“Our relationship with God validates everything that we do.”
Sermon Title: SLUGGARD: WHO ME?
Scripture Text: VARIOUS TEXT
Sermon Notes:
PROVERBS 6:6-11 NIV
6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! 7 It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, 8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.
9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest-- 11 and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.
sluggard | noun [ sluhg-erd ]
a lazy person
PROVERBS 6:9-11 NIV
9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest-- 11 and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.
ADMONITION #1: BEWARE OF BECOMING A TOTAL SLUGGARD
sluggard | Hebrew: atsel
the lazy one
Characteristic #1: LAZINESS
PROVERBS 21:25-26 NIV
25 The sluggard's craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work. 26 All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.
PROVERBS 6:9 NIV
9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?
Characteristic #2: IRRESPONSIBLE
PROVERBS 10:26 NLT
26 Lazy people irritate their employers, like vinegar to the teeth or smoke in the eyes.
Characteristic #3: PROCRASTINATES
PROVERBS 20:4 NIV
4 A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing.
PROVERBS 21:25-26 NIV
25 The sluggard's craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work. 26 All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.
Characteristic #4: MAKES EXCUSES
PROVERBS 22:13 NIV
13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!” or, “I will be murdered in the streets!”
ADMONITION #2: BEWARE OF BECOMING A SELECTIVE SLUGGARD
a. In the area of our RESPONSIBILITIES
COLOSSIANS 3:17 NIV
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
b. In the area of our RELATIONSHIPS
PROVERBS 24:30-31 NIV
30 I went past the field of the sluggard, past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment; 31 thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins.
“Our relationship with God validates everything that we do.”
ADMONITION #3: BE AWARE OF THE ANTIDOTE FOR SLUGGARD
acedia | noun [ uh-see-dee-uh ]
lack of care
“GOD CARES ABOUT WHAT WE DO NO MATTER HOW SMALL.”
PSALMS 33:13-15 NIV
13 From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; 14 from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth-- 15 he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.
PSALMS 33:15 NLT
15 He made their hearts, so he understands everything they do.
“It makes absolutely no difference unless you actually meet his gaze in your life.”
LUKE 22:60-62 NIV
60 Peter replied, “Man, I don't know what you're talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed.
61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.
CULTIVATE THE HABIT OF ATTENTIVENESS
EPHESIANS 5:8,13-17 NIV
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light … 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
15 Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
“Sloth is not really a lack of discipline but a lack of devotion.”