RESPONDING TO THE WOLF

MATTHEW 7.15

RESPONDING TO THE WOLF

BE PERSONALLY WATCHFUL▸ Jesus calls on us to be

watchful for wolves.

▸ Matthew 7.15

▸ Who are these wolves?

▸ False Prophets (v15)

▸ Hypocrites (vv16-22)

▸ Reject Jesus’ words (v26f)

RESPONDING TO THE WOLF

COMMIT TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH▸ Paul instructs Christians,

particularly elders:

▸ Acts 20.28ff

▸ Defeat wolves thru the Word:

▸ Effective warning (vv30f)

▸ Built up (v32)

▸ “Test all things” (1 Thess. 5.21)

RESPONDING TO THE WOLF

INTERDEPENDENCE▸ Jesus again spoke of wolves:

▸ John 10.11-13

▸ The shepherd and the hireling:

▸Hireling has no connection

▸ Shepherd lives with sheep

▸ Shepherd knows the sheep (3)

▸ Shepherd cares for sheep (vv10f)

RESPONDING TO THE WOLF

ATTACKS ARE NOT ISOLATED▸ Note who Jesus says the wolf

attacks (John 10.12)

▸ The wolf’s entry, however, small, provides the opportunity for greater damage:

▸Without community and interdependence, the wolf picks off sheep after sheep.

▸ The wolf must be exposed and defeated.

RESPONDING TO THE WOLF

SEEK AFTER HARMED LAMBS▸ Note Jesus’ description of the

wolf in Matthew 7.15

▸ Ever wondered how the wolf got his clothing?

▸Wolves come with a body count

▸ The innocent are often impugned and belittled by the wolf (3Jn 10)

▸Are we seeking after those unfairly harmed by a wolf?

RESPONDING TO THE WOLF

A WOLF CAN CHANGE"And the wolf will dwell with the

lamb, And the leopard will lie down with the young goat, And the calf and

the young lion and the fatling together; And a little boy will lead

them… And the lion will eat straw like the ox. The nursing child will play by

the hole of the cobra, And the weaned child will put his hand on the

viper's den."  (Isaiah 11:6ff)

▸ Consider the greater transformative power available in Jesus!