Pillow or the Plow
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Intro and Tension
Intro and Tension
When young | Father was farmer | Old School - If not up at crack of dawn, working until end of day, “Lazy”.
However, he never called me a Sluggard - That’s how the ESV Translates “Lazy”
As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.
NLT - “Lazybones”.
in Proverbs,often compares sluggard with diligence.
What is diligence? working hard? or is there something more the Spirit wants us to know?
Title: The pillow or the plow
*prayer*
Proverbs = Word to the Wise |
Last week = looked at tAwe of God, against awe of the world
today = Motivation and Endurance
Mouth and Speech | Community | The Heart | Generosity and Giving | Discipline and Trust in Lord.
Proverbs = Probabilities, not promises. Also said written before we had HS.
Where going today? Let’s define Diligence - then look 4 characteristics of a Sluggard and then see if more to diligence than just “working hard”
Diligence: The careful, persistent, and eager effort to accomplish a task or role, reflecting faithfulness and hard work in all endeavors which embodies the character of Christ.
Diligence isn’t just about the work that you do, it’s how you do it.
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
What ever you do, do it well. Sidebar = heard “Work is part of curse” no - “Sweat of the brow” is part of Curse.
Diligence is not just about work either, it applies to everything we do, especially seeking Lord.
And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
There is repeating theme here - ask, seek, knock.
Ok so let’s have a look at what Proverbs has to say about the opposite.
Let’s look at 4 characteristics of Sluggard;
A Sluggard will not begin things;
Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.
How long? when? (Won’t commit) Folding of hands to rest = not ready for work. “Just give me a little bit more sleep”.
2. A Sluggard will not face things;
Definiton of an Excuse; “Skin of reason, stuffed with a lie.”
Too hot, too hard, too cold.
The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!”
It means - can’t go out there just in case there is lion.
Even if you tell him there is no lion - Sluggard will not listen;
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.
3. A Sluggard will not finish things;
Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth.
He will go hunt and kill it, but then too tired to finish job. Someone who is diligent will see it through.
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.
You can imagine this right? (Get Cereal box) - hand in, can’t be bothered.
Because He will not start things, finish things or face things;
4. The Sluggard is Restless
The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
The Soul Craves - Jesus sets table amongst our enemies - He is inviting you to come. but you’ve got to come.
The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.
Doesn’t this sound like Jesus? He gave and held nothing back.
Here’s the thing - Restlessness is a great place for the enemy to find you.
Restlesness breeds resentment. and when you’re resentful = The enemy will always have a solution.
Diligence is more than just working hard, more about just showing up and doing good Job - Why so important to be diligent?
1. Diligence makes up part of your defence against the devil.
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
2. Diligence reflects the Character of God
Day 1 - night and day, day 2 - Heaven and Earth. Day 3 - Laid in bed.
Diligence is part of the image of God that is reflected in you when you choose the Spirit over the flesh.
Choose to be diligent, choose to reflect Christ.
3. Diligence will help you endure
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
4. Diligence will help you drown in the love of God
God wants you to dilligently seek Him. Is anyone here far from God today? Anyone waiting for the zap from God, to feel His Love?
Maybe God is waiting for you, to seek him;
And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Diligence: The careful, persistent, and eager effort to accomplish a task or role, reflecting faithfulness and hard work in all endeavors which embodies the character of Christ.
Why? Because diligence is more than the work you do, or how hard you do it, it’s about reflecting the Character of Christ, fulfilling your calling and getting drowned in Love of God.
Close and Inspo
In Mark - The word immediately was used 41 times - and yet, Jesus never ran - He walked…However He was diligent in every action he took…
He began the work when he was sent from Heaven - He faced the persecution, hate, torture. and hanging on cross he said…It is FINISHED. - He finished.
So that you, might be taken from your restless state, to a perfect state of peace and rest.
Why? Because He loves you, and He wants you on the path of life. and the path of life is paved with diligence.
Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.
So;
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
*prayer*
