(Acts 20:17-30) "shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock."
It was not unintentional that God chose to use the illustration of Shepherd, Sheep, and wolves, to speak of the church.
It is in fact a very accurate portrayal of life in the church.
The Lord speaks of Himself as the Shepherd of the Sheep, and those who would harm the sheep as wolves.
[John 10:11-14] "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
The term "Pastor", used in the Bible to describe Church Leaders, literally means "Shepherd".
And, the New Testament teaches that the Pastor is to shepherd the sheep...
In fact, our text was written to the Elders of the Ephesian church for this very reason (v. 17; 28-29).
Notice the THREE things the Apostle Paul warned the Elders to do (v.28):
1. Take heed unto yourselves!
> Preacher, be careful yourself.
> Wolves will attack the shepherd if they can get away with it.
> In fact, if they destroy the shepherd, they have the sheep.
2. AND to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers.
> They were to protect the flock from wolves.
> They were to do this by feeding the church of God.
> Paul told them to so train the sheep that the wolf would have no advantage...
3. Watch out for wolves among your own selves (v. 29-30).
> There will be wolves AMONG YOU, from among the flock.
> Jesus said in [Matt. 7:15]:
"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are RAVENING WOLVES."
> Or, in other words: You may not be able to easily spot them, because they WILL BE WEARING SHEEP’S CLOTHING.
> They look like Christians, but they are RAVENING WOLVES!
Using this thought, I want to preach on:
"Wolves In The Church"
I. The Types of Wolves in the Scriptures.
A. Ravening Wolves.
1. Quoted by Jesus: "Inwardly they are raving wolves."
> [Eze. 22:27] "Her princes in the midst thereof are like WOLVES RAVENING THE PREY, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain."
2. It speaks of those who come ONLY to feed off of you.
> "...to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain."
> They are not here to help the church, they are seeking a way to obtain gain of some kind.
3. Some are in the church, not to give something, but to GET something.
> They have the "what’s in it for me" attitude.
> They say things like, "I’m not getting anything out of the messages..."
> Or, "I’m not being fed."
> The truth is, they are no more than wolves, looking for some gain.
> And, they are dissatisfied when they cannot obtain anything.
B. Evening wolves.
1. (Hab 1:8; Zep. 3:3) "EVENING WOLVES..."
> Creatures of the night!
2. "gnaw not the bones till the morrow."
> THIS MEANS THEY KILL MORE THAN THEY CAN EAT.
> Its not just about the need to eat, its about the desire to shed blood.
> ITS ABOUT DESTROYING THE CHURCH!
C. Grievous wolves.
1. In our text the Apostle Paul spoke of these:
> "For I know this, that after my departing shall GRIEVOUS WOLVES enter in among you, not sparing the flock."
2. It speaks of the effect these wolves would have on the Shepherd and the sheep.
> THE LORD, the Chief Shepherd, would be grieved.
> THE PASTOR, the Under-Shepherd would be grieved.
> THE FLOCK, the church would be grieved.
3. These wolves would come, not sparing the flock.
> They would cause devastation, and harm to the church.
> And, they would cause such grief, that the Apostle called them "grievous wolves."
Jesus warned of RAVENING wolves.
The O.T. Prophet spoke of EVENING wolves,
Paul, considering the grief they would cause, called them GRIEVOUS wolves.
II. How These Relate to Real Wolves.
A. WOLVES ARE VERY ADAPTABLE.
1. Wolves can live in almost any climate.
> They are very adaptable to all natural environment.
2. A wolf can enter a church and quickly become an integral part of the work.
> He knows how to move in and out of the flock without hardly being noticed.
B. WOLVES CAN BE VERY BIG AND STRONG.
1. Wolves can be as big as man, and look much like large German shepherd dogs.
> But a wolf has longer legs, bigger feet, and a wider head.
> Most adult male wolves weigh from 75 to 175 pounds.
> They measure from 5 to 6.5 feet long and about 2.5 feet tall.
2. Wolves are definitely more powerful than sheep.
> In a physical battle, a wolf can easily overcome a sheep.
> When a wolf enters the church, he quickly assumes power over the sheep.
> A wolf is always a VERY STRONG personality.
> The Pastor’s Job is to Protect the sheep, from Wolves.
> Even if it means KILLING a stinking wolf.
C. WOLVES CAN HAVE MANY COLORS AND KINDS OF FUR.
1. The fur of a wolf varies in color, usually gray to brown.
> But they can vary from pure white on the Arctic plains, through red and brown to jet black in the sub-Arctic forests.
> Most wolves have gray fur.
> Wolves of the northern and Arctic regions grow long, thick winter coats that protect them from the bitter cold.
2. This is one of the greatest advantages wolves have in the church.
> In addition to their other capabilities and sharp senses, wolves also have the advantage of taking on different forms.
> They have the uncanny power to infiltrate, and to take control at the opportune moment.
3. They make perfect Sunday School teachers, and Treasurers.
> Because they are so adaptable, they easily fit in where needed.
> At first the pastor is happy to have such a competent person.
> The pastor is quick to put him in places of authority.
> Until he reveals himself as a WOLF!
D. WOLVES ARE VERY SHARP IN SENSES.
1. A wolf has excellent VISION, a keen sense of SMELL, and fine HEARING.
> These three senses help the animal locate its prey.
> A wolf can see and smell a deer more than a mile away.
2. Fallen, demonic spirits give aid to men who desire to bring harm to the church.
> Have you never seen a man rise and take control of a meeting as if some supernatural power had come over him?
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh..."
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
> We are in a spiritual battle, and there is supernatural power in the church, both holy and evil.
3. A wolf in the church has extraordinary abilities.
> They are sharp to locate and size up weak or hurt victims from afar.
> They FIRST find the wounded. They take the easy prey FIRST.
> They look for the stranglers, and those separated from the flock.
> Be careful to keep yourself from getting too down; and from getting away from the church!
> You may become an easy target for a wolf.
E. WOLVES HAVE BIG APPETITE.
1. A wolf has 42 teeth, including four fangs at the front of the mouth that are used to wound, grab, and kill prey.
> The fangs may measure up to 2 inches long from root to tip.
> The small front teeth are used to nibble and pull at skin.
> The sharp side teeth cut easily through tough muscle.
> The flat back teeth crush thick bone so it can be swallowed.
2. The wolf has a large stomach and can eat as much as 20 pounds of food at one time.
> However, a wolf can go without food for two weeks or longer.
> But, then he will feed until full again.
3. A wolf in the church will not be satisfied to only hurt one or two...
> They have a large appetite.
> They will want to devour the whole church.
> They might go two or three weeks without saying a thing.
> But, when they start to feed, they will devour all.
F. WOLVES LIVE IN PACKS.
1. Wolves live in family groups called packs.
> Most packs have about 8 members, but some may have more than 20.
> Some wolves leave the pack and become lone wolves.
> A lone wolf travels alone until it finds a mate.
> These two may have pups and form their own pack.
> Once finding a vacant territory, the wolf will scent mark it or howl to defend its territory.
2. If there is ONE wolf in the church, there is most certainly ANOTHER.
> And, there will soon be many more.
> They will group together, and hunt together...
> They are CONSTANTLY TRYING TO RECRUIT others into the pack!
> They come to you after church. Can I talk to you about a concern I have...
G. WOLVES ARE VERY AUTHORITY CONSCIOUS.
1. Each wolf pack has a social order called a dominance hierarchy.
> Every member of the pack has a certain rank in the hierarchy.
> High-ranking members, called dominant wolves, dominate low-ranking members, known as subordinate wolves.
2. This hierarchy is clearly seen in their actions and characteristics.
> The dominant wolf stands erect, holds its tail aloft, and points its ears up and forward.
> It may show its teeth and growl.
> The subordinate wolf crouches, holds its tail between its legs, and turns down its ears.
> It may also whine.
> Changes in leadership result in social turmoil as pack members gang up on the deposed dominants.
3. Church wolves are highly position and authority conscious.
> They insist on sitting in high places, and demand recognition.
> They rule by dominion.
> Subordinates submit not willingly but by force and threat.
> Betrayal and threats are just part of the wolves’ kingdom.
> They have infiltrated the Church!
4. In a church there is always a dominant wolf.
> Often even sheep begin to follow the loud mouth wolf.
> But any weak, subordinate wolf in the church will CERTAINLY raise his head when another wolf starts to take control.
III. Why Does God Allow Wolves to Come into the Church?
A. (1 Cor. 11:18-19) God uses them to manifest leaders in the church.
1. Notice the last part of verse 19: "That they which are approved may be made manifest..."
> In other words, God is going to allow stinking wolves to come in and bring in error.
> God will do this to MANIFEST (declare, show forth) they which are approved...
2. Never will you know the strength of your Pastor as when he is dealing with a wolf.
> The work of the Pastor is to shepherd the church.
> And never is the shepherd more appreciated as when he saves you from the wolf.
> A Pastor is not an hireling. He does not work for the church; He serves the Lord Jesus Christ.
> You can tell if a Pastor is an hireling or a shepherd, by how he deals with a wolf:
[John 10:12-13] "But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep."
3. Never will the men of the church rise to maturity, as when they help their pastor tackle a wolf.
> The true leaders of a church are manifest, when they have to deal with a wolf.
> The Pastor will quickly learn who among his flock are true sheep, and which are goats!
> He will also learn who among them is willing to stand up and fight for their church.
4. People that you thought were strong leaders, may turn out to be subordinate wolves.
> When a wolf seeks power, these subordinates raise their ugly heads as well.
5. Others that you thought were weak and insignificant, will turn out to be stronger than you thought.
> God uses wolves to bring out the leaders in the church.
> He also raises up some sheep dogs to help the shepherd.
B. God uses wolves to weed out false professors...
1. Not everyone in the church is a TRUE Christian.
> Every church has unsaved church members.
> False professors that "Have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof..."
2. Wolves bring out the best in true leaders, and bring out the worst in false professors (2 Pet 2:1-2).
> Notice that there were false prophets also AMONG THE PEOPLE...
> But also notice that: "many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of."
3. Or, in other words...
> There will be some lost church members that will align themselves with the wolf.
> God will use the wolves to bring out false professors.
> A real sheep WOULD NEVER follow a wolf.
> So if some church members follow the wolf, THEY ARE LOST!
IV. How To Spot A Wolf (John 10:9-12).
A. They always operate behind the backs of the shepherd (v. 1-2).
1. They may visit the people in their homes without the permission of the Pastor.
> Or meet you in the corner of the church, but stop talking if the Pastor walks over.
2. They will try to obtain authority or position in the church by dividing the sheep.
> They will take you to the side, and get you to see their views and ideas.
> They may even ask how you are going to vote on church issues.
3. The last thing they want you to do is get the Pastor involved.
> They operate behind the shepherds back.
> THEY HUG HIS NECK AND STAB HIS BACK!
B. They are critical of the Shepherd.
1. Some of the things that a wolf may say about the Pastor may be true.
> But this is not justification for undermining the ministry of a person by criticism.
> Especially to weaker members in the church.
2. If the Pastor is out of line morally, or doctrinally, that is one thing.
> But, these attack the Pastor over personal issues.
> Its not about SOUND DOCTRINE, its about personal preferences.
> They just want to undermine his ministry.
3. The truth is, they want to destroy the shepherd, so they can ravish the sheep.
> But, they act as if they just want to help the sheep.
C. They boast of their own spirituality.
1. They rarely brag on the Lord.
> They rarely talk about what God has done for them.
2. Instead they brag about all they do for God.
> They brag about how much they do, and how long they have been doing it.
3. They brag about their HIGH STANDARDS...
> LISTEN TO THIS TRUTH:
> Those who really are spiritual NEVER SAY SO...
> And those that SAY they are spiritual ARE NOT!
> This WILL ALWAYS PROVE TRUE!
D. They tend to attack the weak (Romans 16:17-18).
1. They invariably seek out the weaker believers.
> Wolves seem to have a kind of internal radar by which they seem to detect the weak believer.
> It is probably SATANIC...
2. Look how CLEARLY God has addressed this issue...
> "And by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple."
> God speaks EXACTLY to the point of this problem.
V. How to Deal with Wolves (Titus 3:10)
A. Rebuking and Rejecting (Titus 3:10-11).
1. Nearly any other kind of problem in the church, you can sove with patience, compassion and mercy!
> BUT NOT SO WITH WOLVES.
2. You must show no patience, compassion, or mercy.
> The Apostle Paul’s instruction to Titus was clear.
> Speak to them once, and then a second time...
> But, if they do not repent, REJECT THEM.
"After the first and second admonition... REJECT!"
3. We must be very firm with them.
> Example: Someone begins to teach false doctrine in the church.
> The Pastor takes him aside and warns him.
> He comes back again another time and does the same thing.
> Again the Pastor warns him...
> But he ignores the Pastor, and continues his heresy!
> HE MUST BE TOLD LEAVE AND NEVER COME BACK.
The first step: Rebuking and Rejecting...
The second...
B. Running Interference.
1. The Pastor must stick his nose into EVERY affair.
> Remember it is his job to protect the sheep.
> He cannot; He must not; He DARE not be "nice" about it.
2. When a Pastor deals with a wolf, he must remember he is not dealing with a sheep that can be helped.
> A wolf is not in church to receive instruction and correction...
> A wolf WILL NEVER submit and be helped.
> THE ONLY REASON THAT WOLF IS IN YOUR CHURCH IS TO DEVOUR YOUR SHEEP!
3. The Pastor must run interference for his sheep.
> He must be constantly on guard for every move the wolf makes
You deal with a wolf by...
REBUKING & REJECTING.
RUNNING INTERFERENCE. And...
C. Realizing their weaknesses.
1. Wolves have no Authority.
> They act as if they do, but they don’t.
> They have no more authority in the church than any sheep (maybe LESS, because not saved).
2. Wolves have no TRUTH.
> They are spiritual phonies.
> They know how to sound pious but do not practice what they preach.
> Without TRUTH, they are just saying words without power.
3. Wolves have no spiritual power.
> They are LOST! They operated in the flesh.
> They have no REAL power in God’s kingdom.
> Don’t believe their Pious Profession of faith; Its only words!
And Finally, You deal with a wolf by...
REBUKING & REJECTING.
RUNNING INTERFERENCE.
REALIZING THEIR WEAKNESSES. AND...
D. Removing their heads...
1. The wolf cometh to kill you and your flock (John 10:7-13).
> First Jesus calls him a thief that comes to STEAL, to KILL, and to DESTROY.
2. The wolves will show NO MERCY to you or your sheep (Acts 20:29).
> If you show any signs of weakness they will be all over you like wolves.
> A wolf will first test its prey by small attacks...
3. YOU CANNOT REASON WITH A WOLF.
> 1000 preachers will not convince them to LOVE the sheep.
> A wolf has an appetite for sheep and WILL NOT be persuaded to spare the flock.
4. You must see this passage (1 Sam 17:34-36).
"Thy servant kept his father’s sheep..."
> Pastor, you are responsible for your FATHERS sheep.
"And, there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock..."
> The lion had already left the fold, with the lamb.
"AND I WENT OUT AFTER HIM..."
> You mess with my sheep and I’M COMING AFTER YOU buddy!
"I caught him by his beard, and smote him, AND SLEW HIM... and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them..."
> If you read the rest of the story, David cut Goliath’s head off...
> THE ONLY WAY TO STOP A WOLF IS TO REMOVE ITS HEAD.
Special note: In the Bible, the Head speaks of a position of authority (i.e. Gen 40:18-22); The spiritual application is that a wolf in the church must be removed from ALL POSITIONS OF AUTHORITY.
