He sent them and called them to be wise.
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
call to worship
24 This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Giving
7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
Today’s Text:
16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. 18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
“He sent them and called them to be wise.”
“He sent them and called them to be wise.”
the word “behold” Means pay special attention to this!
1. The way we walk is our testimony.
1. The way we walk is our testimony.
16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
a. Sheep in the midst of wolves.
a. Sheep in the midst of wolves.
This is the first of two analogizes in this verse.
we are called to carry the message of the kingdom.
we are to walk as sheep in the midst of wolves.
this points to the power of the Holy Spirit and his power to work among us.
b. Be wise as a serpent and harmless as doves.
b. Be wise as a serpent and harmless as doves.
wisdom here means:
Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon (5429 φρόνιμος)
1 intelligent, wise. 2 prudent, i.e. mindful of one’s interests
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,
How do we abound in wisdom and prudence?
wis•dom \ˈwiz-dəm\ noun
[Middle English, from Old English wīsdōm, from wīs wise] before 12th century
1 a: accumulated philosophic or scientific learning: KNOWLEDGE
b: ability to discern inner qualities and relationships: INSIGHT
c: good sense: JUDGMENT
d: generally accepted belief 〈challenges what has become accepted wisdom among many historians—Robert Darnton〉
2: a wise attitude, belief, or course of action
3: the teachings of the ancient wise men synonym see SENSE
The Definition Of the word wisdom in Websters English Dictionary is.
This comes from the word of God.
6 For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
We must give ourselves to the truth and wisdom from God found in His word.
We need to have relationships with people who will encourage you away from the flesh and wisdom of the world and toward the heart of God.
we need to study things. now here what I am talking about is people who start moving in directions that they “feel lead in” i’m not saying that God cant call Christians in this direction or that for His purpose, I am saying that we need to look at men like Joseph and Daniel.
in Josephs life, He started in Potifers house and moved up. Joseph even spent so long as a trusties he tried to move himself out through the baker and butler.
I am grieved when I see Christians, move into areas with nothing more than their faith.
I’m not saying that God doesn’t call people to do things they are not prepared for. I am saying that its not prescriptive. its not the recommend way you do things.
2. We are sent to people but Lord Jesus tells us to “beware of men.”
2. We are sent to people but Lord Jesus tells us to “beware of men.”
17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.
when you spreed the word and will of God people will be persecuted.
why because when you preach the gospel you will have to explain sin.
When we talk about what sin is inevitably you are going to stumble on to someones sin. we should be sensitive because we all have sin. None of us is perfect. when we act like we are better then we ought.
1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
one of the reasons we need to be careful about is that we don’t get prideful is because the standard of Holiness is not how I stack up against you all. its how I stack up against Jesus.
a lot of people will act like they are being persecuted because of their extreme Holiness. Most of the time its are sin and goofiness.
3. The Lord will empower you to speak.
3. The Lord will empower you to speak.
18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
There is a certain kind of preacher that uses this verse to say that not to study. This is not the point of this verse. the point of this verse is that when you are brought before people that you don’t feel qualified to stand before people to stand before and testify.
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.