Matthew 10:16 – Feeding in the Midst of Wolves – Bible study

Matt 10:16 Feeding in the Midst of Wolves The verses sounds very much like a lesson in zoology than theology. Four types of animals are mentioned – wolves, sheep, doves, and serpents. The message of the verse before us is one of warning. Jesus was warning His disciples concerning the world in which He was sending them. It was to be their home and place of ministry, but just because He left them there, that does not mean it was safe. It wasnt. If it was not safe for them, how much less is it safe for us who live in the last of the last days? I. The Lord compared the lost world to a pack of wolves. A. This is not my comparison but Jesus. 1. It is Jesus who compares the lost world to wolves. 2. The next four words recorded are "But beware of men" and for the next three verses, Jesus described four ways they would behave as wolves toward them. B. Wolves: 1. Wolves are predicators. a. Wolves, like many other animals in the wild, have an automatic mind set. (1) To them, its either you or them. You can live or they can eat. (2) That attitude makes them aggressive and deadly. (3) Wolf packs will kill anything, even many times their own size including large elk, moose, bear, even humans. (4) Robert Lipskoch was amazed and angered when the government reintroduced the wolf into the wild in and around Idaho. He said there were few things as fearful as coming upon a single wolf let alone a pack of them, especially when a single wolf can weigh more than you. b. There are two sources of power in this world – God and Satan. (1) These two powers are exclusive to one another and opposed to one another. (2) Accepting the one automatically places you against the other. c. That is why the Bible teaches us: James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 2. Wolves are able to kill prey much larger than themselves because they travel and hunt in packs. a. Elements of the world are presently united against Christianity and anything pure. b. Examples are all around us. (1) Big business wants to put down Christianity. (a) Not merry Christmas, but happy holidays. (b) Holiday tree (c) Nativity scenes are being banned across the country and the world – cites in Sweden, Germany, Canada, and America. http://www.snopes.com/sweden-bans-christmas-lights/ (2) Liberals & progressives, median, education, big business, and major sections of our government joining together against Christ. Pro 16:5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. (a) I have noticed how the media is portraying those who run against their candidates as being hate elections. The Philippines, the US, Italy, and now Austria. (b) The definition of hate crimes will change. 3. Wolves are cunning, deceptive, tricky. a. It is their multiple attacks at once that allow them to attack you from the rear. b. The world cloaks their goals in words of rights and equality for everyone. c. While no one is against equal opportunities and equal pay, there are not only rights there are also wrongs. II. Gods people are the sheep. A. Sheep are the wolves dinner and Jesus compared the Christian to the sheep. Why? B. Sheep are foolish and defenseless. 1. They will walk off the edge of a cliff or into a stream of moving water. http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/offbeat/2005-07-08-sheep- suicide_x.htm 450 sheep jump to their deaths in Turkey ISTANBUL, Turkey (AP) First one sheep jumped to its death. Then stunned Turkish shepherds, who had left the herd to graze while they had breakfast, watched as nearly 1,500 others followed, each leaping off the same cliff, Turkish media reported. In the end, 450 dead animals lay on top of one another in a billowy white pile, the Aksam newspaper said. Those who jumped later were saved as the pile got higher and the fall more cushioned, Aksam reported. The estimated loss to families in the town of Gevas tops $100,000. 2. They have no defense at all. a. As far as defense, sheep cant bite, kick, butt, claw or scratch. b. They have no camouflage. c. Even the sound they make is lacking. 3. They have no real abilities. a. They cant fly or dig or swim. (1) The Palmist in Psalm 23 says the Shepherd leads the sheep beside "still" waters. (2) A sheep drinking out of a swift river can get its wool wet, fall in, and drown. (3) That pretty well means that they dont even walk or stand all that well! b. Neither do they climb or run well. 4. If attacked, they are helpless. C. This is the case of the Christians. Our only power and protection is in the Lord. Psalms 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. III. What commands does the Lord give to us? A. He "sends" us. Matt 10:16 Behold, I send you forth. 1. Jesus, fully knowing and acknowledging what He was doing, sends us as sheep into this world of wolves. 2. That means some things: a. It means no hostility, no danger, no threat, and no repercussion should stop us from doing the Lords work. b. It means the work is more important than the worker. (1) The Lords work is about winning lost souls to Jesus. (2) God deems that lost soul more important than any Christians wellbeing. (3) I read again an account which I am given to believe was true. An older man was invited to speak to high school gathering of rowdy teenagers. He had some remarks being seeing that did not have the attention of the group he laid his notes aside and told a story of man, his son, and a friend of his son who were sailing together when a strong storm came up. The man and his son were experienced sailors but the waves were too great and they capsized. The father came up near the boat but both of the young men were being swept out to sea. He found a rope and felt he had time to throw it to one youth and pull them in before they were out of reach. He knew his son was a Christian and the friend was not. He called to his son, "I love you and I will see you in heaven!" and threw the rope to his friend. The two were rescued but the mans son was lost. After the program was over, two of the teens who the man had noticed were not paying attention to his prepared remarks came to him. "Why would a father do that?" one asked. "The father knew that he would see his son in heaven because he was saved. He also knew if the friend died, his soul would be lost forever. He chose to try to save both the life and the soul of the friend." "No man would do that," the youth answered. "Yes they would," the man argued. "You see, I am that father." B. Be harmless as doves. 1. Doves are like sheep in their docile nature except they have the means of flying away. a. They are known for their peaceful, loving nature. b. They lack speed and maneuverability, but they can sometimes get away. c. So the Lord is telling us to run when we have to. Mt 10:23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another. 2. We may run but two things we must never do: a. We must never quit. b. We must never turn to violence. More and more violence is going to be preached and used by both the wolves and the sheep. We are not a part of that group! We will be persecuted as if we were, but we are not! Do not resort to violence. Do not sympathize with violence. Do not condone violence! C. Be wise as serpents. 1. Serpents is the Biblical word for snakes. 2. To some extent, most snakes prefer to run than to fight. a. Snakes are small and camouflaged. They are hard to see. b. Snakes are usually silent. Not in the sense that we do not say anything but in the sense that we are not all mouth and no action. c. Some snakes are quite deadly, but most snakes run away. 3. The characteristic that the Lord gives to the serpent is wisdom. a. BE WISE ENOUGH TO BE SAVED! (1) God never pretends salvation is not without its sacrifices. (a) sin (b) selfishness (c) Even to becoming a sheep (2) However, the sacrifices are always worth it. (a) payment for your sins (b) peace, power, purpose for life (c) fellowship with God for eternity b. BE WISE ENOUGH TO HAVE JESUS PERSON AND POWER. (1) Need the Word. (2) Need to pray. Matthew 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. (3) Need to believe. (4) Need to obey. c. BE WISE ENOUGH TO LIVE ABOVE REPROACH. Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 1. One of our main objective is to do right! 2. Obey the laws of the land – regardless of how much it costs us – until they conflict with the Word of God. 3. When you can no longer do that, endure the persecution and if necessary, the incarceration with joy! d. BE WISE ENOUGH TO KNOW THE ENEMY. 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 1. He will take you away from the Word of God. 2. He will deceive you with his illusions of happiness and prosperity. 3. He will entangle you in the web of sin. 4. He will make you think you cannot get out. e. BE WISE ENOUGH TO KNOW THE FUTURE. 1 Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. Christianity is not easy and it is not safe. It is a service to God which reqires all. The question is, "Are we prepared to give it?"