God Has Prepared a Place for You

Sermon: The Lord Is the Great Shepherd (God Has Prepared a Place for You)

Part Three: John 14: 2

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

God tells us that He is our shepherd. Jesus tells us that He is going to prepare a place for us and that He will return for us. We can look forward to eternal life because Jesus has promised it to all who believe in Him.

Psalm 23:6

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.

Jesus has a place for you in His Father’s house, the banquet table is prepared, and your seat is waiting for you. He paid the ultimate price for your seat at the table when He went to the cross, died, and rose again.

Jesus’ words show that the way to eternal life, although unseen, is as secure as your trust in Jesus. All of the benefits of being God’s child will be yours.

Read the Full Chapters of the Scriptures Referenced:
John Chapter 14
Psalm Chapter 23

Read the first and second parts of the Sermon, The Lord Is the Great Shepherd
The Lord Is the Great Shepherd (Part One)
The Lord Is My Shepherd; He Restores My Soul (Part Two)

The Lord Is the Great Shepherd

Sermon: The Lord Is The Great Shepherd

Part One: Psalm 23: 1

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

We are God’s child. He is our Father, Protector, the Great Shepherd. When David describes the Lord as a shepherd, he is writing about of his own experience as a shepherd when he was a young boy.

Sheep are completely dependent on the shepherd for provision, guidance and protection.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd and we are His sheep.

The New Testament calls Jesus the Good Shepherd, the Great Shepherd, and the Chief Shepherd. The Lord is the Good Shepherd, and we are His sheep. We are not to be frightened or passive. We are to be obedient followers who place ourselves in His hands. He will lead us in the path of rightness.

If we go our own way then we are going to walk the path satan has for us. Do not think that satan isn’t waiting to lead you.

Job 2: 2

“And the Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”

Matthew 4:1

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted^[a]by the devil.”

Now the devil thought he could tempt Jesus. What do you think he can do with us?

When we put ourselves in God’s hands, we have contentment.

Psalm 23 does not focus on the animal-like qualities of sheep but on the discipleship qualities of those who follow Our Lord and Savior. However, when we choose to sin, we go our own way and we can’t blame God for the consequences of that choice.

Read the Full Chapters of the Scriptures Referenced:
Psalm Chapter 23
Job Chapter 2
Matthew Chapter 4

Join us later this week for Part Two of the sermon, The Lord is My Shepherd.

Thanks Be to God for All He Has Done

Scripture: Psalm 30: 1-4

I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit. Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.

Scripture Commentary: Did you give thanks to God today?

Have you thanked him for bringing you through this year? Have you thanked Jesus for taking your place on the cross and dying for your sins? If not, give thanks now!

We can get so into ourselves that we forget to thank Him for giving us another day. There have been times when we’ve gone to bed sick and in the morning have been healed. Praise the Lord! Also, there have been times when we’ve placed ourselves in danger, and He has shown us a way out. Praise God!

God has done more for us than we have for Him. All He asks is that we praise Him, and love one another. You haven’t yet been called to the grave so God has work for you. Are you ready to work for Our Lord Jesus Christ?

What does the future hold for you?

God has kept you alive so sing His praises, carry His Word, and give thanks to Him.

Be happy and blessed!

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalm Chapter 30

The Wicked Do Not Seek God

Scripture: Psalms 10: 3-6

For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth. The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them. He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.

Scripture Commentary: Why are you upset when wicked people prosper?

Some people succeed in everything they do, and they brag that no one, not even God, can keep them down. There is an incompatibility in the wicked between blind arrogance and the presence of God in their hearts.

We may wonder why God allows these people to amass great wealth while they despise God as they do. Why are you upset when wicked people prosper? Are you angry about the damage they’re doing or are you just jealous of their success?

God will punish the wicked in his time

Keep in mind that God’s guiding influence is not in these people’s lives. We must gain the right perspective on wickedness and wealth. The wicked will surely be punished because God hates their evil deeds.

Wealth is only temporary. Do you know of anyone who was able to take their wealth with them into death?

It is not necessarily a sign of God’s approval if a person is wealthy. Don’t let wealth or the lack of it become your obsession. True wealth is with the One and Only, Jesus Christ.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 10

The Prayer of an Old and Gray-Headed Man for Rescue

Scripture: Psalms 71: 18

And even when I am old and gray-headed, O God, do not abandon me,
Until I declare Your [mighty] strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come.

Scripture Commentary: You are never too old and gray-headed to serve God

A person is never too old and gray-headed to serve God, never too old to pray. As we face the sunset years, we recognize that God has been the constant help in our lives.

Remembering God’s lifetime of blessing will help us see the consistency of his grace throughout the years, trust him for the future, and share with others the love he has for us.

God has no limitations

Although age may stop us from certain physical activities, it needn’t end our desire to tell others about all we have seen God do in our lives. We must never despair, but keep on expecting his help no matter how severe our own limitations become.

When your situation seems hopeless, remember that in your long life he kept you safe from harm even when you did not acknowledge him. Do not leave this earth without sharing the love of God.

Exalt God

He is our security; we must cling to him. Take the time each day to be still and exalt God.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 71

Living for God In A Deceitful World Can Be Difficult

Scripture: Psalms 12: 1-5

Save and help and rescue, Lord, for godly people cease to be,
For the faithful vanish from among the sons of men. They speak deceitful and worthless words to one another; With flattering lips and a double heart they speak. May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, The tongue that speaks great things [in boasting]; Who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail; Our lips are our own; who is lord and master over us?” “Because of the devastation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy, Now I will arise,” says the Lord; “I will place him in the safety for which he longs.”

Scripture Commentary: Do not speak wicked and deceitful words

Living for God in a deceitful world can be a difficult and lonely battle. We may be tempted to believe that lies are harmless, even useful at times.

God does not overlook lies, flattery, deception, or boasting.

Each of these sins originates from a bad attitude that is eventually expressed in our speech. The tongue can be our greatest enemy because, though small, it can do great damage. Be careful how you use your tongue.

God loves and cares for the weak and needy.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 12

Meditate on God’s Word Day and Night

Scripture: Psalms 1: 1-2, 4-6

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. (1-2) The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.(4-6)

Scripture Commentary: Meditate on God’s Word to Learn His Ways

Our friends and associates can have a profound influence on us, often in very subtle ways. If we insist on friendships with those who mock what God considers important, we might sin by becoming indifferent to God’s will.

The more we allow those who ridicule God to affect our thoughts and attitudes, the more we will begin to separate ourselves from our source of nourishment.

True friendships will help, not hinder, our walk with God.

Those who diligently try to obey God’s will are blessed. In contrast, those who don’t trust and obey God have meaningless lives. There are only two paths of life before us: God’s way of obedience or the way of rebellion and destruction.

Learn how to follow God. Meditate on His Word. We must know what He says in order to follow him more closely. The more we know the scope of God’s Word, the more resources we will have to guide us in our daily life decisions.

Be sure to choose God’s path because the path you choose will determine your eternity.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 1

Give Thanks to God; Praise His Holy Name

Scripture: Psalm 105: 1-4

O Give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore.

Scripture Commentary: Give thanks to God every day of your life

Did you thank the Lord your God today, yesterday, or any day? If you are reading this, then God gave you another day; a day to praise his name. Give thanks to him, and seek him.

How long has it been since you talked about God to someone? Have you reflected on all of the things he has done in your life?

Rejoice, God’s love for you is great. Seek God every day; talk to him, tell him you love him and need him. God seems far away, but he is not. Persist in your search for him, and he will show himself to you. God rewards those who sincerely seek him. Jesus promised, “Seek and you will find,” and, “Knock and the door will be open.”

God is not lost. You may be lost. Read the Bible; investigate the records of the history of God’s people; search and you will see a loving God waiting for you.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 105

Have Mercy on My Weakness, O Lord

Scripture: Psalms 6: 2, 5, 9

Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.(2) For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?(5) The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.(9)

Scripture Commentary: Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak

David accepted God’s punishment but he begged God, “Have mercy upon me, O LORD.” He asked God not to punish him in anger. David knew that if God truly punished him with His power, he would easily be crushed.

When you really think about all the wrong you have done in your life, you know that if God punished you for it, you wouldn’t be reading this. If God treated you with justice alone without mercy, you would be wiped out by God’s wrath.

God knows your heart; seek His mercy and give Him your very best

David poured out his heart with tears and complete honesty. Be honest when you go to God. He knows your heart, mind and soul. God knows all and He wants the best for you. You, in turn, have to give God your best.

You know what God’s wrath can be like. Just read the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. Even Jeremiah asked God to correct him gently and not in anger (Jeremiah 10: 24).

We don’t know the cause of David’s pain, but whatever the cause, he sought God’s mercy.

You must go to God for everything. He is the healer and a forgiving Father.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 6

Have Mercy on Me, O Lord

Scripture: Psalm 6: 1-3

O Lord, do not rebuke or punish me in Your anger, Nor discipline me in Your wrath. Have mercy on me and be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am weak (faint, frail); Heal me, O Lord, for my bones are dismayed and anguished. My soul [as well as my body] is greatly dismayed. But as for You, O Lord—how long [until You act on my behalf]?

Scripture Commentary: David asks God to have mercy on him

This is the first of seven “penitential” psalms, where David humbly realizes his predicament, expresses sorrow over it, and demonstrates a fresh commitment to remain close to God. He implores God to have mercy on him.

The secret to a close relationship with God is to pray to him earnestly all the time, day and night. We don’t know the cause of David’s pain. We do know that he sought God for the remedy. As in David’s case, we must be willing to accept God’s punishment, knowing God’s discipline will be out of love for us, not out of anger.

Humans would not exist if God corrected us out of anger alone. Mercy is the reason we are on this earth, and it is the reason we can have a close relationship with God. God knows your anger and despair already. Do not hide the truth from him. Put it in his hands. God knows us thoroughly and wants the very best for us.

David poured his heart out to God and was completely honest. He was open to the consequences, understanding that God loved him.

Our merciful God forgives us instead of giving us what we really deserve. He will never leave or desert you.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms 6