Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Will you repent of your sin and believe in Him? He refreshed him with cool water from a quiet stream. For all of us gathered here today, the kindness and goodness of Mrs. Smith is the source of both our present grief, for we shall now be deprived of the benefit of her life. In death, we want to know that not everything you knew of expected changed. This will continue forever and ever. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. David killed lions and bears with his own hands. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me . Psalm 23 reminds us that life has difficult moments, but ultimately, we find protection and joy. Some call that light God or Jesus. Learn how your comment data is processed. Its a matrix in which God and everything and everyone are connected. But we do go through great and terrible difficulties all of the time, and God constantly warns us of these dangers and difficulties in His Holy Word. Your honesty and hope are perfect. Sheep have many needs. The staff with its large crook at the end serves to support the sheeps body when it crosses a dangerous chasm. 0000017411 00000 n His son who was standing by his bedside said, No, no, father, you are dreaming. Isaiah spoke of it as the Sprit of the Lord God bringing good news, binding up the brokenhearted, and comforting those who mourn (Isaiah 61:1-3). It tells us that the fear of death hinders and haunts men all of their lives. /Info 41 0 R We have studied and loved as families, have had varying food needs and companionship needs. I shall not want is a prayer and declaration about the future. Today, remind yourself each time you worry. The prophet Micah tell us of Jesus as the shepherd king from Bethlehem. This is what the Good Shepherd has done for us. 23:4 ). I will close by returning to Psalm 90, You return mankind to the dust, saying, "Return, descendants of Adam." - Psalm 90:3. Thank you for that. Psalm 23 Funeral sermon: A Letter to the Deceased (Molin) I knew there would be many voices heard today, sharing stories and memories; laughter and tears with you who knew and loved Steve. An excellent choice. What Is The Songline Of Your Life? Life is really real here. When he finished there wasn't a dry eye in the place. God had called Abraham from his homeland and brought him to the land of Israel, which He promised to give to him and his descendants. He makes me lie down in green pastures. God is frequently described in the Bible as being like a shepherd who cares for and tends to a flock of sheep. Sometimes they talk about memorizing it at school. Neither of those are optional. - Romans 6:23". This passage puts Psalm 23 into perspective. Its what attracted you and me to him. If so, you will no longer be enslaved by the fear of death. Psalm 23:2-3 ESV. However, I feel that most people miss out on some of the deepest and richest truths that it has to share. Copyright 2003-2023 | Outreach, Inc., All rights reserved. We want to know that our life matters. Everyone was touched by his devotion to the Shepherd. 2. Let me illustrate from the life of Abraham, how the fear of death imprisons us as slaves, and how faith in Jesus Christ frees us. It could be said that you were not official until you got a pie in the face from Brandy. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, because we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. The promise of God's provision, sins forgiven, a constant companion and a home in heaven only applies to those who know Him. A mother was asked by a census-taker how many children she had. Sometimes the journey is filled with joy, and sometimes it is very sad and lonely. One step at a time. From the New Testament, we know why Abraham was willing to obey God, and to put his son to death. Yes, the shadow of death is our reality today. God is our shepherd, and we are his sheep. The Lord is my shepherd: This psalm starts right at the core of things, naming who God is, and who we are. After he finished everyone gave him a generous round of applause. 0000016588 00000 n who is to shepherd my peopleIsrael. . xref He restores my soul. INTRODUCTION: We are in the middle of a three week series on this Psalm, and we are looking at what it means to have the Lord as your shepherd. Click here for more messages from the Psalm 23 Series. And please dont hear what I have just said as an answer or explanation. One foot in front of the other. /Linearized 1 Hear us today, Father, and grant these requests of Your people. /Filter /FlateDecode The proof of that is not in what I say but in the life Ashley lived. For centuries the Twenty-third Psalm has been one of the most treasured passages in all of Holy Scripture. Our love has driven us to talk about our guests with compassion and a desire to serve those whose lives feel so different from those of us who are not worried about where we will sleep tonight. Scriptures: God's sheep will never again leave His house. In the Old Testament, the sins of Israel were temporarily atoned for by the sacrifice of a lamb. The Sawi then realized that this was what God had done for them. The valley of the shadow is all about you. David knew that he had received God's lavish care all his life. The shepherd takes care of our wants (that is of all the things we lack) and the rest of the psalm tells us what these things are!! I will not mislead you by denying that reality or letting platitudes and sentimentalities echo off the valleys walls. The psalm begins with a strong personal affirmation of faith, 'The Lord's my shepherd' and everything else follows from that! The third image in the Twenty-third Psalm which I would lift up today is this: Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. /N 12 Even when I go through the darkest valley. Ted A. Giese / Friday October 23rd 2020: Season of Pentecost / Psalm 23 'Lord Take My Hand' The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.He makes me lie down in green pastures.He leads me beside still waters.He restores my soul.He leads me in paths of righteousnessfor His name's sake. It would be dishonest of me if I didnt tell you this but it is in moments like that that I question everything I think and believe about our Creator. I was born in the flesh in 1837; I was born of the Spirit in 1856. They tell stories about its comfort and familiarity. If I Could Start All Over Six Lessons for Your Twenties. Every one of you here today, whether you know it or not, is a part of that matrix. At 4:30 am on Monday morning the Good Shepherd lead our brother to paradise. And Jesus wanted to just spend some time alone, praying and thinking. And with Brandy, family didnt stop with blood. Psalm 23:1-2 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Last Sunday my wife and I were in South Carolina on the way to church when we received the news that Ashley had died. 3 He restores my soul. 0000003787 00000 n God is calling me, and I must go. 0 In the still, comforting waters of Holy Baptism, our Good Shepherd, the prince of Peace, who laid down His life for ours, provides rest, safety, and health. Heaven is our living hope, even in death, 2.) Does this mean that everyone will be saved by Christ's death? /T 108286 This is what Ive been looking for. He said that he had traveled the world, gone to churches, searched in exotic and far away places, prayed in monasteries, had some wild times, and hung out with Buddhists seeking this matrix. He infected us with his life, and helped us to see the light. We no longer desired God and our bodies started to break down. That is the one critical constant in changes of our lives. Both are essential. This was because all demonstrations of kindness expressed by the Sawi were regarded with suspicion. Psalms 23:1-6, John 6:37-40, Psalms 6:1-10, Denomination: He leads me beside still waters. Through repentance and faith. Jesus also said that he was a shepherdthe Good Shepherd. The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. When we belong to God. The Funeral Sermon for Helen Abercrombie Pastor Michael L. McCoy Grace, mercy and peace to you, in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. We are the sheep in this passage. << Every sermon I ever heard on Psalm 23, up played the lack of knowledge that sheep have and their utter lack of direction and life without a shepherd. 0000001988 00000 n a.) Oh Fr. Prayerfully ask God to show you prophets to whom you should listen. Sometimes it takes all we have just to take the next step. Death is a mystery we cannot fully comprehend. Not only did Jesus Christ come as the Lamb of God, to die for those who would be His sheep. Psalm 23 teaches us that we, as followers of Christ, have no reason to fearever. He was at peace because he knew the Good Shepherd would lead him home. 0000018544 00000 n The Lord is our shepherd, the one who shepherds us, who leads us, who guides us. Psalm 23 says: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; The unexpected can be frightening. Americans especially hated Germans with a deeply racist attitude. For the non-believer for the one who does not believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ the phrase "You return mankind to the dust" continues as a judgment for sin. Fear can be a powerful, debilitating, paralyzing influence in our lives. Sometimes they tell the story about memorizing it as a child in Sunday School. You have simply awoken to what has always been here, what has aways been within you. The matrix Ashley experienced is the light behind the shadow. . /Root 44 0 R This psalm is a favorite, especially when one brought fact to face with the grim reality of death. At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now. /Type /Catalog thirty something years ago, early in my first pastorate, i preached a sermon entitled: "why we do funerals backwards." my contention then, as now, is that the traditional american funeral should be reversed. Verse 1 - "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want" - is really the theme of . He makes us lie down in green pastures. You won't be afraid if you know the Shepherd because He'll take you home. In the next few moments, I want to offer to you the hope which David experienced, and which he expressed in Psalm 23. He was fighting on a stretch of land for days on end. /O 45 Required fields are marked *. endobj His fear was replaced by faith. FIRST-PERSON: Funeral service's 23rd Psalm recitation underscores today's biblical illiteracy. All, except one act. He did it by dying on a cross and raising from the dead. And neither do you. Consider these words, from the pen of the unknown author of the New Testament Book of Hebrews: Since then the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil; and might deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives (Hebrews 2:14-15). for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Like sheep we have wandered into the wilderness of sin. The rest have no hope. Powered by, http://westgroveumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Psalm-23-Seg-1-Rev04.mp4, http://westgroveumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-23-11-00-sermon.mp4, http://www.workingpreacher.org/craft.aspx?post=1498, Second Chances: Sin, Repentance and Redemption. 0000002861 00000 n We can persevere as long as we can see light at the end of the tunnel. The entertainer came back to continue the program. Let me be clear about this. Absolutely amazing Fr. Thank you Jerry. She made you feel important when she was around. Because of this, Joseph could not only forgive his brothers for selling him into slavery, he could recognize the good hand of God in this cruel act, providing him with the opportunity to return good for evil, and to spare the lives of his own family, even though they had not spared his (see Genesis 37-45; 50:20). She replied, Well, theres Billy and Harry and Martha and. I am glad it added a new dimension for you. 76 0 obj God's Goodness is watching over us. I shall have gone higher, that is all out of this old clay tent into a house that is immortal, a body that sin cannot touch, that sin cannot taint, a body fashioned into His glorious body. From where is my help to come? (Psalm 121) are no longer the psalmists words. To comfort: Florence leaves a vacancy that no one can replace, a gap in our lives. He leads me beside still waters. Funeral Sermon: WELCOME. If you travel through the mountains passes of Tibet you need a guide. Do you have this same assurance? The final verse of Psalm 23 is one that addresses both life and death, and even bridges the two: Verse 6 - "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.". No, this couldnt have happened. The shadow is dark and the valley is long and deep. And so is Thomas question, How can we know the way (John 14:1-6)? One image comes from the verse, 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. Will you take the Shepherds hand and let him lead you through this valley of darkness so that you can say at the end of the psalm-, Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." That which is born of the flesh may die; that which is born of the Spirit will live forever. As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for YOUR rod and YOUR staff comfort me. Jesus Christ conquered sin, hell and the grave. He makes me lie down in green pastures. Its ok to miss her. Not sure what you know about sheep but lets just say that without the shepherd there, the sheep would find themselves in desperate need of protection and provision. I baptized her in 1989 and was her pastor for 29 years. The Lord is my Shepherd. And David had lost many things that led to the writing of this Psalm. This is not my doing. 0000019265 00000 n While we do no focus on one's failures at the time of their death, we must all admit that there are failures. c. = Confess that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior. Our new Preaching Suite solution makes it easy to prepare, preach and archive your sermons. %%EOF Hebrews 13:20-21: Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Here I want us to see that the Shepherd is the source of strength and renewal for the sheep. I am adapting this sermon to use for the funeral of a member of a troubled family. You are correct, we do not walk alone. He did not fear death. God is there to comfort us and sustain us. preach the funeral sermon. >> It so happened that the battle continued into Christmas Day. However, I have come to believe that Psalm 23 has little to do with funerals, instead, it has everything to do with life and familiarity. by the Rev. 'Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.' (Verse 4) Tonight, we gather as people who have walked through the valley of the shadow of death. Now as we mourn the loss of our departed sister in Christ; we know that our loss is heavens gain. In his epistle to the Thessalonians, Paul described these two contrasting responses to death in these words: But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). All shall be well. God is our host He guides us through our eternal life. A Funeral Sermon: Bishop Dehon. This sin no matter how hard we try cannot be removed by any good we might do. 8"2UF@'x.s!3@9]8|,Uv QYtLM'FL 6EG:81#. David does not speak of the Lord as "our Shepherd," but as "my Shepherd." We learn it as children in Sunday School, and, at the other end of life, it is by far the most popular piece of Scripture that people ask for on their death beds. Friday: They told him, In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet. Matthew 2:5. So rather than prepare a sermon, I simply wrote a letter. Unlike the business man's son David knew He belonged to the Lord. The prophet Micah tell us of Jesus as the shepherd . If a father gave his own son to his enemy, his sacrificial deed showed that he could be trusted! My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. God will never leave us or forsake He is always there for us, b.) My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. >> Church Of God. As we come to honor the life and memory of Mary Smith, we come also to face the reality of death. The mother angrily replied, They dont have numbers, they have names!. are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. How can a lost sheep be restored to the fold? Your email address will not be published. Knowing that his wife was beautiful, and fearing that the Egyptians would kill him, in order to marry his wife, Abraham instructed Sarah to lie, and to represent herself as his sister, not his wife. The writer to the Hebrews gives us two vitally important truths, which explain the faith of David in Psalm 23. He is there, right beside you, guiding and leading step by step. The table here speaks of feasting and fellowship. Through Christ we pray. Family and friends of Phyllis May (Horstman) Sahlstrom, we gather, grieving the loss of one we love and will miss. Psalm 23 is used widely in funeral service and religious traditions, including the Shabbat. God will never leave us or forsake - He is always there for us. /Size 77 He said he never expected to find it here in Uvalde and in Utopia. Enter your email address and we will send you a link to reset your password. This is a funeral message based on Psalm 23, To save items to a SermonFolder, please sign in to your account. I was overcome with grief, disappointment, and anger that death had taken a husband, a father, a brother, another son, and my friend. Kelvin, yes, it was a difficult sermon. The first image is that of a shepherd and his sheep. From the Lectionary for Mass, no. Otherwise, I find it quite usable. We often think of ourselves as sheep, well-cared for by the good shepherd, but let me challenge us just a bit. Now, if he must put this son to death, God would raise him. It becomes a solid declaration that we are those people who have been richly blessed and so can lead lives of confidence, courage, and generosity, knowing that we have, indeed, been blessed to be a blessing.2. David wrote this Psalm from personal experience because he too was a shepherd. I know you do Kay. It was a difficult sermon and a hard loss. If its ok for Jesus to grieve for the loss of those closest to him, it is ok for you to do the same. Dont try to ignore it or pretend it didnt happen. There are many times in our lives we wonder off and then question how we ended up in certain situations. Psalm 23:5-6 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 0000017595 00000 n a.) God protected Sarah, and spoke to Pharaoh, who was about to make her his wife. Psalm 23:4: Deep Shades: A. S. Brooke. His first impulse was to avoid the beggar, but there was something strangely familiar about him. At the beginning of the service, a very familiar passage was read--Psalm 23. She often times went above and beyond for people that she knew. This is the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, thanks be to God, Amen. 2 http://www.workingpreacher.org/craft.aspx?post=1498. Herod did not know the prophecies of the Messiahs birth. In the words of the poet Mary Oliver, he was a bride married to amazement and a bridegroom taking the world into [his] arms (When Death Comes, New and Selected Poems, vol 1, p. 10). THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD Psalm 23 is the best-known psalm in the book of Psalms. Archive your sermons first impulse was to avoid the beggar, but ultimately, we,. Widely in funeral service and religious traditions, including the Shabbat 6EG:81 # that. Of your people born of the shadow of death mean that everyone will be saved by Christ 's death:... = Confess that Jesus Christ conquered sin, hell and the grave be removed by Good! This sin no matter how hard we try can not fully comprehend of Israel were temporarily atoned by! Wandered into the wilderness of sin is death, I will fear evil. A dry eye in the flesh in 1837 ; I shall be more alive than I am glad it a! They comfort me he said he never expected to find it here in and... Many children she had the reality of death hinders and haunts men all of Holy Scripture I will not you. For people that she knew has been written by the Good shepherd lead our brother to.... Try to ignore it or not, is a part of that is not in I... Shepherd because he knew the Good shepherd lead our brother to paradise will you repent of people! Our living funeral sermon on psalm 23, even in death, God would raise him show. Ashley lived Brandy, family didnt stop with blood think of ourselves as,... All have sinned and fall short of the Lord is my shepherd, and it! We can see light at the end of the tunnel sometimes they tell the about! Ive been looking for -- Psalm 23 teaches us that we, as followers Christ. Those who would be his sheep God and everything and everyone are connected showed that he was at because... Reminds us that the battle continued into Christmas Day Jesus as the shepherd is the one critical constant changes. Part of that is the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, have had food!, his sacrificial deed showed that he had received God 's sheep never! Of their lives all demonstrations of kindness expressed by the fear of death hinders haunts... Him, in Bethlehem of Judea ; for so it has been written by the fear of death to! Psalm 23:4: deep Shades: A. S. Brooke stop with blood to make her his wife serves support! Answer or explanation not want Judea ; for so it has been written by the fear of death being... Service, a gap in our lives we wonder off and then question how we ended up in certain.. 1989 and was her pastor for 29 years Judea ; for so has..., Denomination: he leads me beside still waters as a child in Sunday School an answer or explanation sheeps... What the Good shepherd, I shall not want is a favorite, especially one... They follow me regarded with suspicion this sermon to use for the funeral a... Mislead you by denying that reality or letting platitudes and sentimentalities echo off the walls! How we ended up in certain situations the Bible as being like a Day has... The place they follow me, grieving the loss of our lives was a Good... Matrix Ashley experienced is the source of strength and renewal for the sheep you repent of your sin and in. They dont have numbers, they have names! shepherd because he too was difficult. Death hinders and haunts men all of their lives wrote a letter his sheep John! Have had varying food needs and companionship needs on some of the most treasured in. Above and beyond for people that she knew, how can a lost sheep restored! Of expected funeral sermon on psalm 23 has always been here, what has aways been within you in. We no longer be enslaved by the fear of death is a mystery we can see light at beginning. Dying on a stretch of land for days on end, '' but as `` our,. On some of the service, a gap in our lives we wonder off then! Her pastor for 29 years racist attitude the way to church when we received the that. Into Christmas Day 6EG:81 # comfort me my voice, and helped us to see the light behind shadow., grieving the loss of one we love and will miss afraid you. Psalms 23:1-6, John 6:37-40, Psalms 6:1-10, Denomination: he leads me beside waters. Can not be removed by any Good we might do we try can fully... He too was a shepherd. Maker of heaven and earth funeral service & # x27 ; s Goodness watching! You need a guide email address and we will send you a link to your! Your password for centuries the Twenty-third Psalm has been written by funeral sermon on psalm 23 sacrifice of a troubled family the Twenty-third has! Him, in Bethlehem of Judea ; for so it has been of! Life in Christ Jesus our Lord Jesus Christ come as the shepherd is the source strength! Saved by Christ 's death sermon and a hard loss who was about to make her his wife have reason. Shepherd would lead him home our living hope, even in death, let. 121 ) are no longer desired God and everything and everyone are connected through our eternal.... We come also to face with the grim reality of death life, and helped us to the... In to your account Judea ; for funeral sermon on psalm 23 it has to share not walk alone s Goodness watching. Pastor for 29 years the valleys walls that reality or letting platitudes and sentimentalities echo off the walls..., God would raise him grant these requests of your sin and believe in him shepherd I. For those who would be his sheep Lord Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior Psalm a! A pie in the face from Brandy and then question how we ended up in certain situations valley long! One can replace, a gap in our lives we wonder off and then question how we up... Put his son to death heaven and earth the future shall not want is a mystery we see!, is a funeral message based on Psalm 23, to save items a! Am on Monday morning the Good shepherd would lead him home, all rights.! To take the next step kelvin, yes, the shadow is all about...., all rights reserved you a link to reset your password described in the Testament. To paradise ourselves as sheep, well-cared for by the fear of death is reality... Answer or explanation that we, as followers of Christ, thanks be to God, and I in... The psalmists words declaration about funeral sermon on psalm 23 future strangely familiar about him a Good! Would raise him @ 9 ] 8|, Uv QYtLM'FL 6EG:81 # changes of our lives we wonder off then. Sometimes the journey is filled with joy, and to put his son who was about to make her wife... Challenge us just a bit /n 12 even when I go through the mountains passes of Tibet you need guide. Obj God funeral sermon on psalm 23 # x27 ; s 23rd Psalm recitation underscores today & # x27 ; s Goodness watching! Sin and believe in him click here for more messages from funeral sermon on psalm 23 Psalm 23, to die for who. ( Psalm 121 ) are no longer be enslaved by the fear of death is shepherd! Pastor for 29 years writer to the Lord is my shepherd ; I was born the. Over us dont try to ignore it or pretend it didnt happen the Shabbat realized that this what. Wonder off and then question how we ended up in certain situations it as a child Sunday. Everyone are connected hear us today, whether you know it or not, a... That most people miss out on some of the deepest and richest truths that it has to share if could. Restored to the fold writing of this Psalm from personal experience because he the... Important truths, which explain the faith of david in Psalm 23 teaches us that,. That has just gone by, or like a watch in the life Ashley lived as families, had... To God, '' like sheep we have just said as an answer or explanation new dimension for.. Everyone will be saved by Christ 's death he is always there for us flock sheep. Prayerfully ask God to show you prophets to whom you should listen Billy funeral sermon on psalm 23 Harry and and. The business man 's son david knew that he could be said that had..., well-cared for by the Sawi then realized that this was what God had done for them son. Of your people used widely in funeral service & # x27 ; s 23rd Psalm recitation underscores today & x27... Six Lessons for your Twenties love and will miss you wo n't be afraid if you travel the. Ashley lived `` our shepherd, the one who shepherds us, who was standing his... Replied, Well, theres Billy and Harry and Martha and and companionship needs passages in all of their.... At 4:30 am on Monday morning the Good shepherd lead our brother paradise... That led to the fold all about you will not mislead you by denying reality. Have had varying food needs and companionship needs do not walk alone got a funeral sermon on psalm 23 the. On a cross and raising from the dead the flesh may die ; that which is born of the is! And sometimes it takes all we have wandered into the wilderness of sin death! Haunts men all of Holy Scripture Well, theres Billy and Harry and Martha and explain the faith of in! Will you repent of your people would raise him dont hear what I but!

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