Introduction

Welcome, brothers and sisters in Christ, to this blessed gathering where we come together in unity of spirit and heart to share in the Word of God. We are here to draw closer to our Savior, to learn from His teachings, to find solace in His promises, and to find strength in His presence. We are here to learn how to navigate the stormy seas of life, to find our way through the wilderness of trials and tribulations, and to discover the peace that surpasses all understanding in the midst of it all.

Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the words of Jesus as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. Let us hear the words of our Savior, as we read from Matthew 10:16, "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."

As we reflect on these words, we are reminded of the challenges we face in this world, the foes we encounter, and the heartbreaks we endure. Yet, we are also reminded of the wisdom, the strength, and the fellowship we have in Jesus Christ. We are reminded that we are not alone, that we are not powerless, and that we are not without hope.

Facing Foes with Faith

In the world we live in, we often find ourselves up against challenges that seem insurmountable. These challenges, these foes, can take many forms. They can be physical, emotional, or spiritual. They can be visible or invisible. They can be external or internal. But no matter what form they take, they are real and they are formidable. Yet, we are not left to face these foes on our own. We have a guide, a protector, a source of strength and wisdom. We have Jesus.

Jesus, in His infinite wisdom: He knew the challenges we would face. He knew the foes we would encounter. He knew the heartbreaks we would endure. And so, He gave us a command, a command to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. This command, this wisdom, is our guide as we face our foes. It is our source of strength as we navigate the stormy seas of life. It is our beacon of hope as we traverse the wilderness of trials and tribulations.

Being wise as serpents: This means being discerning, being prudent, and being shrewd. It means understanding the world around us, understanding the challenges we face, understanding the foes we encounter. It means knowing when to speak and when to remain silent, when to act and when to wait, when to fight and when to flee. It means being aware of our surroundings, being aware of our strengths and weaknesses, being aware of our opportunities and threats. It means being strategic, being tactical, being practical.

Being harmless as doves: This means being gentle, being kind, and being peaceful. It means not causing harm, not causing pain, not causing distress. It means being considerate, being compassionate, being empathetic. It means treating others with respect, treating others with dignity, treating others with love. It means being a source of comfort, being a source of encouragement, being a source of hope.

In the midst of wolves and foes: We are called to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. We are called to face our challenges with discernment and gentleness, with prudence and kindness, with shrewdness and peace. We are called to navigate the stormy seas of life with wisdom and harmlessness, with strength and gentleness, with courage and love.

This is not an easy task: It is not a task for the faint-hearted. It is not a task for the weak-willed. It is a task for the faithful, for the courageous, for the strong. It is a task for those who trust in Jesus, for those who follow His teachings, for those who rely on His strength. It is a task for those who are willing to face their foes with faith.

Faith: In this context, it’s not a passive belief. It is not a mere acceptance of doctrines. It is not a simple adherence to rituals. Faith, in this context, is an active trust. It is a dynamic reliance. It is a vibrant confidence. It is a trust in Jesus, a reliance on His teachings, a confidence in His promises. It is a trust that He will guide us, a reliance that He will protect us, a confidence that He will strengthen us.

Finding Fortitude in Heartbreak

In the midst of the storm, when the winds howl and the waves crash, we find ourselves seeking shelter, seeking refuge, seeking a place of safety ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO