* God has called us all to be faithful in our work. Why?

* Because our work is our primary form of worship.

* Faithfulness in your WORK leads to promotion (Proverbs 22:29).

* But Jesus taught us that there’s something else that will happen when you’re faithful.

* He starts by talking about our place and posture in work.

* Here’s where you need to be and what you need to be like!

* He uses four animals to do it - sheep, wolf, snake, dove.

* Sheep are dumb - cannot provide or protect themselves (need a shepherd).

* Wolves devour - always hungry and attack in packs.

* Snakes bite - can’t see them until they’ve sunk their teeth into you.

* Doves are innocent - beautiful and graceful without any thought of harm.

* Vs 16a (place) - Here’s where you need to be! (Not sheep among sheep)

* God put us in the context of a fight (Revelation 12).

* Why sheep among wolves?

* So the wolf can see the lion in the sheep! (Daniel in lions’ den)

* Vs 16b (posture) - Here’s what you need to be like!

* Have the motive of a dove and the method of a snake.

* Don’t “be a snake,” but be “street smart” like one.

* Stay pure in your motives.

* Now, when you’re faithful in your work by being in the right place with the right posture, how does God reward you?

* Vs 17-18 - faithfulness in your walk leads to persecution.

* Your job is to simply be faithful - let God handle the promotion or persecution.

* When you are in the right place (sheep among wolves) with the right posture (motive of dove / method of snake) then you’re going to be promoted AND persecuted!

* Vs 19-20 - when you have the right motive (dove) the Spirit will speak through you.