Expect Persecution: The Attacks
Message 17 – Expect Persecution: The Attacks (Part 4) Matthew 10: 16 INTRODUCTION: In Matthew 10: 1-42, Jesus is sending out the 12 on a preaching mission (Yes, Jesus sent His men out on “fishing” expeditions – you don’t build fishermen by holding classes in a building!). As Jesus sends them out, He covers the details of the mission: ● Who is going ● Where they are to go ● What they are to do (How mission is to be conducted) ● How they will be received The passage has a triple application (Present and future) as it presents the principles for mission: ▪ Their immediate preaching mission ▪ The future mission efforts of the disciples and the church in the First Century. ▪ The mission of the church throughout the church age (Until the coming of Christ) Today, we will examine only one verse that introduces the section on persecution (verses 16-23). We will read only verse 16. Matthew 10: 16 HCSB 16 “Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as harmless as doves. I. WE ARE ALL LIKE SHEEP A. Sheep are prominent in Scripture B. Shepherding (leading sheep) is a prominent example of leadership in Scripture. C. Description of people as we demonstrate some of the same characteristics as sheep:
1. Negative: Weak, broken, straying, helpless, foolish, slow to learn, repeating destructive behavior, unattractive, demanding, stubborn, unpredictable, copycats, dependent. 2. Positive: a. Flocking – Band together for protection b. Following – Following the shepherd D. What Jesus meant when He said: “Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves” 1. They were going to be in a high-risk environment. 2. They were not equipped to handle the environment He was sending them into. (The sheep with a gun: The only way for a sheep to survive in a wolf pack!) 3. They needed to trust Him to remain on mission. NOTE: Jesus does not announce their release from the mission. We are to remain on mission. He is there to intercede for us while we are on mission. Jesus prayed for His disciples just before He faced the cross. He was also praying for us (John 17: 14-15) 14 I have given them Your word. The world hated them because they are not of the world, as I am not of the world. 15 I am not praying that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one. (emphasis added) E. There is hope for every sheep (Isaiah 53: 6) Isaiah 53: 6 HCSB We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the Lord has punished Him for the iniquity of us all.
1. Negative: Weak, broken, straying, helpless, foolish, slow to learn, repeating destructive behavior, unattractive, demanding, stubborn, unpredictable, copycats, dependent. 2. Positive: a. Flocking – Band together for protection b. Following – Following the shepherd D. What Jesus meant when He said: “Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves” 1. They were going to be in a high-risk environment. 2. They were not equipped to handle the environment He was sending them into. (The sheep with a gun: The only way for a sheep to survive in a wolf pack!) 3. They needed to trust Him to remain on mission. NOTE: Jesus does not announce their release from the mission. We are to remain on mission. He is there to intercede for us while we are on mission. Jesus prayed for His disciples just before He faced the cross. He was also praying for us (John 17: 14-15) 14 I have given them Your word. The world hated them because they are not of the world, as I am not of the world. 15 I am not praying that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one. (emphasis added) E. There is hope for every sheep (Isaiah 53: 6) Isaiah 53: 6 HCSB We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the Lord has punished Him for the iniquity of us all.
