Untitled Sermon (55)

The first warning is to watch out for Shepherds who don’t take care of the flock. Who don’t care about the health of the sheep. Who are possibly in ministry for selfish or self focused reasons.

As a result, the sheep are scattered and they have no shepherd.

When God’s shepherds fail, God will make sure the sheep are taken care of. Ezekiel 34:11-19 .

This is what Jesus, as the good Shepherd, has come to do. Luke 19:10

While a lone wolf poses a threat, of more danger is a pack.

Metaphorically speaking, wolves are seen as deceitful and eager to plunder.

In early Christian literature, wolves became a regular symbol for false teachers.

The reality is, when a shepherd doesn’t take care of the flock, wolves are going to come in to steal and destroy.

While the term often mans “burdensome” regarding people, wolves can also mean “troublesome”. One first century Stoic compared selfish people to wolves or beasts, sparing none so they can gain advantage.

In this case a wolf could be somebody who wants church their way. A person who isn’t willing to make adjustments in style in order to reach a new generation. A person who is willing to sacrifice their preferences in order to reach others for Jesus.

The issues in this passage is more about the exploration of the flock versus a specific doctrinal system.

When it comes to teaching, Paul is more focused on a distortion of the teaching, not a specific type of false teaching.

Philippians 2:15 would be an example of the cultural influence and twisting that sometimes creeps into a church.

It’s the idea of teachers who draw disciples after themselves rather than keeping Jesus central. Teachers who build faith around themselves rather than recognizing that it is not about them, but about Jesus Christ.

This includes false teachers, false saviors, false leaders who put the focus on their ability to deliver versus putting the focus on Jesus who is the deliverer.

In a way, this is what religion does. Religion takes the focus off of what Jesus has done and puts it on what you must do. When that happens, you are the savior of yourself. Your efforts become the basis of your salvation.

1 Thessalonians 2:3-7 is a great example of the type of teacher/minister Paul was, and what distinguished him from being a wolf.

What’s more troubling about wolves, is not only will they come from the outside, but from the inside as well.

In verse 30, Paul insinuates that from the elders themselves, some of them will distort the gospel in order to gain followers.2 Timothy 4 might be a great example of teachers who will give into false teaching in order to gain a following.The truth of this is found in Luke 22:21 as Jesus declares that even among him there is one who is going to betray him.“twisted things” implies these teachers wish to make their own disciples versus disciples that follow Jesus. Again, we see this in the church as people at times try to gain a following or try and get people on their side or to follow their personal agenda.Identifying such teachers or laypeople is easy, because people like this will stray from truth - 1 John 2:18-26, John 4:1-6, 2 John 7-11, Revelation 2:20The commitment to protect the flock must be an ongoing passion of the shepherd or teacher. This is not a one time event, but a continuous effort to be alert and aware of any danger that may come to the flock.2 corinthian 11 is an example of Paul’s ongoing concern for the church.

​2 Corinthians 11:28 ESV28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.

Paul’s tears represent the emotion and passion he had for the church. His love for it and his desire to see it prosper.