May of 1607 214 settlers land in Jamestown at it becomes the first settlement in the United States. By 1609 only 60 were left alive. They were found by a supply ship, starving to death. In 2 years they had cleared very little land, failed to build houses, plant crops or any of the industrious things you picture they would do. They even had don’t work you don’t eat laws, and the people still failed to get to work. Jamestown was not an example of the courage, ingenuity, determination and strength that came to define the “American Spirit” but it was a good example of Proverbs 24:30-34

 

One of the favorite characters found in Proverbs is the Sluggard. This lazy and unprosperous man is found throughout the book. The sluggard is always looking for the easy way out, the get rich scheme, using others to get ahead. The generous spirit of the first Christians ran afoul of the sluggards to the point where Paul mentions it often, Eph 4:28 “no longer steal, but get to work” Col 3:23 Work with all your heart at whatever you do” 2 Tim 3:10 “if a man will not work he shall not eat.” 1 Tim 5:8 a person who fails to provide for his family has denied the faith.

 

Sluggards are found unemployed and in board rooms of companies.  Some Gut companies as they jump from job to job sacrificing long range sustainability for good bottom line and bonus, then they move on before anyone realizes what has been done.

 

But enough of economics. What happens when we apply this to the church and to our spiritual life.

 

A.GOD HAS GIVEN WHAT WE NEED

            a. A FIELD

            b. SEED

            c. EVEN A WALL OF PROTECTION

 

B. ALL WORK IS EVALUATED

            a. THE SLUGGARDS FIELD

            b. 1 COR 3:12-15

            C. Matthew 3:8-10

            D. Matthew  7:19

 

C.  GETTING TO WORK

            a. PHIL 1:6

            B. PHIL 2:12

            c. COL 1:10 LIVE THE LIFE

            d. 2 TIM 2:21 CLEANES YOUR SELF

            e. 2 TIM 3:16 STUDY THE SCRIPTURES

 

CONCLUSION: As we have done in the past we must continue to do. Mend the protective wall, pull the weeds, plant the crop so we can have the time of harvest. This is the work of every one of us and it is the work of the church. When Jesus comes let Him not find us sleeping.

 

^{1Co 3:13} his work will be shown for what it is, ^f  because the Day ^g  will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. ^h  

 

^{Phil 2:12} Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, ^o   

^{Phil 2:13} for it is God who works in you ^p  to will and to act according to his good purpose.

 

 

^{Phil 1:6} being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion ^k  until the day of Christ Jesus. ^l  

 

^{Col 1:10} And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy ^u  of the Lord and may please him ^v  in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, ^w  

 

^{2Ti 2:21} If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. ^b  

 

 

^{2Ti 3:16} All Scripture is God-breathed ^m  and is useful for teaching, ⁿ  rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ^o   

^{2Ti 3:17} so that the man of God ^p  may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. ^q  

 

 

^{Mt 7:24} “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice ⁱ  is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  

^{Mt 7:25} The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  

^{Mt 7:26} But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  

^{Mt 7:27} The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

 

 

 

^{Mt 3:8} Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. ⁱ   

^{Mt 3:9} And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ ^j  I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 

^{Mt 3:10} The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. ^k  

^{Mt 3:11} “I baptize you with ¹³ water for repentance. ^l  But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit ^m  and with fire. ⁿ   

^{Mt 3:12} His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

c^{ol 3:23} Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 

^{Col 3:24} since you know that you will receive an inheritance ^l  from the Lord as a reward. ^m  It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

 

^{Eph 4:28} He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, ^y  doing something useful with his own hands, ^z  that he may have something to share with those in need.

 

 

^{2Th 3:10} For even when we were with you, ^g  we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, ^h  he shall not eat.”

 

^{1Ti 5:8} If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied ^r  the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

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