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The Sin of Meroz “Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty.” Judges 5:23

Setting: Problem with Meroz Israel oppressed - Jabin King of Canaan Deborah = Judge ~ Barak the General Sisera was commander for Canaan Jael - drove tent peg through temples Victory celebration Problem with Meroz 12 miles from Samaria They did not help in time of war Therefore they were cursed by God

Meroz was Cursed for Inactivity Committed no crime Opportunity to help was there Refused to assist the army To not act for God means we are on the Devil’s Side !

Meroz was Cursed for Inactivity Goodness is more than not doing BAD “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not to him it is sin.” Jas.4:17 Neglect of known duty Sin of omission

Meroz was Cursed for Inactivity Matt. 25:40-45 Ones on Left - neglected their duties Do-Nothing people Condemned to OUTER DARKNESS Cannot be saved by things NOT DONE !

Meroz was Cursed for Inactivity “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” James 1:27 First duty is work

Meroz was Cursed for Inactivity In the time of War In time of need Meroz failed to help Failing to help any time is wicked But in times of special need the failure to help is shameful They were co-operating with the enemy by failing to help

Meroz was Cursed for Inactivity In the time of War WE can act against God by not acting for Him Matt. 12:30 “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” No middle ground Not for me Scattereth Abroad

Meroz was Cursed for Inactivity In the time of War Mistake of Doing Nothing “The only person who never makes a mistake is the person who never does anything. But this person makes the biggest mistake of all - that of not doing anything.”

Meroz was Cursed for Inactivity In the time of War Christianity is a way of life 2 Cor. 5:17 “new creature” Not by accident - must know Some do not understand responsibility Make the mistake of Meroz

Meroz was Cursed for Inactivity In the time of War Mistakes of doing Nothing Failing to attend Not giving as prospered Do not grow and mature Not active in work of the church

Why Some Commit this Sin today Love self more than God - Mt. 6:33 We are ashamed - Rom. 1:16 We follow afar off - Mt. 26:58 We procrastinate - Acts 24:25 Indifference - Rev.3:16 = lukewarm

The Sin of Meroz “Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty.” Judges 5:23 They were cursed for INACTIVITY God will punish all who DO-NOTHING ! “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” Matt. 12:30

Nelson Chapel Church of Christ 5039 Six Mile Road Maryville, Tn. 37803 www.nelsonchapelchurchofchrist.org August 26, 2018 Sermon by Arthur Pigman 2705 Druid Hill Dr. Maryville, Tn. 37804 art65ann@gmail.com CCL11325562