The Superiority and Splendor of Jesus Christ

     The Book of Psalms is the largest and perhaps the most widely used book of the Bible.  The reason is that it explores the full range of human experiences in a very personal and practical way.  Psalms is the hymnal of the Bible.  The word psalm comes from a Hebrew word meaning, "a poem sung to musical accompaniment."  Written over a lengthy period of Israel's history, the book of Psalms has a wide range of subject matter (jubilation, lament, war, peace, worship, judgment, praise,and messianic prophecy).  Many of the psalms specifically anticipate the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Messiah (known as the "Messianic Psalms").  Psalms 22, 23 and 24 are historically known as the "Shepherd Psalms."

     Psalms 22, 23, and 24 bear an interesting relationship with one another.  In Psalm 22, Christ is the Savior,  in 23 Christ is the Shepherd, and in 24 He is the Sovereign.  In Psalm 22 Christ Dies for His sheep; in 23 He Cares for His sheep, and in 24 He Rules His sheep.  Psalm 22 tells of Christ's Grace; 23 tells of His Guidance, and 24 tells of His Glory.  In Psalm 22 we see the Cross, in 23 we see the Shepherd's Crook, and in 24 we see the Crown.  Psalm 22 is past, 23 is present, and 24 is future.  Truly, Jesus Christ's Supremacy and Splendor reigns over all things and every one.

Restoring Pastoral Integrity

PRESUPPOSITION:  Pastoral Integrity Must Be Restored.  Today, Christian Ministry is suspect largely in part to the lack of integrity in pastoral ministry.  Christianity is increasingly becoming the object of unnecessary ridicule, scorn, and critticism.  Some indignaation is to be expected because of the believer's relationship to Jesus Christ.  Jesus said of believers, "I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, eveen as I am not of the world" (John 17:14).  Consequently, some ridicule, scorn, and criticism are to be expected.  However, there is a great deal of criticism leveled against the body of Christ because of the inconsistency seen in pastoral leadership.  Much of this is in large measure due to the number of uncalled, untrained, and unqualified men who serve as shepherds over God's flock.  Horror stories abound regarding pastors and other church leaders who drink, smoke, gamble, and use profanity.  Other pastors and church leaders are accused of having resorted to a flirtatious and sexually promiscuous lifestyle.  Still others are said to be manipulators, using their church authority to accomplish their personal goals and agendas.  As a result, disenchanted church members have all but abandoned mainline denominations and some have even embraced religious cults.  We need pastoral integrity restored.  We need every pastor to seriously consider what God says as to the basic qualification of the pastor ("The bishop must be above reproach", 1 Tim. 3:1-2)