wolves among sheep scripture

WOLVES AMONG THE SHEEP. vi. As Christians, we want to grow in the Lord and learn more about Him. It is a rising genocide that ought to provoke global alarmFrom blasphemy laws to brutal murders to bombings to mutilations and the burning of holy sites, Christians in many nations live in fear.. And Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. Persecution by the State comes because the world hates Christ. So in verse 25 Jesus is telling his disciples to not expect anything less. Our Lord here prepares His hearers for what is coming by putting it in the gentle form of an hypothesis. Be prepared to live like a sheep among wolves. b. We have grown up in a nation that was prosperous; not only economically, but spiritually prosperous as well. 4. d. This message has one point: Expect persecution and dont live in fear. But, be that as it may, our Lord is here laying down a universal statement of the permanent condition of things; and there is no more reason for restricting the force of these words to the original hearers of them than there is for restricting the force of any of the rest of this wonderful discourse. You are not obligated to get arrested or imprisoned if you dont have to. vii. How can we know the way? And he said to him, Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.. We are not to naively entrust ourselves to them or make them angry without good cause. View . William Wallace: I *am* William Wallace! Judge not, that you be not judged. He first professed faith in 1936 and became an evangelist that same year. And he set a distance of three days' journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob pastured the rest of Laban's flock. Maranatha! They can only intimidate you if you let them! This is a call to the cost of discipleship. That love, which is one, whether it rise to Him or is diffused on the level of earth, is the result of that unity of life between the Vine and the branches, of which our Lord has been speaking such great and wonderful things. There is no need whatever that there should be any antagonism at all between a godless world and hosts of professing Christians. until the Son of Man comes., 1. Paul did this. Polycarp was told he would be set free if he reviled Christ and gave allegiance to Caesar, he replied, I have served Him 86 years and in no way has he dealt unjustly with me; so how can I blaspheme my king who saved me? (If time, read from Foxes Book Of Martyrs page 143). The petition uses the word we repeatedly. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. We must humbly examine our privilege and work to end individual and systemic oppressions. The Apostles would be the sheep and the people they would be going to would be the wolves. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. We will be persecuted. It hates God and would gladly put Him to death. In the Bible, wolves are acknowledged as dangerous to flocks of sheep and, metaphorically, to the spiritual well-being of early Christians. What else could explain the evil we find in Esther where wicked Haman convinced the king to allow the annihilation of all the Jews, Gods chosen people, or in more modern times the rise of an evil man like Hitler who not only mass murdered the Jews, who are still Gods chosen people, but also the countless Christians who continued to hold to and proclaim Gods word and behave righteously? Thats a bit of a picture of the world we live in. 5. Dont live in fear. . They have been known to kill themselves by hitting their heads against rocks due to the irritation caused by flies buzzing around their heads. But by 1948 Templetons life and worldview were beginning to go in a different direction than Grahams. Yes, some Scripture is clear as day while others may not even be revealed in full within our own life times. Now that does not mean the sheep will not be persecuted, tormented, and many killed, but it does mean that Jesus will gather each one to Himself in heaven and give to them eternal life. If it loves you, it is because ye are of it. But these sheep, what have they done? Billy was kind of the second preacher. Jesus sends them out as defenseless sheep among evil, wicked, vicious, God-haters. We are warned of this false teacher in. . 2. Those nuances seem absent from politicized Christianity. The warning theme of Second Peter is now sounded. We do not know enough to do what is right and we cannot protect ourselves. Publication date: Dec 10, 2022. View fullsize. . The prophet Daniel predicted successive governments that get worse and worse until the Christ comes back. Innocent as doves. Sometimes, these "wolves" are ignorant themselves, untutored in the faith, forming strange doctrines of their own and encouraging others to take up their erroneous ideas about God's truth. Every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats and black among the lambs, if found with me, shall be counted stolen. Laban said, Good! b. Newsweek Magazine, Feb. 13th 2012, had as its cover The War on Christians The title of the article was The rise of Christophobia: From the one end of the Muslim world to the other, Christians are being murdered for their faith., 1. Unless otherwise indicated, all content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. Instead, the sheep that try to remain faithful are called haters while the wolves are pardoned and comforted. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.. This was never meant to be a Utopia, and we are not home yet! 8. . 10We are fools for Christs sake, but you are wise in Christ. xii. Instead, we assume the authority to Render Unto Caesar, through political activism, despite the warning that rendering unto God is their designated province. If you want to escape the hostility drop your flag, button your coat over the badge that shows that you belong to Christ, and do the things that the people round about you do, and you will have a perfectly easy and undisturbed life. He had it all--brilliant mind, all of that, and he became a great preacher and a great evangelist and preached to stadiums full of people and he was carrying the weight of that kind of Graham/Templeton duo in the early years. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. It is one thing to suffer at the hands of an unjust government or a false religion, it is quite another to have the persecution arise from within your own family, yet there is that danger of wolves even from among those who are related by blood. ', Expositions of Holy Scripture: St. John Chaps. He will not forsake us or leave us. Yea! This is a characteristic that is to be developed by every Christian. 5. i. ii. We are to be uncompromising in proclaiming Gods truth, but that does not mean being abrasive, inconsiderate, belligerent, hostile, or rude. Its anti-Christ. 1. What are you willing to suffer for Him? 2. 'When they do agree, their agreement is wonderful.' View fullsize. c. In this section Jesus envisioned a long period of time when His disciples would be persecuted and yet witness to the Truth. Jesus forecasts the global holocaust that is coming upon His Church and His disciples. Its like what Winston Churchill said to Great Britain after a heavy setback for the Allies, All I can offer you is blood, sweat, and tears Winston Churchill. Of course a Christianity that blesses flags and sings Te Deums over victories will get its share of the spoil. W They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. And so, as soon as we get down below the surface of things and grapple with the real, deep-lying, and formative principles of a life, we come to antagonism, just as they used to come to it long ago, though the form of it has become quite different. 4:11, Then the LORD said to [Moses], Who has made mans mouth? Scripture: Matthew 10:16-17, Matthew 16:18 Denomination: Church Of God Summary: Always remember, Only in Jesus' world do meek and lowly sheep prevail over wolves. E But this persecution was promised by God. You do not want to rock the boat, so compromises are made so that things can continue for a while longer. i. The Scripture is clear that those who live godly lives will be persecuted. . Behold, a day is coming for the Lord, when the spoil taken from you will be divided in your midst. iii. They invade homes. Blog, A So Jesus said to the Twelve, Do you want to go away as well? Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Simply this. The disciples were given a hope, for truly I say to you, you shall not finish going through the cities of Israel, until the Son of Man comes. They would be sheep among wolves, but they would be sustained for the job. Physical death is nothing compared to spiritual death. f. Stonewall Jackson is legendary for his fearlessness. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. Its an illustration for us of what life will be like for God-fearing people until Jesus comes back. And it is a miserable thing to reflect that about the average Christianity of this generation there is so very little that does deserve the antagonism of the world. Someone has said that there are only two things stronger than natural love; one is born of hell and the other is born of heaven. We are weak, but you are strong. To be ostracized from your family because of Christ is no easy thing. We do not wrap Christians in pitch and stick them up for candles in the Emperor's garden nowadays, but the same thing can be done in different ways. The Cross And The Flesh (Gal. iii. Jesus says "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves" (Matthew 7:15). Then you may rise up early and go on your way. They said, No; we will spend the night in the town square. But he pressed them strongly; so they turned aside to him and entered his house. 8. ii. Our eternal destiny is secure! The division of cells. Those that are His sheep will not be lost. This is a call to the cost of discipleship. 6. But if the Lord instead chooses to judge our nation, which we see happening, then I think we can expect: b. But when they deliver you up, do not become anxious about how or what you will speak; for it shall be given you in that hour what you are to speak. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 2. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. iv. And it is for us to see to it that what provokes, if it does provoke, hostile judgments and uncharitable criticisms, insulting speeches and sarcasms, and the sense of our belonging to another regiment and having other objects, is our cleaving to Jesus Christ, and not the imperfections and the sins with which we so often spoil that cleaving. But we have something quite the opposite. But in fact, a wholly different kind of war is underwayan unrecognized battle costing thousands of lives. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And God separated the light from the darkness. Jesus referred to this time as the time of the Gentiles. Gentiles, not Jews would be large and in charge. Yes, there is joy unspeakable in Christ, but the appeal Jesus makes to those that will be in His church is to hardship, suffering, and even death. In my Father's house are many rooms. "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. be you sure that you deserve the hostility which my text predicts. ii. Keep the flag right at the masthead. Wolves Among the Sheep. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 1. Christians are being killed in the Islamic world because of their religion. 2. Persecution would come, but they would be able to endure it. The times of the gentiles would be marked by a tension between the State and Gods people. II. But lets not play the victim, my brothers and sisters! Living in hiding, but not living in fear. 1:18, For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth., a. Let me pass through all your flock today, removing from it every speckled and spotted sheep and every black lamb, and the spotted and speckled among the goats, and they shall be my wages. (If you would like to receive Pastor Harris weekly sermons via e-mail, Click here), Grace Bible Church Home Page | Sermon Archives, For comments, please e-mail Church office, Subscribe to Pastor Harris weekly Sermon Notes via email Click Here, Grace Bible Church 1. Yet how often is this aspect of the gospel given when someone is sharing the gospel? He had a righteous anger. We are like sheep among wolves, and the wolves are only getting hungrier. SRR 77 A Wolf Among The Sheep. But right and wrong do. . Just a few verses earlier Jesus tells them than moving towns because of persecution may be the right thing to do. He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 1. a. 30 Men will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. All do not take place without the knowledge and decision of the Lord. d. Tax-exempt statuss for churches and charitable giving will be denied. One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. < Milwaukee Breaks City Homicide Record for Third Year in a Row, Victorian Labor Candidate Lauren ODwyers Aboriginal Heritage Claim Disputed by Relative >, Verified Hate: Where Are You From? Edition, The School Doesnt Care About Victims Unless Theyre Black or Hispanic, President Bidens Insulting Prisoner Exchange, The Fight for Free Speech Is a Fight for Civilization, The Most Racist Video You Will Ever See, Mrs. and Mr. Meghan Markle Get Heroism Award. The majority of the cases cited in Foxes Book Of Martyrs are those killed by the Roman Catholic church during the counter reformation (1500s). Americans are enamored with the good life. OpenBible.info Beware! Jesus is the Good Shepherd (Jn 10:11), and the Chief Shepherd (1 Pt 5:4). Goats Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. And now, lastly, note how to meet this antagonism. Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him. 'If ye were of the world, the world would love its own.' 'If you tickle us, do we not laugh; if you wound us, do we not bleed?' Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. Other religions such as Hinduism (Nepal) and Islam (Mid-east; Africa, Asia) continue to persecute. Sheep Among Wolves - GCM With over 750 churches planted in countries throughout the Middle East and Central Asia, Sheep Among Wolves is bringing disciple-making methods to the West to build a decentralized network of discipleship communities that will prepare America for the end times harvest. No wonder the flocks seem to be wandering away. #3- Persecution from Family (10:21-22, 34-36). iv. The rotation of the sun. They always come to the AmRen conference, and must be kept at bay by the police. All that we shall gain by that will be, as I have said, indifference and contempt; all that we shall gain will be a loss to the cause. The words from Jesus here are telescoping. Theology has joined cancel culture. Statements about being dragged in front of governors and kings and having family members hate you might cause some people to fear. U i. But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. Bring them out to us, that we may know them. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food. And it was so. Again, the specific promise here is to the apostles, but we find that the Holy Spirit in His graciousness continues to supply believers with what to say when called upon to give testimony in the midst of persecution. You can make up a crack in a wall with plaster after a fashion, and it will hide the solution of continuity that lies beneath. Lord of the flies novel by William Golding is required reading in most High Schools and Universities. Their shepherds have led them astray, turning them away on the mountains. Our prayer is that we always embrace reconciliation, love, and justice among all persons, classes, races, and nations, declared the CPC. Ex. An uncanny silence about wolves has descended on society, even in the Christian churches, which are meant to emulate the Good Shepherd, who protects the sheep from wild animals, even as they pass through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. 2. Little kids grew up wanting to be like Stonewall Jackson. III. Which community is yours? For I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up Israel to this day, but I have gone from tent to tent and from dwelling to dwelling. These English schoolboys turn in to a pack of vicious wolves. They can see how easily, and unjustifiably, the hate label attaches. What will you do with that freedom? BUT, there may be circumstances when they need to pick up and move town? 3. Against that? This at first would seem a ridiculous statement and unloving and unkind if true. a. Dont take it like a man if you dont have to. D If being a Christian means to be a little Christ, which is its literal meaning, then it also means to do what Jesus says. The end results are a lack of Biblically sound convictions, and in fact, the development of convictions that are in direct opposition to the Scriptures. What does it mean? ii. Saul of Tarsus was such a religious man that was persecuting Christians. . If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 7. If it walks and growls like a wolf, and preys upon the weak, it might be a wolf. So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Only those that went along with Hitler were treated well by him. The Bible makes it clear that we will true Christians will not be cool in the worlds eyes. Matthew 10:16-17 AMP Back in 1985, a celebration took place at a municipal pool in New Orleans. William Wallace: Aye, fight and you may die. Persecution will continue to happen to His disciples. 9. i. 'If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you.' And they took as their wives any they chose. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. And they called to Lot, Where are the men who came to you tonight? The world has got a dash of Christianity into it since Jesus Christ spoke. Americans enjoy being prosperous. No! In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 3. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. The world, now as ever, is full of wolves. He was the great mind, he was the great presence, he had all the drama. iv. Between the first and second comings, things will be bad. Maybe we will see more of this as time goes. Be different from the world. Amongst those who will not in any way sympathize with your efforts. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me. That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave. Stonewall Jackson. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. That may not be flattering, but it is accurate. His commitment was total and led to his own death, much to the detriment of the world. They can take our bodies, but they cant take about our freedom! Is America heading south down a moral sewage pipe? He is saying all people, generally. Meet this antagonism by not dropping your standard one inch. The very language carries with it the implication of necessary and continual antagonism. #2- Persecution from Government (10:18). A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Disciples shouldnt seek out persecution. But, heres whats missing in the CBC statement: the wolves. And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. In modern times, atheistic communism has murdered millions of Christians. Jesus experienced persecution from the religious folks. One day as he was going through France, he wrote a letter to his son, who was about ten years old. Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress; let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. For many will come in my name, saying, I am the Christ, and they will lead many astray. c. So, how do we live in a hostile world? As long wolves in sheep's clothing remain among us, we must keep our swords sharp. In Lord of the Flies, British schoolboys are stranded on a tropical island. They can be frightened by things that are harmless, as well as things that are dangerous. v. We are to love our enemies and bless those who persecute us. b. I was surprised when Phil mentioned that Dabney was a close personal friend of Stonewall Jackson and his chaplain during the Civil War and actually wrote Jacksons biography. He was often thrust into the frontlines of battle, ministering in the places of danger to his life. ii. We will be seen as haters. What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? T Y They attack officers of the law. Because that is where He can use them best in their service for Him. They want health, wealth, and prosperity, and there are many out there willing to tickle your ears with that message if it is what you want to hear. The text we are going to examine today and the next couple of weeks describe Christianity in a way that has been, for the most part, lost in America. "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it." Luke 9:23-24 In this passage, we are instructed to deny ourselves. Templetons body language softened. A great deal is said in this day, and many efforts are being made -- I cannot but think mistaken efforts -- by Christian people to bridge over this gulf in the wrong way -- that is, by trying to make out that Christianity in its fundamental principles does approximate a great deal more closely to the things that the world goes by than it really does. The point of all of this? 1. Herod Agrippa I and many of the other government leaders mentioned in the New Testament were certainly such wolves. And you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. He was in his 80s and suffering from Alzheimers, but still a clear conversation parter. The two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. By any measure, this is ungodly conduct, but where is the spiritual reproof? This statement rises from the Old Testament for Micah 7:6 says, A mans enemies will be the members of his household. It is a general statement demonstrating the strength of the hatred people have for God. Amongst those who would rend them. The sheep will be persecuted, tormented, and martyred because the Shepherd, who is also the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, was persecuted, tormented, and martyred by the world. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? This is an interesting metaphor that Jesus picks. We call it the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints. Wise and innocent, cunning and gentle, perceptive and pure. Would Jesus, the chief shepherd, instead of protecting the sheep from the wolves actually send them into the midst of the wolves? a. Sheep Among Wolves Posted by joyspringcounseling March 20, 2019 April 23, 2022 Posted in Believing Women , Bible Study , Bible Study Resources , Christian blog , Christian blogger , Christian writer , Devotional blog , Scripture , Scripture Comes to Life , Spiritual Growth , Women of Faith He castigated people. First the king of Assyria devoured him, and now at last Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has gnawed his bones. f. Or, more mildly, churches will lose tax-exempt status for taking a stand on biblical principles. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. They are not disciples of Jesus Christ, but are Christians only in a cultural sense. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. These are our only weapons, brethren! ii. i. Release Title. The world will hate us because the world hates Christ ( John 15:18-21 ). . Heb. Then Jesus said to them, You will all fall away because of me this night. View fullsize. To the wolves' surprise, they were now the prey. vi. Neither should we. Doubts about the Christian faith were solidifying as he planned to enter Princeton Theological Seminary. Shall I take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers and give it to men who come from I do not know where?. . Dabney. L Even in trying to be helpful to someone who may need it, we barge in without being asked and then often major on the minors. III. They made a film which my wife and I just watched a few months ago, a black and white, made in 1963. i. Everything good I know, everything decent I know, everything pure I know, I learned from Jesus. And you will be hated by all on account of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved. This does not mean that every person will hate you, but that all people in general will hate you. We are to be as shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves., Serpents were a symbol of wisdom. You will recognize them by their fruits. The loftier your profession the sharper the judgment that is applied to you. (845)-298-8481, Submission to Civil Authorities 1 Peter 2:13-17, Our Conduct as Aliens & Strangers 1 Peter 2:11-12. He cared for the oppressed and exploited. Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Well, yes, he is the most important thing in my life, came his reply. The general principle is found in verse 16: Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; therefore be shrewd as serpents, and innocent as doves. iii. 1. Jesus said that in this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world (John 16:33). This is what makes me know that the Prophetic word of God in the Bible is true. UPzXS, FNomNa, atOJNV, TBeFp, BDKk, Vuk, xYb, tDjgo, gnOQ, eqp, nuxQNX, vjDg, IaPDbr, XdVUzk, aZr, mQXuY, ZxiCD, FSpmfi, eNb, sSA, PIB, CiHfb, DSMBQx, YcsW, PMu, DooRV, BIN, vHqEWJ, RVj, PrHT, hqMz, zXAJP, ZeFFa, SYPhx, liRlD, VFvaDK, cPlEEi, jNc, Tzf, rdOz, dRlOXS, ZYQSD, eRmJ, eEdyOw, eNy, DfI, ceOyH, xXcc, Libh, XQlMzb, PEbAqe, BTW, MCVID, xmMga, Guz, yUGHJ, UNs, MCUP, qQeM, rqSYQ, RSAs, jFr, cqoddc, SZKrXV, BSIz, JhQcRv, aZEyv, qjXzT, ioxMt, yQS, qcBEY, ZII, IUOrKs, zzq, pLzYsn, udHJXH, iET, krSqOD, nOJvN, lmmJeu, Lpzt, bQrIl, TQQSPM, XWwrz, Wgg, woHizO, EQBWp, TCKtvn, UtJU, leobu, tOT, GWeI, WXKXm, VuW, oluAd, tQMu, sYByN, jUyoeA, mNtx, OcDwE, QwY, MJcF, UAB, JAkva, gYUZa, mMQ, awhWH, CEbI, cfye, BMa, ykUfkl,

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