Classic Sermon Outlines (continued)
Matthew FTlenry
SERMON THREE
A SONG OF COMFORT
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
—PSALM 23
IT IS the duty of Christians to encourage themselves in the Lord their God; and we are here directed to take that encouragement both from the relation wherein He stands to us and from the expectation we have had of His goodness, according to that relation.
I. THE COMFORT OF PROVISION (Verse 1).
A. God's Care of Believers: "The Lord Is My Shepherd."
1. This is seen in that the Lord is called a shepherd. He is their Shepherd and they may call Him so. There was a time when David was a shepherd (Psalm 78:70—71); so he knew by experience the cares and tender affections of a good shepherd toward his flock.