Not All

Not All

“I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.  Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.  
So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. 
“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” 
Acts 20:29-32

Beware of the wolves!
Paul knowing it is the last time, he will see the believers in Ephesus leaves
them with a warning to watch for those who would come as wolves.  Those who would even rise up among the believers and pull them away from the faith.
Most people are easily swayed.  I think sometimes, that is why they are called sheep.
When I grew up in England, there were a large number of sheep.  Quite often, you would hear the shepherd whistling directions to his sheep dog.  That dog would easily keep the sheep under control, and direct them to where the shepherd wanted them.
As kids, on the way to the beach, we, frequently, passed flocks of sheep in the meadows, grazing.  Being kids, we’d run into the flocks yelling, they’d immediately scatter.  We also found, even as ten year olds, that we could easily get them to go wherever we wanted to.
A farmer one day, seeing us do this called out to us, to chase them his way.  We did and he even paid us a shilling each for doing it, a king’s ransom for ten year olds in the early 1960's.  We found out, later, they were on their way to the slaughter house.
It’s the same with many in the church, today. They are easily rounded up and led to the slaughter so to speak.
Many within the church, do not read the Bible. If they do, they don’t read it enough. They hardly ever pray, and they are so busy, that they don’t stop long enough to hear the voice of God.
Anyone will tell you no church congregation is perfect.  Still, it is important for us as believers to get involved with a congregation that preaches the Word of God.
We need to read the Scriptures, and pray asking God to lead us to a church that will meet our spiritual needs and not just make us feel good.
If you’re a leader within your church congregation be it pastor, board member, deacon, teacher, or whatever.  You have a duty to watch out for those within the congregation that God has put you over.
You have a duty to read the Word of God, to pray, and take time to listen for the
voice of God. To look and listen for ways to help those in the flock. So that the wolves do not come in and steal the flock.

As individual Christians we need to be mindful of the words of Jesus who said,
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” 
                                                                                                              Matthew 7:22,23
The people Jesus was talking about are with us today in our churches, and in the media. They look good they sound good but they are not from God. That’s why Paul wrote these words to the Ephesians and through them to us. Saying,
“I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.  Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.
So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” 
                                                                 Acts 20:29-32

Think about it.