Sermon Illustrations – Page 4 – Serminutes

Big Lessons in Small Packages – The Spider

May 28, 2011R. 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

May 24, 2011R. 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

Big Lessons in Small Packages – The Rabbit

May 22, 2011R. 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

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

May 21, 2011R. 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

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

May 20, 2011R. 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

Immobilizing Effects of Guilt

May 19, 2011R. Mangold

And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. Genesis 3:8

For Adam and Eve, hearing God’s voice meant a visit with the Creator. Each encounter with God brought another blessing; a new tree from which to eat, a new flower upon which to gaze, a new creation for which to praise Him. But this time God’s presence brought fear. Guilt and shame reared their ugly heads. Adam and Eve knew death was the punishment for disobedience. Like children, they ran and hid prolonging their impending doom.

Guilt leaves us feeling unworthy of a relationship with our Creator. Guilt, a close cousin to Fear, immobilizes us like a deer in the headlights. But God’s perfect love casts out all fear. He desires to reconcile with humanity. Don’t turn a deaf ear to the overtures of Grace. Don’t spurn the love of your Heavenly Father. Don’t ignore His outstretched hand. Doing so means an outcome we all dread – eternal separation from the very one who died to save us!

Hippocratic or Hypocritcal?

May 18, 2011R. Mangold

In the 5^th Century Hippocrates, the “Father of Western Medicine” penned the words to perhaps history’s oldest binding document, the Hippocratic Oath. A portion of this oath states, “I will do no harm or injustice to them [patients].” Graduating medical students swear, to the best of their ability, to cure their patient doing the least amount of harm in the process, and when possible strive not to further exacerbate the wound or condition.

When a wayward sinner, who is bound by addictions, battered and abused by the world, and kicked to the proverbial curb of life, enters our doors, we’d do well to adhere to the Hippocratic Oath as Christians; DO NO HARM! How dare we sneer and thumb our noses at the mirror-image of who we were before Christ found us? Have we grown so accustomed to God’s blessings and favor that we’ve forgotten, but for the grace God we’d be in their very shoes?

Rather than take a “Hypocritical” approach of the priest and Levite, oblivious to the anguish and pain, let us adopt the Samaritan’s “Hippocratic” approach who was quick to provide healing to the wounded traveler – because…”such were some of you.”

Source Link to Hippocratic Oath Information: U.S. National Library of Medicine

The Grip of Regret

May 14, 2011R. Mangold

Benjamin Franklin said, “In this world nothing can said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Aside from God being the most certain of all things in this world, I’ve another to add to Mr. Franklin’s list of certainties. If you’ve your wits about you, and you’ve lived any length of time on this planet you’re going to have regrets! Ironically, we often find our regrets don’t center on the things we’ve done as much as they do upon the things we’ve left undone; those moments we wish we would have acted differently, said something differently, or treated someone differently. Perhaps we left a kind word unsaid, or a kind act undone.

Life is going to be full of those moments without you adding more to that list. James teaches us, “He that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin (4:17). Don’t frame your life by regrets for things done or undone. If God’s called you and you’re not answering that call…start NOW! If you’re doing something you shouldn’t…STOP IT! Allow the Holy Ghost full reign of your appetites, affections, and attitude. Another certainty to add to Mr. Franklin’s list…You’ll never regret serving God!

God's Missing Children

May 12, 2011R. Mangold

“Your child is missing!” Words no parent ever wants to hear. With the advent of one gallon plastic milk containers, and on-the-fly breakfasts, one may not recall at one time the American breakfast table included cereal and cardboard milk containers with pictures of missing children. A heart-wrenching reminder that somewhere a child was not enjoying breakfast with their parents because they were lost or abducted…or worse!

Jesus was adamant about keeping his flock complete asking, “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?” (Luke 15:4)

You may be enjoying the green pastures and still waters of an impressively large congregation. But, our Good Shepherd is fixated on the empty pews. Sure, He loves all those that are present in the safety of the fold, but the heart of our Heavenly Father aches for those faces that are missing from the table He has prepared especially for them. Today, won’t you join the Shepherd in leading that one lost sheep home? After all, at one time we were ALL sheep who had gone astray.

Mission "Ant-possible!"

May 11, 2011R. 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

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