Ants Everywhere

Prov 6:6 “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways,

and be wise:”

The Lesson of the Ants

Ants teach us a great lesson. The first went and told others the “good news,” who, in turn, went and told the glad story to many more. Like

Isaiah, the demoniac, the woman of Samaria, and others, we must “go and tell” the glad story of God’s

redeeming love! —Authur Peterson

Job 12:1-10 “And Job answered and said, No doubt

but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.

But I have understanding as well as you; I am not…

Job 12:1-10 …inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such

things as these? I am as one mocked of his neighbour,

who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed…

Job 12:1-10 …to scorn. He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at

ease. The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are …

Job 12:1-10 …secure; into whose hand God bringeth

abundantly. But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air,

and they shall tell thee: Or speak to the earth…

Job 12:1-10 …and it shall teach thee and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto

thee. Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the

LORD hath wrought this?...

Job 12:1-10 …In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all

mankind”

Should we change our behavior?

Should we “blend” in?

Should we be a different person?

Matt 7:13-14 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be

which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it”

What Jesus said. – most people are going the wrong way.

Work

School

Public

Work? School? Public?

1 Pet 4:1-2 “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves

likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the

flesh hath ceased…

Work? School? Public?

1 Pet 4:1-2 …from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our

life may suffice us to…

Work? School? Public?

1 Pet 4:1-2 …have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness,

lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and

abominable idolatries…

Work? School? Public?

1 Pet 4:1-2 …Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you”

1 Pet 4:12 “Beloved, think it not strange concerning

the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some

strange thing happened unto you”

Do Not Be Surprised – suffering for Jesus Christ

Ex 23:22“Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou

speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest

judgment:”

Consider Crowd Mentality

Deindividuation – when people are part of a

group, they experience a loss of self-awareness.

By Dr. Nicola Davies, Health

Psychology Consultancy Ltd

Identity – when people are part of a group, they can lose their sense of

individual identity. By Dr. Nicola Davies

Emotions – being part of a group can lead to

heightened emotional states, be that excitement,

anger, hostility, etc. By Dr. Nicola Davies

Acceptability – behaviours that are usually seen as unacceptable suddenly

become acceptable when others within a group are seen

to be carrying them out. By Dr. Nicola Davies

Anonymity – people feel anonymous within a large group, which reduces their sense of responsibility and

accountability. By Dr. Nicola Davies

Diffusion of Responsibility – being part of a group creates the perception that violent or

unacceptable behaviour is not a a personal responsibility but

a group responsibility. By Dr. Nicola Davies

Matthew 27:25 “Then answered all the

people, and said, His blood be on us, and

on our children”

Acts 7:54 “When they heard these things, they

were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth”

Acts 7:57-58 “Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped

their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes

at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul”

Majority was against Paul

Galatia

Gal 2:4-6 “And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in

privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ

Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage…

Gal 2:4-6 …To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were…

Gal 2:4-6 …it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they

who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing

to me”

Gal 1:6-9 “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him

that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert…

Gal 1:6-9 …the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have

preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said…

Gal 1:6-9 …before, so say I now again, If any man preach

any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let

him be accursed”

Tendency to rationalize when

we do not have the courage.

Gal 5:11“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath

made us free, and be not entangled again with the

yoke of bondage.”

Gal 4:16 “Am I therefore become

your enemy, because I tell you the truth?”

Stand fast – you will be out numbered.

Gal 1:10 “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”

1 Thessalonians 3:8 “For now we live, if ye stand fast in the

Lord”

Joshua

Jews are a small numberJoshua 1:5

Josh 1:5 “There shall not any man be able to stand before

thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee,

nor forsake thee”

We serve the same GOD!

Gideon300 against 135,000

Book of Judges

In the minority

Jonathan & armourbear

2 against 20

1 Sam 14

We are going to be in the minority!

Obadiah 1:2 “Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen:

thou art greatly despised”

2 Tim 3:1 “This know also, that in the last days perilous times

shall come”

2000 lb

Gal 6:9 “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint

not.”

Rom 10:17 “So then faith cometh by

hearing, and hearing by the word of God”

Luke 13:3 “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish”

Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be

baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the

Holy Ghost”

Mark 16:16 “He that believeth and is

baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not

shall be damned”

Salvation Hear Believe Repent ConfessBaptized