sermon on hard work and diligence
This is Labor Day Weekend, the weekend when everybody who can go somewhere goes somewhere so they can play for one last weekend because the real hard work of the last part of the year starts on Tuesday morning. He will serve before kings. You can go the easy way or the hard way. Lets pray together. Do not let risk inhibit you from investing your labor. Sloth Unity among God's people depends upon diligence: "Being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" ( Ephesians 4:3 ). 2 Honor your father and motherwhich is the first commandment with a promise 3 so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.[a] A Sensible Plan Hard work is Gods work when you are doing what God wants you to do. If he has not proven himself by working hard for his parents in the past, his training at present, or his preparations for the future, then he will not work hard for you or your children! Therefore, use wisdom, look ahead, exercise forethought, and choose tasks as objects of your work that are of the highest priority. In the process, Peter shares in this chapter 7 attributes we grow in as we become more spiritually mature. Christian Missionary Alliance, The pursuit of godly character requires two things: (1) put God first, and (2) remove forces that erode Gods influence, Character Counts! And the very reason for exercising it is the completeness of God's gift. [Proverbs 16:26; 19:14; 21:5; 26:15], 11. Lord Jesus, Thank You for Your faithfulness. Thats what the sin nature does. Our number one concern now is not what is the work, but how much vacation time do we get? 10 Must-Have Tips For Giving A Public Invitation, I'd Rather Preach To Angels Than A Megachurch Crowd, Five Preaching Applications From The Movie Gravity. However, those who learn to work their way through the thorns and briars of this life will be better trained and prepared by their heavenly Father to overcome the difficulties of developing a spiritual life and growing into a mature Christian (. Yes, some have more than others, and no, my experiences do not enable me to exactly or completely sympathize with your own. Do not be deceived! God tells us that anxious care and bitter sighing wont help. We must choose to obey God rather than people. Invest early and invest often. II. B. Laziness leaves one helpless to meet unexpected needs. Help Grace to You bring important resources like this to people in your community and beyond, free of charge. It is so easy to just stay in bed, sleep a little longer, watch a few more minutes of TV, facebook just 5 more minutes, play one more level of a video game, etc. You will have time later. Hard work! However, hard work is a universal and general burden, which we all must bear and overcome (. Poverty is the portion of the person who can work but is not willing to do so. The Season of Easter Series: When Jesus Shows Up During the Season of Easter we .read more Scripture: Acts 9:1-22 You shall not consent to him or listen to him, Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. Joshua chapter 10:6-15 Theyre known to dig their curved claws into a tree branch and hang without effort for hours-on-end; they are as unmotivated as they look! It is the way of staying in bed. 'Diligence' is the panacea for all diseases of the Christian life. If youre lazily collecting a paycheck, thats stealing. Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready. Thus, the first notion in the word is haste, which crowds every moment with continuous effort, and lets no hindrances entangle the feet of the runner. Charismatic, Thesis: The writers of this ancient wisdom literature inspired by God try to convey the message to us of Dont be lazy be diligent! In other words Make a commitment to work hard at being all God wants you to be!, Series: Practical Proverbs He's not even taking care of the things he has, whereas a diligent man prizes everything that he has because he had to work to earn it. . The Pattern for Life and Love -- Diligence Young people may feel like they have given their. If I am going to be faithful to the Lord in my service, I must be adequately prepared and the preparation is my responsibility. All of us would rather be on the easy road. Pentecostal, We must be diligent in taking initiative in our service to God. 3. Please be aware that these items are sent out from our office in the UK. Get up early. Therefore, we must prepare early, so we will have time to handle unforeseen events. For myself personally, I have found that the middle of any project can rather be the difficult part, especially if I look up and around with the dreaded realization, I am not even half done yet. It is a very lowly virtue. Little boys testing their strength and dexterity against one another revert back to this proverbial slap in the face by throwing down the gauntlet of this time proven stab. Do not get mired down in less important tasks, putting off the more immediately critical ones. He is still an immature boy! If we are to accomplish anything for God, some work principles need to be kept in mind. The call to hard work is a call to truly purposeful living. There is not much work out there. Often people feel hindered at the start of something, and they dont know where to begin. Luke 12:35-48. LIVING DILIGENT FAITH - 2 PETER 1:1-11 All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.Proverbs 21:25, The sluggard says, Theres a lion outside or Ill be murdered in the streets Proverbs 22:13. 4/25/2010 The greatest success and wealth pertains to riches not of this life. 1 Corinthians 15:58, Denomination: Luke 5:1-3. Diligence is closely aligned with the concept of work. Lazy people genuinely feel tired! It is called The Hard Way. It is comparatively easy to prosper by trickery, the violation of confidence, oppression of the weak, sharp practices, cutting corners, all those methods we are so prone to pileate and condone as business shrewdness. If you fail to persuade someone of their laziness, then recognize the signs, back away carefully, and move on (, Some of the lazy mans excuses may be legitimate, in that they represent true or probable difficulties. These simple commands elevate ones work to the status of moral obligation to our fellow man and the Lord. Better advertising would be his work done diligently and thoroughly at a competitive price, and the word-of-mouth recommendations are far less risky than an initial burden of overhead investment. Or maybe you look at all the wickedness in the world, and you fear There was a sign up that said, Visit the original Kentucky Fried Chicken. We went there and found out that it was a regular KFC, but besides being a restaurant, it was also a museum. Please contact the publisher to obtain copies of this resource. Little progress will be made if we do not work as feeling that 'the night is far spent, the day is at hand,' or as feeling the apparently opposite but really identical conviction, 'I must work the works of Him that sent me while it is day. Sermon illustrations on Diligence. The Book of Proverbs records many warnings against slothfulness, and throughout Scripture we find instructions to live with diligence. Thats a picture of the man who goes out hunting and he captures his prey, but because he is lazy, he doesnt even bother to roast it. This type of love is so obvious, so basic that to be void of such love is comparable to complete unbelief and apostasy: Frequently, while the diligent are working late into the night or rising early in the morning, they will ask themselves, Why am I doing this? Others may taunt them, Why are you working, For people to persist in pursuing a difficult goal and work is difficult (, Faith is essential to our hope, because we hope for what we cannot see (, Noah demonstrated his great faith by his diligent obedience in building an ark for a flood he had never seen (, Therefore, we must understand and believe that God requires our diligent labor. Romans 12, Romans 12:11, Ezekiel 16:49, Denomination: Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically. In Scripture diligence is highly commended. Day 5 of 40 days of fasting! Our application has focused primarily on physical labor. He will not even bring it back to his mouth. Proverbs 19:24. No man becomes a vigorous Christian by any other course than 'giving all diligence.' This is the most apparent lesson, because it is the most tangible. . The only road that goes to the top is the hard road. Break down the project into smaller, more manageable portions. Its the picture of the man who is so lazy that the food is put in front of him and he just dips his hand in the soup or in the dish and is too lazy to bring it to his mouth. Such moral values drive our goals, efforts, and means of work. A key component of the godly work ethic is wisdom. Be like the ant! John Ortberg is a master communicator, whether through preaching or through writing. Be the best prisoner you can be! Still further, one of the other writers of the New Testament gives us another field in which this virtue may expatiate, when the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews exhorts to diligence, in order to attain 'the full assurance of hope.' This means to take pains, to strive for something. Attitude and diligence makes the difference. This is an important verse for children and young adults, because we are told over and over again that it is not what you know, its who you know. There is something going on out there. The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly. 2023 Grace to You. It does not fail (, Self-Initiative Do Not Wait to be Coerced. Do you want to know the ironic thing between the easy road and the hard road? Noah would have been busy preaching, trying to persuade the lost. b. The phrase implies that diligence is our contribution. In 1956, 16 years later, he was successful, but he was not known. In the book of Nehemiah Gods people experienced the same drop in motivation when they were working on rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem, Thus in Judah it was said, The strength of the burden bearers is failing, yet there is much rubbish; and we ourselves are unable to rebuild the wall (Nehemiah 4:10). Blessed is that servant whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing?' How much time off? Certain tasks must be accomplished first. whatever your image of God Go bigger. In this case, laziness detaches us from the world and the consequences of our unmet obligations. II. The ground was covered with weeds and the stone wall was in ruins. That is the word of God. Otherwise, desperate poverty, want, and need will come upon you as suddenly as a prowling thief or an armed robber! We came through Knoxville and got on I-75 heading toward Lexington and Cincinnati. Joshua 10:6-15, Judges 11:1, Judges 11:1, Denomination: Give careful attention to your herds. read more, Scripture: Dont work only in order to receive. Far more important, diligence is a quality valued by our Creator Himself, and is one that can, when combined with the other virtues, prepare us to for eternity. Here are some practical steps you can take: [Proverbs 12:24, 27; 31:27]. 0 . The easy way is efficacious and speedy, the hard way arduous and long. It is the reason we enjoy electricity, modern medicine, technology, and all the other comforts of modern life. Wise haste has sometimes to be content to go slowly. Acts 9:1-22. Things invariably go wrong in ways that we cannot anticipate, because of our limited experience. We do not expect fine-spun counsels from a teacher whose natural bent is, like his, but plain, sturdy, common sense, directed to the highest matter, and set aglow by fervent love to his Lord. Pastor Felix teaches on diligence. I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw. Lifelong Diligence - A Godly Work Ethic. 2 Timothy 2:1-10, THE CENTRALITY OF THE CROSS The last of the fields in which this virtue finds exercise is expressed by our letter, when Peter says, 'Seeing that we look for such things, let us be diligent, that we may be found of Him in peace without spot, and blameless.' I have been reevaluating this phrase as a challenge. If there is a setback, or something in any given project does not cooperate with you, understand that you are learning important skills, trouble-shooting is probably one of the most important things a Christian can learnbecause much is life is all about trouble-shooting the problems caused by sincoming up with solutions and preventing future trouble. [Proverbs 13:4], 14. Proper motivation, mixing a sense of obligation, love, hope, faith, and reputation, all help to drive and move us toward a diligent work ethic, much like that of Noah. Beware the great lie of procrastination. If your wife is regularly wondering how the bills are going to be paid, and youre not taking initiative to lead, confess your failure in leadership and take control of your family finances. God honors hard workers by crowning them with his personal blessing. Ask God to give you opportunities to become a hard worker, and then look for Him to answer in every realm of your life (home, work, school, ministry, etc.). "Every Pharaoh that is pursuing However, difficulties do not excuse the need or erase the consequences. You must be focused in life. 52-week preaching calendar to help you plan your sermons, Customizable sermon manuscripts for verse-by-verse preaching, Preach with creativity and impact throughout the year, [NEW YEAR] 4-Week Series to kick off 2023, [PRODUCTIVITY] Fulfill your full potential, [FOUNDATIONS] Getting back to what matters most, INTRODUCTION Think about what you are learning and what other doors the task at hand maybe preparing you to open. Copyright 2021, Institute in Basic Life Principles ~ Privacy Policy~ Terms and Conditions~Log In. Increased knowledge. (GNB), Scripture: Samuel Johnson was spot on when he observed. God wants us to be diligent in virtually every corner of our lives. Dont try to make money by deceit or fraud. Rest and relaxation are good. During the Season of Easter we Accept the fact that while work is supposed to be work, yet inside this work resides numerous opportunities of which I would not otherwise be able to utilize. It is the pleasurable and luxurious way. Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled (Hebrews 12:15). Proverbs 6:6-8, Proverbs 6:9-11. Enter your email address and we will send you instructions on how to reset your password. His life is spent. Beaverton, Oregon 97005 For example, kindness, patience, endurance and self-control are all found in the definition of love (1 Corinthians 13:4-8). There is coming a day for each of us, if we live to see it, where we may be alive, but we will exert little to no influence on the world around us. Understand the character building that is presently going on in you. So, I have challenged It is the road that leads you to the top. I went past the field of the sluggard and past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgement. Notice, it was, Again, Jesus suffering from thirst and hunger used His thirst as an occasion to reach a lost Samaritan (. When you are tempted to be lazy, seek the Spirits help in prayer and remind yourself what the Word of God teaches. They too are a gift from God, but they are meant to be a reward for hard work and preparation for more hard work. Sermon Submitted 9 months ago. Lazy people always have excuses. Full Diligence No Creeping Sluggishness, We may be very diligent in some aspects or applications of our religion and yet be sluggish in other points. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me (Philippians 4:13). But if you want to be sure that you are one of the called and chosen, work and you will get the assurance.' The focus of this message is the command to serve the Lord with diligence. People will not have that, but if you bring them some medicine from far away, very rare and costly, and suggest to them some course out of the beaten rut of ordinary, honest living, they will jump at that. So she came, and she has continued from early morning until now, except for a short rest. Abandoning laziness and growing in diligence means you must be controlled by the Holy Spirit. Hard work is a Christian virtue. Pilot this strait by avoiding both extremes. Accordingly, we have updated our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions in order to comply with GDPR. Nehemiah 4:16-23, when we serve God with all our heart through serving the Man of God we selflessly help to push the Kingdom Agenda, May the peace of the Lord be with you. He just lets it sit there and rot. [Proverbs 6:6-11; 24:30-34]. the account of Joseph in Genesis 39). Other times, people feel they are working boring jobs that anybody can do. That is to say, unless you work with haste, with earnestness, and therefore with much putting forth of strength, your faith will not evolve the graces of character which is in it to bring forth. Dont fall into an entitlement mentality. Galatians 1:4-6:14. We stopped in a little town called Corbin, Kentucky. One of the most talked-about shows on television today is called, The Office. It is the way of saying it doesnt matter whether I work today or not, it doesnt matter what time I show up at work, it doesnt matter if I check out of here a few minutes early. Log In Please respond to confirm your registration. We live in a madcap world that work the whole night and sleep the whole day with no time for Topic: THE RESULTS OF SERVING DILIGENTLY AND SELFLESSLY God Blesses Godly People Ruth 2:1-23 Guest. 5. our society who think Hence we gather that no Christian growth is possible unless a man gives his mind to it. The first element, then, in Christian diligence is economy of time as of most precious treasure, and the avoidance, as of a pestilence, of all procrastination. The only thing certain is that failure to try will always fail! Sign in Diligence. Five characteristics of Difference Makers in this world. The more I study various virtues I am impressed that they are all interrelated. 09/18/11 Every morning I try to get up at 6:00am to go to the gym to work out. God gave you a voice. The number one recipe in the restaurant at the motel was the best fried chicken in all the state of Kentucky, made from 11 herbs and spices. He, by the way, was a born again Christian. Take it easy. "It is a remarkable painting of a These are mysteries above us. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, Denomination: The confirmation of the 'call,' of the 'election,' both in fact and in my consciousness depends upon my action. God is over on the hard road. [Proverbs 14:23; 20:17; 22:16; 30:8-9], 8. The immature, simple, or disinterested perform nothing more than they are obligated to do. The hard road looks difficult and daunting. 'Giving all diligence, add to your faith ' -- 2 Peter i.5. Now it strikes me that we may gain some instruction if we throw together the various objects to which in Scripture, and especially in this letter, we are exhorted to direct this virtue of diligence, and mark how comprehensive its range, and how, for all beauty of character and progress in the Divine life, it is regarded as an indispensable condition. Let us then look, first, at the homely excellence that is the master-key to all Christian maturity and grace, and then at the various fields in which we are to apply it. Will come upon you as suddenly as a prowling thief or an armed robber on when he cometh find... In ways that we can not anticipate, because it is the panacea for all diseases of most. Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions in order to receive: Samuel Johnson was spot when! They dont know where to begin 2 Peter i.5 the ground was covered with weeds and the very reason exercising. 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