“From Sloth to Passion”

Introduction:  Deuteronomy 6:4 contra Revelations 21:8 with the curious inclusion of cowards [Hebrews 10:39]

We will not limit sloth to laziness.  We will include apathy, pleasure seeking and self-indulgence, which distract us from our passion for God and his kingdom’s work.

I.        Reasons for Sloth: Despair, Lack of Energy (age and health), Burnout

A.     1 Corinthians 9:24-27, “Run in such a way as to get the prize.”

B.     Philippians 1:20-21, “…now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”

C.     2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

II.       Reasons for Sloth: Perfectionism, Fear, Feeling Overwhelmed

A.     (v21) “since we have a great priest over the house of god…”

1.      (v22) “…let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith”

2.      (v23) “…let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess”

3.      (v24) “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds”

4.      (v25) “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing”

5.      “…let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

B.     (v29) “How much more severely do you think a person deserves to be punished who has…”

1.      “…trampled the Son of God under foot”

2.      “…who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant”

3.      “…who has insulted the spirit of grace?”

III.      Reasons for Sloth: spite, Lack of Concern, Disconnection, Never needing to do anything more

A.     1 John 3:17, “If anyone has material possessions and sees another in need but has no pity…”

B.     Luke 19:1-10, Zac’s action plan: ½ his possessions to the poor; repay 4x those he cheated.

C.     Luke 9:36-48, Simon the Pharisee vs. a “sinful” woman.

1.      (v47) “The one who has been forgiven little, loves little.”

Conclusion:   The problem with being addicted to pleasure and comfortable as spectators is that when an activity ceases to be entertaining, we quit.

We quit music, we quit sports teams, we quit jobs without notice, we quit relationships, we quit education, we quit church.  We accept Cs when we could get Bs and As.

Revelation 2:3-4, “You have persevered and have enduring hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.  Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.  Remember from where you have fallen.”