“On Work and Words” - Proverbs 26:13–21
[13] The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!”
[14] As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.
[15] The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.
[16] The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.
[17] Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.
[18] Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death
[19] is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”
[20] For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
[21] As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. (ESV)
BIG IDEA: Be Diligent in Work and Words
Work
[13] The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!”
[14] As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.
[15] The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.
[16] The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.
[17] Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.
[18] Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death [19] is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”
[20] For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
[21] As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. (ESV)
Spotlight on Christ:
Matthew 26:36–46: [36] Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” [37] And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. [38] Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” [39] And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” [40] And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? [41] Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” [42] Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” [43] And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. [44] So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. [45] Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. [46] Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.” (ESV)
Applications/Uses:
Discussion Questions:
1. What was the big idea of the sermon? Is it faithful to what the text says?
2. What struck you most about the passage as you listened?
3. How does this passage help or motivate us to live for God through Christ?
4. What excuses for laziness do you tend to give? Why don’t they work?
5. What do you need to change or improve about the way you work?
6. What kinds of effects do you words have on people?
7. Do you tend to cause conflict with your words or promote peace?