Embracing Diligence: The Divine Call to Work
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the profound significance of hard work and diligence, drawing from both personal anecdotes and biblical teachings. We began by reflecting on the example set by Bill Serena, a former boss who demonstrated that no task is beneath us. Bill's willingness to perform even the most menial tasks, like cleaning the floor, served as a powerful model of humility and hard work. This example reminds us that diligence in our work can influence others positively and that we should strive to embody such values in our own lives.
We then delved into the theological foundation of work, tracing its origins back to Genesis. God Himself worked during the creation, and He assigned work to humanity even before the fall. This underscores that work is not a consequence of sin but a divine mandate. Genesis 1:28 outlines our job description: to be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. This divine assignment highlights the importance of using our creativity and intelligence to manage and care for God's creation.
Next, we examined several Proverbs that emphasize the value of hard work and the pitfalls of laziness. Proverbs 14:23, 26:16, and 27:1 collectively teach that hard work leads to profit, while laziness results in failure and unfulfilled desires. These verses challenge us to evaluate our own work habits and ensure that we are not falling into the trap of endless talk or procrastination.
A personal story about my father illustrated the balance between working hard and working smart. While my father often took the long way around to complete tasks, I sought shortcuts that sometimes led to cutting corners. The lesson here is that we need to combine hard work with smart work to be truly effective. This balance is crucial for achieving our goals without compromising on quality.
We also discussed the importance of teaching children the value of hard work. While play is essential for young children, gradually introducing them to work helps prepare them for adulthood. This preparation is vital for their future success and well-being. As parents, we must find the right balance between allowing our children to play and teaching them the responsibilities of work.
Finally, we addressed those who may feel that their stage in life limits their ability to work hard. Whether you are retired, physically disabled, or in any other situation, there are still ways to model a good work ethic and influence others positively. Prayer and seeking God's guidance can help us find opportunities to demonstrate diligence and hard work, regardless of our circumstances.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Example of Humility and Hard Work: Bill Serena's willingness to perform even the most menial tasks serves as a powerful reminder that no job is beneath us. His example teaches us that humility and diligence can positively influence those around us. We should strive to embody these values in our own lives, recognizing that our actions can serve as a model for others. [12:39]
2. The Divine Mandate of Work: Work is not a consequence of sin but a divine mandate given to humanity even before the fall. Genesis 1:28 outlines our job description: to be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. This divine assignment highlights the importance of using our creativity and intelligence to manage and care for God's creation, reminding us that work is a fundamental aspect of our purpose. [01:58]
3. The Value of Hard Work in Proverbs: Proverbs 14:23, 26:16, and 27:1 collectively teach that hard work leads to profit, while laziness results in failure and unfulfilled desires. These verses challenge us to evaluate our own work habits and ensure that we are not falling into the trap of endless talk or procrastination. Diligence brings fulfillment, while laziness leaves our desires unfulfilled. [03:54]
4. Balancing Hard Work and Smart Work: The story of my father and me illustrates the need to balance hard work with smart work. While hard work is essential, finding efficient ways to complete tasks without cutting corners is equally important. This balance is crucial for achieving our goals without compromising on quality, teaching us that we need to work both hard and smart. [05:51]
5. Teaching Children the Value of Work: Gradually introducing children to work helps prepare them for adulthood. While play is essential for young children, teaching them responsibilities is vital for their future success. As parents, we must find the right balance between allowing our children to play and teaching them the value of hard work, ensuring they are well-prepared for the challenges of adulthood. [08:39]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Theology of Work
[01:58] - Divine Mandate of Work
[03:54] - Proverbs on Hard Work
[05:04] - Balancing Hard Work and Smart Work
[08:39] - Teaching Children the Value of Work
[12:39] - Example of Humility and Hard Work
[16:16] - Avoiding Laziness
[17:26] - Call to Action and Prayer
[18:17] - Closing Remarks
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 1:28
2. Proverbs 14:23
3. Proverbs 26:16
4. Proverbs 27:1
#### Observation Questions
1. What specific tasks did God assign to humanity in Genesis 1:28?
2. According to Proverbs 14:23, what is the outcome of hard work versus endless talk?
3. How does Proverbs 26:16 describe a slacker's perception of their own wisdom?
4. What warning does Proverbs 27:1 give about boasting and procrastination?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the example of Bill Serena illustrate the principle that no job is beneath us? [12:39]
2. In what ways does the divine mandate of work in Genesis 1:28 challenge the notion that work is a consequence of sin? [01:58]
3. How do the Proverbs passages collectively emphasize the importance of diligence and the pitfalls of laziness? [03:54]
4. What does the story of the pastor's father and his own approach to work teach us about balancing hard work and smart work? [05:51]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on Bill Serena's example of humility and hard work. Are there tasks in your life that you consider beneath you? How can you change your attitude towards these tasks? [12:39]
2. Genesis 1:28 outlines a divine mandate for work. How can you use your creativity and intelligence to better manage and care for God's creation in your daily life? [01:58]
3. Proverbs 14:23 states that hard work leads to profit. Are there areas in your life where you tend to procrastinate or engage in endless talk? How can you take concrete steps to be more diligent? [03:54]
4. The pastor shared a personal story about balancing hard work and smart work. Are there tasks you currently do that could benefit from a smarter approach? How can you implement this balance in your daily routine? [05:51]
5. How can you teach your children or younger people in your life the value of hard work while still allowing them time to play? What practical steps can you take to introduce them to responsibilities gradually? [08:39]
6. If you are in a stage of life where physical work is challenging, how can you still model a good work ethic and influence others positively? What are some ways you can seek God's guidance in finding these opportunities? [13:35]
7. Reflect on your current work habits. Are there specific distractions, such as excessive phone use or TV watching, that prevent you from being more productive? What steps can you take this week to minimize these distractions? [17:26]
Devotional
Day 1: Humility in Hard Work
Description: Bill Serena's example of performing even the most menial tasks, like cleaning the floor, serves as a powerful reminder that no job is beneath us. His humility and diligence positively influenced those around him, showing that our actions can serve as a model for others. We should strive to embody these values in our own lives, recognizing that our work ethic can inspire and uplift those we interact with. [12:39]
Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV): "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. You are serving the Lord Christ."
Reflection: Think of a task you usually consider beneath you. How can you approach it with humility and diligence today, knowing that your actions can positively influence others?
Day 2: The Divine Mandate of Work
Description: Work is not a consequence of sin but a divine mandate given to humanity even before the fall. Genesis 1:28 outlines our job description: to be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. This divine assignment highlights the importance of using our creativity and intelligence to manage and care for God's creation. Recognizing that work is a fundamental aspect of our purpose can transform our perspective on daily tasks and responsibilities. [01:58]
Ecclesiastes 3:13 (ESV): "Also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man."
Reflection: How can you view your daily work as a divine mandate and an opportunity to use your creativity and intelligence to care for God's creation?
Day 3: The Value of Hard Work in Proverbs
Description: Proverbs 14:23, 26:16, and 27:1 collectively teach that hard work leads to profit, while laziness results in failure and unfulfilled desires. These verses challenge us to evaluate our own work habits and ensure that we are not falling into the trap of endless talk or procrastination. Diligence brings fulfillment, while laziness leaves our desires unfulfilled. Reflecting on these Proverbs can help us cultivate a disciplined and productive work ethic. [03:54]
Proverbs 12:24 (ESV): "The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor."
Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you tend to procrastinate. What steps can you take today to approach this area with diligence and avoid the pitfalls of laziness?
Day 4: Balancing Hard Work and Smart Work
Description: The story of a father and son illustrates the need to balance hard work with smart work. While hard work is essential, finding efficient ways to complete tasks without cutting corners is equally important. This balance is crucial for achieving our goals without compromising on quality. Learning to work both hard and smart can lead to more effective and satisfying outcomes in our personal and professional lives. [05:51]
Ecclesiastes 10:10 (ESV): "If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed."
Reflection: Think of a task you are currently working on. How can you approach it more efficiently without compromising on quality?
Day 5: Teaching Children the Value of Work
Description: Gradually introducing children to work helps prepare them for adulthood. While play is essential for young children, teaching them responsibilities is vital for their future success. As parents, we must find the right balance between allowing our children to play and teaching them the value of hard work. This preparation ensures they are well-prepared for the challenges of adulthood and understand the importance of diligence and responsibility. [08:39]
Proverbs 22:6 (ESV): "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
Reflection: How can you incorporate small, age-appropriate responsibilities into your child's daily routine to teach them the value of hard work?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Because like that, those three verses, uh, summarize, and even the idea of Proverbs 13, four, that diligence brings fulfillment while laziness leaves desired unfulfilled. So maybe this morning you need to think about the areas in your life where you could be more, more productive. You could be more efficient. Maybe it's your phone. Maybe it's man. I spent too much time scrolling and I've wasted a lot of time doing that. Or maybe it's entertainment TV that, oh, I spend three hours a day watching TV. If I just didn't do that, maybe I could make some phone calls, see how somebody's doing. Maybe I could write a letter to somebody diligently working hard will bring fulfillment. But when we're lazy at the end of the day, you put your head on your pillow and think, man, could have got a lot more done today. I could have actually done something productive. I could have done something for somebody else, maybe to help them bring more joy to their life." [17:26]
2. "And using your smarts or your brain wrongly are the opposite of working hard and taking good advice. So to succeed, not doing those things, we need to work hard. We need to follow wise guidance and we cannot be lazy. If we want to be smart in our work, I'll give you a quick illustration of, uh, me and my dad growing up. My dad is the definition of work hard, not smart. Like. Sometimes he would take the long way around to get something done. And in my brain, uh, I was, I probably was not always wise in this, but I was always thinking, man, what, how can I do this faster? How can I do this with less effort? And I would always just say, well, let's work smart, not hard. Have you guys heard that? Right? Yeah. You've heard that phrase. That was my goal. Like find the easiest way to do something." [05:04]
3. "We need to teach our children that life is not all about play. And to be honest with you, I'm Cassie and I are still trying to figure this out. It's a little bit difficult, uh, because obviously they do want to play with their kids and we're like, we don't want to ruin their childhood by not letting them play and just making them work. But that's not entirely correct that we will be doing them a disservice by not teaching them how to work because eventually one day they will have to work. They're going to have to get their license. And, uh, you know, get a job and do an interview and they're going to need to know what it's like to work for eight hours a day before they get to that point." [10:56]
4. "They may even have what they want. So out of that verse, we can find this idea is that when we're diligent, it brings fulfillment. But laziness leaves our desires unfulfilled. You might be a person who like, man, I really want that, but you just don't put the work in. Think of somebody like this. I really want to be healthy, but man, I just love my pop. I love my Little Debbies, and I'm not going to give those up. So that desire to be healthy, to be in shape or something, you might say it, but your desires are going to be unfulfilled because you're lazy. You're either lazy in your commitment or lazy in just going through with that commitment. So diligence brings fulfillment while laziness leaves desires unfulfilled." [01:00]
### Quotes for Members
1. "So worship team, you guys can go ahead and come on up. I could do a whole nother sermon on rest and the idea of Sabbath thing. And it's probably would be a more difficult message for me because we don't do it real well. Uh, to be honest with you. I don't. I don't even know if we know how to do it real well, like God intended us to do. But for today, when we look at the fools in Proverbs, let's not be the fool who doesn't work hard." [16:16]
2. "What I think Proverbs is teaching us is that we need to work hard and smart. It's both. It's not one or the other because we can work hard, do it the most efficient way, but make sure it's done right as well. This past week, um, I was reading a book and by the way, you can, I would recommend looking this one up. Um, you can get it, uh, I, I did get on Amazon, but it's from Lifeway publishing. Um, it's called teach them to work. I'm about halfway through it. Uh, I think I've got about three hours into the book. Um, it takes about six hours to do the audio book, by the way, I'm not that much of a reader, but if I can find it. I can get through it, but it's called teach them the work." [05:51]
3. "Again, going back to the beginning, a Genesis work was created and it was assigned to us even before Adam and Eve sinned. Now, sin came into the picture and made it more difficult for us. It's more difficult to grow a garden because of the thorns and the thistles and the weeds and all that stuff that we have to, uh, also work alongside of the, try to keep the plants alive. Uh, we've got to keep all the bad stuff out, but we do need to teach our children the correct way to work. Um, our society, it seems like every single topic has an extreme. You can either be the lazy sluggard on one end and you don't work at all. And. Everything that you're supposed to be doing, you're not doing at work. You're barely keeping a job at home. You don't take care of stuff at home. Like it's just the extreme laziness. And then our society also has the other extreme of overworking. You work so much that you don't put in the time to be with your family, to be with your children. Uh, so there's extremes, but what is the correct way to balance those?" [09:47]
4. "So thinking about your positions in your life, what areas do you have influence and position that you can help somebody else understand what good work ethic is that? You're not modeling being. A lazy sluggard and you are modeling someone who works hard. So are you, are you a grandparent? Are you a parent? Are you an employee? Maybe you're retired and you're like, I don't even know. Like, how can I do this? I want, I think you can pray God, would you help me, uh, find ways where I can still work hard and influence other people for positive, to show them your love, to show them, uh, your truth, something like that. Even if you're physically. Yeah. Unable to do something, you can still study, you can still use your mind. You might not be able to use your body like you used to, but you can still be a positive influence to say, here's what a good work ethic looks like. Even at an old age or even at a physical disability, even at blah, blah, blah. Don't make up an excuse to say why you can't be a hard worker." [14:55]
5. "We see that God created work. God assigned us work. It says in verse 28 of chapter one, God blessed them. And God said to them, here's our job description, by the way, when God created man and woman, he said, be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and subdue it. There's a lot into that subdue word though. Like when you think about what we do as human beings, what we're free to do, what we can use our mind and creativity to do. There's a lot to that word subdue. But we are to rule. Over all the animals. It says the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, every creature that crawls on the earth, God has appointed human beings to be the ones who subdue and rule over everything. What is amazing to me, like we are not the strongest creature. Obviously there's, there's much stronger creatures that could easily kill us, but we're the only part of creation that was made in the image of God." [02:49]
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