Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Christian Podcast Central

Home
Evangelical - Sponsored
Jesus in HD 111: What I Wish I Knew Then That I Know Now (A First-Person Rendition)

Jesus in HD 111: What I Wish I Knew Then That I Know Now (A First-Person Rendition)

Last updated on: February 24, 2016 at 3:30 am by Christian Podcast Central

Jesus in HD 111: What I Wish I Knew Then That I Know Now (A First-Person Rendition) 2016-02-24T03:30:30-08:00 Christian Podcast Central

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Jesus in HD Slider

Jesus in HD 111: What I Wish I Knew Then That I Know Now (A First-Person Rendition) [ 59:15 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

As you will hear in this PODCAST, I have now reached a point in my life and ministry where I am easily bemused. Bemused by a question that I more and more frequently get asked.

When I am out speaking at a camp or a conference, often times a young man or woman just starting out in the ministry, or headed for his first ministry, will with furrowed brow and pen poised at the ready ask me this singularly significant question:

What do you wish you knew then that you know now?

Meaning, if I could turn the clock back and start over completely…

What is the ONE THING that you know now that you wish you had known then?

What one lesson have you learned over your now forty-two years and counting of ministry that you wish you had learned right out of the chute, right at the beginning?

Ironically enough, it is the very lesson that Jesus sought to communicate to His men here in Matthew 10, this right at the beginning of their first missions trip.

Let’s begin by reading Matthew 10:16-20

16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. 18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

You know, in all my years of education, I studied the Bible from cover to cover, learned to counsel, was taught how to run an organization… yet none of my instructors ever taught me those important words that Jesus taught His apostles: I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.

Oh, how different my ministry and career may have been had I had these words ingrained in me before I set out as a pastor.

I was taught Peter’s warning in 1 Peter 5:8

8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

But knowing that Satan was out there scheming to defeat, depress, or even devour me and my Christian walk like a lion is very unlike being on the alert for the wolves that Jesus warned about!

Paul warned the church at Ephesus even more graphically than Jesus did of these “vicious wolves” in Acts 20:29-31 –

I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. 30 Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following. 31 Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you.

And really, no one ever knew what it was like to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing AND to minister in the Name of Jesus in spite of the wolves better than Paul.

So, it’s from Paul’s point of view that we look at what it is that we do battle against, what we need to be aware of while we serve Jesus, and how the Holy Spirit will help us defeat the wolves that wait to attack!

christian bible study podcast

christian culture podcast

is the bible reliable

wolf in sheep's clothing

Worldview

Previous Post

May 21, 2015

Reflections of Grace 82: Life Purpose Coaching part 18 - Engaging in Spiritual Warfare

Next Post

May 22, 2015 Parent Like You Mean It 14: Heroes and Villains

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Brad Stine Has Issues Christian Podcast Central Classic Podcast Experience God Life Grounded Ouxano Parent Like You Mean It The Protest Show with Thor Ramsey The Summit Lecture Series Uncategorized What You’ve Been Searching For

Select a Month July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 June 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz