INSIGHT
 
   The ant (Hebrew, nemalah) appears in the Bible only in the Book of Proverbs. It is praised by God as the supreme example of industry. Solomon says, "Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer" (Prov. 30:25). The ant is described as a wise, hardworking creature (Prov. 6:6-8) as opposed to the foolish sluggard, who only wants to sleep (Prov. 6:9). This goes to show that God desires workers in His kingdom. 
   Christianity is not a lazy man's religion. Laziness never produces success, especially within the kingdom of God. It only produces destruction, despair and negativity--both in the spiritual and the physical realm. 
   A sluggard has no place in the kingdom of God. For God calls laborers to work His vineyard. Christ was not a man of slothfulness. Neither were His apostles. When Christ called the Twelve, he trained them to be men of diligence; men of action for the kingdom of Heaven. The sluggard has no desire to work--he rather sleep and depend on the labor and generosity of others for support.
   As Christians, we must be like the ant; We must be workers in the church of Christ, motivated by the cross of Christ. Jesus calls us to be His faithful servants. He calls us to be faithful to the great commission (Matt. 28:19) and to live lives reflecting His teachings (John 8:31,32; 1 Tim. 4:16). He calls us to love Him and to love one another. How can God be pleased with an indolent person? For he will be "as vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes" (Prov. 10:26).
   Jesus condemned a "wicked, lazy servant" (Matt. 25:26) but praised and rewarded the "good and faithful servant" (Matt. 25:23). Let Jesus work in ours lives as together we serve Him and one another in the spirit of power, wisdom, diligence and love.
Becoming Like Christ
Laziness, Idleness and Discipline


Key Text:            1 Timothy 4:7-8 

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

 

Theme:

Few, if any of us, are naturally disciplined. Discipline must be learned. Without discipline we will not be able to take the world for Christ. Discipline must be built into our Christian lives from the earliest possible moment. Christ came to the world to save the world (John 3:17). He came for a people eager to do what is good (Titus 2:14); Workers for the kingdom of God. Are you a worker for the Lord?

 

Application:

Here are some practical suggestions:

1. Keep a timetable for the best use of

    your time.

2. Set some goals on what you want to

    accomplish for the Lord.

3. Spend time with a disciplined person

    and follow his or her example.

4. If you are not a punctual person, make

    every effort to be early.

5. Be kingdom-minded!

6. Accept correction from a brother or

    sister who is trying to help you in

    your lateness or laziness.

7. Speak often with the Lord in prayer

    and let Him speak to you through His

         word.

May the Lord richly bless you!

 

 

 

 

 

Sermon Outline


Laziness And Christianity

I. Indolence Not Praised

  A. The Animal Kingdom
    1. The Sloth
      a. slow moving mammal
    2. The Ant
      a. a hardworking insect
        --Prov. 30:25--weak but productive
        --Prov. 6:6--teacher of the lazy

  B. Attributes of Indolence
    1. Proverbs 26:13-16
      a. He dreads to work
        --He hates where work is to be done
          or a journey to be walked (in the road)
        --Makes an excuse when pressed to be
          diligent: there's a lion...!
        --He doesn't succeed because he's lazy
      b. He's in love with his ease
        --He's attached to his bed
      c. Too lazy to do work for himself
      d. He has a high opinion of himself
        --Everyone else is wrong except him

  C. The Outcome of Indolence
    1. Weeds, thorns and ruins (Prov. 24:30f)
      a. Poverty--Prov. 10:4
      b. He craves and craves--Prov. 21:25
      c. Spiritual life is in shambles

II. Conclusion
"Go to the ant...consider its ways and
be wise"
Small Group Study

Warm-up:

If you were buying used property such as a car or a house, what would you take into consideration before purchasing the item?

 

See To It                              Proverbs 24:30-34

1. How did King Solomon determine that a

    sluggard owned this field?

 

2. Why did Solomon address this field owner as

    one who lacked judgment? Explain.

 

3. Can we learn a person’s nature by how he/she

    keeps his/her possessions? What did Solomon

    learn?

 

4. Where does slothfulness lead to? How come?

    What is the antidote?

 

5. Would you ever buy a car or home or

    anything from a person who doesn’t take care

    of their possessions? Why?

 

Seeing It Closer:

 

1. How does God feel about slothfulness? Why?

 

2. Read Proverbs 10:26. Explain the meaning

    of this verse and how does it apply to us as

    Christians?

 

3. How can we prevent the following?

     a. Missing church, devotionals, etc.

     b. Being late to services, work, etc.

     c. Poverty and hunger

     d. Being fired from a job

Getting To It:

Pray for one another that we would be diligent workers for the Lord, a people not idle, but pleasing to our Savior Jesus Christ.

 

 

 

 

 

This week's Quiet Times:

Becoming Like Christ: Laziness, Idleness and Discipline

MONDAY
Discipline is something we all have to learn. Letting your heart be molded by God and training in righteousness are attitudes that need to be built into our Christian lives. Then the world will know that we are His! Carefully take in the message in 1 Tim. 4:7-11. What should you train yourself to be? Some of us know the discipline it requires to maintain physical fitness, and the importance of that. How much more important and more valuable is becoming and staying spiritually fit! Verse 10 holds the key attitude in those who labor and strive for spiritual fitness. What and who did Paul put his hope in? What do you put your hope in? It will be shown by what you do! Write 2 Tim. 2:15 on an index card, learn it, and ­see to it that you discipline yourself to this end.  Get together with a brother/sister and pray for diligence in your ministry.

TUESDAY
We all know that it requires work to maintain physical fitness. Because of this, it is possible to become tired and not have the desire to continue on with your training.  The same happens in our spiritual fitness plan. Sometimes you have become weary, and have fallen asleep (in the spiritual sense). Read Hebrews 6:11-12. What should you do to the very end? What for? What should you not become? How do you not become this? As you can see, discipleship is key in our spiritual fitness plan. Read Proverbs 24:30-34. What will happen to you if you continue to be lazy? Write Prov.24:33-34 on an index card and meditate on it. Remember it whenever you grow weary, putting your hope in Heaven. If you are not a punctual person, make an effort to be early.
If you take the time to read Hebrews from 5:11 through 6:12, you will notice that this whole section deals with some Christians who had become lazy about their spiritual fitness. They were being encouraged to wake up and adopt an attitude of diligence, especially in training in righteousness.

WEDNESDAY
Your discipline, or lack thereof, is evident in how you lead your life in this world. There are many people in the world who are disciplined, and that without Christ.  How much more so do we need to be disciplined, that we may lift up Jesus in our lives!  Worldly discipline will bring you many good things.  Spiritual discipline enables you to be a servant of God. Study 1 Thess.4:11-12. How will you win the respect of outsiders? Have you been a provider or a taker? "Make it your ambition (KJV: aspire) to lead a quiet life" is an unusual expression in Greek. "Aspire" is a translation of philotimeomai (Gk.), literally "to love honor." Consequently, the combined word evolved to a meaning of "to be industrious." "Quiet" is a translation of hesuchia (Gk.), which implies a restful or quiet life. Hence, the intent of the statement is that a believer should exhibit industry in living a quiet life, one free from contention with others and one ready to act in the sharing of life's essentials among believers. This results in an impeccable testimony to God's sufficiency. (Believer’s Study Bible) Write 1 Peter 2:12 on an index card and memorize it. Keep a timetable or a schedule book for the best use of your time.

THURSDAY
Being disciplined also helps us from falling into the devil’s trap. As the saying goes: “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop...”, so does the Bible teaches us to keep away from idleness. Carefully read 2 Thess.3:6-15. What is idleness associated with in this verse? What command did Paul give us from the Lord? Write 1 Cor.15:58 on an index card and commit to it in your renewed heart. If you have been idle and burdening someone, get together with them and pray together to commit to a plan of action that will result in dependence on the Lord and interdependence between each other. Make sure that you are the initiator of this if indeed you find yourself in this position.

FRIDAY
Speaking from experience, discipline is not the most pleasant thing I can think about. However, it is very necessary for you to receive it and incorporate it into your heart and  mind ! Here’s why: Read Hebrews 12:11-15. What does discipline produce? Look at verse 14. In it lies the attitude that will lead you to discipline, then peace. The motivation is to be holy. If we see to holiness, first in us, then in each other, we will glorify the Lord in everything we do! God commands you to strengthen yourself and to walk in the Spirit (vs 12, 13). The call is to WAKE UP! Don’t fall asleep and be carried away by your heart. Write Proverbs 12:1 on an index card and memorize it. Spend time with a brother/sister that is disciplined and follow their example.