It Takes Effort

Text: II Thessalonians 3:6-11

 

I.         How many of us truly enjoy working?

            A.        I, like many of us, dream of times when we can take a moment off and do nothing in particular

            B.        Yet, I don’t like to be idle for long. It grates on my nerves.

II.        In the beginning

            A.        Man has always had work to be done - Genesis 2:15

                        1.         Adam started life as a gardener

            B.        But when sin entered the world, the light work that mankind was given became a serious struggle for survival - Genesis 3:17-19

            C.        Thus, we are commanded to work with our hands - I Thessalonians 4:11

            D.        Every person is expected to work for his living - II Thessalonians 3:6-11

III.       It is not haphazard work

            A.        We are expected to put in our best effort

            B.        Ecclesiastes 9:10 - Work with all our might

            C.        Colossians 3:23 - Work as if the Lord is our boss – because He actually is

            D.        Ephesians 6:5-8 - God will reward us according to our labors

            E.        Romans 12:11 - There should be no lack of diligence on our part

IV.      Becoming lazy is a danger - Proverbs 26:13-16

            A.        The lazy give excuses instead of effort - Proverbs 26:13

                        1.         It’s too dangerous - Proverbs 22:13

                        2.         It’s too cold - Proverbs 20:4

                        3.         There will always be times we will not accomplish our goals, despite our best efforts. However, if we use the various hindrances as permission to not finish our work, far less will get done

                        4.         Too many excuses irritate - Proverbs 10:26

            B.        The lazy avoids starting - Proverbs 26:14

                        1.         Learn from the ant to work in convenient times and inconvenient times - Proverbs 6:6-11

            C.        The lazy won’t even help himself - Proverbs 26:15

                        1.         He rather that others care for him

                        2.         Proverbs 24:30-34 - Laziness brings on poverty

                        3.         The lazy wants things but is unable to gain them - Proverbs 13:4

                        4.         He wastes even the little that he has - Proverbs 18:9

V.        We must give diligent effort

            A.        Hard work is noticed and rewarded - Proverbs 22:29

            B.        Hard work causes you to appreciate what you have - Proverbs 12:27

VI.      While we have been discussing work in a general sense, there is a specific work that each of us needs to be concerned with.

            A.        Are we working out our salvation? - Philippians 2:12-13

            B.        Do we approach our lives as Christians by avoiding as much effort as we can?

            C.        Are you offering excuses as to why you have not done what you know you should do?

            D.        Do you think God is going to appreciate you clever avoidance tactics in the end?

            E.        Some people are too lazy to help themselves, to their own destruction.

            F.        What about you?