A Sermon from the Birds

Eastford Baptist Church

November 16, 2006

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”

(Matthew 6:26)

Recently I was walking behind our house, when I heard a noise overhead that sounded like a traveling traffic jam. I soon recognized it as the honking of a flock of geese migrating south. Geese have become a very common sight in our neck of the woods these days. Right up the road from our home is a small pond that seems to have become an official rest stop on their migratory superhighway. Some days there are just a few road-weary geese taking a rest from their long journey. Other days there are dozens of them waddling from one end of the field to the other in search of a tasty morsel before resuming their flight.
I suppose when some people see geese in the fall they think of a succulent goose dinner. When I see them I am reminded of an illustration Jesus used to demonstrate a key concept in one of His sermons. Jesus was a Master Teacher and He often used the world of nature to illustrate timeless truths. He would say things like “consider the flowers” or “look at the grass.” In Matthew 6:26 Jesus said, “Look at the birds of the air...”
There are several important lessons we can learn from geese as we think about the church. Have you noticed when geese migrate they never do it alone? And when they fly, they utilize a V-formation. Why do they fly together in a V-formation? According to information I got from a website, each goose creates a wing-tip vortex that provides extra lift for the goose behind them. Because they fly in formation they can fly 70% further than a single goose could ever fly alone. How did those geese figure out to fly in formation? Did some head goose with a degree in aeronautical engineering from MIT figure it out and say, “Okay, guys, if we fly in this formation, we’ll go further”? No, God simply made them that way, the same way God made you and me to have fellowship with one another. You may think the church is for the birds, but as the old cliché says, “What’s good for the goose is good for gander.” We can be more and do more when we join together than we could ever do as individuals. Geese fly together because it makes the journey easier. Likewise when we are together in the church - going in the same direction - we benefit from each other’s life. It makes the journey of life a lot easier.
If a goose falls out of formation, he immediately loses the updraft from the formation and it becomes harder for him to fly, so you’ll see stragglers struggle to rejoin the formation. Occasionally something may happen to one goose that prevents it from catching up with the others. Studies have shown if a goose flying in formation gets sick or wounded and has to drop out of the V, two other healthy geese will follow it down and stay with it and protect it until it is either healthy again or dies. At that time the geese will join another formation migrating toward their destination. In the same way, the Bible says we are to bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.
And what about all that honking? If you ever see a gaggle of geese flying overhead listen carefully, and you’ll hear a lot of honking going on. Many ornithologists believe the honking is a form of audible encouragement the geese give each other. We don’t know what they’re saying. It may be some young goose asking, “Are we there yet?” Or it may be mother goose telling stories. Or perhaps it’s a wife-goose saying, “Don’t you pass another exit without stopping for a rest room break!” Or, it may be they’re just saying, “Keep it up! Let’s go! It’s a long journey, so keep flapping!” The Christian life is a long journey too, and we can’t make it unless we have people encouraging us. It could be the only honk you hear is when you are a half-second late pulling out at a green light. But wouldn’t it be great if we decided we were all going to become a bunch of “honkies” and constantly encourage one another as we travel this journey together?
Another lesson we can learn from the birds is how each one takes responsibility in leadership. As they are flying in formation, the lead goose doesn’t benefit from the updraft of a goose in front of him, so what happens? Studies show they share the lead – they share the load. After awhile the lead goose drops back, and gets in formation and another goose will take the lead. Leaders can get weary when everyone behind them is constantly honking and unwilling to take their turn in contributing to the flock. Even the birds know there’s a better way to travel. Studies show in the average church, 20% of the people, does 80% of the work. Imagine if only 20% of your body was operating as it should! At best, you would be in ICU! Learn a lesson from the birds – everyone needs to take a turn at leadership so that no one is driven to the point of exhaustion.
One last lesson; every time you see or hear a flock of geese this fall be reminded of what Jesus said in his sermon – “Remember, in spite of how wonderfully your Heavenly Father has provided for the birds – You are so much more important than they are.” Geese are important to God. He has brilliantly equipped them and constantly provides for them. But you matter so much more to God than they do. So much that He sent Jesus to pay the price for every sin in your life and provide an opportunity for you to enjoy His love forever. A great love for His creation is displayed in the way God takes care of the birds. But a still greater love for you is revealed in the way Jesus died upon the cross and rose again from the grave for your deliverance.
If you have the opportunity to be outside today, listen carefully. You just might hear a sermon being preached from the sky overhead as a flock of geese continue on their journey southward. As you listen, be reminded of God’s great love for you and how precious you are in His eyes. Let him who has ears to hear, hear.

ALL for His Glory,PT