Category: Big Lessons (Small Packages)

Series on Big Lessons Learned from Small Characters in the Bible

Big Lessons in Small Packages – The Cloud

R. Mangold

And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare [thy chariot], and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. (I Kings 18:44)

Prior to this passage, Elijah decreed, “There is a sound of abundance of rain.” A spiritual precedent ensues. What you hear, God’s Word, will precede what you see…the miracle! The “sound” meant that rain was on its way. After 7 failed attempts at seeing the incoming precipitation, Elijah’s servant finally came back with news of a “little cloud.” It wasn’t rain, but it contained the rain.

This “little” cloud represented faith to a prophet who knew the 3-year-long drought was about to end. Faith is the substance of things hoped for. The cloud contained the substance, or evidence of the unseen rain. That’s why as Christians, we walk by faith, not by sight.

Sight says, “That’s just a cloud.”

Faith says, “That’s no ordinary cloud, that cloud contains the tangible substance and evidence we’re hoping for…rain!”

Don’t underestimate the worth of a “little” cloud, it could be saturated with a deluge of promised life-giving rain! If God plants His Word in you, no matter how long your drought, don’t stop looking for rain. For those who love God, His Word is enough. If God has spoken it, listen for and anticipate the showers of abundant rain!

“Serminute” Series – Big Lessons in Small Packages

“Serminutes” – Sermon in a Minute. A one minute spiritual pick-me-up for busy Christians!  Visit this POST for details on what exactly that is. Thank you for visiting today! May the Lord richly bless you. Rodger Mangold

Big Lessons in Small Packages – The Sparrow

R. Mangold

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. (Matt. 10:29-31)

Sparrows, seemingly inconsequential creatures, make their nests virtually anywhere they please, even being presumptuous enough in David’s day to nest on the altars of the Lord (Ps. 84:3). If one didn’t know better, they’d think their “Daddy owned the place!” Oh wait…He does!

Sold at a bargain price of 2 for a penny (farthing), sparrows were used in ceremonial cleansing of lepers; one was killed, the other set free. It may have been arbitrary to men which was killed, or set free, but not so with God. He took discriminate interest in both.

Our finite thinking dictates, the sheer magnitude of God’s responsibility, the survival and existence of the entire universe, interferes with His ability to account for one single human life; let alone the number of hairs on our head, or the life of an insignificant sparrow…NOT SO! Omniscient, God has the capacity to infinitely know everything that can be known about everything!

You are the hallmark of God’s creation, the apple of His eye, made in HIS likeness and image. Robed in flesh, God Himself became the ransom for your soul. Considering the ultimate price He paid to redeem you, your worth to God is immeasurable!

Related Topics

“Serminutes” – Sermon in a Minute.  One Minute Spiritual Sermonettes and Sermon Ideas  for Busy Christians, Pastors, Teachers, and Bible Students!  Visit our ABOUT PAGE  for details on what exactly that is. Thank you for visiting today! May the Lord richly bless you.  Rev. RD Mangold


Big Lessons in Small Packages – The Foxes

R. Mangold

Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines [have] tender grapes. (Songs of Solomon 2:15)

Who isn’t fond of the little fuzzy furry puppies? Pet store windows are full of puppies toppling over each other as if to say, “Pick me!” They start out cute and cuddly, however they don’t stay small forever. That cute little habit of gnawing on your favorite shoes and couch gets worse. Soon, it’s your hand, your arm, and…well you get the picture!

As cute as they appear, small foxes cause irreparable damage to grapevines by burrowing holes around the roots, nibbling flowering buds, and eventually consuming all the grapes. “Small” seemingly harmless things can and will infringe upon our relationship with God. The lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life, attack the root system of our moral and spiritual fiber, stemming the flow of vital nutrients to the branches, or our areas of influence – Marriage, Family, Church, Work, etc.

Big formidable enemies are obvious. Seeing them coming, you’re immediately on guard. David had no problem taking out the “giants” in his life; the bear, the lion, and even Goliath, were all very obvious opponents. His downfall was in not recognizing the “small” innocent looking “foxes” that can literally bring a man to his knees.

“Serminute” Series – Big Lessons in Small Packages

“Serminutes” – Sermon in a Minute. A one minute spiritual pick-me-up for busy Christians!  Visit this POST for details on what exactly that is. Thank you for visiting today! May the Lord richly bless you. Rodger Mangold

Big Lessons in Small Packages – The Spider

R. Mangold

24 There are four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: 25 The ants…26 The conies…27 The locusts…28 The spider takes hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces. (Proverbs 30:24 – 28)

Afraid of them or not, spiders are found virtually everywhere. The artistry of her web is a microscopic engineering marvel, with intricately woven designs it’s a fusion of both form and function. A well spun web provides her inconspicuous hiding places, well out of the reach of would-be “smooshers!”

Her wisdom lies not in the teamwork of the ant or locust, nor in the ability to scurry to safety like the rabbit. Hers is the ability to “take hold” when others let go, gaining her V.I.P. access to royal palaces! The spider’s web “connects” her to her food, her nest, and to a secure structure. As Christians, our survival depends on our ability to “connect” our spiritual food, God’s Word, to our nest or family life, and “taking hold” to a secure structure, God’s Church. The spider’s web connects her to higher heights, so too will our ability to “connect” enable us to sit “together in heavenly places” in Christ (Eph. 2:6).

“Serminute” Series – Big Lessons in Small Packages

“Serminutes” – Sermon in a Minute. A one minute spiritual pick-me-up for busy Christians!  Visit this POST for details on what exactly that is. Thank you for visiting today! May the Lord richly bless you. Rodger Mangold

Big Lessons in Small Packages – The Locust

R. Mangold

24 There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: 25 The ants…26 The conies…27 The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands; 28 The spider… (Proverbs 30:24-28)

The fledgling nation Israel complained they had no king like other nations. God chose judges to govern them, while He remained Israel’s King. At their insistence, and to God’s chagrin, He allowed them a king, but this led to centuries of upheaval and unrest for Israel.

Proverbs asserts that the voracious locusts despite having no king, by uniting in bands wreak havoc on crops leaving starving nations in their wake. Astounding imagery of what can be accomplished when unity is at the core. No one trying to outdo the other; No jealousy if one does; No one concerned others aren’t carrying their load; No one worried whether there’s enough for everyone. Just intense focus on the mission!

Let’s end the madness of who’s getting the credit or glory, and get down to the business of winning the lost! If we unify our efforts, there’s no limit to our effectiveness. The harvest truly is ready – we “locusts” just need to unite!

“Serminute” Series – Big Lessons in Small Packages

“Serminutes” – Sermon in a Minute. A one minute spiritual pick-me-up for busy Christians!  Visit this POST for details on what exactly that is. Thank you for visiting today! May the Lord richly bless you. Rodger Mangold

 

Big Lessons in Small Packages – The Rabbit

R. Mangold

There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise…The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks; (Prov. 30:24-28)

This particular species rabbit (coney) resides near rock formations and crevices of mountains. Ill-equipped to face predators, the coney surrounds itself with protection and can quickly evade capture by hiding amongst rocks. What great wisdom may we glean from our “feeble” friend the rabbit? 

  • Not quick to defend itself
  • Sometimes it’s better to flee (youthful lusts)
  • Holding his peace allowing God to fight his battles
  • No greater protection and defense than God

Ironically, David, Israel’s most courageous king was quite the “rabbit!” 

  • “My rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust;” (Ps. 18:2)
  • “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” (Ps. 61:2)
  • “My defense; and my God is the rock of my refuge.” (Ps. 94:22)
  • “Rock of our salvation.” (Ps. 95:1)

Apostle Paul spells it out better than anyone who our true “Rock” is…they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. (I Cor. 10:4)

“Serminute” Series – Big Lessons in Small Packages

“Serminutes” – Sermon in a Minute. A one minute spiritual pick-me-up for busy Christians!  Visit this POST for details on what exactly that is. Thank you for visiting today! May the Lord richly bless you. Rodger Mangold

Mission "Ant-possible 3" – The Power of a Team

R. Mangold

There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer. Proverbs 30:24-25

Despite Proverbs stating the ant isn’t a strong creature, it is able to lift 20-50 times greater than their own weight all done with their mouth muscles. If a 175 lb. man could lift this weight with his mouth it would be nearly 8800 lbs.

Alone, an ant could accomplish very little, but multiply their efforts by millions; you have a true force to be reckoned with. And, if the weight of all the ants in the world were combined, their weight would be greater than the weight of all the humans.

God’s multiplication is even better; 1 can put 1000 to flight; 2 can put 10,000 to flight! Jesus had a team of 12 and empowered them to evangelize the entire world. If you’re a Christian reading this, Jesus’ team set the gold standard for effectiveness. Let’s continue building the team Jesus started over 2000 years ago. Our work, like the ants’ is never done. Let’s colonize the place Jesus is preparing for all of us – Heaven!

“Serminute” Series – Big Lessons in Small Packages

“Serminutes” – Sermon in a Minute. A one minute spiritual pick-me-up for busy Christians!  Visit this POST for details on what exactly that is. Thank you for visiting today! May the Lord richly bless you. Rodger Mangold


Mission "Ant-possible 2" – The Power to Rebuild

R. Mangold

There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer. Proverbs 30:24-25

As children we were amazed at the speed with which ants rebuilt after we maliciously spread the tiny grains of sand that comprised their homes. Without fail like tiny machines the ants would return to rebuild their mounds.

Ants aren’t a strong “people,” but what they lack in strength, they make up for in wisdom and tenacity. They show no visible signs of complaining. They just keep their heads down, roll up their sleeves and get to the business of rebuilding.

We’re going to have setbacks in life; emotional, financial, spiritual or otherwise. One may argue, the ant knows no better, that’s what their created to do. I would argue we do know better, and have a God who’s willing to help us rebuild saying, “cast all your cares upon me, because I care for you.”

Remember a just man falls seven times, and rises up again. Next time the devil kicks over your world consider the wisdom of the ant and her ability to rebuild…setback after setback!

“Serminute” Series – Big Lessons in Small Packages

“Serminutes” – Sermon in a Minute. A one minute spiritual pick-me-up for busy Christians!  Visit this POST for details on what exactly that is. Thank you for visiting today! May the Lord richly bless you. Rodger Mangold


Mission "Ant-possible!"

R. Mangold

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Proverbs 6:6

Solomon was contrasting the sluggard with the industrious ant, but as Christians, what’s our take-home message? Have we become like Aesop’s lazy grasshopper, basking in the temporary pleasures of this world, flitting from one blade of grass to another seeking enjoyment and pleasure? Or, are we like the laser-sharp-focused ant who never forgets she’s on “Mission from God?” We’ve been commanded to go into all the world preaching the Gospel of Christ’s Death, Burial and Resurrection. An ant builds a colony, numbering in some cases in the millions. Let’s make God’s Mission, our mission. Let’s work the harvest while it is day, and colonize for the Kingdom of Heaven.

“Serminute” Series – Big Lessons in Small Packages

“Serminutes” – Sermon in a Minute. A one minute spiritual pick-me-up for busy Christians!  Visit this POST for details on what exactly that is. Thank you for visiting today! May the Lord richly bless you. Rodger Mangold