Follow the Leader

Idleness

Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Laziness

According to John Silling, a Purdue University entomologist, the ant is an exemplary worker. “Basically the ant’s entire life, which can range up to seven years, is spent working,” says Silling. “They gather food, bring it back to the nest, and use it for day-to-day meals as well as to store for the winter.”

In addition, the amazing insects can be adept horticulturalists, states the professor. Some species “gather bits of grass or leaves and take them back to their nest. On this organic matter, which is used much like fertilizer, they place tiny mushroom spores and grow them for food.” But ants as dairy-keepers? That’s right. “Some ants get the majority of their food by ‘milking’ aphids or plant lice which are often known as ‘ant cows,’ says the scientist. “The ants sometimes herd the aphids down into the ant nests at night or when it starts to get cool; then when it gets warm again, they herd them back up to the plants.”

Prayer is vital

Prayer provides support

For other brothers and sisters.

Intercessory Prayer

Jesus - , “Christ Jesus is the one who died — more than that, who was raise — who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.”

Prayer provides confidence

In Him. “He will establish you and guard you agains the evil one”

Prayer is humbling, taking the focus off of ourselves and what we can do, and putting it squarely on the shoulders of God, who’s already conquered all.

Prayer provides direction

Verse 5

How many of you would say your prayer life has improved since our prayer series?

You see, for Paul, this was essential. And he knew it to be essential for the church as well.

INSTAGRAM prayer challenge

Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Laziness

According to John Silling, a Purdue University entomologist, the ant is an exemplary worker. “Basically the ant’s entire life, which can range up to seven years, is spent working,” says Silling. “They gather food, bring it back to the nest, and use it for day-to-day meals as well as to store for the winter.”

In addition, the amazing insects can be adept horticulturalists, states the professor. Some species “gather bits of grass or leaves and take them back to their nest. On this organic matter, which is used much like fertilizer, they place tiny mushroom spores and grow them for food.” But ants as dairy-keepers? That’s right. “Some ants get the majority of their food by ‘milking’ aphids or plant lice which are often known as ‘ant cows,’ says the scientist. “The ants sometimes herd the aphids down into the ant nests at night or when it starts to get cool; then when it gets warm again, they herd them back up to the plants.”

Don’t Abuse Your Faith

Be Exemplary

Don’t let anyone look down on you because of your youth -

You don’t have to wait until your older to get serious about your faith in Him. Many of you in your mind are telling yourself you have time, that you can live it up and how you want right now.

Just like Jeremiah is told, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.”

Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Example, Teaching by

The story is told of a T.V. repairman who didn’t like to think about his job when he came home. As a result, he never bothered to properly install the T.V. antenna on the top of his house or fix it when one arm broke in a windstorm. One day a new family moved in next door, and the owner went up on his roof to install an antenna. Knowing that his neighbor was a T.V. repairman, he put his up exactly the same way and turned his antenna to face in the same direction as his neighbor’s. Then, after studying his neighbor’s antenna for a while, he reached up and broke one arm off his new antenna!

As disciples, we teach by example, whether we intend to or not!

People are watching you, and you have a powerful impact on them, whether you know it or not. Imagine what someone older, even someone in the church, what they would think if they saw you, a teenager, more on fire for Him than they are?

Work Hard in Everything - verse 8

What we see some of the Thessalonians doing was holding their hands out for a hand out. You see, if you look at the beginning of Acts, you’ll read that the early church was so so so giving. ()

People we selling their land, their things, to be able to provide for those in need.

However, some people, evidently, were abusing this, and not working and taking from those who we hard working.

Serve Him with opportunities that arise

Plug older ladies in the church

Provide for yourselves

Balanced Lifestyle

Paul says we work so we can eat, not we work so we can buy that $60k car.

When we find ourselves lazy or idle, often hand in hand with that is temptation and sin.

Idleness leads to idols

Ourselves

Be Imitators - verse 6-10

Example: Teach a man to fish story

Example: Me and having kids - epiphany

Paul - ,

We are called first and foremost to share the Gospel, yes, but we also must work.

Adam in the garden

, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.”

Can you imagine what the world would think if the minute you became a Christian you just sat around doing nothing, mooching off of people, et.

Example - Let’s say you have to youth leaders, ones name is Fris, and the other ones name is Don. Now Fris and Don go to the same church, and, would you believe it, they help in the same youth group. Now Fris, does nothing each and every day. He’s lazy. His wife has to do everything for him and his family. He sits on the couch, playing video games and eating pizza. Don on the other hand, is incredibly hard working. He gets up at the crack of dawn, goes to work, puts in overtime, comes home, takes care of the house work, is a gourmet chef and feeds his family, pays the bills, and does every little thing he can do to help. Now, imagine Fris and Don both share a message in youth group, and they are both pretty similar in nature, about being a good example for those around you, working hard, so that you can find opportunity to share God’s love with them. That you can’t be lazy, that you have to set an example.

Who are you going to believe?

That’s what Paul is demonstrating to the Thessalonians. He practiced what he preached.

We are called to a higher standard in every facet of our lives, and we are to work hard as a means to share the Gospel.

Be Committed

Don’t grow weary - verse 13

To your church - warn those who are abusing their faith - verse 14 & 15

Be committed out of faith, not requirement - verse 16

We aren’t works based. We are faith based. We act out of faith and we act out of daily grace.