Sermon Tone Analysis

Text:

Ant Sense

Introduction: This series comes as a result of our 86th Church Anniversary celebration and the burning of the note on the 1106 Diceman property.

We have heard it said many times, there have been books written with the title…”Where do we go from here?”

Instead of saying, “Where do we go from here?”

I would like to ask, “Where do we GROW from here?”

What is our next step?

What is our next goal!

Where are growing to next?

In fact, in our personal lives, where are we “growing” to next?

Well, today we are going to learn some lessons from the “ant.”

Of all the animals that can be talked about today, I want to share with us about the ant.

If we could just have “Ant Sense.”

The ant is a small animal.

But, it has good sense.

Chapter 6 deals with three enemies that can destroy a person financially, physically, morally, or spiritually: unwise financial commitments (vv.

1–5), laziness (vv.

6–11), and lust (vv.

20–35).

I. Sense of Observation (6)

· To prevent our financial, physical, moral, and/or spiritual ruin that comes from unwise financial commitments, laziness, and lust; God grants divine wisdom to Solomon, and the scripture sends us to nature.

Even the smallest works of nature are full of Divine lessons to him who has eyes to read them.

Sometimes we are bidden to consider the heavens, but now we are invited to consider the ant.[1]

· Go to the ant, and learn not to despise the little things…

· Go to the ant, and learn nature’s lesson of work…

· Go to the ant, and learn the duty of preparing for the future…

o From the ant’s sense of observation, we can gain a sense of initiation…

o From the ant’s sense of observation, we can gain a sense of determination…

II.

Sense of Initiation (7)

· Without a “guide, overseer, or ruler,” the ant gets the job done.

· Without a “leader, administrator, or ruler,” the ant gets the job done.

· The ant takes initiative!

o Management can be broken down into two categories: micro and macro.

Micro-managing & Macro-managing…

· Micro-managing: The word "micro" is derived from the Greek for small.

In terms of management it is where the manager takes a close and active role in managing the affairs of a business📷.

Subordinates or employees are closely observed and the manager sets the pace and controls all aspects of an assignment.

· Macro-managing: "Macro" comes from the Greek word for large.

Frederick Keller defined macromanaging as setting business policy, determining strategy and organizing management.

The next step up in the management ladder, a macromanager delegates responsibilities to subordinates.

o It is not the case with the ant!

God has miraculously orchestrated the affairs of the ant(s) so much so that there is no need for a visible leader, administrator, or ruler…if God can guide an eagle through a pathless air, surely God can give divine direction to the miniature mind of the assiduous ant!

· We must teach our children the importance of taking initiative…we should not have to always tell children to take out the trash, clean your room, wash the dishes, etc…

· There are some things that will not be given to you…you must take the initiative and take things…Some people will not give you an education, you must take it…

III.

Sense of Determination (8)

· The ant is industrious.

The ant is hard working.

The ant has a divinely innate sense of determination.

o It “provides/prepares” in the summer…the gets things ready in the summer…

· We can learn from this zealous & conscientious creature.

· The ant is productive and persevering.

· It is not lazy, lethargic, nor lackadaisical…

o It “gathers” food during the “harvest” i.e. the fall…

· It does stop take a vacation in the fall…the ant keeps on working.

· The ant is an eager and energetic creature.

· It is not an inactive, idle, nor indolent individual.

· The ant is determined.

o It does not give up easily…it’s determined.

o It does not deter…it finds a way to overcome life’s obstacles, stumbling blocks, and circumstances…They keep their “ant trail!”

IV.

Sense of Expectation (9-11)

Solomon uses the ant to give us a sense of observation, a sense of initiation, and a sense of determination; but now Solomon tries to give us a sense of expectation if we don’t use some Ant Sense!

Listen to these final verses in the text…verses 9-11…

1.

So how long are you going to laze around doing nothing?

How long before you get out of bed?

A nap here, a nap there, a day off here, a day off there,

sit back, take it easy—do you know what comes next?

Just this: You can look forward to a dirt-poor life,

poverty your permanent houseguest!

(The Message Translation)

2. “I must work the works of Him that sent me while it is day, the night cometh when no man can work!”

[1] Proverbs, ed.

H. D. M. Spence-Jones, The Pulpit Commentary (London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1909), 140.