The Scriptures often point to nature for illustration and wisdom…
a. Jesus said to look at the birds, consider the lilies –
Mt 6:26-28 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor
reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are
you not of more value than they?
27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his tature?
28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field,
how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;
I. GEESE PRACTICE SYNERGY
A. FACT…
1. As each goose flaps its wings it creates an "uplift" for the
birds that follow
2. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds a much greater
flying range than if each bird flew alone
B. LESSON…
1. People who share a common direction and sense of community
can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are
traveling on the thrust of one another
2. This is the principle of synergy: two or more agents working
together to produce a result not obtainable by any of the
agents independently
3. Just like the Biblical practice of two by two –
Mk 6:7; And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them
out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.
Ac 13:2; As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said,
“Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have
called them.”
"flocking together"?
II. GEESE BENEFIT FROM MUTUAL EDIFICATION
A. FACT…
1. When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag
and resistance of flying alone
2. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the
lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it
B. LESSON…
1. If we have as much sense as a goose we stay in formation with
those headed where we want to go
2. We are willing to accept their help and give our help to others
3. Strong Christians appreciate the value of mutual edification
– He 3:12-14; Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;
13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,
10:24-25 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Mutual edification occurs within the context of a local church.
Whereas a group of geese are called either a skein (inflight) or gaggle
(on ground), a group of Christians is called a church.
III. GEESE SHARE THE BURDEN
A. FACT…
1. When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation
and another goose flies to the point position
2. Similar to pace lining in bicycling
B. LESSON…
1. It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing
leadership
2. As with geese, people are interdependent on each other’s
skills, capabilities and unique arrangements of gifts, talents
or resources
3. As members of the body of Christ, we are to do our part –
Ep 4:16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
IV. GEESE ENCOURAGE THOSE WHO LEAD
A. FACT…
1. The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up
front to keep up their speed
2. It is unlikely their honking is complaining that they are going the
wrong way
B. LESSON…
1. We need to make sure our honking is encouraging
2. In groups where there is encouragement the production is much
greater
3. The power of encouragement (to stand by one’s heart or core
values and encourage the heart and core of others) is the
quality of honking we seek
4. Such should be purpose of our words (honking), to build others
up –
Ep 4:29; Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
Col 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
V. GEESE CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER
A. FACT…
1. When a goose gets sick, wounded, or shot down, two geese drop
out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it
2. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again
3. Then, they launch out with another formation or catch up with
the flock
B. LESSON…
1. If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other
in difficult times as well as when we are strong
2. Another benefit in working together, a duty of spiritual
brethren –
Ec 4:10; For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to
him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help
him up.
Ga 6:1-2 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are
spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering
yourself lest you also be tempted.
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
CONCLUSION
1. By instinct, God gave geese the wisdom to succeed in their flight and
migration
2. By His Word, and by His Creation, God gives us wisdom to succeed in
our spiritual journey!
