Help Grace to You bring important resources like this to people in your community and beyond, free of charge. God promises to reward the diligent with blessings, including the following: The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat (Proverbs 13:4). C. Lodge in Jerusalem unity (22) A. After I preach this sermon, the hearer should be able to We came through Knoxville and got on I-75 heading toward Lexington and Cincinnati. Earnestness is dumb, and therefore it is terrible. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me (Philippians 4:13). 2 Timothy 2:1-10 [Proverbs 3:9-10; 10:2; 11:18; 15:27; 16:8; 20:14; 28:8, 20], 7. She is still an immature girl! 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 destruction, poverty, starvation and desperation. That means that if you are a servant and you work hard, you will some day be promoted over a son who is legally due the inheritance. read more, Scripture: Theme: Character development is not an important part of life?it IS life! Truly, when you have diligence, you do have real power. Go on a journey. Realizing that giving up will only lead to regret and frustration. But God promises our labor to not be vain in the Lord. Let me show you a clip I am going to tell you one of my favorite stories this morning because it illustrates perfectly how many of us think about the relationship between what we do and what God does. The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness (Proverbs 21:5). Ecclesiastes 11:1-8, Denomination: (Would you be fired?) The desire of the lazy man kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. 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 In a time of economic crisis, many people today would love some hard work! Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, and. 2 Timothy 2:1-10, THE CENTRALITY OF THE CROSS The Pattern for Life and Love -- Diligence Luke 12:35-48. III. He was just successful locally. And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: that ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises (Hebrews 6:1012). 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. Wisdom Sermon Submitted 5 years . 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. Always be faithful on your duty post until the job is done. Review So she came, and she has continued from early morning until now, except for a short rest. He says in this same chapter that he himself will 'give diligence [endeavour, in Authorised Version] that they may be able after his decease to have these things always in remembrance.' Please contact our webmaster for questions or comments concerning this Web site. Wisdom advises where and how to invest ones work energies. If we become the people God wants us to be, then He will direct us in the path He wants us to take. The same idea is seen when it comes to the quality of diligence. Michael K. Farrar, O.D. Here is the application. I. We must build relationships, work heard, take care of our finances and health, and seek out a meaningful, intentional, purposeful and ongoing personal relationship with our Lord and Savior. Understand that frequently you are not going to receive encouragement or applause for getting started. Diligence is the ability to maintain productivity in all seasons (Proverbs 27:23) 5. Rise up early and work until late. A. He is not with the couch potatoes. All rights reserved. God created people to be his coworkers Man was created in the image of God and since God is a worker, man - created in God's image - must be a worker, too. The confirmation of the 'call,' of the 'election,' both in fact and in my consciousness depends upon my action. When you are asked to serve in some way, dont attempt to take the path of least resistance (because of laziness). Its the way of laziness, the way of the sluggard. Proverbs 4:20-27. 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. The 'diligence,' of which the Apostle thinks such great things, reaches, as it were, a hand up into heaven and binds a man to that great unrevealed, electing purpose of God. The key in working out is consistency. Pastor David Welch Rest and relaxation are good. Please respond to confirm your registration. Just start somewhere. The easy way is the way of procrastination. Bankruptcy, debtors prison, law suits, and a lifetime of forced labor await such people. 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. If you find yourself dating or even engaged to such a person, then like those who stumble upon a Plutonium-239 core, disengage carefully, raise your shields, and head for the hills, because you dont want to be anywhere nearby when that bomb self-destructs! 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. Want to make the congregation grow? Unless otherwise noted, all quotations are from the New King James Version, copyright 1994 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. Part of the reason and joy of work is the ability to help others. The attorneys on both sides have laid out their case for the jury to make a decision. Let the records show I am in favor of vacations. Paul tells us to be diligent. The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty (Proverbs 21:5). The loving Christian will work not just for himself but for others: Noah built the ark, which saved him, but it also saved his family (. And the very reason for exercising it is the completeness of God's gift. Even with a difficult, yet important endeavor, it's best to jump in and do the grunt work, get in your groove, and see it out to completion. When haste degenerates into hurry, and becomes agitation, it is weakness, not strength; it turns out superficial work, which has usually to be pulled to pieces and done over again, and it is sure to be followed by reaction of languid idleness. 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. I was talking to a man who was a contractor and years ago a father of his friend took him aside and warned him about going out and buying the new truck and all the new equipment just so he could look "successful and established". Beware the great lie of procrastination. 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. Young people may feel like they have given their. The phrase implies that diligence is our contribution. "Work is like an armour that protects a person against afflictions, and diligence is like a sword that wards off misfortune." Another scholar said: "Nothing is better than having a reason that is adorned with forbearance, a deed that is adorned with knowledge, and forbearance that is adorned with truthfulness!" Some scholars have said: Christian/Church Of Christ. The fact that God calls what he does work and calls it good means that work must be significant, that it must have intrinsic value. The Christians reward, hope, and faith in his work is two fold: First, there is a personal reward that comes from the Lord in obeying and glorifying Him (. The Book of Proverbs records many warnings against slothfulness, and throughout Scripture we find instructions to live with diligence. Notice how Chuck . Happiness in labor comes less from the work that comes to you, but it comes more from the attitude you bring to your work! Romans 12, Romans 12:11, Ezekiel 16:49, Denomination: May our observable work ethic open doors unto Bible study and conversion rather than close them. The excuse may be far-fetched, but they will have an excuse. By both aspects of this brief life we should be spurred to haste. God wants us to be diligent in virtually every corner of our lives. Joshua chapter 10:6-15 1. If you travel too much (according to your wifes/familys honest, loving assessment), seek to curb your travel, if possible. And whatever. On the other hand, 'who is that faithful servant whom his lord hath set ruler over his household? Through His Son, Jesus Christ, God graciously provides believers with . 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. One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys. Proverbs 18:9, The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. Proverbs 6:9-11, Denomination: If we are to be 'found in peace,' we must be 'found spotless,' and if we are to be 'found spotless' we must be 'diligent.' All of us would rather be on the easy road. 1. On the one hand there are all great gifts and boundless possibilities as to life and godliness, and on the other diligence as the condition on which all these shall actually become ours, and, passing into our lives, will there produce all these graces which the Apostle goes on to enumerate. The hero that we are going to look at today is a man named Nehemiah. In Scripture diligence is highly commended. 2. Use your power, your intelligence, your vision, your gifts and all that God gave you, to do something. Sermon 1 & 2: Wise vs foolish But with this caution against spurious haste, we cannot too seriously lay to heart the solemn motives to wise and well-directed haste. Conscientious hard work and perseverance, particularly with regard to a relationship with God. The true difficulties of this life are more often rooted in our desire to overcome, or lack thereof. The day of full salvation, repose, and blessedness is near dawning. I am talking today of working hard for the Lord! Hard work yesterday does not guarantee tomorrows success. The rest is excuses. What is it that you know you need to do this week that is undone in your life? In Scripture diligence is highly commended. It is the way of working with your hands. Title: Drama and Diligence Text: Acts 9:1-22 Thesis: Both the exceptional and the everyday experiences with the living Christ are valid and necessary in accomplishing God's work in and through our lives. The lazy man always puts off for tomorrow. I am impressed and amazed with how much Gods Word has to say about it. He was now 66 years old, the time when most men retire. Live the Gift of Righteousness There is something going on out there. Take it easy. Sooner begun, sooner donethe first and last steps are usually the hardest (English Proverb). After over two years of being overlooked, toiling unduly, and suffering unjustly, he was promoted to second in the kingdom (, Even if you must labor in the prison (i.e., a lowly, boring job), work with diligence, zeal, and faithfulness, so that you exemplify the integrity of Christians. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might because in the grave where you are going there is no planing, no foresight, no work. [Proverbs 10:26; 19:15], 15. Amen. If you go to Corbin, KY and if you visit that museum at the restaurant, there is a sign that I took pictures of. It is not talent, effort, or programs, it is a lack of consistency. Scripture: 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. Here is what has helped me: As mentioned, the beginning or end of an important task can be the most difficult. read more, Scripture: You're Preaching, But Do You Know Who's Listening? Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically. Our salvation is based on grace, not works, The easy road is deceptive. Dawn, noon & moon Nehemiah 4:21"So we carried on the work with half of them holding spears from dawn until the stars appeared." Hard work! If we will put it forth, then the gifts that God has given, and which are not really ours unless we put it forth, will pass into the very substance of our being, and unfold themselves according to the life that is in them; even the life that is in Jesus Christ Himself, in all forms of beauty and sweetness and power and blessedness. by Thomas Nelson Publishers. Lines and paragraphs break automatically. Do it. 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! 5And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but he who searches after evil, it will come to him (Proverbs 11:27). Do not be deceived! The New Testament assures us that the noblest form of that promise shall be fulfilled in the Christian man's communion with his Lord here, and perfected when the diligent disciple shall 'be found of Him in peace,' and stand before the King in that day, accepted and himself a king. 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. Preachers are to be diligent in reminding God's people of His truth ( 2 Peter 1:15 ). Like long ago, those who must exact this unpleasant judgment must employ the same attitude commended to the Israelites: Failure to work may ultimately lead to loss of fellowship with other saints, although such a one is to be admonished with love consistent for a brother, not an enemy (. Lazy people often assume that others owe them a handout (whether theyve worked hard or not). Somebody said to me, Well, what about the work-aholics? I answered, One sermon at a time, please. Out of that little business, at the age of 66, came the idea to start a restaurant where people would come in and buy nothing but fried chicken which used his 11 herbs and spices, and he decided to call it Kentucky Fried Chicken. Diligence almost always leads to a good end. Independent/Bible. Title: Drama and Diligence However, the answer is not always to play life completely safe. There must be fervour if there is to be growth. In this case, laziness detaches us from the world and the consequences of our unmet obligations. We serve a big God. Many of you have read more, Scripture: The heated bar of iron will go through the obstacle which the cold one will never penetrate. You may have heard the term, a match made in heaven. Copyright 2003-2023 | Outreach, Inc., All rights reserved. B. The easy road takes you down to the bottom. Joshua was given a task that was God sized and with God's help He was able to do extra-ordinary things. read more, Scripture: Trevor Musia. [Proverbs 6:6-11; 24:30-34]. It is funny how we think God should work. Proverbs 6:6-8, Proverbs 6:9-11. A man who is empty-handed, but diligent, possesses more than a lazy man with both hands full. Beyond, free of charge your life? it is not an important task can the... ; 28:8, 20 ], 7 many warnings against slothfulness, and has! Us Would rather be on the easy road ( Philippians 4:13 ) maintain productivity in all seasons Proverbs! 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