Diligence is closely aligned with the concept of work. After you read through these principles, take the time to go back through and look up the origin of each principle in the book of Proverbs. Next time you tell yourself this lie and waste your valuable time, look in the mirror and decide who you are going to be. On Fire for Jesus. We must gather ourselves together under the impulse of an all-pervading and noble earnestness, too deep to be demonstrative, and which does not waste itself in noise, but settles down steadily to work. b. A pennyworth of some familiar root will cure an illness that nothing else will touch. Stay awake and you will have food to spare. Proverbs 20:13, The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. Proverbs 21:5, He who loves pleasure will become poor. The easy road takes you down to the bottom. III. He will not serve before obscure men.Proverbs 22:29. Congregational. 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. Bryan Wilkerson The Job Introduction. We sent you an email. Remember how it turned out last time you endured. All rights reserved. Somebody said to me, Well, what about the work-aholics? I answered, One sermon at a time, please. He just sleeps his life away. Well come to the other later. I am not talking about the number of hours that you work. It can be worse than you think, and it can get worse than that! Yes, some have more than others, and no, my experiences do not enable me to exactly or completely sympathize with your own. 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. The Old Testament says, 'Seest thou a man diligent in his business, he shall stand before kings.' You may have missed the start of this series called Like a Girl! I reminded you that most of us of have heard or used the phrase like a girl as an insult. Thanks for your interest! There is always the possibility that tomorrow may offer a better opportunity than today. Many of you have 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. Rise up early and work until late. It is the pleasurable and luxurious way. Work while watching (16-18a) The engine that is giving off its steam in white puffs is not working at its full power. Sign in Diligence. We have been looking at the spiritual gifts of the Body of Christ in Romans 12: prophecy (speaking Gods Word to others), 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). Do you want to know the ironic thing between the easy road and the hard road? We stopped in a little town called Corbin, Kentucky. Work is our place of God's provision and a place of witness. Hard work is a Christian virtue. The wise woman, whom every man seeks and hopes to marry, is depicted as industrious, like so: Love does whatever it takes to succeed (within obvious reason). Ruth 2:1-7. We serve a big God. #1567 Martin G. Collins Given 24-Oct-20; 70 minutes . The more you sleep, the harder it will be to wake up from this way of life. (Would you be fired?) Baptist. 'On this very account' -- because He has given so much -- we are to lay 'all diligence' by the side of His gifts, which are useless to the sluggard. There are other verses in there that apply to the whole topic of hard work. Please contact the publisher to obtain copies of this resource. Now as to the homely virtue itself, 'giving all diligence.'. They too are a gift from God, but they are meant to be a reward for hard work and preparation for more hard work. God is calling all of us to the hard road. "Every Pharaoh that is pursuing Since the UK is now no longer a member of the EU, you may be charged an import tax on this item by the customs authorities in your country of residence, which is beyond our control. *other. LIVING DILIGENT FAITH - 2 PETER 1:1-11 Beware the arrogant, consuming, entitled, lazy, leech-like attitude, which can infect an entire generation, and which has helped destroy many nations before our own. The phrase implies that diligence is our contribution. Do not get mired down in less important tasks, putting off the more immediately critical ones. It is saying tomorrow. Please respond to confirm your registration. Things invariably go wrong in ways that we cannot anticipate, because of our limited experience. I already know what it is in my life. Romans 16:12, Denomination: Ask the Spirit to make you a hard worker for God. May our observable work ethic open doors unto Bible study and conversion rather than close them. Powered by Congregate, Fifth Street church of Christ The ground was covered with weeds and the stone wall was in ruins. Hard work! Otherwise, desperate poverty, want, and need will come upon you as suddenly as a prowling thief or an armed robber! Do not let risk inhibit you from investing your labor. Lazy people can be so slothful that they do not even have the energy to pick up their hand, even after it drops into a bowl of food provided for them, even if it is for their own survival and nourishment. Ligon Duncan All God Does Is Good From the editor. This week. Acts 6:5-7, Denomination: Proverbs 4:20-27. 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. It is not talent, effort, or programs, it is a lack of consistency. How does our work ethic compare to that of Jesus? [Proverbs 28:13], 18. Scripture: 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. Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, and. These are mysteries above us. Do not be deceived! Help Grace to You bring important resources like this to people in your community and beyond, free of charge. whatever your image of God Go bigger. Life would not always be hunky-dory, we got to roll up our sleeves and be ready to dirty our fingers! Here is what has helped me: As mentioned, the beginning or end of an important task can be the most difficult. Understand something. Why, because he was not worth it? Do something with the life that God gave you Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. 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. It is the word with which the Apostle, left solitary in his prison, besought his sole trusty companion Timothy to 'make haste so as to come to him before winter.' by Lyn Chaffart | May 7, 2016 | Dedication, Diligence, Motivation, Priorities. If you travel too much (according to your wifes/familys honest, loving assessment), seek to curb your travel, if possible. Michael K. Farrar, O.D. Enter your email address and we will send you instructions on how to reset your password. God turns our weakness into incredible strength. Dont work so much, however, that you need to re-introduce yourself to your family. Maybe youve prayed and prayed, but the answer that you wanted hasnt come. So I need to learn to be diligent in things that matter, like guarding my heart (Proverbs 4:23), nourishing my relationships, and taking advantage of opportunities to grow spiritually and help others do the same. May the same be said of each one of us. SERMON OUTLINE: Have you ever felt like complaining against the LORD? Certain tasks must be accomplished first. Genesis 24:1-23, Pro 6:6 Lazy people should learn a lesson from the way ants live. It is a sign of increasing godliness. This message continues our consideration of unhypocritical love as described in Romans 12. 'On this very account' -- because He has given so much -- we are to lay 'all diligence' by the side of His gifts, which are useless to the sluggard. One of the first lessons of the Bible work ethic is that industriousness requires that you sacrifice any addictive pursuit of luxurious sleep and play (. It is the way of total financial collapse, the way to wasted days, wasted weeks, wasted months, wasted lives. It is a call not to waste your life but to get up and get out and do something with the opportunities that God has placed before you. IV. May God help us to let our light shine this week by going from this place and doing hard work for the glory of god. Working hard and staying on task is a matter of self-control. Baptist. Preachers are to be diligent in reminding God's people of His truth ( 2 Peter 1:15 ). A fruitful faith, a sure calling, a cloudless hope, a peaceful welcome at last! I am not calling on you to work 70 or 80 or 90 or100 hours a week. If we become the people God wants us to be, then He will direct us in the path He wants us to take. Were born wanting to go the easy way. The rest is excuses. Money is not inherently evil. 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. . Remember, working hard is first a mindset (and so is laziness). 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.). Look for them. Another of the phases of the virtue, which Peter here regards as sovereign, is represented in our translation of the word by 'earnestness,' which is the parent of diligence. 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. very lovely Sign up for our newsletter: It is the reason we enjoy electricity, modern medicine, technology, and all the other comforts of modern life. These things have their limited place in the life of the mature, hard working adult; however, they are quickly outgrown, and they must often be sacrificed even completely when the need arises. But with this caution against spurious haste, we cannot too seriously lay to heart the solemn motives to wise and well-directed haste. The moments granted to any of us are too few and precious to let slip unused. 2 Timothy 2:1-10 Deliverance from this present evil age. Pro 6:7 They have no leader, chief, or ruler, He will serve before kings. A. Hard work yesterday has to be followed up with hard work today to guarantee tomorrows prosperity. Place of Israel in the Gods Plan of Salvation In 2 Peter chapter one, before Peter even mentions the first of the virtues to add to our lives, he mentions, One single year of faith has virtually no value: 2 Peter 1:5, One day of being morally courageous has no impact in the long run: 2 Peter 1:5, Being a good Bible study for a few weeks isnt going to give us much wisdom: 2 Peter 1:6. Chuck's sermon is an excellent example of a sermon that sharpens the way we read the Bible. But being self-motivated can be liberating. Salvation Army. The only road that goes to the top is the hard road. Let the records show I am in favor of vacations. He, by the way, was a born again Christian. Take your best, educated guess. Trevor Musia. 4/25/2010 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. Proverbs 6:9-11, Denomination: Go to the ant, you sluggard! But, even if he did take 120 years to build the ark, please also consider that? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men (Proverbs 22:29). 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 (. Want to make the congregation grow? Inevitably, the lazy man will have to borrow to provide what he needs or wants. Give careful attention to your herds. Though your work will differ from my work and from everybody elses work, the qualities of success are always the same: planning, forethought, diligence, enthusiasm and full commitment to whatever God has called you to do. There may be no wind at your back. 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 Lord will do special things through this message. Our application has focused primarily on physical labor. An approved worker diligently studies the Word and seeks to apply it to Thesis: The primary message of Proverbs is Get wisdom or act and look like a fool! 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). Cascades Fellowship CRC, JX MI 19. No man or woman, old or young, white or black can make it, succeed or prevail in whatsoever by diligence, strength or hard work alone (1Sam 2:7-9). Why not fifteen, thirty, forty-five, an hour, a day, a week, a month, a year, a lifetime? C. Lodge in Jerusalem unity (22) But, because he simply wanted to eliminate any occasion for false teachers and sectarians to accuse him of using the brethren, he worked night and day, as a preacher and a tent maker (. Christian/Church Of Christ. . Go to the ant, you sluggard. Consider how much more would be accomplished for the kingdom of Christ if you worked as hard in ministry as you do for a paycheck. read more, Scripture: It may, however, be misguided. The easy road is deceptive. He was now 66 years old, the time when most men retire. Always be faithful on your duty post until the job is done. read more, Scripture: John Wivell. [Proverbs 22:29; 21:20; 24:27], 5. June 5, 2005 There is not much work out there. Christian/Church Of Christ. In Scripture diligence is highly commended. Why do I fail to overcome destructive habits? While it is true that All things are difficult before they are easy (Thomas Fuller). Ecclesiastes 11:1-8 Our American cultures strong sense of work ethic can be traced to our countrys religious roots (Tocqueville, Franklin, Adam Smith, Max Weber), which was previously supported by education and the arts. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23). Dont try to make money by deceit or fraud. These qualities are all related in one way or another to diligence and are qualities that, without exception, by every culture around the world throughout time. [Proverbs 3:9-10; 10:2; 11:18; 15:27; 16:8; 20:14; 28:8, 20], 7. One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys. Proverbs 18:9, The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. "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: Ministry and spiritual discipline is often hard work. Nehemiah 4:21. 1. How our work continues to shape God's creation. I close this sermon with several conclusions. D, Scripture: The Apostle uses a very remarkable expression here, which is rendered in our Bible imperfectly 'giving all diligence.' Do hard jobs first and easier jobs second; then you can have fun. You must be focused in life. So she came, and she has continued from early morning until now, except for a short rest. However, all work. Dont fall into an entitlement mentality. 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. For the glory of God, take up the call to be diligent, remembering Gods provision for you. II Peter was written from prison during a time of intense persecution and a time of false teachings which condoned a virulent sexual permissiveness and moral relativity. 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. It is the way of no plans, no forethought, no enthusiasm, no diligence. But as the clock ticks away, the easy way becomes harder, and the hard way becomes easier. He that diligently seeketh good procureth favor: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him (Proverbs 11:27). Man may not always observe how we work, but God is always watching, and He is our ultimate Master. I am talking today of working hard for the Lord! Fresh sermon illustrations and updates on new sermons, preaching articles and much more! 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. II. Allowed HTML tags:

1. . Diligence is the virtue of hard work, and is indicative of a belief that work in itself is good. Get up and in the name of God do something Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. What is it that you know you need to do this week that is undone in your life? She is still an immature girl! Again, consider that God foretold a figurative army of locust, who were stinging, devouring, resistant, entitled, and yet they were of mankind. Hard work is Gods work when you are doing what God wants you to do. If youre lazily collecting a paycheck, thats stealing. If you want to be a strong Christian -- that is to say, a happy man -- you must bend your back to the work and 'give all diligence.' Diligence is a virtue but when God is taken out of the picture, it becomes a liability characterized by vanity, sorrow, hard labour, restlessness, failure and poverty (Ps 127:1-2). D. The work of Therefore, use wisdom, look ahead, exercise forethought, and choose tasks as objects of your work that are of the highest priority. How many days and weekends off? I went past the field of the sluggard and past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgement. I. our society who think Please contact our webmaster for questions or comments concerning this Web site. There are two reasons: A. 'We cannot read the eternal decrees of God nor know the names written in the Book of Life. So the word is frequently translated. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. The Office gives us a glimpse into the cubicles and . Evangelical/Non-Denominational. Industry, thoroughness, attentiveness. Friend, may be you are poised, smart, educated, technically qualified, charming and Sloths are mammals who move only when necessary and even then very slowly. Diligence is the ability to maintain productivity in all seasons (Proverbs 27:23) 5. The hero that we are going to look at today is a man named Nehemiah. So many Christians just while away the hours, looking at the flowers, consulting with the rain. Diligence is working out one`s dreams (Proverbs 13:4) 'Diligence' makes faith fruitful. Here is the solution to the problem. Security promotes productivity Thesis: Both the exceptional and the everyday experiences with the living Christ are valid and necessary in accomplishing Gods work in and through our lives. I. Cut some corners. God only holds us responsible for what we can do. the account of Joseph in Genesis 39). The great physician cures diseases with simples that grow everywhere. 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. The day of full salvation, repose, and blessedness is near dawning. Acts 6:5-7King James Version (KJV) Plan it. Ask the Spirit to make you a hard worker for God.b. Sloth 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.' Laziness ) yourself to your wifes/familys honest, loving assessment ), seek to curb your travel, if.. Direct us in the path he wants us to take or comments concerning this site! It with all your might 22:29 ) even if he did take 120 to. You are doing what God wants us to the hard road provision for you work in itself good! Men retire am not talking about the work-aholics work in itself is good 2016 Dedication... Contact our webmaster for questions or comments concerning this Web site conversion rather close. Updates on new sermons, preaching articles and much more the rain task a! 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