Be Wise And Inoffensive - Evangelist, Māori Anglican Church Keri Ann Hokianga | Lent 2022

Be Wise And Inoffensive
I runga I te ingoa o te Matua, te Tama, me te Wairua Tapu. Āmine.
Matthew 10:16 says
16 “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.
Karaitiana or Christianity is by no means an easy path to follow, some might think that the life of a Christian means a life without trouble or challenges. This is a misconception and it’s completely untrue. In the passage today, Christ is speaking to his disciples and he is preparing them for the spaces and places in which they will be sent out to in order to live out and proclaim their faith in Jesus Christ. In preparing his disciples, Jesus makes it very clear that this will not be an easy task for them, as they will endure hardship in their lives as Christians and in their Christian ministry and Jesus tells them that even when this happens, that they should be as shrewd as snakes, be sheep among wolves and as harmless as doves.
We are called this lent season to take a good long hard look at ourselves, perhaps this is also a time that we are able to take time to prepare for both Christian life and for Christian ministry. That means being innocent (turning from sin) and also being wise (avoiding foolishness). It means being prepared for hardship as a consequence, of people rejecting us and rejecting Christ. We will only carry on in ministry if we have prepared ourselves for this beforehand, both in our conduct (innocence and wisdom) and in our expectations (it's not going to be easy)
I want to remind us today of Jesus words in John chapter 15 vs 18 where he says “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.
This is a passage that we can refer to when we face those times of rejection as we learn to live out our faith and ministry as Christians.
He wero ki a koutou, a challenge for you this season my friends perhaps could be to visit that friend or that family member who may have rejected the gospel of Christ and have a coffee with them, befriend them and let them know that the door with you is always open for them, thus showing them the love of Christ through your conduct.
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[@marylarkin8647]

Amene 🙏🏾🕊️

[@stevepaerau]

Thank You keriann