1. DISCIPLESHIP PT.1: FOLLOW THE LEADER

2. DISCIPLESHIP PT.1: Follow The Leader (Psalms 23) INTRODUCTION: (1.)King David says in Psalms 23:1 “The Lord is my shepherd.” *Shepherd- one who “LEADS” and guides sheep. *Shepherd- one who “LEADS” and guides sheep. *Leader- one who has “FOLLOWERS.” *Leader- one who has “FOLLOWERS.” -David’s statement, “The Lord is my shepherd” is really a -David’s statement, “The Lord is my shepherd” is really a commitment to “FOLLOW” the Lord. commitment to “FOLLOW” the Lord. (2.)David implies, there are benefits to following the Lord. *VS.1 I shall not want (Provision). *VS.1 I shall not want (Provision). *VS.2 He makes me lie down in green pastures (Rest). *VS.2 He makes me lie down in green pastures (Rest). *VS.2 He leads me beside still waters (Peace). *VS.2 He leads me beside still waters (Peace). *VS.3 He restores my soul (Restoration). *VS.3 He restores my soul (Restoration). *VS.3 He leads me in paths of (Righteousness). *VS.3 He leads me in paths of (Righteousness).

3. DISCIPLESHIP PT.1: Follow The Leader (Psalms 23) INTRODUCTION: (3.)David does not just “FOLLOW” the Lord for his benefits. *VS.4 “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow *VS.4 “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death….” of death….” -David is so committed to following his Lord that he -David is so committed to following his Lord that he follows him into a dark valley absent the benefits. follows him into a dark valley absent the benefits.BODY: (A.)Disciple- “FOLLOWER” of Jesus. *Jesus wants “followers;” NOT just admirers. *Jesus wants “followers;” NOT just admirers. -Admirers follow Jesus at a distance just for the benefits. -Admirers follow Jesus at a distance just for the benefits. -Followers follow Jesus closely EVEN through rough -Followers follow Jesus closely EVEN through rough terrain. terrain.

4. DISCIPLESHIP PT.1: Follow The Leader (Psalms 23) BODY: (B.)What does it take to make this kind of commitment to the Lord? *As king (leader of Israel), David has three thing: *As king (leader of Israel), David has three thing: (1.)Position (1.)Position (2.)Power (2.)Power (3.)Prestige (3.)Prestige *Most people who have these things won’t submit to anyone. *Most people who have these things won’t submit to anyone. -Humility is required for this kind of commitment to God. -Humility is required for this kind of commitment to God.

5. DISCIPLESHIP PT.1: Follow The Leader (Psalms 23) BODY: (C.)VS.4 David says that he has no fear in the valley because ‘God is with him….’ *David is not the only one committed in this relationship. *David is not the only one committed in this relationship. -Relationship Analogy: Relationships are two-way! -Relationship Analogy: Relationships are two-way! *When we commit to Jesus; Jesus commits to us! *When we commit to Jesus; Jesus commits to us! (D.)2 Things happens when we follow God? (1.)When we follow God, we have his presence (1.)When we follow God, we have his presence *VS.4 God is with David ‘IN THE VALLEY.’ *VS.4 God is with David ‘IN THE VALLEY.’ -If God doesn’t deliver us, ‘Is just his presence enough?’ -If God doesn’t deliver us, ‘Is just his presence enough?’

6. DISCIPLESHIP PT.1: Follow The Leader (Psalms 23) BODY: (E.)2 Things happens when we follow God? (2.)When we follow God, our enemies are present. (2.)When we follow God, our enemies are present. *VS.5 God prepares a table for David in the presence of *VS.5 God prepares a table for David in the presence of his enemies. his enemies. -God punishes my enemy not by killing him; but he -God punishes my enemy not by killing him; but he keeps my enemies alive long enough to let them see keeps my enemies alive long enough to let them see me do well. me do well. (F.)VS.6 Because David follows God, God sends GOODNESS & MERCY TO FOLLOW HIM. *The devil is not the only one following us! *The devil is not the only one following us! -Goodness and Mercy ‘follow’ us also. -Goodness and Mercy ‘follow’ us also.

7. DISCIPLESHIP PT.1: Follow The Leader (Psalms 23) CLOSE: (1.)FACEBOOK vs. TWITTER *Facebook give the option of “liking” & “disliking.” *Facebook give the option of “liking” & “disliking.” *Twitter gives the option of “following” someone. *Twitter gives the option of “following” someone. -Jesus would rather Twitter than Facebook. -Jesus would rather Twitter than Facebook. -Jesus wants us to ‘follow’ him; NOT just ‘like’ him. -Jesus wants us to ‘follow’ him; NOT just ‘like’ him.