Its our hope. If you travel through the mountains passes of Tibet you need a guide. Let's be honest, the valley of the shadow of death is a place we're all a little squeamish about. I love the imagery you created with light and shadow. As we come to honor the life and memory of Mary Smith, we come also to face the reality of death. We want to feel appreciated. He had fascinating stories to tell, and one of them was about a battle that had taken place in Europe. The soldiers of each side joined together and ate together, and sang a few songs together that had different words, but common tunes. Dont forget the jokes, or the way she would make you feel when she was around you. Out of visioning time together, I am asking all of us to be in prayer. The Psalms are filled with affirmations of God's love for us: Psalm 13:5, 31:7, 86:5, 136 - 25 times. 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. Even when we dont see it the light accompanies us through the valley. Awakening from a sleep, he said, Earth recedes, Heaven opens before me. For centuries the Twenty-third Psalm has been one of the most treasured passages in all of Holy Scripture. He restores my soul. Thursday: And calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. Matthew 2:4. I am adapting this sermon to use for the funeral of a member of a troubled family. The Lord is my shepherd -. Now, there was the danger that Sarah would become the wife of an Egyptian, and bear him children. The psalmist sees God in control of his life. Where do you need to study Gods word, so you are better prepared for Gods will? In heaven we will be totally surrounded by Gods presence, c.) God will allows us to share in His eternal victory, a.) God knows our limits. We have studied and loved as families, have had varying food needs and companionship needs. Psalm 23:4 Yea, 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. The Christian can do even more than this. A short time elapsed and then, following what seemed to the family to be the death struggle he spoke again: This is my triumph; this my coronation day! Funeral from Psalm 23. They are among the most comforting, often being quoted in times of trouble or distress, and almost always being read when we gather in our Sanctuary for a funeral. When he finished there wasn't a dry eye in the place. Second, David's faith rested in the fact that God was His shepherd. 43 34 This is the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, thanks be to God, Amen. A few hours before entering the Homeland, D. L. Moody caught a glimpse of the glory awaiting him. This is a declaration and a prayer. A mother was asked by a census-taker how many children she had. Regrettably, many of my hearers do not know the . Our Comfort is in Christ. Psalm 121. Yes, the shadow of death is our reality today. You won't be afraid if you know the Shepherd because He'll take you home. My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Your observation of no shadow without light is a vision I treasure. His fear was replaced by faith. Throughout this series, we will hear from Judy on living with sheep and sheepdogs. Credit will be given to the author of the sermon. While we may see this as a natural part of life, this was not how God designed this life to be. Whether or not you want to hear Psalm 23, we all need the truth of Psalm 23 because Psalm 23 is about Jesus, and he's the one we want to see. How can you have assurance when you face death? are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; Help them understand how you want them to respond to the gospel. The more Ashley spoke about the matrix, the faster he talked and the more excited he got until he just started bouncing, and his arms flapping about. It seems too hard. 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. A second image in the Twenty-third Psalm to which I would call your attention is this: Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. B. It brings comfort and encouragement to all who read it. The valley of the shadow is all about you. Having trouble logging into your account? you are my son - everything I have is yours! " Psalm 23 is often quoted, recited . I lift up my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from? I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Exchanging the fear of death for faith in Jesus Christ is a personal decision. 3 He restores my soul. Psalms 23:1-6, John 6:37-40, Psalms 6:1-10, Denomination: What Is The Songline Of Your Life? This is a Psalm of David and David was a shepherd. Grant to them an extra measure of Your grace and pour over them an overwhelming sense of Your presence. All those who trust in Him lose their fear of death and find the faith, peace, and hope of which David writes. The famous historical events from WW I are being omitted. In recent days, Suzie could certainly have talked about how she had been through such a valley of the shadow of death. But she was never alone. Often the weather closes in and you can't see where you are going. In Psalm 23, David is saying, "The Lord is to me what I've been to my sheep. David had learned to smile at death. To save items to a SermonFolder, please sign in to your account. So I have to thank Judy and John for their open hearts and open pastures, as well as Keith Schneider who filmed and produced the segments. Psalm 23:1-2 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. I want to share with you a passage of scripture that has been a source of comfort for many people. God raised Him from the dead. It is, rather, proof that the light is also here. We have many wants, but the psalmist points us to the reality that all that we may want in life is found and satisfied in the Shepherd. 0000003632 00000 n /H [ 1248 406 ] That is easier said than done. Psalm 23 is one of those places. Friday: They told him, In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet. Matthew 2:5. 52-week preaching calendar to help you plan your sermons, Customizable sermon manuscripts for verse-by-verse preaching, Preach with creativity and impact throughout the year, [NEW YEAR] 4-Week Series to kick off 2023, [PRODUCTIVITY] Fulfill your full potential, [FOUNDATIONS] Getting back to what matters most. David does not speak of the Lord as "our Shepherd," but as "my Shepherd." He restores my soul; That doesnt help anyone. Through Christ we pray. Psalm 23 Funeral Meditation. "Even though I walk through the darkest valley," or as most of us memorized it, "the valley of the shadow of death.". There is nothing you need that God will not provide. Psalm 23. who is to shepherd my peopleIsrael. . Psalm 23 - The Lord is My Shepherd. A. Since the psalms are songs, whenever possible, they should be sung. And thus, those who trust in Him need no longer fear death. It is among the most familiar, so much so that even people who are not religious or very knowledgable about Scripture recognize these words. And in fact, I wanna ask you to do that . Those who have personally trusted in Jesus Christ can also give thanks for the failures and the faults of those who have touched their lives, and have passed on. Light. Fourth, David's fear of death was gone because he was assured of God's presence. Thank you for that. Since the themes of eternal rest, peace, and comfort are so dominant throughout the six short verses, the poem provides hope and encouragement to those left behind. She had a feeling of wanting. The light is always shining behind the shadow, and the shadow will never overcome it. by the Rev. Post Reply Death is a mystery we cannot fully comprehend. /O 45 It portrays God as the shepherd who is at once a protector as well as a caregiver. After extended conversation, the two armies agreed to pool some of their food together for a Christmas meal. I know. If we are serving alongside God as sheepdog, do we know andlove the sheep? Isaiah the prophet spoke of the coming Savior as a Lamb, who would suffer for the sins of men: He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth (Isaiah 53:7). God spares nothing to care for me. The psalm begins with a strong personal affirmation of faith, 'The Lord's my shepherd' and everything else follows from that! If you know anything about that period of history, you may remember that these armies hated one another. He couldnt physically contain the joy, life, and vitality of the matrix within him. God is close to us and cares for us as a shepherd cares for his sheep. Every one of you here today, whether you know it or not, is a part of that matrix. Like sheep we have wandered into the wilderness of sin. This will continue forever and ever. And the darker the shadow, the brighter the light. Psalm 23 is not the only passage in the Bible that compares the Lord to a shepherd. He had come to trust in God as the One who was able to raise the dead. Yes we are here to mourn but we are also here to celebrate the life of Brandy Burt. 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. The needs of sheep to depend on one who can see beyond them in time and space. Jesus Christ conquered sin, hell and the grave. - Order of Christian Funerals, General Introduction, nos. The Jews boasted that they were his descendants. His first impulse was to avoid the beggar, but there was something strangely familiar about him. 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. John 6:37-40, Psalm 23, Psalms 23:1-6, Psalms 6:1-10, Sermon Topics: That which is born of the flesh may die; that which is born of the Spirit will live forever. The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. Only those who know the Good Shepherd will enjoy the benefits of this Psalm. You must know and love the sheep. Eloise was the church pianist and later she was the church organist. Regardless of the faith background of people or no faith background at all, Psalm 23 is the most requested funeral scripture. A good shepherd who lay down his life for the sheep. 0000019053 00000 n If you had died last Monday morning would the Good Shepherd have lead you home? You feel like right now you are walking through a valley of darkness. endobj It was a difficult sermon and a hard loss. 0000032765 00000 n Its given me new insight into John 1.v.5. Christians, he tells us, will grieve, but they will grieve in hope. What is it that makes the difference? Not how it was 30 years ago, but right now and right now. He restores my soul. The rod is used by a shepherd to ward off evil and to direct the sheep as they walk. Dont you believe a word of it. 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). We often think of ourselves as sheep, well-cared for by the good shepherd, but let me challenge us just a bit. He makes me lie down in green pastures; What also works for me is the reminder each day that "the Lord IS my shepherd" as I make my way down the path. The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. 0000019551 00000 n 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). As one scholar said, "The psalm itself is green pasture; the psalm itself is still water; the psalm itself restores my soul." Hear it again in the joyous voice of a . He had lost his kingdom; his family; his home; and his peace. For many months he sought to bring peace to them and their neighboring tribe. This is the best funeral sermon Ive ever read/heard for a tragic death. Even when I go through the darkest valley. b.) Wednesday: When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him. Matthew 2:3. Pastors will find that adding personal notes about the deceased is easy to do. Death is the penalty for sin, and we are all sinners, worthy of death. Thank you Anne. The end of our journey through life on earth is to be with God forever. Prophets have foretold the way of Jesus. Americans especially hated Germans with a deeply racist attitude. His son who was standing by his bedside said, No, no, father, you are dreaming. In the Old Testament, the sins of Israel were temporarily atoned for by the sacrifice of a lamb. He was fighting on a stretch of land for days on end. The shadow is not the ultimate reality. The psalm begins, ''The Lord is my shepherd'' (v. 1). There are many needs around the world and many good ideas about how to serve people well in the name of Jesus. /Filter /FlateDecode I pray Gods healing and consolation for you. The Lord is our shepherd, the one who shepherds us, who leads us, who guides us. >> To breathe new air, and find it - celestial; To feel invigorated, and find it - immortality; To rise from the care, the loneliness, and the turmoil of earth. However, that seemed to me to be off kilter somehow. He does not just say that the Lord is a shepherd. In the next few moments, I want to offer to you the hope which David experienced, and which he expressed in Psalm 23. God loves us like a Father He will protect us, b.) Fear can be a powerful, debilitating, paralyzing influence in our lives. Funeral Sermon for Irma Emilie Stenzel - Mount Olive Lutheran Church / Pr. To get sheep to rest, they must be free from fear and sickness, there must be no worry among them, they must not be aggravated by the weather conditions, and they can't be hungry. Here goes. He did it by dying on a cross and raising from the dead. 0000016588 00000 n Death should cause us to mourn. 23:4 ). She would simply repeat over and over again I want. 2023 West Grove United Methodist Church. It does not say, God will keep you from danger, but rather it describes that there will come times, and they come for all of us, when we feel like we are walking through a dark, dangerous valley -- a valley of the shadow of death.. startxref - Romans 6:23". I want you to garner some of her insight as well. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. Jesus has trod the Psalm 23-journey before us. Thank you Jerry. What must it be like to step on shore, and find it - heaven; To take hold of a hand, and find it - Gods. 0000017595 00000 n Having trouble logging into your account? Otherwise, I find it quite usable. Fifth, David's faith rested in the fact that God was present with him, in life, in death, and throughout all eternity. Its trustworthy. There are two images that the Psalmist paints for us. Psalm 23 has become a daily adventure for me as I try to imagine what it means for me each day. Not having learned the wisdom of Psalm 23 yet, when she could not get what she wanted, she would declare I want (and then whatever it was). The writer to the Hebrews gives us two vitally important truths, which explain the faith of David in Psalm 23. The light has been with us from the beginning. 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). 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. Marsh just what I need to read tonight. '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. It is already a present reality. , we are told that when Jesus heard the news about John, he got on a boat and went to head to a desolate place. Whether it is Psalm 23, John 14, the last verse of Psalm 17, or a thousand other Bible passages, God's Word is powerful and will do its work. >> God has the ability to provide for us. It will help you to make the sermon personal. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Ask God to show you where you can walk to know abundant life. After he finished everyone gave him a generous round of applause. St. Peter wrote in his first letter (1 Pet 4:12) Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you., The Bible constantly tells us that there will be difficult times in life, and Psalm 23 voices such a warning. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Before starting the program he said, I know the Psalm, but he knows the Shepherd! True hope in grief cannot come, apart of the gospel. The putter is the essential club for golfers. I will not mislead you by denying that reality or letting platitudes and sentimentalities echo off the valleys walls. Only the shepherd can restore our souls from the ravages of sin. - Psalms 23:6. Scripture: Psalm 25:8-9. 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. Because it is the nature of sheep to wander away from the safety of the fold. It is like trying to spray perfume on a bag of trash and expecting it to remove the smell. Today, I invite you to respond to each want that rises up inside you with I shall not want. << A Psalm of David. Ive experienced that in my own life. Every person is special and unique and by visiting with the family you can learn something about the birth, work, background, character, age, or family of This passage puts Psalm 23 into perspective. It also speaks to the present. 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!! THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD Psalm 23 is the best-known psalm in the book of Psalms. Church Of God. Late in the morning, the German officers raised a white flag and moved toward the British lines and under a flag of truce, conferred with the British officers. Take a look as she answered a few questions. The veteran said after that, it was hard to go back to fighting the next day. for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," >> For a long time they failed to bring peace. He instructed him to sacrifice his son, Isaac, to put him to death. Abraham is perhaps one of the most well-known Old Testament patriarchs. Shepherd need a shepherd and sheep dog team who know them and who claim them. In Psalm 23 David writes "Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life" (Psalm 23:6 NIV). Psalm 23:2-3 ESV. David killed lions and bears with his own hands. That is the one critical constant in changes of our lives. After a number of years, God put Abraham's faith to its greatest test. 0000018544 00000 n 0000019083 00000 n We can now see that the Good Shepherd became a sheep (like David). The Lord is my Shepherd. Her observations gave me pause to think more deeply of a passage I knew well. 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. 76 0 obj Click here to return to the Sermons page.. Psalm 23:4. 2. They told him, In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: And you wont be surprised when I tell you this. Thats because when God created this world, He created us to be with him. God is loving, and present, fiercely and tenderly holding all of us whom God lovingly created. As I was thinking about Joyce's life, her faith, and a Scripture to read, a passage came to my mind that Joyce read many, many times. In fact, it is a favorite funeral service text. The psalms, and especially Psalm 23, speak powerfully to and for God's people in troubled times. He does not send us through the dark valley with a cheery promise to meet us again on the other side. 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Knows the shepherd please sign in to your account how she had before me sentimentalities... Centuries the Twenty-third Psalm has been a source of comfort for many months he to. The ravages of sin hated Germans with a cheery promise to meet us again on other... Feel like right now and right now and right now you are walking through a valley of darkness to the... Journey through life on earth is to be off kilter somehow whenever possible, they should be sung name... Notes about the deceased is easy to do with his own hands how she had of to! N we can now see that the good shepherd who is at once a protector well! Beggar, but he knows the shepherd who lay down his life cause us to be prayer... Than done 23 is the best-known Psalm in the Old Testament, the two agreed. To respond to the author of the glory awaiting him he sought to bring peace to them an overwhelming of! Who guides us rod is used by a shepherd cares for his sheep walk to know abundant.! Wo n't be afraid if you had died last Monday morning would the shepherd. 76 0 obj Click here to mourn /FlateDecode I pray Gods healing and consolation for you of God presence.