Introduction: In Part One we looked into the relationship and responsibilities of the Shepherd to the Sheep. As a Shepherd, David gives us a picture of "Who" we are as followers of Christ and "What" our relationship is to Him and to one another. The possibilities of the Church are limitless if we would only get back to the basic principles known and practiced by the early church.

Review what we learned from Part One: Pastors are Shepherds, We have responsibility to Lead and Feed, Sheep must have sufficient Grass and Water to survive, Sheep will not lie down or rest unless they are full, Sheep like a routine, Sheep will overgraze if left alone. Psalms 100:3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

(1) Look At The Nature And Characteristics Of A Sheep.

(A) Sheep were among the first domesticated animals. (Gen 4:2, Abel was a keeper of sheep)

(B) Sheep are very dependant, and not a very intelligent animal. ( They will panic at the sound of a running stream, graze right over a cliff, stampede at the sight of rabbit, walk off and leave their young to become "bum lambs.") Sheep will over react at the slightest fear.

(C) Sheep are wanderers, easily lost, ( become lamb chops for wolves.)

(D) Sheep cannot survive alone. Made to live in "Flocks". ( This is different from a "Herd" of cattle) Flock: a group living, feeding, traveling together, led by a Shepherd. Herd: Is animals living together, "driven"' by a Herdsman. Fold: (Webster) A pen of sheep, or members of a church!

(E) There is no such thing as a "Lone Ranger" Christian. We were designed for "relationships", with God and one another.

(F) Sheep are not "Predators". They are not designed to fight, nor defend themselves. They need a Shepherd.

(G) A Shepherd "marks" his sheep in their ear, they hear and know his voice. John 10:2-4 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

(2) Sheep Produce Lambs Better For A Lifetime If The Start The First Year Of Life

(A) Most produce two lambs in the Spring season. Spring lambs add new life to the flock. They are vibrant and full of life !

(B) New Christians also become more productive for life if the bring "new lambs" to the flock early in their new life. ( The later a person waits to win someone, the less likely they ever will.)

(C) Spring lambs add excitement to a Church, where there is none, there is a deadness. ( Bring a baby into a Nursing Home and watch faces brighten !)

(3) When Sheep Overfeed And Under Exercise, They Get "Down And Out."

(A) Being overfed and under exercised causes physical and spiritual problems

(B) A sheep will eat until his legs cannot support him. ( I know some people !)

(C) They need to be full to rest, but not over filled. (Shepherds must watch for overgrazing and keep them on the move)

(D) The problem with Church members, they are over fed with "hearing", but practice very little of what they hear.( Eat but don't want to move)

(E) Shepherds must "lead" to new pastures, Pastors must lead you to practice!

(4) Sheep Will Fall If Wool Gets Too Heavy and "Wet"!

(A) Sheep will get so heavy it will lie down, weight will shift, roll over, and cannot get up.

(B) When his feet cannot touch the ground, he panics, paws the air (Ba,Ba,Ba

** He has become what is known as a "Cast" Sheep. Down and cannot get up

(C) When he panics, his legs go numb, paralyzed on his back, he becomes easy prey for any predator.

(D) As the sheep would cry out (Ba, Ba, Ba,) the Shepherd would hear and come to the rescue.

(E) The Shepherd would; Roll him over --- hold him up between his legs ---- massage its legs - see if it could stand alone -- repeat until it could walk again!

** David Had Been There ! He Had Known Times Like This ! ***

** Psalm 42:2 - 6 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan

** How Did David Get Back On His Feet ? **

** Psalm 42: 5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

** What Do You Do When "Cast Down", On Your Back, Pawing At The Air, Numb With Fear, The Wolves Howling, Vultures Circling ?

** CRY OUT ! The Shepherd Will Hear You, Come To You !

** Praise Brings Contact With The Countenance Of The Shepherd, Face To Face !

** The Shepherd Lifts Me! Massages My Spiritual Legs ! Repeats Until I Can Walk Again !

** Are You "Cast Down"? Don't Panic, ----- PRAISE !

Verse 5 Reflects Desperation: " for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

Verse 11 Reflects Victory: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Worship And Praise Is The Answer For Your Cast Down Soul !

 

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