Where I am presently interim pastor (Moulton Baptist Church), I am constantly reminded that in the church there IS wheat and there ARE sheep!  For those who may not know what I’m talking about, consider what Jesus said…

Matthew 13:24 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25 but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also.  So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'”

Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.  17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues,  18  and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles.

Jesus equates wheat and sheep with his family while the tares (weeds) are people who look like believers… but are not.  Then there is no doubt what the imagry is of sheep being among wolves (The sheep are attacked and devoured).

Ministers tend to whine about the weeds and wolves because they cause so much dissension and difficulty in the congregations they’re called to serve.

Note To Self And Whining Preachers: Grow up!  Welcome to the ministry!  Why do you think you should experience anything different than what Jesus and the Apostles experienced.  Quit whining and accept that this is God’s will for you for His glory!

My goal (God help me) is to focus much more of my energy, time, and efforts on those that are positive… encouraging… faithful… loving… kind… and gracious.  I want them to rub off on me.  I want to be more like them.  I want to get to know those brothers and sisters because, after all, I will be spending eternity with them!

There ARE sheep… there IS wheat!