Metamorphosis
The sermon illustrates the process of metamorphosis in nature as a powerful metaphor for spiritual transformation through God's revelation and the necessity of faith.
George Warnock explores the concept of metamorphosis through the scientific study of silkworms, illustrating how transformation requires the cooperation of two hormone centers, akin to the spiritual transformation believers undergo. He emphasizes that just as the silkworm needs both brain and thoracic hormones to change, Christians need both divine revelation and personal response to experience true transformation. Warnock highlights that God's presence is evident in creation, yet many fail to see it due to sin and unbelief, urging listeners to seek the truth revealed in nature and scripture.
Text
Sometime in the middle of this century we read of a young Harvard scientist who had spent many hours making various experiments with the silkworm, in an attempt to discover the secret of metamorphosis. After some ten years of tedious experiments he discovered the secret. By dividing the worm into segments, and watching to see which sections went into metamorphosis and which remained the same, he discovered that there were two hormone-producing centers in the worm, one in the brain and the other in the thorax; and that these hormone centers caused the worm to change form. Neither could cause metamorphosis working by itself, but together they did. Briefly this is how he made his discoveries. Removing the brains from the caterpillars he found that they would live on, but only as worms.
No change would take place. Then after implanting a bit of the brain containing the hormone, metamorphosis would begin to take place. But if after implanting the hormone in the brain the worm was immediately tied off in the center, no change would occur. This proved that the worm could derive no benefit from the hormone in the head alone; it had to work in conjunction with the thorax. So if he allowed a certain amount of time to elapse after implanting some of the brain before he tied the worm in the center, the worm would go into full metamorphosis on both sides of the knot.
By these and similar experiments he effectively proved that two hormone centers were involved in the process, and that it was the brain hormone that triggered the thoracic center into action.
What a beautiful illustration from nature of the wonderful truth concerning transformation! We believe we are going to discover many wonderful truths in the world about us as we go on with the Lord. In the early part of the human race this was the only Bible men had, and yet God said He was clearly revealed in the things that He had made. "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made" (Rom. 1:20).
The reason men do not see Him there now is because of the apostasy and the blindness that has overpowered the human race through sin and unbelief.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Introduction to metamorphosis - The significance of transformation in nature - The role of scientific discovery
- II points: - The experiment with the silkworm - Hormone centers and their functions - The necessity of both centers for transformation
- III points: - Spiritual implications of metamorphosis - God's revelation through creation - The impact of sin and unbelief on perception
- IV points: - The relationship between knowledge and transformation - The importance of faith in understanding - Encouragement to seek God's truths in nature
Key Quotes
“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made.” — George Warnock
“What a beautiful illustration from nature of the wonderful truth concerning transformation!” — George Warnock
“The reason men do not see Him there now is because of the apostasy and the blindness that has overpowered the human race through sin and unbelief.” — George Warnock
Application Points
- Seek to understand the spiritual truths revealed in nature around us.
- Recognize the importance of both knowledge and divine influence in our personal transformation.
- Be aware of how sin can blind us to the truths of God in our lives.