Embracing Diligence: The Path to Spiritual Growth
Summary
### Summary
Today, we welcomed the Lau family, who have joined us from Tennessee to serve as our new executive pastor. Chris Lau will be instrumental in aligning our mission, vision, and ministry goals. We also honored Tammy for her 12 years of dedicated service and announced her transition back to her original role as business manager. Additionally, we encouraged the congregation to support our backpack initiative for local children in need.
We concluded our summer series on the book of Proverbs, emphasizing the importance of wisdom in various aspects of life. We reviewed key lessons: wise people trust God, have good friends, use words for healing, are generous, and connect their work to God's greater purpose. We also discussed the character qualities that accompany wisdom, such as faith, honesty, kindness, and self-control.
However, many of us feel overwhelmed by the pursuit of these virtues, often leading to a sense of defeat. This feeling is exacerbated by our culture's obsession with instant gratification. We expect immediate results in all areas of life, from physical fitness to spiritual growth, and when we don't see quick progress, we tend to give up.
The sermon focused on the importance of diligence, which requires time, hard work, and perseverance. Proverbs teaches us that there are no shortcuts to meaningful change. We must be willing to put in the effort and wait for the harvest. Diligence is about persistent work, even when it's difficult or when we face opposition.
We explored three key aspects of diligence from Proverbs: it takes time, requires hard work, and demands perseverance. We must start preparing our fields now, keep working, and wait for the harvest. Hard work leads to results, while mere talk accomplishes nothing. Complacency can lead to a life overrun with thorns and broken walls, but diligence can restore and rebuild.
God has already solved our biggest problem—our sin—through Jesus Christ. This change is instant and requires no effort on our part. However, all other areas of growth require diligence. We must take responsibility for our actions, start doing something, and not quit. Meaningful change is possible through time, hard work, and perseverance.
### Key Takeaways
1. Diligence Takes Time: Spiritual growth and character development are long-term processes. There are no shortcuts to becoming the person God wants you to be. Just as a farmer must wait for the harvest, we must be patient and persistent in our efforts to grow spiritually. [45:06]
2. Hard Work Produces Results: Merely wanting to change is not enough; we must be willing to put in the hard work. Whether it's improving our marriages, overcoming addictions, or growing in faith, diligent effort is required to see meaningful results. [47:12]
3. Avoid Complacency: Complacency can lead to a life overrun with problems. We must continually work on our spiritual and personal growth, addressing issues as they arise and not letting things slide. Diligence requires ongoing effort and attention. [49:26]
4. God's Grace is Instant, But Growth is Gradual: While our salvation through Jesus Christ is instant and requires no effort on our part, all other areas of growth require diligence. We must balance the immediate grace of salvation with the long-term effort of spiritual growth. [53:51]
5. Perseverance is Key: We must not quit, even when the journey is tough. Perseverance in our spiritual and personal growth ensures that we continue to make progress, no matter how slow it may seem. God values the journey and promises to complete the work He has begun in us. [52:45]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[26:37] - Introduction of the Lau Family
[28:02] - Honoring Tammy's Service
[29:34] - Backpack Initiative
[31:01] - Review of Proverbs Series
[32:16] - Feeling Overwhelmed and Defeated
[35:09] - The Problem of Instant Gratification
[43:26] - Diligence Takes Time
[47:12] - Hard Work Produces Results
[49:26] - Avoiding Complacency
[52:45] - The Importance of Perseverance
[53:51] - God's Grace and Our Growth
[55:56] - Rewriting the Proverb
[58:07] - Taking Responsibility and Action
[01:00:38] - Encouragement to Keep Going
[01:02:03] - Paul's Example of Perseverance
[01:04:02] - Confession and Getting Back Up
[01:05:35] - Final Encouragement and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Proverbs 12:11 (ESV) - "Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense."
2. Proverbs 14:23 (ESV) - "In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty."
3. Proverbs 24:30-34 (ESV) - "I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Proverbs 12:11 suggest about the relationship between hard work and results?
2. According to Proverbs 14:23, what is the outcome of hard work compared to mere talk?
3. In Proverbs 24:30-34, what observations does Solomon make about the field of the sluggard, and what lesson does he draw from it? [48:14]
4. How does the sermon describe the cultural value of instant gratification, and why is it problematic for spiritual growth? [35:09]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of diligence in Proverbs 12:11 apply to spiritual growth and character development? [43:26]
2. What does Proverbs 14:23 imply about the necessity of action in achieving meaningful change, and how does this relate to the sermon’s message on hard work? [47:12]
3. Reflecting on Proverbs 24:30-34, what are the dangers of complacency in one's spiritual and personal life? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on perseverance? [49:26]
4. The sermon mentions that while salvation through Jesus is instant, other areas of growth require diligence. How can this understanding help believers balance grace and effort in their spiritual journey? [53:51]
### Application Questions
1. Think about an area in your life where you desire change. What specific steps can you take to start working diligently towards that change this week? [58:07]
2. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by the pursuit of spiritual virtues. How can you apply the principle that "diligence takes time" to avoid feeling defeated? [32:16]
3. Identify a habit or routine that you have struggled to maintain. What practical actions can you take to ensure you persevere in this area? [52:45]
4. How can you guard against complacency in your spiritual life? What are some signs that you might be letting things slide, and how can you address them? [49:26]
5. The sermon encourages taking responsibility for your actions. What is one area where you need to take more responsibility, and what is your plan to start doing something about it today? [58:07]
6. How can you remind yourself of the importance of hard work in your spiritual journey, especially when you are tempted to seek quick fixes or shortcuts? [47:12]
7. Reflect on the promise that God will complete the work He has begun in you (Philippians 1:6). How does this assurance impact your motivation to persevere in your spiritual growth? [01:02:03]
Devotional
Day 1: Patience in Spiritual Growth
Spiritual growth and character development are long-term processes. There are no shortcuts to becoming the person God wants you to be. Just as a farmer must wait for the harvest, we must be patient and persistent in our efforts to grow spiritually. Proverbs teaches us that diligence takes time, and we must be willing to invest that time to see meaningful change. This means trusting in God's timing and not being discouraged by the slow pace of progress. Remember, the journey itself is valuable, and each step forward, no matter how small, is a step towards becoming more like Christ. [45:06]
James 5:7-8 (ESV): "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand."
Reflection: In what area of your spiritual life do you need to practice more patience? How can you remind yourself to trust in God's timing today?
Day 2: The Necessity of Hard Work
Merely wanting to change is not enough; we must be willing to put in the hard work. Whether it's improving our marriages, overcoming addictions, or growing in faith, diligent effort is required to see meaningful results. Proverbs emphasizes that hard work leads to results, while mere talk accomplishes nothing. This means taking actionable steps towards our goals and being consistent in our efforts. It's about showing up every day, even when it's tough, and trusting that our hard work will eventually bear fruit. [47:12]
Proverbs 14:23 (ESV): "In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty."
Reflection: What is one specific area in your life where you need to put in more hard work? What practical steps can you take today to start making progress?
Day 3: Vigilance Against Complacency
Complacency can lead to a life overrun with problems. We must continually work on our spiritual and personal growth, addressing issues as they arise and not letting things slide. Diligence requires ongoing effort and attention. Proverbs warns us that a lack of diligence can lead to a life filled with thorns and broken walls, symbolizing neglected responsibilities and deteriorating conditions. To avoid this, we must stay vigilant and proactive in our spiritual journey, always seeking to grow and improve. [49:26]
Proverbs 24:30-31 (ESV): "I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you have become complacent? How can you take immediate action to address these areas and prevent further neglect?
Day 4: Balancing Grace and Growth
While our salvation through Jesus Christ is instant and requires no effort on our part, all other areas of growth require diligence. We must balance the immediate grace of salvation with the long-term effort of spiritual growth. This means recognizing that while God's grace covers our sins and grants us eternal life, we are still called to work diligently on our character and spiritual maturity. It's a partnership where God's grace empowers us to grow, but we must also put in the effort to cultivate that growth. [53:51]
2 Peter 1:5-7 (ESV): "For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love."
Reflection: How can you balance the grace you have received with the effort required for spiritual growth? What specific actions can you take to grow in your faith today?
Day 5: The Power of Perseverance
We must not quit, even when the journey is tough. Perseverance in our spiritual and personal growth ensures that we continue to make progress, no matter how slow it may seem. God values the journey and promises to complete the work He has begun in us. This means holding on to hope and continuing to push forward, even when we face obstacles or feel discouraged. Perseverance is about trusting that God is with us every step of the way and that He will bring our efforts to fruition in His perfect timing. [52:45]
Galatians 6:9 (ESV): "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel like giving up? How can you find the strength to persevere and trust that God will complete the work He has started in you?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Wise people trust God and do not lean on their own understanding. We've learned that wise people have good friends walking in the same direction and a good direction and friends who are honest, but also gracious. They're not afraid to speak the truth, but they do so in love. Wise people are people who use their words for healing, not for hurting. Wise people are also very generous people." [31:01] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If God has told us that meaningful change is possible through time, hard work, perseverance, then we can tell that part of ourselves that, that wants to quit. We can tell that little voice that just keeps playing in our head. Well, this is just who you are and this is as good as it's going to get. We can tell that little voice to shut up because it's not true. It's just not true." [01:00:38] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God knows the journey that you're on. God knows the journey that you're on and he knows where you started and he knows how your journey is going to end and he knows where you are today. As a matter of fact, you are exactly where he expected you to be today. Now hear me on this. You are exactly where God expected you to be today." [01:01:26] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Grace Bible Church, may we keep chasing after the life that Jesus Christ died and rose again to give to us, even though it's going to take us the rest of our lives. That is a worthy and epic adventure. May we stake our confidence in the promise that he who began a good work in us, he will bring it to completion on the day of Jesus Christ when he either returns or on the day when we die and he embraces us across the finish line." [01:05:35] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Diligence is persistent work and effort in the face of difficulty or opposition. That's what diligence is. And you see all throughout the book of Proverbs this theme. All throughout Proverbs is this theme. So what I want to show today is how you and I, how can we be wise in the face of an instant gratification culture? How can we do that? How can we become more diligent?" [41:56] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You may want to change. And wanting is certainly a good start. But merely wanting something isn't enough. It's not going to get you to the finish line. Like, you cannot want your yard to look nice if you're unwilling to put in the hard work. If you're unwilling to put in the hard work, well, then your yard's going to show. You can't, you want a good, healthy marriage if you're not willing to put in the work, right?" [47:12] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If you let things slide, then your vineyard, your life can become overwhelmed with thorns and weeds and broken down walls much faster than you can possibly imagine. And notice here, the owner of the vineyard, he's fully aware of the state of his property. He's just given up. So how do I know that? Well, notice the order of these phrases. A little sleep. A little slumber. A little folding of hands. Hands to rest." [49:26] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You must take responsibility for yourself and for your actions. Because, because here's another core value that our community, our culture and our community, but culture has our culture values victims and victimhood. And guess where that gets you nowhere. You got to start taking responsibility for yourself and for your actions. You got to start doing something. If you're not reading the Bible, then just start doing something right." [58:07] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Paul says, I'm sure of this confident. He who began a good work and you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. So, well, when is that? I don't know. Could be today. We just sang that song right before the message. Could be today. Could be hundreds of years from now. We don't know. But the promise is, is that what God started in you will be fulfilled." [01:02:03] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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