The Art Of Loafing Series

SERMON OUTLINE AND NOTES

Bridgewater United Methodist Church—Pastor Don Hawks

04.22.07

The Art of Loafing

Thanks to Rev. Richard Maraj for the inspiration

For this message

59th ST Bridge Song: “Feeling Groovy”

Simon and Garfunkel

Slow down, you move too fast.

You got to make the morning last.

Just kicking down the cobble stones.

Looking for fun and feelin’ groovy.

Hello lamppost,

What cha knowing?

I’ve come to watch your flowers growing.

Ain’t cha got no rhymes for me?

Doot-in’ doo-doo,

Feelin’ groovy.

Got no deeds to do,

No promises to keep.

I’m dappled and drowsy and ready to sleep.

Let the morning time drop all its petals on me.

Life, I love you,

All is groovy.

INTRODUCTION: A word for doing all that we can in as little time as possible:

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3 principles for discovering the art of loafing---

1—Develop the art of ______________.

Mark 6:31-32 (Message) Jesus said, "Come off by yourselves; let’s take a break and get a little rest." For there was constant coming and going. They didn’t even have time to eat. So they got in the boat and went off to a remote place by themselves.

Genesis 2:3-4 NIV By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (Msg) You realize, don’t you, that you are the temple of God, and God himself is present in you? No one will get by with vandalizing God’s temple, you can be sure of that. God’s temple is sacred—and you, remember, are the temple.

2—Develop the art of ______________.

Isaiah 40:31 in the Message: But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.

3—Develop the art of _____________.

Matthew 18:1-3 NIV He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Pablo Picasso: “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.”

G.K. Chesterton: "Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly.”

The Artist’s Way suggestion: schedule just 2 hours a week to have an artists’ date.

• The parable of the Hiker and the tree cutter

Abraham Lincoln: “If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend seven sharpening my ax.”

 Will I commit to the art of loafing on this Holy Humor Sunday?

ANSWERS TO BLANKS: INTRODUCTION: Multitasking 3 Principles: 1--the ability to rest; 2--the skill to slow down; 3—the knack of playfulness