This teaching by pastor Barry Forder was recorded at Calvary Chapel Portsmouth on the 24th March 2019.
In the early hours of Friday 22nd March 2019, Heaven welcomed a special guest home to a banquet table that had been prepared for her (Psalm 23:5). Linda Bennett had been a part of the Calvary Portsmouth church family for many years and had taught in Sunday School those who have now gone on to serve the LORD in various ministries elsewhere around the world. Linda also had a tremendous gift of encouragement and was used of the LORD to counsel and encourage individuals and couples alike. To many in the fellowship, Linda was like a second mum! – and she was a great cook too!
But it is possibly for her ministry in teaching other women that Linda is best remembered. Linda taught at a number of woman’s conferences and led the Calvary Portsmouth ladies Bible Study for many years. We are blessed to have some of Linda’s teaching on this web site – see Linda’s Blog – ‘Above Rubies‘, for studies on ‘The Names of God’, ‘Bloom Where You Are Planted’ and ‘Proverbs 31: Above Rubies’
https://www.calvaryportsmouth.co.uk/category/above-rubies/
Linda had a deep love for God’s Word, and among many of her favourite passages was Psalm 23 – ‘The Sheep’s Psalm’. Therefore it seemed appropriate to take a week off our verse-by-verse study of 1 Timothy and for this week, in honour of Linda and out of gratitude for her faithful witness and ministry, to look at this precious jewel of a Psalm.
Spurgeon said: “There is no inspired title to this psalm, and none is needed, for it records no special event, and needs no other key than that which every Christian may find in his own bosom. It is David’s Heavenly Pastoral; a surpassing ode, which none of the daughters of music can excel. The position of this psalm is worthy of notice. It follows the twenty-second, which is peculiarly the Psalm of the Cross. There are no green pastures, no still waters on the other side of the twenty-second psalm. It is only after we have read, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” that we come to “The Lord is my Shepherd.” We must by experience know the value of blood shedding, and see the sword awakened against the Shepherd, before we shall be able truly to know the Sweetness of the good Shepherd’s care.”
This Psalm is great comfort for all saints, as we begin “to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God”. (Eph 3:18-19)
That a God so mighty would condescend to be our very own personal Shepherd is staggering! Yet He cares for us when we cannot care for ourselves; He protects us againt all enemies; He leads and guides us, all for His great names sake. The shadows we face in this valley of death are just a reminder that the Light is Greater still! What a committmet He has made to us!
May you be strengthened and encouraged by this teaching.
The audio and Powerpoint slides used for this teaching are available to be downloaded free of charge.
