(Eccl 1:7) “All the rivers run into the sea, Yet the sea is not full; To the place from which the

rivers come, There they return again.”

(Eccl 1:7) “All the rivers run into the sea, Yet the sea is not full; To the place from which the

rivers come, There they return again.”

Some of the Lessons that Nature Teaches

Nature gives testimony to the existence of God

(Ps 19:1-2) “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge.”

(Rom 1:19-20) “because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.”

Some of the Lessons that Nature Teaches

Jesus used nature to teach about the kingdom

(Matt 13:31-32) “Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”

Some of the Lessons that Nature Teaches

Jesus used nature to teach about the kingdom

(Mark 4:26-29) “So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knows not how. For the earth brings forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest is come.”

“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that plants any thing, neither he that waters; but God that gives the increase.”

(1 Cor 3:6-7)

“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that plants any thing, neither he that waters; but God that gives the increase.”

(1 Cor 3:6-7)

Some of the Lessons that Nature Teaches

Many things in the natural world that reminds us of the spiritual:Sun

(Mal 4:2) “But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; And you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves.”

Some of the Lessons that Nature Teaches

Many things in the natural world that reminds us of the spiritual:Root and Stars

(Rev 22:16) “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”

Some of the Lessons that Nature Teaches

Many things in the natural world that reminds us of the spiritual:Rock

(Ps 89:26) “He shall cry to Me, 'You are my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation.”

Some of the Lessons that Nature Teaches

Many things in the natural world that reminds us of the spiritual:Rock vs. Sand

(Matt 7:24-27) “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.”

Some of the Lessons that Nature Teaches

Many things in the natural world that reminds us of the spiritual:Rock vs. Sand

(Matt 7:24-27) “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

Some of the Lessons that Nature Teaches

Many things in the natural world that reminds us of the spiritual:Grass

(1 Pet. 1:24) “ALL FLESH IS AS GRASS, AND ALL THE GLORY OF MAN AS THE FLOWER OF THE GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND ITS FLOWER FALLS AWAY, BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER”

“A river becomes crooked by following the path of least

resistance”

“A river becomes crooked by following the path of least

resistance”

1. What is Expected of Us?Walk straight paths

(Heb 12:13) “make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.”

(Matt 7:13-14) “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Straight vs. Crooked PathsStraight vs. Broad Paths

Resistance

Cut through Mountains

Build Bridges

Build up Valleys

2. We Will Encounter Much Resistance

External(Acts 14:22) “strengthening the souls of the

disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”

(1 Peter 4:12-13) “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”

2. We Will Encounter Much Resistance

Internal (James 1:13-14) “Let no one say when he is

tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.”

3. Bible ExamplesThose who made crooked paths:

Pilate (Matt. 26-27)Aaron (Ex 32:19-24)Felix (Acts 24:24-25) Demas

Fellow laborer(Phil. 24) “Marcus, Aristarchus,

Demas, Lucas, my fellow laborers.”(Col 4:14) “Luke, the beloved

physician, and Demas, greet you.”

3. Bible ExamplesThose who made crooked paths:

Pilate (Matt. 26-27)Aaron (Ex 32:19-24)Felix (Acts 24:24-25) Demas

Deserter – took the path of least resistance!(2 Tim 4:10) “For Demas has

forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed to Thessalonica.”

3. Bible ExamplesThose who walked straight paths:

Joseph (Gen 39)Moses (Heb 11:24-26)The three Hebrew teenagers (Dan 3)Paul – Went from being the persecutor to

the one being persecuted

4. We ALL Can Walk Straight Paths

(1 Cor 10:13) “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

Let the obstacles build your patience! (Jas 1:2-4) “My brethren, count it all joy when

you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing”

5. How Can We Accomplish This?

Remember the Word of God(Ps 119:11) “Thy word have I hid in mine

heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” What will happen if we remember the word of

God?

6. If we remember the word of God

We would remember not to walk in the ways of the world (1 Jn 2:15-17) “Do not love the world or the things in

the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever”

(Jas 4:4) “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God”

We would remember not to absent ourselves from the assembly of the saints (Heb 10:25) “Not forsaking the assembling

of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching.”

Purpose of the AssemblyWorshipSpiritual GrowthEdification, Convincing, ReprovingEncouragement with those of like precious

faith

6. If we remember the word of God

Remember the Word of God(Ps 119:11) “Thy word have I hid in mine

heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” Remember that there is no obstacle that can

turn us away from the way of righteousness if we use the strength that God gives us.(Phil 4:13) “I can do all things through

Christ which strengthens me.”

6. If we remember the word of God

(Isa 42:16) “I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, and not forsake them”

(Isa 42:16) “I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, and not forsake them”

HearHear John John 12:4812:48

BelieveBelieve John 8:24John 8:24

RepentRepent Luke 13:3Luke 13:3

ConfessConfess Matt. Matt. 10:3210:32

BaptizedBaptized Mark Mark 16:1616:16

FaithfulFaithful Matt. Matt. 24:1324:13