9th February 2023

9th February 2023


Pray (ACts)


Read (Matthew 7v6)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


We are to proclaim the Gospel openly and freely as often as we can and yet there comes a time that the Lord counsels us to walk away from certain people. I know such a statement sounds incredibly harsh and contrary to Christian love but this little verse teaches exactly that.


Jesus tells us not to give holy things to dogs nor to give pearls to pigs. Why not? They might trample them underfoot and turn and attack us. Here Christ compares a certain group of people to wild dogs and pigs. On the island of Ireland it is rare for us to encounter an actual wild dog or pig but in certain parts of the world both are a menace. A pack of wild dogs is a fearsome challenge to a lone traveller and if you find yourself in the path of a rampaging wild pig then run and climb the nearest tree.


Who are the people that Jesus compares to wild dogs and pigs? Those who for one reason or another have grown absolutely hard to the Gospel and respond to it with contempt, scorn and perhaps even violence. I hope you have next to no experience of such individuals but they certainly exist. For many the Gospel isn't good news but it is something to be opposed and hated.


The Lord counsels us to share the Gospel of the Kingdom but He doesn't demand that we keep on sharing it with those who repeatedly reject it. How should we respond to the man who has heard the Gospel countless times but mocks the Lord in response? Or what about the woman who knew the Gospel as a child but now hates God and calls Him a liar? Or the family member who warns if we start with that Gospel rubbish over Sunday lunch he's going to shut our mouth permanently?


Brothers and sisters, if you know such an individual I would urge you to pray on but move on. What do I mean? Our hearts break for the dogs and pigs and so in response we pray that the Lord would soften their bitter and hard hearts. But as we pray on we should also heed the Lord's call to move on.


The Gospel is not a joke and it is not worthy of contempt. If an individual proves to be a pig or a dog by their mocking of the holy things of God then we can move on from that person in good conscience. By God's grace He will break them and bring them to Himself but we no longer need to give them the pearls of God's Word.


Finally, let me speak to those who hate the Lord and mock the Gospel. My friend, I know that you may rage against the Lord but one day you will stand before Him. There are those on earth who have heard nothing of the Gospel and will still stand condemned. How will you escape the Lord when you have heard the message of the cross repeatedly but responded with hate? You have spat in the face of Christ without realising that there will be a day of reckoning. Please put aside your bitterness and flee to Jesus for He is able to save even the wildest pigs and dogs.


 
Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC
Q72 What is forbidden in the seventh commandment? The seventh commandment forbiddeth all unchaste thoughts, words, and actions.
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