Wise Ants

Q: What do you call the largest ant in the world?
A: An eleph-ant.

Please forgive the corny joke, but I have ants on my mind. Yesterday, I discovered that thousands of these diminutive insects had invaded our storage shed. Due to the increased rainfall over the last few days, I suppose the tiny creatures were forced above ground. I couldn’t walk in the building without stepping on one of them. Ant “Superhighways” crisscrossed the concrete floor. I am embarrassed to say (Well,... not really. ) that I had a lot of fun spraying them with "Hot Shot."

While the rain from Tropical Storm Fay caused the postponement of some events and delayed work projects in the last few days, ants remained focused on gathering food. The Bible tells us that we could learn a lot from ants.

The writer of Proverbs declared “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise (Prov. 6:6 NKJV).” Ants are disciplined, dependable and determined. The scriptures praise ants for working and gathering food even though they do not have a “captain, overseer or ruler (v.7).”

O.S. Hawkins, current CEO of Guidestone Financial Resources and former pastor of FBC Dallas, TX, has written a book entitled Antology. From his book written to help prepare ministers for their retirement years, I gained the idea for a sermon I preached last Labor Day. I can’t blame the outline on him. It’s mine. Let's look at ants.

Antology

Proverbs 6:6-11

Examine the Ant (6a)
"Go to the Ant..."

1. The Anatomy of Ants

Like all insects, ants have six legs. Each leg has three joints. The legs of ants allow them to move rapidly. Taking their size into account, ants are much quicker than humans. Also, "they" tell me that an ant's brain has about 250 000 brain cells. (Who counted them?) A human brain has 10,000 million cells. So, a colony of 40,000 ants has collectively the same number of brain cells as a human. So, for their size and brain power, ants are incredibly productive.

2. The Abode of Ants

Ant beds are amazing. Intricate tunnels provide passageways to chambers. They colony centers on a nest, which shelters the queen and the developing young. Ants don't follow a consistent construction plan for their nest like wasps or bees. They tend to create a nest rapidly, taking advantage of whatever materials are available. Most types of ants build a nest without investing a lot of energy. Consequently, they are able to move to a new site with little warning. This assists them in adapting to changing climate conditions.

3. The Abundance of Ants

There are over 10,000 known species of ants. Each ant colony has at least one or more queens. In the rain forests of the Amazon, for instance, ants are so numerous that their total weight is about four times the weight of all the area’s mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians combined. O.S. Hawkins claims that if you take all the ants in the world and weighed them they would outweigh the total of all the humans on the earth.

Evaluate the Ants (6b-7)
"Consider her ways..."

1. Ants are Disciplined.

These tiny insects accomplish their work without a "captain, overseer, or ruler." They take initiative and get the job done without being told to do so.

2. Ants are Dependable.

These diminutive insects faithfully do their work in all types of challenging weather conditions.

3. Ants are Determined.

Ants can lift 20 times their own body weight. Once, I saw a tiny ant carrying a rather large portion of a potato chip. What a picture of determination and dedication!

Emulate the Ants
"and be wise,..."

1. The Ways of Ants

Each ant has a job assignment. They each have a role to play. Consequently, they know their role and they complete the tasks associated with their purpose.

2. The Workmanship of Ants

Ants store supplies for the future and they harvest when food is available. The ants do what is necessary to adapt to their environment. Their complex nests are designed to be productive. They work around barriers and, at times, include these barriers in their homes. Humans can learn a lot from them about overcoming obstacles.

3. The Wisdom of Ants

I could summarize some of the lessons we can learn from ants in a few statements.

• Be Dependable.
• Take Initiative.
• Be Prepared.
• Work Hard.
• Do Not Procrastinate.

CONCLUSION

As we begin a new church year, many folks are assuming new positions or renewing their commitment to serve the Lord through our church. If you are, join me in committing to be faithful to the Lord. Like an ant, be dependable. Take Initiative. Be Prepared. Work Hard. God deserves our best.

Late Monday Musings

This past weekend was filled with family fun, special worship experiences, and intense pastoral care opportunities.

Journey of Hope Conference

At Perdio Beach, AL, our family enjoyed some time on the beach, courtesy of the Journey of Hope Ministry. I heard a missionary from Malawi speak and she brought me to tears. Also, they had a very powerful prayer experience. Representatives from diffierent ministries stood at various sites in the room: New Orleans, Peru, Christian Women's Job Corps. Malawi, and the Middle East were all featured. Specific prayer requests were distributed. I truly felt a burden for these ministries as I prayed for each of them.

Terri and I are writing an online bible study based on John 15. After spending time with folks from this ministry and seeing the quality of their ministry, I am please to be affiliated with them.

Sunday School Class Party

Saturday night, we attended a Sunday School Class party. The food was good. The devotion, led by Ricky Dickson, was powerful and very pleasing to me. He shared the importance of being a witness through relationships. Then, several present shared their excitement about our church.

Sunday Services

While our Sunday School attendance was down from previous weeks, the morning worship attendance was still strong. We observed the Lord's Supper. During the invitation, a young man (28) made a profession of faith and his wife came for membership in our church. This will be the second twenty-something male we have baptized this year. I am thrilled. The Lord's Supper was meaningful.

Our Sunday Eveing Worship Service attendance continues to grow. Our Childrn's Choir is meeting during the evening service. They are preparing a rearrangement of a classic children's musical entitled "Down by the Creekbank."

Tradegy Strikes

Several families were impacted by traumatic events and health challenges this past weekend. I have had a heavy heart for them. Late Saturday a member of my church and I traveled (more correctly "flew") down to Gulfport to be with a family who had a son involved in an unfortunate accident. The surgery was finished at 1:30 AM and I made into the bed at 4:10 AM. I was at church on time. However, I pray I didn't preach any heresy, since I was really in a fog.

Sunday Night Bible Study

"Majoring on the Minor" - Romans 2:17-29

I. Religious Conceit is Harmful (Romans 2:17-20).
II. Religious Conceit is Hypocritical (Romans 2:21-24).
III. Religious Conceit is Hopeless (Romans 2:25-27).
IV. Real Conversion is in Holy (Romans 2:28-29)

Recently, I have heard plenty of talk about "Cultural Christianity," which is the practice of religion without committed followship of Jesus. Especially, in the South, we have a lot of folks who consider themselves Christians, but they have never really spiritually surrendered themselves to God. Furthermore, their faith is directed more toward the institutional church and their allegiance to a local church is customary, because their family has always been there.

Closely related to this type of practice was that of many Jews during the time of Paul. They trusted in their religious heritage, rituals, and knowledge. Paul exposed their hypocrisy in this passge.

John 3:16: More Than a Placard

If you watched any major sporting event in the 1970’s and 80’s, you will remember seeing the work of Rollen “Rainbow Man” Stewart. At almost any major sporting event, including Olympic events, there was a man wearing a rainbow colored Afro and hoisting a sign, which read John. 3:16. That was Rollen Stewart. He was present at football, baseball, and even golf competitions.

Stewart, also known as “Rockin’ Rollen,” first brought attention to himself with outlandish antics at a Portland Trailblazers basketball game in 1977. His rainbow colored hair and fur loin cloths brought him media notoriety. Admittedly, Stewart became discontented with his life. Following the 1980 Super Bowl, Stewart stated he experienced a dramatic conversion to Christianity (An excellent article on his life is here.). Then, the Rainbow Man became even more obsessed with gaining media attention in order to spread the “Word of God.”

Signs that he was not “level headed” began to present themselves as early as 1986, when, during the World Series, he physically assaulted his wife at Shea Stadium for not holding her John 3:16 placard in the correct position. Eventually, “Rockin’ Rollen” went to bizarre lengths to gain attention to declare the “end of the world” was drawing near. In September 1992, the Rainbow Man was arrested after holding a maid hostage in the Hyatt Hotel next to Los Angeles International Airport. He posted doomsday messages in the windows and even shot at Jetliners as they passed. He was given three life sentences in fear he was a religious fanatic in the line of David Koresh or Jim Jones.

To have such a sad story associated with the verse John 3:16 is regrettable. However, just knowing the Biblical Address (or scripture reference) does not equate to a heart change. Yet, John 3:16 contains enough gospel to rock your world, but on a deep level.

This morning I will preach on the “Gift of Love” as stated in John 3:16. We will examine it according to this outline.

I. Starting Point- For God…
A. Supreme Passion- so loved…
B. Sinful People- the world

II. Sacrificial Present- He Gave
A. Superior Possession– His only begotten
B. Sole Progeny-Son

III. Staggering Promise-That whoever
A. Spiritual Purpose- Believes in Him
B. Saving Power- should not perish

IV. Serene Perpetuity- But have everlasting life.