Sheep Among The Wolves: Introduction

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.

Observations:

Why would Jesus send His “sheep” in the midst of wolves?

Jesus was telling His disciples is dangerous work. They will be persecuted, hurt, and even killed.

The Main Point

Ministry is dangerous work, and demands careful wise actions on the part of the ministers of the Word.

Sermon Points

The Dangerous Reality of Ministry

What happens when we step out and proclaim the Gospel to the world around us?

Ministry takes us to enemy territory.

“among the wolves”

“Go out into all the world...”

- we are in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation!

perverse - men who deviate from what is moral, good, and right

- walk in wisdom toward those who are OUTSIDE

Real ministry is right inside enemy territory!

Moses was sent to Egypt

Joshua was sent to Canaan

Samson was sent to the Philistines

Daniel was sent to Babylon

Jesus was sent to the world

Ministry makes us stir the hornets’ nest.

- you will be hated by all

- beware of men

they will deliver you upto councils

they will scourge you in “synagogues”

your relatives will persecute you

you will be hated by all

Real ministry will stir up demons from the slumber

Egypt was stirred when Moses came

Canaan was stirred when Joshua came

Judaism was stirred up when Jesus came

Rome was stirred when Paul went around proclaiming the gospel

Ministry makes us the focus of enemy attacks.

- the enemies will plot against you

Persecution of the early church

- Paul and Barnabas were expelled from their region

- unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles agains Paul

- unbelievers from Thessalonica went to Berea to stir up the crowd

Real ministry will put your life in danger.

Christ Equips His Disciples

“Behold, I sent you out as sheep...”

Why Sheep? Obedient follower

the sheep depends on the Shepherd

the sheep listens to the voice of the Shepherd for instruction

Why sheep? Sacrificial

Christ wants his servants to be willing to sacrifice things in life, even their own lives if necessary

Why Sheep? to put to shame the mighty ones in the world

- God chose to use the “weak things” to put to shame the mighty!

“Be wise but harmless...”

be “wise” - Grk. phronimos, thoughtful, practically wise, sensible

a serpent is known to calculate his moves carefully before making the attack

“Be harmless as doves...”

be harmless - Grk. akeraios, unmixed, pure, undefiled

Why dove? Gentle and innocent

doves are known to attract people to touch them

Conclusion

Real life ministry is full of danger, because we are doing the work right inside enemy territory.

It is out there - outside these walls, into enemy territory

But our Lord and Master takes care of His workers!

Mark 16.15-20

Mark 16:15–20 NKJV

15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

there will be demons - but we will cast them out

there will be serpents - but nothing shall harm them

the Lord will be working with us!

SONG -

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