Proverbs 30:24
Chuck Smith teaches us about four little wise creatures from Proverbs 30:24, showing us the importance of preparation, cooperative effort, and taking hold of the promises of God.
Chuck Smith explores the wisdom found in four small creatures as described in Proverbs 30:24, emphasizing their unique strengths and lessons for humanity. He highlights the ant's diligence in preparing for the future, the conie's reliance on the rock for safety, the locust's power in unity without a visible leader, and the spider's ability to thrive in unexpected places. Each creature serves as a metaphor for spiritual truths, urging believers to prepare for eternity, find strength in Christ, work together as a community, and hold onto God's promises. The sermon encourages listeners to reflect on their own lives and the importance of wisdom in daily living.
Text
"FOUR LITTLE WISE CREATURES"
I. THE ANT.
A. A people not strong.
1. Called people because they live in colonies.
2. Each ant fulfilling his own responsibility within the
community.
3. Not strong.
a. For their size they are very strong.
b. Because of their size, you can crush hundreds
under your shoe.
B. They prepare their meat in the summer.
1. Ants do not swim, so they must store food for the rainy
season.
a. Some grow mushrooms.
b. Others keep and milk aphids.
c. Store honey.
C. Somehow they know they must prepare for the future.
1. We all know the day is coming when our works will cease.
2. Prophet cried, "Prepare to meet thy God."
3. "Lay up for thyself treasures in Heaven."
4. So many foolishly never prepare for eternity.
II. THE CONIE OR HYRAX.
A. A feeble folk.
1. About size of rabbit, sort of hops like rabbit.
2. Looks like overgrown guinea pig.
3. Feeble folk, very defenseless against coyote, fox,
bobcat, any of its natural enemies.
B. They make their houses in the rocks.
1. Deep in the crevices and fractures.
2. There they become as strong as the rocks that house them.
C. We need to recognize how feeble we are.
1. No match for Satan, our natural enemy.
2. If we are wise, we will make our home in the rock, Christ
Jesus.
a. "When my heart is overwhelmed..."
b. When your hiding place is in Jesus, you are as
strong as the rock that shelters.
III. THE LOCUST.
A. Have no king, visible leadership.
B. They go forth by bands.
1. Find their strength in cooperative effort.
a. One locust is easily killed.
b. They fly in by the millions.
c. The can stop trains and cars.
C. The church needs to learn the power or cooperative effort.
a. Led by our invisible king, Jesus Christ, what an
influence we could become in our community and world.
b. The Holy Spirit seeks to coordinate the activities of
the body.
IV. THE SPIDER - GECKO - LIZARD FAMILY.
A. Takes hold with her hands.
1. Retractable claws like a cat.
2. On each paw, thousands of small hooks.
3. Can crawl up a pane of glass or run upside-down on smooth
plastered ceiling.
4. Desirable house pets because they catch insects,
especially cockroaches.
B. Dwells in king palaces.
1. They can be kept out.
C. We are told to take hold of the promises of God.
1. Heb. 11:13, "Embraced them."
2. II. Peter 1, "Exceeding rich and precious..."
3. We shall one day dwell in the kings palace.
Sermon Outline
- The Ant points: - A people not strong - They prepare their meat in the summer - Somehow they know they must prepare for the future
- The Conie or Hyrax points: - A feeble folk - They make their houses in the rocks - We need to recognize how feeble we are
- The Locust points: - Have no king, visible leadership - They go forth by bands - The church needs to learn the power or cooperative effort
- The Spider - Gecko - Lizard Family points: - Takes hold with her hands - Dwells in king palaces - We are told to take hold of the promises of God
Key Quotes
“Somehow they know they must prepare for the future.” — Chuck Smith
“We shall one day dwell in the king's palace.” — Chuck Smith
“When my heart is overwhelmed... When your hiding place is in Jesus, you are as strong as the rock that shelters.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We should prepare for the future, just like the ant stores food for the rainy season.
- The church can learn the power of cooperative effort, just like the locusts fly in by the millions.
- We should take hold of the promises of God, just like the spider takes hold with her hands.