men on the ship not to set sail again. Julius the centurion listened to the pilot's advice instead of to Paul, and they continued their voyage (Acts 27:9,10). The "northeaster" came, a wind of hurricane force, their valley of the shadow of death (Acts 27:14-20). Because Paul was on that ship, God was on that ship (Acts 27:21-26). After they were safely on shore, a poisonous snake bit Paul, but he suffered no ill effects (Acts 28:1-6). In the valley of the shadow of death, God the Shepherd always remains with the flock (2 Corinthians 4:8,9).
When we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. The Lord is always with us! Wherever we are, God is there; we share the same address (John 14:20,23; Matthew 28:20). Do not fear harm; it leads to punishment. God is our shelter (Psalm 91:1-7). God's Word is dynamic and unchangeable. Our society is passing through the valley of the shadow of death because of the war in Iraq, the Daegu subway fire tragedy, ideological conflicts between generations, unemployment, credit card bankruptcies, insecurity, etc. Consultants and psychologists cannot help us. We can depend only upon His rod-the saving power of the Lord (Hebrews 13:5,6; Romans 8:35,37), and His staff-the guiding hand of the Lord (John 10:3; Proverbs 3:5,6; 16:9). If we love and accept Christ as our Shepherd, He will rescue us; He will protect us (Psalm 91:14-16).
Heavenly Father, thank You for being our Shepherd-yesterday, today, and forever.
Daily Bible
