That is, the real power is not in a flashy start, but rather, true power is demonstrated in a continual movement towards completion. Luke 5:1-3. One of the most talked-about shows on television today is called, The Office. That is a warning to those of us who make our living speaking. If we are to accomplish anything for God, some work principles need to be kept in mind. This is the man who makes silly excuses for not going to work. Michael K. Farrar, O.D. There are other verses in there that apply to the whole topic of hard work. Back in 1940 a man named Harlan Sanders was in Corbin, KY and he bought this old dilapidated restaurant and built a motel which was very advanced for that day. It is the way of getting up early and staying up late. Of one fellow-worker, Paul said, And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have often tested and found diligent in many things (2 Corinthians 8:22). It is the way of no plans, no forethought, no enthusiasm, no diligence. Introduction- Five characteristics of Difference Makers in this world. Every morning I try to get up at 6:00am to go to the gym to work out. This vanishing cultural work ethic emphasizes: Although work ethic and some of these words are foreign to our English translations of the Bible, most of the underlying concepts and virtues are taught by Scripture, which is our text and standard for Christians. I am calling on you not to let life pass you by. The more I study various virtues I am impressed that they are all interrelated. The easy way is the way of procrastination. "All I want is to sit in his shade, to taste and savor his delicious love. Again, consider that God foretold a figurative army of locust, who were stinging, devouring, resistant, entitled, and yet they were of mankind. Joshua chapter 10:6-15 Often people feel hindered at the start of something, and they dont know where to begin. For some reason we seem to think that since God is the all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present Creator of the universe and anything else in existence that he should do everything on a grand scale. Deliverance from this present evil age. Diligence is closely aligned with the concept of work. 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. On the front, Jesus prayed for fruit, in the middle, He bore fruit afterwards he thanked God for fruit so work as if you were to live a hundred years, pray as if you were to die tomorrow. Dawdlers will do nothing. Sloth is something we make jokes about, but few think of it as sin. Diligence and Readiness in the Work A sluggard does not plow in season, so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing. Proverbs 20:4, Do not love sleep or you will grow poor. The desire of the lazy man kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. I can do nothing more -- nor is it necessary that I should -- than put before your mind, in a sentence or two, the various applications of it which our letter gives. Like a door that easily revolves and yet groans, so does the lazy man, easily rolling over in his bed, complaining of being tired, and easily returning to his slumber. 0 . The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute (Proverbs 12:24). It is the soft and cuddly way. Hence we gather that no Christian growth is possible unless a man gives his mind to it. If you must be driven to work, then something is seriously wrong. This is the most apparent lesson, because it is the most tangible. 2. Bryan Wilkerson The Job Introduction. Lazy people never do anything, but yet they always complain about being tired! The same idea is seen when it comes to the quality of diligence. There are two reasons: A. The excuse may be far-fetched, but they will have an excuse. Laziness leads to depressing solitude and isolation, which leads to more laziness, and so it spirals out of control. Realizing that giving up will only lead to regret and frustration. The focus of this message is the command to serve the Lord with diligence. Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling. Use your power, your intelligence, your vision, your gifts and all that God gave you, to do something. You may bear different fruit than you thought you would or even hoped for. 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. Please contact the publisher to obtain copies of this resource. Beware the great lie of procrastination. For the glory of God, take up the call to be diligent, remembering Gods provision for you. Many people move but are not diligent. For example, kindness, patience, endurance and self-control are all found in the definition of love (1 Corinthians 13:4-8). read more, Scripture: Accordingly, we have updated our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions in order to comply with GDPR. 3. I am not calling on you to work 70 or 80 or 90 or100 hours a week. The same idea is seen when it comes to the quality of diligence. Thorns had come up everywhere. "The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied." Proverbs 13:4 "All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty." Proverbs 14:23 . When you are asked to serve in some way, dont attempt to take the path of least resistance (because of laziness). D, Scripture: Without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6). The "sluggard" is one who is habitually inactive or lazy. HARD WORK: Spiritual Growth is Not an Accident July 5, 2009 Sermon 1 & 2: Wise vs foolish Therefore, I want you to decree loud and clear like this: So the word is frequently translated. He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but he who searches after evil, it will come to him (Proverbs 11:27). Certainly not! 2 Timothy 2:1-10 3. we need to be wholly dependent on Him. Text: Acts 9:1-22 I knew a brother who thrived in the work place, because he happily accepted all the inglorious positions that everyone else disdained, but yet through his zeal, determination, and optimism, he reinvented and refashioned the positions into those that were the most cool and sought after by those that followed him. However, if the lazy were not willing to do the work required to stay out of debt, they will not be willing to do the work to get out of debt. (GNB), Scripture: Abandoning laziness and growing in diligence means you must be controlled by the Holy Spirit. If you go to Corbin, KY and if you visit that museum at the restaurant, there is a sign that I took pictures of. The centre of Gods purpose for us. Our number one concern now is not what is the work, but how much vacation time do we get? 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. Remember, servants and slaves had little to no hope of promotion, and they always performed the jobs that nobody wanted to do, yet they were expected to work diligently and, Remember Joseph: He was unfairly sent to jail, but because of his integrity, honesty, dependability, work ethic - and because the Lord blessed him, he was remarkably promoted to chief of the prison. God wants us to be diligent in virtually every corner of our lives. I close this sermon with several conclusions. There is something going on out there. These simple commands elevate ones work to the status of moral obligation to our fellow man and the Lord. Dawn, noon & moon I am talking today of working hard for the Lord! The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness (Proverbs 21:5). 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 Psalm 32:9; Proverbs 6:6-8; Proverbs 26:3; Isaiah 1:3. [Proverbs 20:4; 27:18, 23-27], 12. Fresh sermon illustrations and updates on new sermons, preaching articles and much more! read more, Scripture: Evangelical/Non-Denominational. First Baptist Church Harrisonville Missouri pastor, Josh Ancello's sermon on 2 Thessalonians 3 Hard Work & Diligence. Free Sermons and Sermon Outlines for Preaching : More About Obedience And A Good Day's Work, Hard Work: Spiritual Growth Is Not An Accident. Diligence is working out one`s dreams (Proverbs 13:4) Noah provides an example of work ethic by laboring to complete the construction of a massive ark (. Hes 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 Lord will do special things through this message. Workers are commanded to be submissive to their masters, obliged not to men but to God! (Would you be fired?) But as the clock ticks away, the easy way becomes harder, and the hard way becomes easier. It is the credo of Colonel Harlan Sanders. Suppose someone were to show up at your workplace tomorrow, shove a microphone in your face, and ask, "How do you think your work affects One of the most talked-about shows on television today is called, The Office. God turns our weakness into incredible strength. Allowed HTML tags: