Relatable Illustration

The Siege chpt. 4

Tablet- engrave the city

Introduction

Text

Scripture Introduction

Siegeworks-

wall

mound

camps

battering rams

Iron griddle- set your face toward it

Bind with cords

Lie on side

390 left side

40 right side

Prophesy against the city

6 grains in one vessel

8 oz of bread

2/3 qt water

Human dung

The People chpt. 5

Cut hair

Measure in 3rds

🔥 Fire

🗡️ Sword (all a

🍃 Wind

Belt

🔥 Fire

The Prairie Project

Motivation: How the meaning comes to life

The Prairie Project illustrates our restored life in Jesus. Just as restoration brings life and beauty to our church's lawn, entrusting your life to the God of the Bible replaces who you once were with the newness of life and vibrancy that comes through Jesus.

Positional Justification: Sign

The land was declared a prairie before any growth because of the seed that was sown.

Our salvation is not based on what we have accomplished, but what we have received. The growth is an overflow of what has been planted within us.

Draws others to the fullness of Joy that comes through Christ

The Prairie Project is a helpful reminder of the believer's restored life in Christ. In this picture, a bee has landed on a butterfly milkweed. The bee could recognize the flower had something of value to offer it. The prairie is not just about the vibrancy of the flowers but also the habitat, nutrition, and balanced ecosystem it provides.

The same goes for our restored life in Christ. It is not just about getting to heaven. God has restored us for the present. As our restored life positively affects our family, friends, and community, hopefully, they will be drawn to the fullness of joy that comes through Christ.

Joy in Hardship: It’s not just about the beauty, but the fullness

As the summer season ends, the number of flowers in the prairie declines. If someone only focuses on the flowers, the prairie becomes a letdown in this new season. But their focus on the flowers has caused them to miss much of what the prairie offers—the butterflies, praying mantises, unique seed pods, colorful grasses, the ecological benefits, etc.

The same is true for our walk with God. If we only focus on the flowers of life, we may feel discouraged when we can't find the beauty we seek. Similar to a prairie, there is more to life, and if we concentrate too much on the bright and beautiful aspects of life, we may miss out on the fullness of our restored life in Christ.

Joy in Hardship: Drought

Our Prairie Project is an illustration of our restored life in Christ. Today, I noticed the church's lawn has dried up during this drought, but the prairie is full of life.

The ability of the prairie to thrive in this drought is a reminder that our restored life that comes through Jesus strengthens us to withstand the hardships of life. Without him, the messiness of life depletes us.

Competition with the Seed: Periodic Burns

Competes with what was sown (weeds)

How can a Christian know what areas in their life could use attention? Consider what God is showing us through the prairie project. We know a weed exists in our prairie when a plant competes with what is sown.

The same goes for our Christian walk. Are there things in your life that are competing against your restored life in Christ? To answer this question, you must know what God has sown, and the Bible is your seed catalog.

Since dead plant material prevents new prairie growth, we periodically burn our prairie to keep it vibrant. What would it look like if we performed "periodic burns" in our Christian walk? Over time, things can slowly enter our Christian walk that hinders us from experiencing the fullness of our restored life in Christ.

Identity is embedded

This flower, which is found in our prairie, is a wild bergamot. Its identity is not defined by its petals or leaves, but rather by the information embedded within the seed from which it grew.

Similarly, our identity—our sense of self and worth—does not arise from societal expectations or from a personal quest to define who we are. Instead, our true identity has been bestowed upon us by our Creator, who formed us in our mother's womb (Psalm 139:13-18). Its value is demonstrated through Jesus' sacrifice, which restored our relationship with our Creator (Ephesians 2:4-10). So, the next time you find yourself struggling with your identity, dignity, or significance, remember that you don't have to discover, earn, or achieve these qualities; they have been embedded within you by your Creator, Yahweh.

Reproduces the seed initially planted

The prairie at Sturgis Missionary Church thrives because it consistently reproduces the seed initially planted for its growth.

Similarly, the message of restoration reaches those who need its reassurance. God's seed abides in us (1 John 3:9), and as we share the gospel's good news, we spread more seeds that can take root in the lives of others.