The Word Unleashed - Radio

Psalm 23 contains one of the most familiar verses in the Bible: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me." You've heard these words before. Maybe they've brought you comfort in difficult times. But even though this verse is familiar, it is often misunderstood.

As King David writes Psalm 23, he wants believers to understand something beautiful: God provides for His sheep. He longs to bring restoration and renewal. He wants to guide them through all of life. Shepherds don't drive their sheep from behind, they walk before their them, guiding them along the path.

According to Psalm 23, our God desires to bring restoration to His sheep because He is a Shepherd-King that truly cares for those who are His. Pastor Tom explains from Psalm 23:3 the incredible truth that God will restore His sheep when they fall into sin—He longs to revive their soul with grace as they humbly come to Him in repentance.

What needs have you brought before the Lord lately? Physical needs? Spiritual longings? Burdens that keep you awake at night? Here's what Psalm 23 reveals: Our Shepherd-King doesn't just hear your prayers—He delights in answering them.

The Bible teaches that when a sinner experiences the grace of God and repents and believes in Jesus Christ, not only is the sinner made spiritually alive, but he now has a new profound relationship with the Lord. But what does this new relationship entail? In Psalm 23, we discover six practical results of our new relationship with God.

Have you placed your trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord? If so, do you understand that Christ is also your Shepherd—your personal, caring, devoted Shepherd. In the most beloved passage in all of Scripture—Psalm 23—King David paints this stunning picture, "The Lord is my shepherd."

The book of Psalms can be defined as a divinely intended record and pattern for worshiping God in prayer and praise. In other words, Psalms is a God-breathed prayer and praise book that not only teaches us about the character and nature of God but also instructs us as believers in how we are to express true and pure worship and praise to Him.

The second half of Acts covers Paul's life and ministry. The text records his profound conversion, growth in Scripture knowledge, arrest in Jerusalem, imprisonment in Caesarea, appeal to Caesar, and journey to Rome for house arrest. There he continued preaching the gospel, so Acts concludes with the gospel traveling from Jerusalem to Rome.

Acts begins with the church's explosive birth at Pentecost through Peter's sermon. Luke then records the church's unstoppable growth amid fierce opposition from Jewish leadership—opposition that culminates in Stephen's heartbreaking martyrdom.

But here's the beautiful irony: this tragic incident not only highlights the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ but actually catapults the good news far beyond Jerusalem's borders.

In Acts 2, Luke, the author of Acts, records the first church service, where the apostle Peter preached the first gospel sermon at Pentecost. There, he explained the Old Testament and proclaimed Jesus as both Lord and Messiah. Peter’s message summarizes the gospel message that was taught by the apostles and the early church.