Laziness: Destroying Yourself By Doing Nothing

Introduction:

Proverbs 26:13 - The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! There is a lion on the streets!"

The Tragedy of Laziness (Prov 6:6-11):

  1. Laziness is Self-Deceptive .

    Proverbs 26:16 - The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.

    Proverbs 20:4 - The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing.

  1. Laziness is Self-Destructive .

    Proverbs 21:25-26 - 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.

    Proverbs 19:24 - The sluggard buries his hand in the dish and will not even bring it back to his mouth.

  2. Laziness must be Rebuked .

    Proverbs 6:6 - Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and mbe wise.

Lessons from an Ant:

  1. Hard work doesn't require constant Supervision . (Prov 6:7)
  2. Hard work doesn't Pocrastinate . (Prov 6:8a)
  3. Hard work is the means to Provide . (Prov 6:8b)

    1 Timothy 5:8 - But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

How do I stop being lazy?

  1. Confess it to God.
  2. Take it one Shift at a time.

    Colossians 3:23-24 - 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.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read Proverbs 6:6-11
(If you like, review any other Proverbs on laziness we covered on Sunday!)

  1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?

  2. On a scale of 1-10 (1 = “comatose lazy”, 10 = “workhorse of the year”): How would your boss rate your work habits? How would you rate yourself?

  3. What advice would you give someone who confesses to you that they struggle with laziness?

  4. Why do you think laziness results in MORE and WORSE laziness?

  5. How specifically can a sluggard come to poverty (Prov 6:11)?

BREAKOUT
Confession time: in what area of your life are you most lazy? Pray for one another that the Lord would change your heart.