The Great Shepherd: Caring for the Sheep

 Pastor’s Pen…

This weekend we are beginning a series on one of the most significant individual in Scripture, King David. It is a life dominates a significant portion of the Old Testament, on his days as the neglected youngest of Jesse's sons to court musician for troubled King Saul, to being labeled public enemy number one by the angry King, to leading a band of motley followers, who finally being crowned King of the 12 tribes of Israel. 

 

Before we begin our series of biographical studies, I felt it would be appropriate for us to examine some of David's best known and most helpful writings. We begin today with his most familiar writing, Psalm 23. From his background as a Shepherd caring for sheep, David writes of his close personal relationship with the Great Shepherd and His care for us. 

 

I want to express special thanks to John Royal for his timely ministry from 1 Samuel 15, a passage which “sets the table” for a study of David’s rule over God's people Israel. As I mentioned in last week’s Pastor’s Pen, I love it when the Holy Spirit leads different preachers who preach in sequence regarding what to preach on, and I believe the Lord 

 

If you haven’t already done so, I would encourage you to read from 1 Samuel 15 through the rest of that book, through2 Samuel and the first two chapters of 1 Kings. By doing so you will have gained an overview of the entire life of David, and will be well prepared for the upcoming series on the life of David.  Please let me know via text or e-mail or in person on Sunday (8/16) if you completed that reading opportunity. (some would call it a challenge)

 

Let me again thank all who help sanitize our facilities for services each Saturday morning in preparation for Sunday worship. Also, to those who make it possible for us to ‘live-stream’  on Facebook at 10:45 each Sunday morning, and to post each message on our website (www.fccwylie.org) each Sunday afternoon. We continue to hold our Sunday services with all safety protocols and pre-service sanitizing in place. No Sunday school yet, and the nursery is not available.  We will continue following the protocols as outlined by GA-18 guidance.  Face masks, social distancing, no physical contact. We use bulletins printed untouched by human hands, with songs, etc. printed therein, and pre-packaged communion elements. Offering plates are located at the rear, or giving can be done online at www.fccwylie.org.

 

If you still feel uncomfortable attending, you can join our live-stream on Facebook (at 10:45 am) which includes communion and the worship hymns, or the website, where the message is posted each Sunday afternoon.  We are blessed to have the technology available that allow us to still worship, and those in our church family who have the expertise to post the service online.

 

“The Great Shepherd: Caring for the Sheep”                                                            Psalm 23

 

If ever there were a time when we as the Lord's sheep need His care, the coronavirus pandemic certainly provides us with a reminder of that need. According to the Centers for Disease Control at least one third of Americans are struggling with depression and anxiety. Many have seen loved ones succumb to the virus, and for many others fear dominates our day-to-day lives. In a sense you might say we may feel like sheep facing a wolfpack.

 

However David, based on what he wrote in Psalm 22 about the good Shepherd dying for the sheep, explains how the great Shepherd is here for us supply every need.

 

I. Blessings the sheep may claim (1-3)

 

            A genuine Shepherd

 

            Provision of every need

 

            Rest and nourishment

 

            Guidance and refreshment 

 

            Emotional and Spiritual renewal

 

            Direction toward right paths

 

II. Encouragement the sheep may appropriate (4-6)

 

            His presence every step

 

            His assuring comfort

 

            His provision and fellowship 

 

            His eternal connection: for time and eternity

 

 

 

Prayer items: 

Barbara’s daughter-in-law has now tested negative. Barbara is no longer under quarantine. Continue praying for her step-daughter Angie and three children in the loss of Angie’s husband. Also for their neighbor who was on the Cancun trip with J.J. and Parks, who is positive and also has pneumonia.

Donna Hancock is much better. It turns out she was false positive and did not have COVID 19. She has several other health complications

Kim Ramsey would appreciate our prayers for her health and her son Kevin

Our India translator, Sarita Samuel, was not able to have her scheduled surgery, as she tested COVID positive. She and her husband will be re-tested Sunday

Feel free to contact me with urgent prayer requests, and I will include them in my weekly ‘Pastor’s Pen’ texts

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RADIO THIS EVENING: The spread of the Coronavirus worldwide has been alarming. According to the latest data posted online, there have been over 20 million cases diagnosed worldwide, with over 700,000 deaths. That’s bad news, but according to Dr. David Shibley, founder of Global advance, the Good news of our Savior is still spreading rapidly.  This weekend on Encouragement Live Christian David joins me to discuss the spread of the Gospel during a global pandemic.    

Encouragement Live can be heard Saturday at 7:05 PM central time on American Family Radio (www.afr.net) and on theworshipchannel.org.  Re-broadcast Sunday 9 pm on The Worship Channel.

May our Savior’s grace and peace continue to encourage you as you trust in Him during these challenging times.

Don Hawkins, D. Min.                                                                                                                          Interim Pastor