The Sheep & the WolvesMatthew 10:1-28

• The scriptures are filled with metaphors related to sheep and shepherding. (Psalm 23; John 10; Isaiah 53; Luke 15)

• The flock of Israel had long ago lost its way! (Jeremiah 50:6; Matthew 15:24)

The apostles are sent to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Matthew 10:1-6)

God Would Supply what the Apostles Needed to Accomplish the Mission

(Matthew 10:7-15)

A Message to Preach (Matthew 10:7; 3:2; 4:17; Mark 1:14-15)

Proof that God was with them (Matt.10:1,8)

Provisions for daily needs (Matt.10:9-15; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Genesis 22:8-14; 1 Peter 4:11)

Worthy households are used by God to provide for His servants!

(1 Corinthians 9:11; Galatians 6:6; 3 John 5-8)

The Apostles are Sent as Sheep in the Midst of Wolves

(Matthew 10:16-22)

• They are sent as sheep to sheep (Luke 10:2)

• Their dangerous mission demands wisdom and harmlessness (1 Cor. 4:12-13; Acts 25:10-11; 1 Peter 2:12,15)

• The wolves are men who attack with violence & hatred (John 15:18-19)

The Testimony of the Apostles(Matthew 10:19-28)

• Words given by God the Father (1 Corinthians 2:9-13; Ephesians 3:4-5)

• Complete and thorough -- “whatever I tell you” (Acts 20:19-27)

• Fearless (Philippians 1:14)

What is the Difference? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we are killed all day long;

we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through

Him who loved us. -- Romans 8:35-37