Psalm for all Ages-The shepherd Psalm

PSALMS 23


KJV
1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 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.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
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.

Outlines of 1 Timothy for Bible study

Lesson-8

Four Duties of a Man of God (6.11-16)

1.  FLEE

“Now you, man of God, run from these things”  vs. 11

 

 

Run from what?

The Love of Money  vs. 9-10

False Doctrine, vs. 3-5

More Things to Flee:

1^st Corinthians 6:18  “Flee sexual immorality….”

1^st Corinthians 10:14  “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”

2. FOCUS

“Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance,                               and gentleness.”  Vs. 12

 

Pursue – To follow in hot pursuit

To live an undistracted life… to be focused

Phillips: “Set your heart not on riches, but on… ”

Righteousness – To have integrity in my dealings with other people, treating them right

Godliness – To consciously live my life for God and before God

Faith – To live and serve with continual dependence upon Christ

Love – To act in the best interest of the other person, ready to meet his need at my expense

Endurance – To remain faithful to God in spite of  trials (lit. To bear up under)

Gentleness – Careful not to overpower others with my greater strength

3. FIGHT

“Fight the good fight for the faith”  vs. 12

 

Word where we get, Agonize.  Applied to both soldiers in combat and athletes in competition

Weymouth, “Exert all your strength in the honorable struggle for the faith”

 

4. FINISH

“Keep the commandment without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ”  Vs. 14

Key Word: Until

His Timing is Beyond Our Control

Vs. 15  “Which God will bring about in His own time.” 

His Power is Beyond All Rivals

Vs. 15  “He is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords”

His Glory is Beyond Our Imagination

Vs. 16  “The only One who has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom none of mankind has seen or can see, to whom be honor and eternal might.”

Since…

We don’t get to decide how long to be faithful

We don’t have to question whether He is worthy of our faithfulness

There is a Logical Degree to Which We Should Be Faithful

Vs. 14  “Keep the commandment without spot or blame”

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Outlines of 1 Timothy for Bible study

Lesson  7 

Attitude of Christians towards wealth (6:3-11.17-19)

1. A Portrait of Right Doctrine

1.1 Doctrine That is Christ-Centered
Vs. 3 “The sound teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ”

1.2 Teachings That Lead to Godliness
Vs 3 “The teaching that promotes godliness”

1.3 Insights that Make Our Whole Lives Healthier
Vs. 3 “The sound teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ”
Vs. 3-4 “If anyone teaches other doctrine … he is conceited, understanding nothing, but having a sick interest in disputes…”

2. A Profile of a False Teacher

2.1 He is Arrogant – seeking to be a somebody
Vs. 4 “He is conceited”

2.2 He Out-punts his Coverage
Vs. 4 “Understanding nothing”

2.3 He is Divisive
Vs. 4-5 “Having a sick interest in disputes and arguments over words. From these come envy, quarreling, slanders, evil suspicions, and constant disagreement among men”

2.4 His Thinking is Driven by His Sinful Nature
Vs. 5 “Whose minds are depraved and deprived of the truth”

2.5 He is Motivated by Greed
Vs. 5 “Who imagine that godliness is a way to material gain.”

3. The Philosophy of a Contented Person

3.1 True Wealth is Godliness Plus Contentment
Vs. 6 “Godliness with contentment is a great gain”

3.2 Earthly Wealth isn’t Lasting
Vs. 7 “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out.”

3.3 We Need Less Than We Think of Ourselves as Needing
Vs. 8 “But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these”

3.4 Discontent Leads to Self-Destructive Behavior
Vs. 9-10 “But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.”