The apostle Paul had an ardent devotion, not only to all the brethren, but also to the elders who had been appointed to spiritually care for and feed them.  But Paul carried a painful ache in his heart for he knew that the Church would be tested and tried by relentless trials.  Paul said:

“I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverted words, to draw away disciples after themselves.”  (Acts 20:29-30)

How did Paul know that malicious ministers should spring from this Elder’s meeting at Miletus?  Not only had the Old Testament given adequate examples that many in the ministry – perhaps most – would go astray and become apostate, but Jesus Christ warned that deceitful ministerial imposters – in sheep’s clothing – would deceive many.  Jesus said:

“Beware of false prophets,  which come to you in sheep's clothing, but  inwardly they are ravening wolves.   Ye shall know them by their fruits.”   (Matthew 7:15-16)

“Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draws near: go ye not therefore after them.”  (Luke 21:8)

Brethren, it is our desire that those who are being duped by those ravening wolves be able to awaken to the knowledge of God’s will for His Church people.  The shattered plight of the Church today is a terrible predicament – but a wonderful opportunity to show God where our heart resides.  The fact that the Church is prophesied to go through trials and scattering is not a reason to welcome or embrace the devastation within the Church of God.  Rather, it is something that we should mourn over.  We know that Jesus Christ indicts the ministry – but He also charges the brethren for their part in causing conflict within the Body of Christ.

"Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the Lord."  (Jeremiah 23:2)

The wording against false Christianity is very strong.  "Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?  The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them."   (Ezekiel 34:2,4)

The prophet Ezekiel issued a dire warning to the end-time Church of God – ministers and brethren alike.  Likening the Church brethren to a flock of sheep, Ezekiel wrote against the shepherds (the ministers) and criticized them for driving away the sheep (the brethren).  But, it is not just those in the ministry that are in jeopardy!  The brethren, too, are warned by God not to get caught up with the special interests groups that say, "My church is better than your church," because there is an denunciation of those who are a part of the problem:

"As for you, O my flock, thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I judge between sheep and sheep, and the rams and the he-goats." (Ezekiel 34:17)

Ezekiel described the disunity and condescending disdain between group and group – and between brethren and brethren.   This is a frightful warning for the brethren to realize that they too are complicit in Church problems.   God calls the sheep to task for their lack of brotherly love for each other.

“Therefore thus says the Lord God to them: "Behold, I Myself will judge between the fat and the lean sheep.  Because you have pushed with side and shoulder, butted all the weak ones with your horns, and scattered them abroad, therefore I will save My flock, and they shall no longer be a victim; and I will judge between sheep and sheep.”  (Ezekiel 34:20-22)

We should be working to patch up the injured and round up those who were driven away by force and cruelty.  God is not going to save just one of the groups.  He is not doing "The Work" through one of the corporations. He isn't dealing exclusively with one man.  One organization does not possess the secret to the Place of Safety.  Politics and favoritism have no place in the household of God.

The one thing we can be sure of is that God is going to put a stop to the false ministers.  God will not hold guiltless those who are mistreating His people.  God will hold the shepherds to account for the loss of the flock.  Brethren, do not be a part of it, and do not support it.  Stand against it.

"My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them...Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock." (Ezekiel 34:6,10)

In God's Church, it seems, we have always had a feeling that we were preaching the Gospel for the purpose of "getting members."  That is not correct!  We do not have any grandiose ideas that we will do a work that will gather all the sheep into one flock - that is the task that only Jesus, Himself, can accomplish.  “Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.  As a shepherd seeks out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.”  (Ezekiel 34:11-12)

That is what Jesus will do upon His return.  He denounces those who are not practicing real Christianity.  No one group will be successful in “rounding up” all of the dispersed brethren into one fellowship.  Jesus will gather the scattered flock upon His return.  In God's Church, are we living Christian lives and being a light to the world?

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Sermon:

"Grievous Wolves"