Matthew 7:6

Dogs, swine, and holy Things.

1. Christians must be conscious of holy things.

   1. Holy means set apart for, to, of God.

      1. God's word is holy.

• Psalm 119:140, Proverbs 30:5, Isa 40:8 & 1Pet 1:24-25, Psalm 19:8

  1. God's ways are holy.

• Psalm 18:30, Psalm 145:17, Isaiah 55:8-9, Psalm 25:4

  1. God's people are holy.

• Leviticus 20:26 1Peter 2:9, Eph 4:3-6

  1. God's worship is holy.

• Lev 10:3, Heb 12:28

  1. To treat holy things with disdain is blasphemy.

     1. Blasphemy: impious, irreverent, dishonoring speech or actions or thoughts about God, his nature, person, works, etc.

• Exodus 32:4, Leviticus 10:1, Matt 12:31, Gal 1:8, 2John 10-11, Rev 2:9, Psalm 137:7-8

  1. Hallowed be Your name.

• Christians must recognize that there are dogs and swine among men and women.

  1. The Lord warns and acts accordingly.

     1. Pilate, Luke 23:3

     2. Herod Antipas, Luke 23:8 - 9.

  2. The Lord and his apostles teach by their words and examples.

     1. To Timothy, 2Tim 4:14-15

     2. To Titus, Titus 3:10-11

     3. To Gaius, 3John 9-11

     4. To the church, Jude 1:4,

     5. To the church, Jude 1:17-19

     6. To the church Revelation 2:14-15

     7. To the church Revelation 2:20

  3. Why do many Christians find it difficult to think about dogs and swine as Jesus tells us to?

     1. Because we misunderstand the doctrine of election.

     2. Because the church loses its discernment.

     3. Because we are worldly.

• Psalm 74:10

• We must not squander on earth the treasures of heaven.

  1. Dogs and swine are not appreciative of heavenly treasure.

• 2Peter 2:21-22.

  1. Do not squander God's holy things on dogs and swine.

• Matthew 16:4

  1. Dogs and swine are dangerous when they are dissatisfied.

• John 7:1, Acts 17:5, Luke 23:11, Matthew 26:68, Matthew 10:14.

• How can we disciple the nations, but avoid the dogs and swine?

  1. Don't bait the dogs and swine.

• 2Tim 2:24-26, Matt 5:44, Romans 12:20-21.

  1. Look at fruit to distinguish those that are hardened and dangerous and those that are not.

     1. Acts 13:14-52 preaching in the synagogue.

  2. Care for the holy things entrusted to us.

  3. God's holy things are more important than individuals.

• 2Cor 2:15-16