Classic Sermon Outlines
CLASSIC SERMON OUTLINES — Matthew Henry
2. This is seen in the shepherd's responsibilities. He that is the Shepherd of Isral is the Shepherd of every individual believer. He takes them into His fold and then takes care of them, protects them and provides for them with more care and constancy than a shepherd can that makes it his business to keep the flock.
B. Believer's Confidence in God: "T shall not want."
1. The confidence expressed. "If the Lord is my Shepherd, my Feeder, I may conclude I shall not want anything that is really necessary and good for me." Let not those fear starving that are at God's finding and have Him for their Feeder.
2. The truth implied. More is implied than is expressed. It is not only, "I shall not want,' but, "I shall be supplied with whatever I need; and if I have not everything I desire, I may conclude it is either not fit for me or not good for me, or I shall have it in due time."
II. THE COMFORT OF GOD'S PRESENCE AND PROTECTION
(Verses 2-4).
A. The Comforts of a Living Saint.
1, They are well pleased: "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures." God makes His saints to lie down; He gives them quiet and contentment in their own minds, whatever their lot is; their souls dwell at ease in Him and that makes every pasture green.
2. They are well guided: "He leadeth me beside the still waters." The Shepherd of Israel guides Joseph like a flock; and every believer is under the same guidance. He leads them by His providence, by His Word, by His Spirit. He disposes their affairs for the best, according to His counsel.
3. They are well helped: "He restoreth my soul." He brings us back when we wander. He recovers us when we are sick and revives us when we are faint "and so restores the soul that was ready to depart."
B. The Courage of a Dying Saint.
1. The supposition of imminent danger: "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death." Here is one word which sounds terrible—death.