Message summary: Today, as faithful followers of Christ, let us consider the vital necessity of being on guard as well as our mission of warning others to "be on guard". Savage wolves are still making the rounds seeking to destroy the flock

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"Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock" (Acts 20:28-29).

We do not have wild wolves in our area or in all of Pennsylvania for that matter. However here in Lancaster County we have the Wolf Sanctuary of Pennsylvania near Lititz PA about 16 miles away. Several weeks ago I was invited to visit the sanctuary along with some friends but due to a funeral I had to cancel. Nick, who had invited me, shared several photos of his visit including this one.

The Wolf Sanctuary has been owned by a family for over 40 years, offering refuge to gray wolves and wolf-dogs. It's a popular tourist spot you might not expect in Lancaster County!

The gray wolf is the largest wild member of the dog family (Canidae). It possesses a muscular build with long legs and a narrow chest that’s designed for long-distance running. The first reference to a wolf in the Bible is in regard to Benjamin in Jacob's blessing to his sons where he is described as "a ravenous wolf" (Genesis 49:7).

Interestingly, each reference in the Bible places the wolf in a rather negative light. However in a prophetic verse in Isaiah we read of a future time when, "The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them" (Isaiah 11:6).

Jesus used wolves several times in his teachings. “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves" (Matthew 7:15). “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves" (Matthew 10:16).  "The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it" (John 10:12).

In our daily text Paul alludes to the wolf in a similar way. Perhaps he even had knowledge of what Jesus had said about the wolf. He is preaching a farewell message to the Ephesian elders and warns them "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock".

Paul referred to the church as a flock of sheep and the elders as shepherds and now extends the metaphorical description to label false teachers as wolves. Not just wolves but Paul adds that these wolves will be savage (Greek = barus - violent, fierce, cruel, vicious, ferocious). Webster says that savage describes those lacking the restraints normal to civilized human beings and implies the absence of inhibitions restraining civilized people, so that these individuals are filled with rage, lust, or other violent passions and demonstrate fury or malignity in looks or actions! Paul is painting a strong word picture! The question is - is the church hearing what the Spirit is saying through the apostle Paul? (from Precept Austin commentary)

We all need to be on our guard and should see warnings from the Scriptures and our spiritual leaders as evidence of genuine love and concern for the flock. The immediate threat when Paul shared this warning was false teachers whom Paul called "savage wolves" (v. 29). Paul said to these elders: "I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears" (Acts 20:31). Try to picture Paul as he penned these words and consider the deeply felt burden he conveys in his message.

Today, as faithful followers of Christ, let us consider the vital necessity of being on guard as well as our mission of warning others to "be on guard". As the Spirit moves us we might also be moved to tears, like the apostle Paul, as we bear a deep burden for our own family members and for our brothers and sisters in the faith.

Just as a shepherd protects his sheep or a father his child, an overseer will do all he can to inform and equip his people to discern and withstand the deceptive wiles of the evil one. Savage wolves are a peril the church will face in all generations.

Be encouraged today!  Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber