Ezekiel 22:2331

1
Ezekiel 2223-31

• Why Judah Fell
• Prophets
• 25 Conspiracy, Lions
• 28 Untempered Morter
• Priests Profane 26
• People Oppress 29
• Princes Wolves 27

• Churches Fall
• Preachers
• more than God said
• no respect for Word
• Members
• Elders

2
Wolves of Ezek. 2227

• Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves
  ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy
  souls, to get dishonest gain.

3
In the Midst

• Sneaky (get in among the sheep) Jude 4
• Disguise
• Matt. 715 in sheeps clothing
• Nocturnal (evening wolves)
• Hab. 18 fierce Chaldeans
• Zeph. 33 Judges in Judah
• Jer. 56 Babylon (lion, wolf, leopard)

4
Vicious

• Ravening (taraph)- to rip or tear apart
• Shed blood (smell of blood excites them)
• Destroy souls (nephesh) breathing creature
• Wolves hunger after day without food
• Seek the easiest prey
• Sheep are defenseless without shepherd
• Separated sheep is easy target

5
Dishonest Gain

• Wolf kills to eat (gain food from another)
• Acts 2029-31
• Enters in (into the midst of flock)
• Not sparing the flock (vicious nature)
• Elders who draw followers (gain)
• John 1011-14 catches and scatters sheep

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John 1011-14

• Good Shepherd
• Gives life for the sheep
• Knows sheep
• Known by sheep
• The point is that Jesus cares and so should we
  about our members

• Hireling
• Does not own sheep
• Does not care
• Leaves when wolf is seen coming
• Seeks only advantages in money, comfort,
  popularity...

7
The Apostles Sent Forth

• Matt 1016 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in
  the midst of wolves be ye therefore wise as
  serpents, and harmless as doves.
• Sheep sent into midst of wolves (Why?)
• (Love) To rescue the lost sheep (5-6)
• Be wise (answer with Gods word)
• Be harmless (dont become a wolf)

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Wolves

• princes (Ezek. 2227), judges (Zeph. 33), false
  prophets (Matt. 715), enemy soldiers (Hab. 18),
  or elders (Acts 2029-31)
• Remain ever vigilant
• Stay close to the Good Shepherd
• Ps 234 Yea, though I walk through the valley of
  the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for
  thou art with me thy rod and thy staff they
  comfort me.