Lee Street Church
Notes of Meeting 28th November 2021
Worship led by Sue Clarke
Great is a term used for something or someone beyond the ordinary.
God by nature is great!
Scripture repeatedly tells us that God is great. When the bible speaks of God’s greatness, it is all encompassing. Great can be translated into an original Hebrew word that means large [in magnitude and extent]; in number; in intensity; in importance ; in great things!
Deuteronomy 32 v3
I will proclaim the name of the Lord, Oh praise the greatness of our God!
SONG: Welcome King of Kings 1093
The bible affirms the greatness of His power-
Psalm 66 v1-4
Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of His Name; make His praise glorious. Say to God, ”How awesome are Your deeds! So great is Your power that Your enemies cringe before You. All the earth bows down to You; they sing praise to You, they sing praise to Your Name.”
Strength and might describe Him:
Isaiah 40 v26
Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: who created all these? He who bring out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.
SONG: O Lord my God 425
“The greatness of His majesty” is the worshippers’ cry for who God is.
Deuteronomy 5 v 24
The Lord our God has shown us His glory and His majesty.
The bible teaches us that God’s greatness is unsearchable. [Something we cannot fully understand.)
Psalm 145 v3
Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom.
SONG: Great is the Lord and most worthy 145
Exodus 15 v11
Who is like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?
1 Chronicles 29 v11
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendour, for everything in heaven and earth is Yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom and You are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honour come from You; You are the ruler of all things. In Your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, Our God, we give you thanks and praise Your glorious Name.
SONG: O Lord our God You are a great God 427
The clearest view of God’s greatness comes from His actions toward creation, especially towards His people. Creation records His greatness and leads to our praise.
Psalm 96 v11-12
Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy, they will sing before the Lord.
Romans 1 v20
For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities- his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
Psalm 145 v4
One generation will commend Your works to another, they will tell of Your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendour of Your majesty.
SONG:The splendour of the King 2065
There are so many wonderful accounts in the bible, that we know and love, that demonstrate God’s greatness. Throughout the old testament right through to the gospels and the letters in the new testament.
God’s care of the children of Israel in the wilderness, and the miracles we read of in the new testament- to suggest just a couple.
They all represent God’s greatness is some form.
Psalm 86 v8
Among the gods there is none like You, 0 Lord; no deeds can compare with Yours. All the nations You have made will come and worship before You, O Lord, they will bring glory to Your name. For You are great and do marvellous deeds; You alone are God!
SONG:Water You turned into wine 2604
God also demonstrates His greatness in love toward humanity by forgiveness and redemption.
The greatness of God describes all His qualities and the magnitude and extent of all He is.
God is great means God is above every other spiritual being and creature on earth and the spiritual realm. He is omnipotent, [all-knowing] reigning sovereign over all.
Hebrews 13 v15
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name.
Psalm 103 v1
Praise the Lord, o my soul; all my inmost being , praise His holy name.
SONG:Tell out my soul 520
Jesus glorified the Father. Everything we do is meant to glorify God and His greatness.
Deuteronomy 32 v4
I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He.
2 Corinthians 3 v18
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the spirit.
SONG: Throughout the earth 1064
Prayer Time
Please continue to remember in prayer the folk we mentioned on Sunday:
- Jacqueline Brewell as she awaits confirmation of a planned operation on 14th December. Also for her mother, for her support assessment.
- Tessa asked for prayer for Amanda, who has had to stop her chemo treatment
- Jan’s son Peter – had laser treatment, now waiting to see if if effective.
- Faye (13) – now also has shingles to contend with.
- Paul Simmonds’ pre-op has revealed a heart problem, which needs further investigation; this may delay the planned throat op.
Ken’s Message
The Lord is my Shepherd Psalm 23
This is one of the most famous passages in the Bible that even non-Christians know. We have probably heard it quoted at funerals many times especially verse 4, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” Those words have brought comfort to thousands of people. However, David didn’t write this psalm just for funerals, but our journey through life. Many people can memorise parts of the psalm but sadly don’t know the Shepherd about whom the psalm is about. That wasn’t the case for David who said “The Lord is MY shepherd.”
Some years ago at a drawing-room function, one of England’s leading actors was asked to recite for the pleasure of his fellow guests. He consented and asked if there was anything special that his audience would like to hear. After a moment’s pause, an old clergyman present said: "Could you, sir, recite to us the Twenty-third Psalm?" A strange look passed over the actor’s face; he paused for a moment, and then said: "I can, and I will, upon one condition; and that is that after I have recited it, you, my friend, will do the same." "I will" said the clergyman, in surprise. "But I am not an elocutionist. However, if you wish it, I will do so." Impressively, the great actor began the psalm. His voice and his intonation was perfect. He held his audience spellbound; and as he finished, a great burst of applause broke from the guests. Then, as it died away, the old clergyman arose and began the psalm. His voice was not remarkable; his intonation was not faultless. When he had finished, no sound of applause broke the silence, but there was not a dry eye in the room, and many heads were bowed. Then the actor rose to his feet again. His voice shook as he laid his hand upon the shoulder of the old clergyman and said: "I reached your eyes and ears, my friends but he reached your hearts. The difference is just this: I know the Twenty-third Psalm, but he knows the Shepherd." Do you know this wonderful Shepherd personally? Can you say “The Lord is MY Shepherd?” That is real purpose of being a Christian. It’s all about a personal relationship with God. It’s not just a one off meeting but a continual fellowship with him throughout our lives. When we encounter Jesus it’s as our Saviour because we need his salvation. But our relationship with Christ doesn’t finish there but we go on to know him as our Shepherd. Jesus in the New Testament shows us what the relationship is like between him and his sheep. “He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out……his sheep follow him because they know his voice.” (John 10.3-4) This is an intimate relationship between the shepherd and the sheep. Jesus calls you by name, Ken, Peter, Brian, Chris, Joyce and Rose etc. Do we hear and know his voice as he speaks? If we don’t, we can’t really follow him as he wants to leads us. Jesus goes on to say, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” (John 10.14) Jesus knows me so well. The question is how much do I know him? This is the kind of relationship which Jesus call us to have with him. A Sunday school teacher gave his class an assignment to learn the 23rd Psalm by next Sunday because each was to recite it to the whole church.
A little boy named Bobby just couldn’t get it all in his head, he struggled all week long. Finally Sunday comes and the church is packed out, standing room only, and suddenly it’s Bobby’s turn to say the Psalm. His teacher whispered, “O.K. Bobby it’s your turn!” Bobby is shaking like a leaf and sweating badly, and then Bobby shouts, “The Lord is my Shepherd…….and that’s all I need to know.” That was the perfect recitation!
David expresses the same sentiment as Bobby when he says “The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not be in want.” The Message translation of those words are; God, my Shepherd! I don’t need a thing.” David is saying he is completely content and satisfied. Many Christians can say “The Lord is my Shepherd” but can’t say “I shall not be in want.” They are saved but not satisfied and content in the Shepherd. Why can David say my Shepherd not only meets my need but also my desires and longings? He is completely satisfied in the loving care of his Shepherd allowing him to take full care of all his needs. Trust and obedience towards the Shepherd result in that contentment. As a sheep, David walks close to the Shepherd so he can hear his voice and obey and follow him. David is saying “The more I follow my shepherd and am close to Him, the less I want of other things.” We too, can say the same as David as we trust, obey and follow our Shepherd.
Who needs a shepherd? Sheep need a shepherd. Although David was a shepherd in his youth in this psalm he sees himself as a sheep needing a shepherd. The Bible describes all mankind as sheep. We are like sheep in that we are prone to wander and get lost. God’s Word clearly states “We all like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way.” (Isaiah5 3.6) We have wandered far from God because of our sin and need a shepherd to save us from the penalty and power of our sin.
Sheep also are stupid, so easy to follow other sheep instead of the shepherd. Some years ago In Eastern Turkey several shepherds had their flocks in one place. The shepherds took their break to eat breakfast. Apparently, they weren’t watching things very closely because one of the sheep wandered to close to the cliff and fell to its death. Now sheep tend to follow their shepherds, but if the shepherds aren’t around they’ll follow other sheep. And that’s what happened here. When that one sheep fell over the cliff…..1500 other sheep followed it. 400 of them died….and many were injured. They died and were injured because they followed a SHEEP instead of the SHEPHERD. They followed that one sheep because they figured “Hey, maybe he knows where he’s going. But he didn’t. We sometimes follow other people instead of the Good Shepherd who gave his life for the sheep in order to save them. He is the only one who can lead us to heaven. Let’s not be stupid like those sheep that followed that one sheep instead of their shepherd.
Sheep also are very weak, unable to protect themselves from their predators. They were unable to save themselves from wolves or bears. That’s why Jesus had to come into the world because we were helpless and unable to save ourselves. The Bible clearly states “when we were still powerless Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5.6) The sheep had no fear of any kind not even going through valley of the shadow of death for the shepherd was with them. Death has no fear for the Christian because Jesus our Shepherd has conquered death by his resurrection. It is just a shadow which can’t do any harm. Have you ever been bitten by the shadow of a dog? Death has no sinister fear for the believer. As Spurgeon a famous preacher once said “Death is just the porch leading into the house.” It is the entrance into the house of the Lord forever. What a wonderful shepherd we have!
David speaks of the wonderful provision of his Shepherd. “He makes me lie down in green pastures.” The Shepherd provides the best pasture that gives the greatest satisfaction to the sheep. Jesus met a woman at a well and found out she was seeking happiness. She thought it could be obtained through marriage. Sadly, it didn’t work out as she had married and divorced five times and was trying her sixth attempt. Jesus showed her the way of true happiness. Pointing to the well he said, “Everyone who drinks this water will thirst again,” which was her experience till that time of not finding true happiness. Then he goes on to say “but whoever drinks of the water I will give him will never thirst. Indeed the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” Jesus promised her true happiness that would give satisfaction now and even continue after she dies. The lady believed in Jesus and her life was transformed into such joy that she had to tell everyone about it. She experienced feeding on the green pastures which gave her true happiness that would even last forever.
Steve McQueen the famous Hollywood actor filled his life until alcohol and a failed marriage left him empty. In his despair he attended a crusade led by one of Billy Graham’s associates and made a confession of faith and requested an opportunity to speak with Billy Graham. Billy Graham managed to spend two hours with him in the actor’s limousine. Steve McQueen struggled with the thought of God giving eternal life to a man who had such a sinful past. Billy Graham showed him the verse in Titus 1.2 “the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ago.” He requested something to write down the verse but Billy Graham gave him his Bible instead. Later Steve McQueen died in Mexico while seeking experimental treatment for his terminal cancer. He died with his Bible opened to Titus 1, and his finger resting on verse 2. He had missed much of the eternal life he could have experienced on earth, but through repentance and faith in Christ at the end of his life he had assurance of the joy of eternal life in heaven.
The sheep wasn’t always in green pastures for there were times when it had to go down to the valleys which could easily cause fear. The valley of the shadow of death in verse 4 which is used much at funeral services has a much wider meaning. The word used for the valley of the shadow of death is also described as a valley of deep darkness. That could suggest the many times of suffering and trials we often have to go through in this fallen world such as, a terminal illness, dementia, a sudden bereavement, a mental breakdown, a financial crisis, loss of employment and a marriage breakdown etc. But David speaks of having no fear of evil because his Shepherd is with him as he goes through the valley, “for you are with me; your rod and staff they comfort me.”
How comforting to know that when we go through difficult times we are assured that the Lord is with us, he sees us and he is for us. It is good to know that we don’t stay in the valley but the Shepherd takes us through it. David is comforted also by the rod and staff the shepherd carries with him. The rod was a club with nails in it to ward off predators to protect the sheep. The staff was to guide and keep them in the way the shepherd wanted to lead them. Oftentimes when we go through dark valleys we feel lost and don’t know where we are going. But take comfort for your Shepherd is guiding and protecting you all the time.
Not only are their dark valleys to pass through but there are enemies around us, but the shepherd has provision and power for that too. “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” The shepherd is now being the host providing hospitality for us. It’s a table spread like a banquet, not just a McDonald’s hamburger. It is food to give us strength in the conflict against the enemy for that is what God’s Word does for us. Jesus when he faced the devil in the wilderness was strengthened and guided by God’s Word as he repeated “It is written” three times to the devil. Another mark of hospitality was to have your head anointed with oil. How refreshing that must have been in the hot dusty climate. We too, in the presence of the enemy are anointed with the Holy Spirit which assures us of victory as the scripture says “You dear children are from God and have overcome them because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4.4) David’s cup overflows with joy at the victory over the enemy. Remember when the seventy two disciples returned from the mission Jesus had sent them on. The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” (Luke 10.17) We too can know the joy of victory over our enemies by the Holy Spirit.
What wonderful provision, protection and power are we given by our wonderful Shepherd! Right throughout our lives his goodness and love follow us like sheepdogs. “Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life.” We are never outside of his care and protection and that is why we can trust him all the time and all the way. We have a great prospect before us. We have mentioned that there is no fear of death as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Why is this? It is because of what comes after death. “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”(v6) What a glorious prospect is ours after all the suffering and trials in this fallen world. I do enjoy going on holiday and relaxing. But after a week or two I’m thinking of home. I’m always glad to get back home. I can’t wait to get to my true home in the eternal kingdom that Jesus has prepared for me. How about you? In the meantime let’s keep close to our shepherd, trusting, listening and obeying his voice and following him wherever he leads us.
Closing Song: The Lord’s my shepherd
Notices
- Wednesday Bible Study & Prayer time on Zoom at 7.30pm
- Next Sunday: worship, Breaking of Bread, and message by Brian
- Advance Notice: Town Centre Churches for Horley Carols will be on Saturday Dec. 11th at 11 am.