Lessons from Mine Disaster
24 October 10
· Recent news headlines around the world about Chilean Mine Rescue
· The World watched in anticipation at the desperate plight of 33 trapped miner
· Mine entrance was surrounded by TV broadcasters from all over the world
· People gripped by the drama of a Rescue for the Trapped Miners
· There are life lessons to be learned from the rescue drama
i) Warnings of an impending disaster were ignored:
· The mine rumbled for 3 hours before it collapsed
· There were clear warnings – greed for gold
· Gen 2:16-17 “God gave warnings to Adam and Eve”
· Gen 19:13-15 “God gave warnings to Lot and his family”
· Easy to ignore warnings of God’s word and be consumed with other things
ii) The men were unable to save themselves:
· There was no way of escape for the men once the mine collapsed
· They tried many ways to escape, call for help
· They were unable to save themselves
· Rom 3:23 “All have sinned”
· Rom 6:23 “Wages of sin is death”
· No one can serve themselves from consequences of sin
iii) A lifeline of hope was established:
· Rescuers drilled down to the trapped miners a hole, the size of a grapefruit
· Through the hole – messages, supplies, hope was raised to be rescued
· Rom 15:13 “Now God of all hope fill you with joy and peace”
· God is a God of hope, there are promises throughout the Bible to give us hope
· Luke 18:27 “Things which are impossible with men are possible with God”
iv) A person descending to help them escape:
· Before anyone was raised to the surface someone was sent from above
· A person was sent to them
· Luke 19:10 “Son of man came to seek and to save the lost”
· John 3:16 “God sent His only Son into this world”
v) There was One Way of Escape:
· A capsule was designed to bring each man to safety
· There was no way out of the mine except by the capsule
· There was only one way to escape
· John 14:6 “I am the Way”
· Act 4:12 “No other name”
vi) Each man had to personally trust and commit to the way of escape:
· Men left the mine one at a time
· They had to overcome anxiety, fear and commit to the capsule
· Once they stepped into the capsule it was shut
· Rom 10:9-13 “With the heart man believes and with the mouth confession is made to salvation”
vii) There was Global rejoicing as each man was saved
· TV cameras at the entrance televised the emergence of each man
· As they came from darkness – emerged into brilliant light
· There were shouts of joy over each person emerging
· Luke 15:7 “There is rejoicing in the heaven over each sinner that repents”
Challenge:
Respond to Christ
Reach through the rubble of resistance to the lost people
Share the ‘Parable’ of the Miners