Matthew 10:16……….Working

Matthew 10:16……….Working

10:16 I am sending you out like sheep (Defenseless, vulnerable, easy-pray.) among wolves. (Expresses work will be dangerous and hazardous.) Therefore be as shrewd as snakes (5429-wise prudent, sensible. Jesus is not suggesting that we be crafty and deceptive. But is using the positive shrewdness of the snake as being smart, sharp, watchful, aware, street-wise.) and as innocent as doves. (gentle, harmless, blameless, inoffensive-M.B.V. Taken together believers are to have a combination of wisdom and gentleness. To know how to witness and preach without needlessly provoking or offending.)

Continued From Book

“Teaches ministry is going to be risky often leaving ourselves vulnerable to attack..” ⇒ Serving the Lord can be risky. We might risk being called a Jesus freak, bible thumper, holy-roller, etc. We might risk losing our reputation. We might risk losing our friends. We might risk losing our job. We might risk losing our family. Have you ever had someone say something unkind to you or about you? We’ve all have had that experience. Becoming victims of slander or malicious gossip can be difficult to bear. However, God calls us to exhibit a very specific kind of response in such circumstances. As Christians we should expect to be slandered and made fun of. People will make personal attacks on us trying to destroy our reputation, our character, our joy, our peace. Instead of responding with anger and hate. We are called to bear our injuries with joy, patience, love, and gentleness. We’re to imitate Christ and respond with with love and kindness.

“Warns if not gentle like doves we can end up contradicting the Gospel message of peace we are trying to proclaim.” ⇒ Does your conduct adorn the Gospel of grace? Does your walk match your talk? Most of the disrepute that comes upon Christ is because believers are living undisciplined lives. How many Christian leaders have ruined their opportunity to speak and evangelize because of personal scandals. Or on a more personal note. If your non-Christian coworkers are doing a better job about their language and behavior at work than you. How much credibility do you have? How is that going to effect your ability to witness to them? Or if you can win every theological debate at school or work, and then your personal morals and devotion to Christ is lacking your not being as wise as a snake or innocent as a dove. If your witnessing to your teammates and then go get drunk with them after the game, your neither wise nor innocent. If we have any hope of influencing non-believers we need to make sure that our conduct and behavior is worthy of the name “Christian”!

“Even today, we need to use wisdom and gentleness in knowing how to share the Gospel without needlessly provoking, offending, or attacking.” ⇒ We shouldn’t get defensive, angry, or try to get in the last word. We need to be tactful about when to engage other people and when to walk away. We need to know the right time to witness to others.

Additional Notes & Applications    

Sheep in the midst of wolves is a scary thought. Many argue no self-respecting shepherd would expose vulnerable sheep to wolves. Jesus would make a lousy shepherd. Leaders are supposed to protect the ones they lead. Yet here, the Gospel casts Jesus in the role of a reckless leader who demands an equally reckless vulnerability from his followers……… (To be continued)

WOLVES TODAY……

• People who will try to manipulate and use us

• People who are false disciples

• People who will try to twist the truth of scripture

• People who

HOW SHEEP HANDLE WOLVES….

• Know when it’s best to pray for them

• Be open and understanding of their objections