Slothfulness on SermonAudio

Welcome back to the podcast as we continue our systematic journey through William Goold's classic edition of The Collected Works of John Owen. In today's episode, we explore the deep pastoral landscape of Volume 7, charting Owen's clinical diagnosis of spiritual backsliding and his gospel remedy for a languishing soul. We begin in 1676 with The Nature and Causes of Apostasy from the Gospel, examining Owen's surgical breakdown of Hebrews 6 and his diagnostic checklist in Chapter 6 for identifying secret heart-declension and spiritual sloth. From there, we open his 1681 work, The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded, pausing in Chapter 9 to confront Owen's searching concern that true spiritual mindedness has become tragically rare in the church—a warning we compare directly with the psychological severity of Jonathan Edwards's Religious Affections and Alexander Allen's famous commentary on it. Finally, we conclude with Owen's posthumous 1688 treatise, Of the Dominion of Sin and Grace, walking through Chapters 3 and 4 to distinguish between the persistent presence of indwelling corruption and the reigning dominion of sin, anchoring our ultimate assurance in the covenantal promise that under grace, sin shall not have the final say.

Harvest Supper Service Title: Lessons From The Slothful Farmer Speaker: Rev. Colin Mercer Singer: Miss Faith Haffey Proverbs 24:21-34

Matthew 25:6 "And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him." This sermon examines the state of the visible kingdom of God at the time of Christ's second coming, drawing primarily from the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25. The message highlights that the Bridegroom will find a mixture of sleeping saints and slothful sinners, emphasising the spiritual lethargy and compromise often present in the modern church. It asserts that upon His return, Christ will immediately execute a definitive separation between true believers, who possess the oil of the Holy Spirit, and those with empty professions, a judgment carried out by angels under His direct command. The sermon concludes with the joyous prospect of the marriage supper of the Lamb, where the redeemed will celebrate their eternal union with Christ and their final victory over all enemies.

"Those who have tried to reach Mohammedans with the gospel message and who are in the midst of the work, do not call for retreat, but for reinforcements and advance. They know that in this mighty conflict we have nothing to fear save our own sloth and inactivity." Samuel Zwemer's words echo Paul's own declaration in 2 Corinthians 4:1-6, "having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart." Whether by rejection or affliction, the mission has countless reasons for discouragement. And discouragement can lead to compromise. But we advance, determined to change neither message nor method.

The sermon explores the biblical mandate for believers to combine patience with active diligence, using the example of Abraham to illustrate how faith endures until promises are fulfilled. It emphasizes that God remembers the 'labors of love' shown to other saints, encouraging Christians to maintain a full assurance of hope while avoiding slothfulness. The message clarifies that true faith is evidenced by perseverance to the end, distinguishing genuine salvation from temporary belief. By referencing the 'cloud of witnesses' in Hebrews 11, the text urges believers to lay aside the weight of unbelief and run the race of life with patience. Ultimately, the sermon points to Jesus as the author and finisher of faith, who enables believers to look unto Him for the strength to endure and inherit God's promises.

This sermon examines the destructive consequences of sloth and the necessity of diligent stewardship through the lens of Proverbs 24:30-34. The text portrays the ruined vineyard of the lazy man and records the observations of the wise man, highlighting how neglect leads to spiritual and practical ruin. The preacher emphasises that wisdom requires active contemplation and meditation on God's Word to recognise and apply divine lessons in daily life. By illustrating the metaphor of the vineyard and wall, the message connects physical labor to the spiritual maintenance of family and personal devotion. The sermon concludes with a call to confess neglect, seek forgiveness in Christ, and pursue the grace needed to cultivate the goods God has provided.

This sermon explores the theological concept of the Judgment Seat of Christ, emphasizing that it is a time of reward rather than punishment for believers. The central message focuses on the five biblical crowns available to faithful Christians, including the incorruptible, rejoicing, righteousness, glory, and life crowns. The preacher argues that these rewards are earned through consistent spiritual discipline, faithful service, and enduring trials, rather than through passive belief or slothfulness. By examining passages such as the Parable of the Talents and Paul's letters, the message highlights that the ultimate motivation for Christian labor is the desire for the Master's approval and the glory of Christ. The tone is instructional and encouraging, urging the congregation to view their daily faithfulness as an investment in eternal rewards that will ultimately be laid at Jesus' feet.

The sermon explores the tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility through an exposition of Joshua chapters 18 and 19. Organized under three headings, Gathered Before the Lord, Sent Before the Lord, and Settled Before the Lord, Pastor David demonstrates from the text that God's prior victory over the land does not eliminate Israel's duty to actively possess their inheritance, but rather establishes it as a necessary act of obedient faith. The preacher connects this Old Testament narrative to the New Testament Great Commission, warning against passive hyper-Calvinism while emphasizing that believers must use appointed means to fulfill Christ's commands. The message concludes by encouraging believers to find contentment in God's providential rule and to persevere in mission, trusting in the presence of the risen King who has secured their ultimate spiritual inheritance.