"Ant-Ligent!”

Proverbs 6:6-11 (KJV)

U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris

CP Walker Multicultural Gospel Service

Taegu, South Korea

BIG IDEA: The believer who is capable of working SHOULD WORK and EARN his/her living.

REFERENCES: 2 Thessalonians 3:10b (… that if any would not work, neither should he eat); Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs - 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (MSG); Lazarus and The Rich Man: Luke 16:19-31 (KJV); 1 Tim 6:17-19 (KJV): Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life; Proverbs 19:17 -KJV ( He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again); Psalms 41:1 – KJV (Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble); Proverbs 6:1-6; Proverbs 8:6; The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer - Prov 30:25 (KJV)

I. ANNOUNCE THE PERICOPE: 1 Thessalonians 5:14a (MSG) &

Proverbs 6: 6-11 (KJV)

II. READ THE PERICOPE: 1 Thessalonians 5:14a (MSG) &

Proverbs 6:6-11(KJV)

III. READ THE TEXT: 1 Thessalonians 5:14a (MSG) - Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, … &

Proverbs 6:6 (KJV) - Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

IV. PURPOSE: To motivate the hearers to WORK and EARN their living; and NOT TO BE FREELOADERS.

V. SERMONIC THEME: “ANT-ligent!”

INTRODUCTION:

It has been said that LAZINESS (by Mortimer Caplan) is nothing more than the habit of resting before you get tired.

Someone else has said, “Hard work has a future payoff. Laziness pays off now.”

In Chapter 25 of the fairy tale story of “The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi,”

Pinocchio (as you may recall was a MARIONETTE – a puppet controlled by strings) was having a conversation with his FAIRY … when he makes it emphatically clear that he DESIRES to be human AND NOT WORK BECAUSE WORK WEARIES HIM … his FAIRY responds:

” "My dear boy," … "people who speak as you do usually end their days either in a prison or in a hospital.

A man, remember, whether rich or poor, should do something in this world. No one can find happiness without work….

Laziness is a serious illness and one must cure it immediately; yes, even from early childhood. If not, it will kill you in the end."

These words touched Pinocchio’s heart. He lifted his eyes to his Fairy and said seriously: "I’ll work; I’ll study; I’ll do all you tell me.”

*******TAKE 5 BEATS********

MOVE 1: Now, my brothers and my sisters, it has been said that Laziness is the lack of desire.

a. Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines lazy as being … disinclined to activity or exertion: not energetic or vigorous; and encouraging inactivity or indolence

b. The WORD indolent is the meaning of the WORD SLUGGARD which is used in our TEXT today - …

c. … and it SUGGEST a LOVE of ease …

c. In other words, SOMEONE WHO ABSOLUTELY LOVES DOING NOTHING …AND BEING A FREELOADER

*******TAKE 5 BEATS******

MOVE 2: There is a JOKE entitled “CHRONIC LAZINESS” where A … man told his doctor that he wasn’t able to do all the things around the house that he used to do.

a. When the examination was complete, he said, "Now, Doc, I can take it. Tell me in plain English what is wrong with me?" …

b. … "Well, in plain English," the doctor replied, "you’re just

lazy." …

c. …"Okay," said the man. "Now give me the medical term so I can

tell my wife."

*****TAKE 5 BEATS *****

Move 3: Now, … most of you may recall a sermon that I preached a couple of weeks ago, dubbed – “GOD is my HELPER” from Psalms 41:1 and Luke 16:19-21.

a. It was about Poor Lazarus and The Rich Man.

b. In that sermon, you may recall that I dressed as a beggar, and my clothes had been submerged in vinegar which caused many of you to rub your noses.

c. You may also recall the charge we gave TO EACH OF you.

d. As believers you were motivated to embrace the responsibility of HELPING THE POOR LAZARUSES within our church and our community.