Title: Wisdom's Rhythm: Rest and Work
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01:03 - The Way of the Image-Bearer
02:22 - Motivation 1: Want Wealth? Then Work Consistently.
06:37 - Why Do We Have a Slack Hand?
06:48 - Wealth Gained Hastily Will Dwindle
08:09 - Motivation 2: Want to Not Bring Shame? Work at the Right Times.
11:23 - Motivation 3: Want Bread? Work Your Land.
12:37 - Motivation 4: Want Honor? Be Good at What You Do.
18:32 - Motivation 5: Want to Be Satisfied? Enjoy the Fruit of Your Work
22:22 - The Way of the Sluggard
22:41 - The Sluggard Irritates the People Around Them
23:35 - The Sluggard Makes Their Own Life Harder
24:57 - Why Are We Tempted to Take the Way of the Sluggard?
26:09 - The Sluggard is Motivated by Fear
27:15 - The Sluggard Restlessly Avoids Life
28:24 - The Sluggard Doesn't Follow Through
30:41 - The Sluggard is Wise in His Own Eyes
31:45 - The Way of the Sabbath
32:54 - Responsible Rhythms of Rest and Work
34:10 - We Need Rest to Practice Trust
36:20 - Do You Really, Truly Rest?
40:01 - Reflect God in Your Rest and Your Work
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Proverbs 10:4–5
Proverbs 13:11
Proverbs 22:29
Proverbs 12:11
Proverbs 12:14
Proverbs 12:24
Proverbs 12:27
Proverbs 26:13–16
Proverbs 15:16–17
Proverbs 23:4–5
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In this sermon, Pastor Jed Gillis walks through the wisdom Proverbs offers about the rhythms of work and rest. He begins by contrasting worldly reasons for work like survival, meaning, legacy, or earning rest, with God's design for diligent and timely labor as a reflection of His image. Proverbs holds out consistent effort, skillful work, and honest labor as patterns that often lead to wealth, honor, and satisfaction. These are not guarantees, but repeated observations of how life tends to work. Rather than obsess over success or chase get-rich-quick schemes, Proverbs invites you to work faithfully with what God has given you and to rest trustfully, knowing that God is the one who ultimately provides.
Gillis also warns against the way of the sluggard, marked by fear, avoidance, and unfinished effort. Laziness is not true rest. It leads to frustration, hardship, and self-deception. True rest, by contrast, flows from trust in God. Like the Sabbath commanded to Israel, real rest is not earned by productivity but is a gift and starting point for worshipers. God's people are invited to work with diligence and integrity and to rest with joy and confidence in His provision. Because Christ has completed the ultimate work on our behalf, we are now free to labor without fear and to rest without guilt.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.
