-
Animal Parade
Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 25, 2011 (message contributor)
-
1. A Message For The Birds
Contributed on Jul 25, 2011
Why does Genesis tell us about Noah sending out a Raven and a Dove to see if the waters had receded from the face of the earth? Why bother? They're just a couple of insignificant birds... or are they?
OPEN: An old Aztec legend tells of a man named Tapi who was a very pious man. The legend says that the creator told Tapi to build a boat that he would live in. He was told that he should take his wife, a pair of every animal that was alive into this boat. Naturally everyone thought he was crazy. ...read more
-
2. Donkey Talk
Contributed on Aug 2, 2011
Why did God get angry with Balaam? All we are told is Balaam did what God told him but God still sends an angel to kill hiim. Why? And what lessons does God have for us in this story.
OPEN: YouTube Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac2yP_DbHxc APPLY: We’ve all the story of Balaam’s donkey ever since we were little children. But this is an unusual story for a number of reasons… not the least of which is a talking donkey. So, what I want to do this morning ...read more
-
3. Trusting In Ravens
Contributed on Aug 8, 2011
Why would God use Ravens to feed Elijah. They’re disgusting, unclean, anti-social and cruel birds. Why didn’t God use a simpler and more pleasing way of meeting Elijah’s needs?
OPEN: Years ago I read the story of a man by the name of Wally who owned a farm in Connecticut. He had a remarkable talent he had with birds. Chickadees specifically. It seems that every morning these little birds would flutter down and land on his hands. And it wasn’t just for food; He’d talk ...read more
-
4. The Rooster Call
Contributed on Aug 21, 2011
Roosters are used to wake people up. But what did Jesus use the Rooster to "wake" Peter up to?
OPEN: How many of you have ever fallen asleep in Church? (Wait for a show of hands) Most people have – at least once. ILLUS: In the days of the Pilgrims, churches had a person they called a “tything man”. His job was to keep people awake during the sermons (usually 2 to 3 hours in length) by ...read more
-
5. Baa Baa Black Sheep
Contributed on Aug 29, 2011
Psychologists refer to the trait of not wanting someone to be part of their "flock" the "Black Sheep Effect". Jesus could have told His parable using a black sheep (because the sinners He worked with were that), but He didn’t. Were there reasons why He di
OPEN: (This is a video of a 3 yr old girl “reading” the story of the lost sheep. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QIhNBzK6dQ Begin at 31 sec mark. Quit at 3 minutes) In keeping with this idea of children’s stories, I want to share with you a children’s song about sheep. Sing along is you know ...read more