“The Sense God Gave A Goose”
INTRODUCTION:
Wise Old Owl Spoke Less
A wise old owl lived in an oak
The more he heard, the less he spoke.
The less he spoke, the more he heard,
Why can’t we all be like the wise old Bird?
1. Elihu To Job – Job 35:5-11
“22 ¶ And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. 23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. 24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
Actually Very Intelligent Bird…
- Train their Young about survival, food and flight path.
- Can make migration via landmarks etc.
- Each generation uses the same migration route – we tend to change??????
- They all have the same goal and face hardships together – (hunger, urban sprawl, weather patterns, etc.
- We can learn a great deal from the remarkable bird.
THE GEESE FLY IN V-SHAPE SO ALL CAN SEE THEIR LEADER – ALL IN THEIR PLACE…
I. Many people never look in the right direction.
- We should look toward God – Acts 20:32. (Paul To Elders of Ephesus)
- Jesus looked to God – Mark 7:31-35.
“JESUS AT RAISING OF LAZARUS…
41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. 43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. (John 11:41-43 AV)
- Paul said he pressed toward the mark in Jesus – Php 3:14.
“14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14 AV-NAS)
- Looking unto Jesus – Heb 12:1-2.
“1 ¶ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
1 ¶ Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2 AV-NAS)
- Keep yourselves in the love of God – Jude 21.
“21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.” (Jude 21 AV-NAS)
- Set your affections on things above – Col 3:1-2.
“1 ¶ If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
1 ¶ If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2 AV-NAS)
- Not fit, if look back – Luke 9:62.
“62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”” (Luke 9:62 AV-NAS)
H. ARE WE AS SMART AS A GOOSE? THEY KEEP THEIR SIGHTS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION!
1. We should always live with heaven in view -
FLYING IN V-SHAPE IS A VERY AERODYNAMICALLY SUPERIOR WAY TO FLY.
1. They wings all move together – Uses 71% less energy.
II. Just Think What Could Be Accomplished If Christians Had This Cooperation and Unity.
A. Jesus prayed for Unity – John 17:20-21
“20 ¶ Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
20 ¶ ”I do not ask in behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word;
21 that they may all be one; even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us; that the world may believe that Thou didst send Me.” (John 17:20-21 AV-NAS)
B. “Speak the same thing” – 1Co 1:10
“10 ¶ Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
10 ¶ Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree, and there be no divisions among you, but you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (1 Corinthians 1:10 AV-NAS)
C. Unity is an individual obligation to the Christian.
1.Give diligence to keep unity of spirit – Eph 4:1-3
“1 ¶ I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 ¶ With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
1 ¶ I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,
2 ¶ with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love,
3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3 AV-NAS)
2. Doing nothing through strife or vain glory (factionalism) – Php 2:3
“3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself;” (Philippians 2:3 AV-NAS)
D. Jesus took 12 and with unity turned the world upside down. – Acts 17:6.
“6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;
6 And when they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brethren before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have upset the world have come here also;” (Acts 17:6 AV-NAS)
E. ARE WE AS SMART AS THE GOOSE? THEY HAVE UNITY! Christians who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.
FRONT GOOSE DOES MOST WORK – WHEN POINT GOOSE GETS TIRED HE MOVED BACK AND ANOTHER TAKES HIS PLACE.
7555. Guarding The Asylum
A visitor to an institution for the mentally sick was astounded to observe one lone man guarding one hundred inmates. He was armed only with a small stick. Asked the visitor, “Are you not afraid that these insane people will get their heads together and plan to attack you?”
“Ah,” replied the guard, “these people are here because of their inability to get their heads together and work cooperatively!”
We do not know whether a psychiatrist would agree with the guard. The story, however, is most suggestive.
III. Church needs this cooperation, sharing, and working together.
A. Consider Paul’s 1 Co 12:18-20: Rom 12:1.
“18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.
19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be?
20 But now there are many members, but one body.” (1 Corinthians 12:18-20 AV-NAS)
“1 ¶ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
1 ¶ I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” (Romans 12:1 AV-NAS)
- Everybody is carrying own load according to talents or abilities – Gal 6:1-5.
“1 ¶ Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. 4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
1 ¶ Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted.
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ.
3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.
5 For each one shall bear his own load.” (Galatians 6:1-5 AV-NAS)
- It takes cooperation to take turns with the responsibilities – “Members one of another”
“5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” (Romans 12:5 AV-NAS)
B. The Geese nor the Church need glory seekers or those pretending to be the big leader. –
“3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself;” (Php 2:3 AV-NA)
“3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
3 For through the grace given to me I say to every man among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3 AV-NAS)
C. We need to please God not man – Gal 1:10
“10 ¶ For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
10 ¶ For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10 AV-NAS)
D. When a goose falls out of formation it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it along and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front. If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay with the faithful… those who are headed toward heaven… the same way we ought to be going.
D. DO WE HAVE THE COOPERATION AND SELFLESSNESS THAT WE SHOULD? THE GEESE DO!
THE GEESE IN THE BACK HONK ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE FRONT GOOSE OFFERING ENCOURAGEMENT FOR WORKING SO HARD.
IV. What do we usually say when we talk from behind?
A. Backbiters – worthy of death – Rom 1:30
“30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,
31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful;
32 and, although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.” (Romans 1:30-32 AV-NAS)
B. One must bridle the tongue – Jas 1:26
“26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.” (Jas 1:26 AV-NAS)
C. Evil speaking should be put away from us – Eph 4:31
“31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” (Ephesians 4:31 AV-NAS)
D. Shouldn’t talk about brothers (Raca=Worthless) – Matt 5:22
“22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
22 ”But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever shall say to his brother, ‘Raca,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever shall say, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.” (Matthew 5:22 AV-NAS)
E. Backbiting, Gossiping, Whispering not only sinful, but very destructive… think!
F. HOW MUCH MORE COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED IF WE ENCOURAGED EACH OTHER LIKE THESE GEESE DO?
WHEN A GOOSE GETS SICK OR WOUNDED AND FALLS OUT OF FORMATION, TWO OTHERS FALL OUT WITH HIM, AND STAYS WITH HIM, FOR PROTECTION AND AS A PROVIDER UNTIL HE RECUPERATES OR DIES… THEN THEY CATCH THE NEXT FLIGHT THROUGH.
V. Do have this kind of concern for one another?
A. Our brothers and sisters – Jas 1:27
“27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
27 This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” (James 1:27 AV-NAS)
B. If brother overtaken in a fault – Gal 6:1
“1 ¶ Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
1 ¶ Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1 AV-NAS)
C. Save a soul from death and hide sin – Jas 5:19-20
“19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
19 My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth, and one turns him back,
20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19-20 AV-NAS)
D. What about our neighbors – Mark 12:28-31
“28 ¶ And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? 29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
28 ¶ And one of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?”
29 Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD;
30 AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’
31 ”The second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”” (Mark 12:28-31 AV-N)
- Be concerned because they are lost! – Luke 19:10
“10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
10 ”For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”” (Luke 19:10 AV-NAS)
E. Do we standby or defend each other as we should?
- What impression would this have on the community – showing concern like this.
- Paul spent much time writing and praying for his brothers and sister in Christ.
- Jesus said, “I am with you always” – Matt 28:20.
“20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”” (Matthew 28:20 AV-NAS)
F. THESE GEESE SHOW A GREAT CONCERN FOR ONE ANOTHER. DO WE?
THE GEESE FLY HUNDREDS OF MILES EACH YEARS FOR WARMTH, FOOD, PROTECTION AND SURVIVAL.
VI. The goose seems smarter than a lot of people in that they prepare themselves. Are you prepared?
A. Not for physical survival, but spiritual survival.
“6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
6 And I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.” (Psalms 55:6 AV-NAS)
“33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
33 ”But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33 AV-NAS)
“20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
20 ”I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.” (Galatians 2:20 AV-NAS)
B. The soul is eternal – Matt 10:28.
“28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
28 ”And do not fear those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28 AV-NAS)
C. Jesus died that we might have life – 1Jo 5:11.
“11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
11 And the witness is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” (1 John 5:11 AV-NAS)
D. If Goose didn’t fly they would be destroyed; if we don’t prepare for our flight we will be lost – 2Co 5:10
“10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10 AV-NAS)
F. ALL WE NEED TO DO MANY TIMES IS SHOW THAT WE HAVE THE SENSE GOD GAVE A GOOSE!