SABBATH & SUNDAY WEEKLY WORSHIP
August 24,25, 2024
{BL 554-34}
DECLARATION
For [we are not] ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. { Rom 1:16-17 KJV}
HOLY SCRIPTURE
Sabbath Meditations : EIKEV (Because) Deu 7:12-11:25, Isa 49:14-51:3, John 14:1-31
“Then it will happen, as a result of your listening to these ordinances, when you keep and do them, that Adonai your God will keep with you the covenant kindness that He swore to your fathers. {Deu 7:12 TLV}
Sunday Message: "Is Procrastination a SIN?" Matthew 25:1-13
OPENING PRAYER
On this Holy First Day of the Week, we pray Lord-- Grant us open minds, hearts and souls to the message to be revealed in in our Bible while granting us wisdom and discernment to better understand Your will. We pray this in the name of Jesus the Christ, AMEN.
MESSAGE
IS PROCRASTINATION A SIN??
I can hear my mother calling, "GARY! You need to get out there and clean up the back yard like your dad said." To which I reply, "In a minute mom. I'll get to it in a minute." "GARY DEAN, ( she is getting serious, she uses my middle name) daylight is going to run out and your dad will be home in a few hours." Again, I PROCRASTINATE, "Aww mom, I can get that yard squared away in about an hour, I'll get out there soon." "GARY DEAN THOMPSON, YOU GET YOURSELF OUT THERE RIGHT THIS MINUTE OR I'LL TELL YOUR DAD YOUVE IGNORED ME ALL DAY LONG!" My dad is now about 30 minutes from home, and I feel the BURN of the BELT already! I sincerely regretted my Procrastination. Until, of course, the NEXT TIME!
Why do we Procrastinate? Things we could complete very quickly keep getting put off. Till when? Later? When is later? Often, later is too late and we find ourselves in a boat-load of trouble, or at a great loss! Is it worth it?
Some tie blame to the "DO IT LATER" behavior of PROCRASTINATION to LAZINESS: Lets see what Holy Scripture says:
Pro 12:24 NKJV The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.
Pro 13:4 NKJV The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.
Pro 15:19 NKJV The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the way of the upright is a highway.
Pro 18:9 NKJV He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.
I don't think we can place all the blame of Procrastination on laziness. For instance, a man with a learning disability might well be slow to decipher his role or function. Another might call this man "Slothful" or LAZY. That would be sad and wrong.
Col 3:23-24 NKJV And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, (24) knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. This verse points to personal responsibility; that "self discipline that not only is expected but demanded by God. Doing what we are supposed to do and doing it in a timely manner is the very definition of right behavior! That's our job!
Mat 5:23-24 NKJV Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, (24) leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. But make sure that you come back for the offering "IN A TIMELY MANNER" not next week!
I suspect that the old and familiar universal excuse might apply here. ME-MYSELF-AND-I attitude as we read Luk 14:16-18 NKJV "A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, (17) and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, 'Come, for all things are now ready.' (18) But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.' Then the master said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. (24) For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.' " {Luk 14:23-24 NKJV } One might say that those invited were Professional Procrastinators, or...perhaps, just selfish!
God tells us that TODAY is the DAY. Tomorrow is promised to no one. Yesterday is already in the history books. There remains ONLY TODAY : WHY SHOULD YOU DELAY?
Heb 3:12-15 NASB Take care, brethren, that there not be in anyone of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. (13) But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. (14) For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end, (15) while it is said, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS, AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME."
SUMMARY/APPLICATION
Is Procrastination a SIN? Join me in reading Matthew 25, then I will ask again:
Mat 25:1-13 NKJV "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. (2) Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. (3) Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, (4) but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. (5) But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. (6) "And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!' (7) Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. (8) And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' (9) But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' (10) And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. (11) "Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' (12) But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'
If you delay in doing the Lord's will, for whatever reason, you may loose a valued blessing or even a deserved reward.
As a child, my procrastination resulted in strong punishment. My reason was not laziness but simply attitude. I wanted to do what I wanted to do, PERIOD! Stubborn rebellion. My advice is this; If you PROCRASTINATE, it's not healthy. STOP! When Mom tells me the garage needs to be cleaned up, my response should be; "I'M IN THE GARAGE RIGHT NOW MOM. I'VE ALREADY STARTED.."
"IS PROCRASTINATION A SIN?
James sums it up FOR US in a nice concise verse:
Jas 4:17 NKJV Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it due to Procrastination, to him it is sin.
CLOSING PRAYER
Mighty God, Holy Father, we Your children should never place any obstacle between our duty to the Lord and ourselves. Procrastination has no place in the kingdom, nor should it have residency in us. We are warned that such behavior can result in losing celestial rewards causing shame to before the Lord. Grant us the wisdom to do what we say we will do and do it without delay. May our behavior bring glory to our Lord and never shame. This we pray in the name of Jesus the Christ, Amen.
If you have never invited Jesus to be your Lord and savior, or, if you have in the past yet remain unsure of salvation and forgiveness of sin, Please pray with me now: Lord Jesus I need to fill a hole in my life that follows me where ever I go. I am a long-time Sinner and I REPENT of my sins. I believe that You JESUS are the Lord, that you were hung on a cross and died. I believe that you were raised back to life by God, Your Father, ascended into heaven and presently sit at the right hand of The Almighty. Please come into be, clean me, take me and make me Yours and let me serve from this day forward and forever, Thank-You Jesus, AMEN
If you sincerely prayed with me, your salvation has been assured. Waste no time in finding like minded folks, to fellowship with, who also know the lord. Be introduced to a church that preaches from the BIBLE. Email me. Begin the journey that you will never tire of; the discovery of the Majesty, Beauty and loving Power of Jesus the Christ. Welcome to the family!
Chaplain Gary
DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, Ye heav'n-ly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Amen
BENEDICTION: Num 6:24-26 The LORD bless you, and keep you; The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.'AMEN
Christ go with you now...until we meet again
Christ go with you now...keep praying on till then
It really doesn't matter what the weather...
Just as long as we all are TOGETHER...
Christ go with you now...Till we meet again!
SUPPORTING SCRIPTURE Mat 25:1-13, Pro 12:24, 13:4, 15:19, 18:9, Col 3:23-24, Luk 14:16-18, 23-224, Heb 3:12-15, Jas 4:17, Num 6:24-26
SABBATH & SUNDAY WORSHIP MESSAGE
(Published every Friday evening)
CHRIST ETERNAL SENIOR MINISTRIES
HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?
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