Pastor Adron Wheat
Review: Ask what they have learned about Sheep and Shepherds in Parts One and Two. (Pastor-Shepherds are to Lead and Feed, Sheep need plenty of Grass and Water to be full and content. Sheep are not intelligent. Sheep like a routine. Sheep will overgraze an area and infest it with their own droppings. Shepherds "mark" the ears of their sheep to know them, What is a "cast" sheep ? ( Other things you learned )
Today: We look at the dangers that exist when sheep are lead from the Winter lowlands or Valleys, to the Summer high country known as "Tablelands". This is what David is referring to in verse five. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. ( Old Hymn "Higher Ground" )
Remember: This Psalm is written from the view of a sheep as it relates to the Shepherd and all the Shepherd "is" and "does" for his sheep. It also portrays the relationship that should exist between Christ and His Church.
(1) The Tableland Represents Our Spiritual "Mountaintop" Spiritual Experiences.
(A) At the right "season" the Shepherd would lead his sheep from the valley to "higher ground" where the pasture was fresh and green.
Our Shepherd will take us from time to time but we cannot stay there. Life has it's "seasons" also. There are "valley's" and "mountain top" experiences. (B) In the valleys, sheep could "spread out", but not in the high country. The Shepherd must take extra care and keep the, closely "folded" together.
(C) In the "high country", more predators and enemies of sheep are found.
(D) This was a time the Shepherd was "closest" to his sheep because more danger was present.
(2) The Tableland: Grass Was Greener, Birds Sang, Flowers Blooming, The Air Was Fresh, But Great Dangers Were Also There. (Wolves, Bears, Lions) More Later.
(A) More "Pest" and "Diseases" were found there:
* Nasal Flies: Tormented the sheep by laying eggs in the sheep's nose. Sheep would beat their heads, not eat standing in knee high grass, not rest and die if not treated.
(B) How many of you are tormented by the "Devils flies". Distractions, things sent to bother you, things you can't get your mind off of. You are standing where there is singing, word, worship and praise, but you cannot "eat" !
** Look again at verse five: Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: ( How could you sit down at a table in the presence of your enemies and enjoy a meal ? ) Answer: Read this verse without punctuation marks: " in the presence of mine enemies thou anointest my head with oil my cup runneth over.
(C) The Shepherd took a mixture called "Hogs Oil" and smeared it on the sheep's head and nose.
(D) The "Flies" are still around, but they cannot light, torment, and infect.
** We need more than one application of the "anointing", we need to come often ! * The Scab: The "Scab" was another infectious disease passes on to other sheep by "rubbing" their heads together.
(A) Sheep greet one another by "rubbing heads" as we would shake hands.
(B) By "head contact" the scab would spread through the entire flock and folds. If not treated it would become fatal.
(C) The only remedy? The sheep must be "dipped", submerged completely !
** In The Church: One person with ungodly attitudes, ways, like to "rub heads" and infect the whole flock !
** The Remedy ? They need to be "Dipped" again, submerged in the Word and anointed with the "Oil" of the Holy Ghost.
(3) Another Great Danger That Exist In The "High Country"
(A) Again, this is a time the Shepherd must, "fold" his sheep closely. This is not a time to "Let Loose" and let them "Go on their own."
Here Is A Truth We Have Missed In Pentecostal Circles, It Has Shipwrecked Many NOTE: When you are on a "Spiritual high" experience in your Christian growth, it is not a time to "Let Go!" You are more vulnerable to the enemy than when you felt like you were walking through a "valley" experience. This is a time you need more "Spiritual discipline" than ever before. You need to "fold"' more closely to your Shepherd than ever.
The "Tableland" Experience is when you are more "Totally Alive" than you have ever been before. You are "Stimulated" in Spirit, Soul, and Body!
Remember this: There is a fine line between "Spirituality" and " Sensuality."
NOTE: It is often during "Revival Time" of "Spiritual Awakenings" that Marriages are mended, relationships restored. You and I can "feel" so much "Love" that the lines get easily blurred if not for extra Spiritual discipline !
(4) What Often Happens When A Church Enters The Spiritual "High Country" ?
(A) Some Sheep say: "Pastor, you are moving just to slow for me, you are holding me back when I feel God would have me "spread out" and explore."
* You Say: "I'm never to hold back in my pursuit of God, its full speed ahead ! (NO)
* Case In Point: Lucifer did not become a Devil because he "Defected" from God ! He became exalted in a mad rush to be "like God". Isaiah 14:12-14 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Like: (Heb.; To be compared to, resemble, be like!) What was his sin ? God created him an anointed Cherub, but he felt too big for his place !
That's the problem I have with these "Little Jesus' "running around filled with pride and arrogance, "claiming" to be equal to Jesus, "commanding" that God do their every bidding. Most look down on others as if they "haven't arrived" like they have.
(5) What's The Problem, Aren't Christians Suppose To Be Like Christ ?
* The problem: When you refuse to accept the Spiritual "Discipline" that comes with Spiritual high encounters.
(A) Adam & Eve: Created to know, fellowship, walk and talk with God, live forever in a beautiful garden.
(B) Did God "turn them loose?" No! He set a boundary that required discipline and obedience.
(C) What was their sin? A desire to be like God, knowing good and evil for themselves. Crossing the boundary God had set.
(D) Jude: Talked about "trees that had been uprooted," wandering stars, (stars that had their place but did not like the orbit God put them in) They "Break Loose" become brilliant for a moment, then fade away.
(E) Many, an honest, sincere person has broken loose, refusing to be "held back" by Spiritual discipline of a loving Shepherd, have fallen prey to the enemy. In my twenty three years of ministry, twenty years as a pastor, I can name scores who "cut loose" to explore what they thought was "their" ministry only to find it was truly "theirs" and not God's. They failed, blaming God, the Church and everyone else but themselves. I would close with a quote from an overseer years ago; "Its always the banana that leaves the bunch that gets pealed."
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