Everything I Need to Be Secure

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – April 30, 2017

Series Title: “Everything That I Need”

Today’s Title: “Everything That I Need to be Secure”

Today’s Text: Psalm 23:4 & Isaiah 40

 

“comfort” – Isaiah 40:1 & Psalm 23:4

Isaiah 40 context:

King Hezekiah, one 8 “good” kings in Judah’s 345 year history

 

The comfort of the rod – protection

-          The “rod” was more like a club.

-          “com-fort” is a military term

-          True, lasting comfort will come from God alone (Isaiah 40:15)

-          The almighty “sovereign Lord” leads “gently” (Isaiah 40:10-11)

-          “rod” is the same word as “scepter”, a symbol authority

The comfort of the staff – guidance

-          The “staff” - the traditional shepherds “crook”

-          Used for rescue from a cliff, briars, water, etc.

-          Used to “prod”, to guide

-          Sometimes used during the birth of a lamb

-          A guide knows the best way - Proverbs 3:5-7

-          Psalms about God as our “guide”

o   25:5, 25:9, 31:3, 48:14, 73:24, 139:7-10

-          John 16:13 – The Holy Spirit as our guide

The enemy of the rod and the staff  - pride

-          “pride” & “proud” used 27 times in Psalms & Proverbs

• Proverbs 13:10 & 16:18

The comfort of God as my protector and my guide gives us hope

-          Isaiah 40:28-31

o   I can soar, I can run, I can walk