Procrastination & Neglect

Procrastination & Neglect

2003035

Subject: procrastination; neglect

INTRODUCTION:

A. While searching and old grave yard from the early 1900’s, a discovery was made in an inscription on a tomb-stone.

B. It read, “I reveled underneath the moon, I slept beneath the sun. I lived a life of going-to-do and died with nothing done.” This is a sad revelation of a miss-spent life!

C. “Going-to-do” but not quite succeeding! We often blame Satan for our misdeeds, our shortcomings,

1. but .. much too often, some of our primary problems are a result of our own doing!

I. The Bible is filled with examples of those who waited too late in life.

A. We sing at times and invitation song titled .. “Almost Persuaded.”

1. At the end of the last stanza in the Chorus .. these words are found...

2. “Almost cannot avail, Almost is but to fail, Sad, Sad, that bitter wail, Almost but lost.”

B. In Acts 27 .. King Agrippa is only one of many who failed to act on his salvation when the opportunity was presented to him by Paul ... Paul asks him .. (Acts 26:27-28).

1. As far as we know .. King Agrippa was never challenged again to become a Christian.

2. On the basis of the evidence that Paul proclaimed in his address to Agrippa

3. I do believe that Agrippa was seriously contemplating becoming a Christian.

4. He hesitated as he was counting the cost to him for becoming a Christian.

5. There are those who say that King Agrippa was not sincere in his reply to Paul

a. I take the opposite view .. (v. 26)

C. The story of Felix is another example of neglect and procrastination.

1. Paul was taken into custody and was forbidden to have any of his friends come to him or minister to him during this time.

2. Felix comes with his wife Drucilla (a Jewess) .. he calls for Paul to be brought to him.

a. He wanted to hear about Paul’s faith in the Christ (Acts 24:24-25).

3. Felix failed to act on which he had heard.

a. As far as we know . Felix never was challenged again to be a Christian .. and died in his sin.

D. Christ warned us of this sin when he told of his confrontation with individual who made excuses for not follow Him immediately (Luk 9:61).

1. Jesus told the multitudes in the “Sermon on the Mount” to, ... seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness ...” (Mat 6:33).

2. Like many people today .. this man thought other matters merited priority!

E. We have a great need for all of us to “quit leaning on excuses.”

1. The real lesson is difficult to understand ...

2. We are all guilty of this sine of procrastination ... sometime in our present lives.

II. There are several well-used excuses which are offered for the neglect of duty.

A. Personal incompetence ... (Moses) (Ex 3:11) (Ex 4:10).

1. Each is an excuse for not doing what God wanted him to do.

2. He went ... look what happened!!!!

B. Lack of Social Position ... (Gideon) (Jud 6:15).

1. Look what the Lord said to Gideon in (v. 14).

a. What God declares .. there should be no doubt in our minds.

3. Gideon lacked self-confidence in himself and confidence in the Lord.

4. He went .. look what happened!!!!

C. Difficulties of the undertaking ... (Slothful Man) (Prov 22:13).

1. Worrying about what might happen and not even wanting to try and do the task!

a. This shows a lack of faith ... a complacent attitude.

D. Personal weakness ... (Jer 1:6-7).

1. If God goes before us .. and we follow His lead ..

a. Nothing can deter us from completing the task given .. NO MATTER WHAT!

2. Have we prayed about this undertaking .. we need to take some time and truly pray about this anticipated move ... Is it in God’s will ...

a. He has promised to answer the pray of a righteous man ... “it availeth much.”

E. No need discovered ... (Judgment scene) (Mat 25:44-45).

1. Are we unable to see the need ... to obey NOW!!!!

2. The world is full of need .. All we have to do is look around us .. We can help!!!

a. We have the resources to make a difference

F. Pressures in business (Luk 14:18-20).

1. Are we always going to find excuses for not doing the work of the church ..

2. Or are we going to be about the work that lies ahead ..

3. Finding reason to be in worship .. finding reason to do the work of the church ..

a. GO - TEACH .. Baptize those who will obey the gospel.

4. What if no one cared enough to tell you of Christ’s saving truth?

5. When your life is over and the time comes for your tombstone .. what will it say?

a. Will it be one of accomplishments?

6. Or will it be like the one at the beginning of this lesson?

a. “A life of “going-to-do” but not quite succeeding.”

7. our memorial service is being prepared .. as you live this life!

A. WE NEED TO STOP MAKING EXCUSES .. CEASE THE PROCRASTINATION .. AND GET ON WITH THE JOB OF “DOING” THE WORK OF THE CHURCH.

III. Christ was the perfect savior ...

He “knew no sin” .. (2 Cor 5:21)
He “did no sin” .. (1 Pet 5:21)
He “had no sin” .. (1 Jhn 3:5)
He was tempted “yet without sin” .. (Heb 4:15)
He was “without blemish and without spot” .. (1 Pet 1:19)
He will be your “Judge” .. (Jhn 5:30)

I N V I T A T I O N



Procrastination & Neglect 2003035 Subject: procrastination; neglect INTRODUCTION: A. While searching and old grave yard from the early 1900’s, a discovery was made in an inscription on a tomb-stone. B. It read, “I reveled underneath the moon, I slept beneath the sun. I lived a life of going-to-do and died with nothing done.” This is a sad revelation of a miss-spent life! C. “Going-to-do” but not quite succeeding! We often blame Satan for our misdeeds, our shortcomings, 1. but .. much too often, some of our primary problems are a result of our own doing! I. The Bible is filled with examples of those who waited too late in life. A. We sing at times and invitation song titled .. “Almost Persuaded.” 1. At the end of the last stanza in the Chorus .. these words are found... 2. “Almost cannot avail, Almost is but to fail, Sad, Sad, that bitter wail, Almost but lost.” B. In Acts 27 .. King Agrippa is only one of many who failed to act on his salvation when the opportunity was presented to him by Paul ... Paul asks him .. *(Acts 26:27-28). 1. As far as we know .. King Agrippa was never challenged again to become a Christian. 2. On the basis of the evidence that Paul proclaimed in his address to Agrippa 3. I do believe that Agrippa was seriously contemplating becoming a Christian. 4. He hesitated as he was counting the cost to him for becoming a Christian. 5. There are those who say that King Agrippa was not sincere in his reply to Paul a. I take the opposite view .. (v. 26)* C. The story of Felix is another example of neglect and procrastination. 1. Paul was taken into custody and was forbidden to have any of his friends come to him or minister to him during this time. 2. Felix comes with his wife Drucilla (a Jewess) .. he calls for Paul to be brought to him. a. He wanted to hear about Paul’s faith in the Christ *(Acts 24:24-25). 3. Felix failed to act on which he had heard. a. As far as we know . Felix never was challenged again to be a Christian .. and died in his sin. D. Christ warned us of this sin when he told of his confrontation with individual who made excuses for not follow Him immediately (Luk 9:61). 1. Jesus told the multitudes in the “Sermon on the Mount” to, ... seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness ...”* (Mat 6:33). 2. Like many people today .. this man thought other matters merited priority! E. We have a great need for all of us to “quit leaning on excuses.” 1. The real lesson is difficult to understand ... 2. We are all guilty of this sine of procrastination ... sometime in our present lives. II. There are several well-used excuses which are offered for the neglect of duty. A. Personal incompetence ... (Moses) *(Ex 3:11)* *(Ex 4:10). 1. Each is an excuse for not doing what God wanted him to do. 2. He went ... look what happened!!!! B. Lack of Social Position ... (Gideon) (Jud 6:15). 1. Look what the Lord said to Gideon in (v. 14). a. What God declares .. there should be no doubt in our minds. 3. Gideon lacked self-confidence in himself and confidence in the Lord. 4. He went .. look what happened!!!! C. Difficulties of the undertaking ... (Slothful Man) (Prov 22:13). 1. Worrying about what might happen and not even wanting to try and do the task! a. This shows a lack of faith ... a complacent attitude. D. Personal weakness ... (Jer 1:6-7). 1. If God goes before us .. and we follow His lead .. a. Nothing can deter us from completing the task given .. NO MATTER WHAT!* 2. Have we prayed about this undertaking .. we need to take some time and truly pray about this anticipated move ... Is it in God’s will ... a. He has promised to answer the pray of a righteous man ... “it availeth much.” E. No need discovered ... (Judgment scene) *(Mat 25:44-45). 1. Are we unable to see the need ... to obey NOW!!!! 2. The world is full of need .. All we have to do is look around us .. We can help!!! a. We have the resources to make a difference F. Pressures in business (Luk 14:18-20). 1. Are we always going to find excuses for not doing the work of the church .. 2. Or are we going to be about the work that lies ahead .. 3. Finding reason to be in worship .. finding reason to do the work of the church .. a. GO - TEACH .. Baptize those who will obey the gospel. 4. What if no one cared enough to tell you of Christ’s saving truth? 5. When your life is over and the time comes for your tombstone .. what will it say? a. Will it be one of accomplishments? 6. Or will it be like the one at the beginning of this lesson? a. “A life of “going-to-do” but not quite succeeding.”* 7. our memorial service is being prepared .. as you live this life! A. WE NEED TO STOP MAKING EXCUSES .. CEASE THE PROCRASTINATION .. AND GET ON WITH THE JOB OF “DOING” THE WORK OF THE CHURCH. III. Christ was the perfect savior ... He “knew no sin” .. (2 Cor 5:21) He “did no sin” .. (1 Pet 5:21) He “had no sin” .. (1 Jhn 3:5) He was tempted “yet without sin” .. (Heb 4:15) He was “without blemish and without spot” .. (1 Pet 1:19) He will be your “Judge” .. (Jhn 5:30) I N V I T A T I O N