1 / 18

Of Dogs, Pigs and Pearls

Explore the biblical teachings of Matthew 7:6 and learn how to discern between genuine prospects and those unworthy of God's pearls. Discover the importance of not wasting time and resources on those who do not value the gospel. Gain insights on protecting and rescuing lost souls while avoiding the pitfalls of casting pearls before swine.

ldunn
Download Presentation

Of Dogs, Pigs and Pearls

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Of Dogs, Pigs and Pearls

  2. Matthew 7:6 “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you”

  3. Dogs, Pigs & Pearls • In the context of judgment - Matthew 7:1-5 • Therefore, not all judgment is wrong or Jesus would not have asked of us to judge people who are “dogs” and “pigs!” - John 7:24 • Jesus called apples, apples and oranges, oranges • He called Herod a “fox” - Luke 13:32 • Pharisees and scribes were labeled as “hypocrites” as “blind guides” as “whited sepulchers” and “generation of vipers” • Matthew 23:24, 27, 33

  4. J. W. McGarvey “He [a Christian,] must know dogs and swine when he sees them, and must not treat them as priests and kings, the fit objects for the bestowal of holy food and goodly ornaments. . . .We are here forbidden, then, to use any religious office, work, or ordinance, in such a manner as to degrade or profane it. Saloons ought not to be opened with prayer, nor ought adulterous marriages to be performed by a man of God. To give pearls to swine is to press the claims of the gospel upon those who despise it until they persecute you for annoying them with it. When such men are known, they are to be avoided” - Fourfold Gospel, pp. 263, 264

  5. Dogs & Swine • Dogs care not where meat comes from • Swine care not if pearls are below their feet • There are men and women who could care less about heaven’s riches and God’s holiness! • WHAT MORE DO DOGS, PIGS & PEARLS TEACH?

  6. DISCERNMENT • We are given the charge to discern between a genuine prospect and a pig or dog • Not placing God’s pearls before those interested is sinful • Spending too much time with a pig or a dog is likewise not being a good steward of God’s pearls • Wrong to not use time when we should! • Wrong to use time when we should not!

  7. DISCERNMENT • We need to recognize that we have limited resources • The truth with your life, time, energy and opportunities are God’s pearls of which we are to be good managers - 1 Peter 4:8-11 • Time spent with a pig is time not spent with a person • Holy meat given to a dog is holy meat not given to a person

  8. DISCERNMENT “47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: 48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.” • Matthew 13:47, 48 • Yet God expects us to have a discerning eye for the bad too!

  9. Protection “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you” - Matthew 7:6 • “Just have to tell him one more time” • Must realize when not making progress • Must respect what you are “throwing” before him—the gospel!

  10. The “Pigs & Pearls” Principle (is an age old principle) “7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. 8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.” • Proverbs 9:7-9

  11. How do you know one is a pig? • When you hear them snort against your message • When you see the lack of interest in your time and spiritual truths “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns or figs from thistles?” • Matthew 7:16 “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” - Matthew 10:16

  12. What About A Disciple Who Is Walking With Wolves & Torn By Wild Swine? • We need to find and rescue the lost • Luke 15:1-10; Ezekiel 34:1-26 Teach - “12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” - Psalms 51:12, 13 • See them before the Lord - 1 Thess. 2:19, 20

  13. “Pigs & Pearls” Modeled • Jesus says to the multitude - John 6 • Fed five thousand - vss. 10ff • Withdrew himself - vs. 15 • People find him and Jesus rebukes them for only seeking him because of the food they ate - vs. 26 • Offers them spiritual bread to their disliking - vs. 41 • Those who won’t “hear” and “learn” are dogs and pigs—they won’t come to Christ - vs. 45 • He uttered a hard teaching…must eat His flesh and drink his blood - vs. 54 • Many turned away and followed Him no more - vs. 66

  14. “Pigs & Pearls” Applied • Jesus refused to do a miracle • Matthew 16:1-4; cf. Luke 23:8, 9 • Instructed His disciples to shake the dust off • Matthew 10:11-14 • Acts 13:44-52 • If a person will not work… • 2 Thessalonians 3:10, 11

  15. The Pearl of Great Price The way I view the “pearl of great price” determines whether I am a PIG or MERCHANT! “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it” Matt. 13:45, 46

  16. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it”Matt. 13:45, 46 The Pearl of Great Price • Only one pearl of great value – the Kingdom of heaven! • It is never at a discount – full price was paid by this merchant; didn’t try to negotiate a price! • Not enough to simply admire the pearl – must buy it, at full price!

  17. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it”Matt. 13:45, 46 The Pearl of Great Price • It required all that he had –full commitment! • All other pearls (kingdoms, domains) fail in comparison to the Kingdom of heaven! • One can live without the other beautiful pearls IN LIFE, but these will not get you to heaven!

  18. “What Must I Do To Be Saved?”Acts 16:30 • Alien sinners must… • Hear the Gospel – Romans 10:17 • Believe – John 8:34 • Repent – Acts 17:30 • Confess Christ – Matthew 10:34 • Be Baptized in water for the remission of sins • Acts 22:16 • An erring Child of God must… • Repent and Pray – Acts 8:22 • Children of God Must Live “faithful unto death” • Revelation 2:10

More Related