154. Sin, The, of Idleness

154. Sin, The, of Idleness

154 THE SIN OF IDLENESS

INTRODUCTION Everything with life is active-has work to do. A thing is useless if it does not do-the work it was designed to do-if it is idle.

"Idle brain is the devil’s workshop."

I. DIVINE AGENCIES NOT IDLE 1. God works now. (John 5:17.) (a) God never idle.

(b) He "rested" or ceased to create. (Genesis 2:2.) 2. Christ worked on earth. (John 5:17 .) (a) Must work God’s will. (John 9:4.) (b) Christ never idle.

3. Holy Spirit works. (Romans 8:26.) II. MAN COMMANDED TO WORK 1. Adam commanded to work . (Genesis 2:15.) 2. Eat bread "in sweat of thy face." (Genesis 3:17-19.) 3. Fourth commandment. (Exodus 20:9.) 4. God never called anyone in idleness.

(a) Moses busy when God called . (Exodus 3:1 .) (b) Gideon busy. (Judges 6:11.) (c) King Saul busy . (1 Samuel 9:3; 1 Samuel 9:27.) (d) David , when annointed. (1 Samuel 16:11.) (e) Elisha, when called. (1 Kings 19:19.) (f) Peter and Andrew , James and John. (Matthew 4:18.) (g) Matthew busy. (Luke 5:27.) (h) Saul of Tarsus busy. (Acts 9:1-2.) 5. Never blessed one in idleness.

III. TWO KINDS OF IDLENESS 1. Physical idleness-lazy.

(a) Sluggard condemned. (Proverbs 6:6-9.) (b) Sluggard will not work.. (Proverbs 20:4.) 2. Spiritual idleness.

(a) Some learn to be idle. (1 Timothy 5:13.) (b) Many spiritually lazy.

IV. CURSES OF IDLENESS 1. Idleness a sin.

2. It violates every command to work..

3. Energy wasted.

4. Spiritual growth retarded.

5. Factions and troubles arise.

6. Church or individual fails to fill the mission.