Whatever you do, do it for the Lord, not for people’s praise or out of mere obligation. When you focus on seeking God’s approval, your motivation shifts from laziness or half-heartedness to wholehearted service, knowing that the God who saved you and promised you eternal life deserves your best. This perspective transforms even the most mundane tasks into acts of worship, reminding you that your true audience is God Himself, who sees and values your efforts. [16:29]
Colossians 3:23 (ESV)
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.
Reflection: What is one task you’ve been neglecting or doing half-heartedly that you can intentionally offer to God today as an act of worship?
Understanding who God is—His supreme power, wisdom, and deep love for you—should shape your response to His commands. When you truly believe that the all-powerful Creator knows you, loves you, and desires what’s best for you, obedience becomes a natural response rather than a burden. Trusting in God’s authority means letting go of the desire to control every aspect of your life and submitting to His perfect timing and will. [07:40]
Matthew 5:23-24 (ESV)
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Reflection: Is there an area where you are resisting God’s authority or timing? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him today?
Delayed obedience is, in reality, disobedience—especially when it comes to God’s clear instructions. When you procrastinate in responding to God’s call, whether it’s reconciling with someone, sharing the gospel, or growing spiritually, you are essentially saying you know better than God about timing. Immediate obedience honors God’s wisdom and shows trust in His perfect plan for your life. [07:00]
1 Thessalonians 4:3 (ESV)
For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality.
Reflection: What is one step of obedience you’ve been putting off that you can take today, trusting God’s timing over your own?
Anxiety and fear often paralyze us, keeping us from doing what we know we should. God invites you to bring every worry to Him in prayer, trusting that He is able to give you peace beyond understanding. After you have planned and done your part, release your anxieties to God, believing that He is faithful to complete the work He has started in you and that His Spirit empowers you to move forward. [11:44]
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Reflection: What specific worry or fear can you bring to God in prayer today, trusting Him to give you peace and strength to act?
God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. As a believer, the Holy Spirit dwells in you to empower and strengthen you to do God’s will, even when you feel inadequate or afraid. When you face tasks that seem overwhelming, remember that your ability comes from God’s Spirit within you, not from your own strength, and step forward in faith. [13:59]
2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Reflection: Where do you feel fear or inadequacy holding you back? How can you rely on the Holy Spirit’s power to take a step forward today?
Procrastination is a struggle that touches every life, often rooted in deeper issues than mere time management. At its core, procrastination can reveal a heart that is wrestling with laziness, an inappropriate view of authority, or anxiety and fear. Each of these underlying problems shapes the way we respond to the responsibilities and commands placed before us, whether by people or by God Himself.
Laziness is not simply a lack of activity, but a resistance to the effort required to do what is right and necessary. It is easy to fall into the trap of comfort, choosing what is easy over what is best. Yet, God calls us to diligence, not for the approval of others, but because we serve Him. Every task, no matter how small, is an opportunity to honor God with our best.
An inappropriate view of authority often manifests as a desire for independence on our own terms. We want to choose when and how we obey, questioning the timing and wisdom of those in authority over us. This attitude can easily transfer to our relationship with God. If we do not see God as supremely wise, loving, and powerful, we will delay obedience, thinking our timing is better. But God, who created time itself, deserves our immediate and wholehearted obedience.
Anxiety and fear can paralyze us, leading to endless analysis and hesitation. We worry about what might go wrong, or whether we are capable, and so we do nothing. Yet, Scripture reminds us that after we have planned and prepared, we are to trust God, bringing our anxieties to Him in prayer. For those who belong to Christ, the Spirit of God dwells within, empowering us to act with courage, love, and self-control.
The remedy to these struggles is found in seeking God’s approval above all, remembering His supremacy, and trusting in His indwelling power. When we understand who God is and what He has done for us, our hearts are moved to respond with prompt and joyful obedience, confident that He is at work in us and through us.
Colossians 3:23 (ESV) — > Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV) — > Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV) — > For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Aug 17, 2025. Do you have any questions about it?
Add this chatbot onto your site with the embed code below
<iframe frameborder="0" src="https://pastors.ai/sermonWidget/sermon/overcoming-procrastination-embracing-gods-authority-and-power" width="100%" height="100%" style="height:100vh;"></iframe>Copy