Psalm 23 is, as we saw previously, a psalm for sheep. It is a psalm that shows the sufficiency of the Shepherd and therefore the satisfaction that the sheep should find in Him. Having previously considered our relationship to the Shepherd, our resolve to find our satisfaction in the Shepherd, our rest in the Shepherd, and the restoration that comes from the Shepherd when we fall, we will now consider the reassurance received from the Shepherd, the revelations that the Shepherd affords His sheep of Himself, and the rewards that the sheep receive from the Shepherd. In light of all these things, we must resolve to want the Shepherd above all else.

Drunkenness is destructive. It therefore is to have no place in the Christian’s life. Paul makes this point in Ephesians 5:18, but, as he has done throughout this passage (4:17ff), he balances a divine prohibition with a divine replacement: “Be filled with the Spirit.” In essence, Paul is exhorting Christians to sober living.

In this study, we will begin another long section of practical Christian living, relating to congregational life, family life, workplace relationships, and the wider world. Verse 18 provides the foundation for success in all of these areas. As we do so, we will see that we must first understand the context before we look to obey the commands.

There are only two types of people in this world—sheep and goats. Psalm 23 is a song for sheep. It contains Great wisdom for those who are God’s sheep. Those who are God’s sheep will seek the Shepherd. Psalm 23 helps us to do that.

Perhaps as a Christian, having entered into relationship with God, you have resolved to follow Him alone. You experience rest because you know that your Shepherd feeds and frees you. But before long you find that things have gone too well, and before long you fall and find yourself in need of restoration. Psalm 23, specifically v. 3, helps us to see something of what it means to be in need of restoration.

Psalm 67 was written as a celebration of the harvest at Pentecost. But it also typifies the celebration of a greater harvest—a spiritual harvest among the nations. Israel had a divine mission: to glorify God among the nations. And yet the nation often found itself in a mess. When it did, it needed divine mercy to help it fulfil its divine mission. The same is true of the local church in the new covenant era.

Ephesians 5 is in some ways a chapter of contrasts. If the previous passage contrasted light with darkness, this passage contrasts wisdom with folly, wise living with foolish living. The contrasts are not unrelated. Those who have been given light are to wisely live like it. Our current text draws our attention to three areas of wise living: (1) We are to walk carefully (v. 15); (2) we are to invest economically (v. 16); and (3) we are to live thoughtfully (v. 17).

What is the ultimate outcomes of the Great Commission? When it is properly exercised, we can expect the gospel to have impact on the world at large, the church militant, and the church triumphant.

The logistical outworking of the commission has been left to the church by Christ. To effectively execute the commission the following are vital: a gospel-structured church, a gospel-focused church, gospel-passionate men and women, gospel-driven giving, and gospel-spiritual support (through prayer).

What does the Great Commission entail? Acts 13 sheds some light on this question. Biblically, the missions agency of God’s choosing is the local church. In the local church, missionaries are commissioned by gifting, testing, calling and sending. Members are more generically commissioned to serve as evangelists. And the church is commissioned to care for and support those it sends to the mission field.

What is the message that we proclaim in the Great Commission? It begins with the bad news—exposure of sin and depravity. It continues with the good news—God’s free offer of grace. And continues with hopeful news—the hope of eternal glory.