2011 Memorial Sermon

2011 Memorial Service: Psalm 23
The entire sermon in a one sentence invitation: Fearlessly follow Jesus through your dark valley.

I don’t offer mere words and platitudes, but an embrace from a real Person. No tips and techniques; but a Person to follow: The Good Shepherd (John 10:11).

1. He provides rest.

One of the first things I ask grieving people in my church is, ‘Are you sleeping at night?’ Grieving people often want to stay busy, work harder, keep people around, the TV on, and the music up so they can stay distracted from the dark valley in front of them. But busyness is not the answer to restlessness. Rest is.

For generations, God sent prophets to His chosen people, Israel, with variations of the same message: “Stop what you’re doing and rest in Me.” But they wouldn’t listen (Isaiah 28:12). Will we? The Good Shepherd calls to us: Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

2. He provides nourishment.

Jesus said that Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). Sheep need grass, or they’ll starve. Humans need God’s words, or they’ll starve. Jesus knows how to guide you to green pastures and quiet waters in God’s word. Don’t believe me? I challenge you to take your Bible to a quiet place, ask the Shepherd to nourish you, and spend some time reading and thinking through Psalm 23.

3. He provides guidance.

Perhaps your soul has wondered away like a little lamb into the river of despair, discouragement, and unanswered questions. The Good Shepherd can pluck you up, turn you back and put you on the right path again.

He does these things for those who follow Him.

Why does the Good Shepherd provide rest, nourishment, and guidance for those who follow Him? Because they’re such fantastic sheep? No. He does it for the sake of His name.

In other words, He doesn’t love you because you’re lovely; He loves you because He’s loving. Why is that comforting? Because it means that even screwed up people like you and me can follow Him and receive His care!

You don’t have to try to be an excellent sheep so Jesus will shepherd you. He doesn’t provide rest because we’re so good at trusting Him. He doesn’t provide nourishment because we’re so good at studying the Bible. He doesn’t provide guidance because we’re so good at figuring our lives out. He cares for careless sheep who simply follow Him. He helps helpless sheep who simply follow Him.

It means that you can say with David, Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me…

Valleys of deathly dark shadows are a prominent feature of this landscape. But you can be fearless because the Good Shepherd is with you.

Fearlessly follow Jesus through your dark valley. In your exhaustion, let Him make you lie down to rest. In your hunger and thirst, follow Him to green pastures and quiet waters. In your confusion, follow Him and be restored to the right paths.

Discussion Starters (Read Psalm 23 before discussing)

1. Looking at Psalm 23, list all the things that the Good Shepherd does. Then list all the things the sheep does.

2. What is different about following a Person as opposed to rules and techniques for coping with pain?

3. Read Matthew 11:28-30. What would accepting this invitation look like in your life, with the struggle you’re facing?

4. Read Matthew 4:4. Share a passage of Scripture that you’ve found particularly delicious and nutritious.

5. Read Psalm 23:2-3. Describe a time in your life when you experienced God’s guidance.

6. Does it comfort you that God shepherds His followers for His name’s sake and not because they’re worthy sheep (v.3)? Why or why not?

7. Describe your dark valley to the group. And pray for each other, according to Psalm 23.