The Sin Of Neglect We all have to admit that this is one sin we continue doing. So what will we do about it?

Introduction In Webster's definition we find this: "To disregard. To omit to notice; slight." "To be remiss in attending to; fail to do, care for, etc." Some of the synonyms of neglect are: omit, disregard, ignore, overlook, slight, forget.

Introduction What is it that is sending most people to hell? Is it ignorance? Is it prejudice? Is it rebellion? Is it greed? Is it selfishness? Certainly we have Biblical prohibitive passages that address each of these.

Introduction Certainly, all of the above are deplorable things in a sense. But the thing that is going to cause most of us to come to everlasting grief in the day of judgment is NEGLECT! Neglect is a canker; it destroys homes and bridges; ruins farms and health; breaks up families and eats away love; Neglect brings on bankruptcy, and damns man's soul.

Neglect Proverbs 18:9 “He also who is slack in his work is brother to him who destroys”. Proverbs 24:30-34 “I passed by the field of the sluggard, and by the vineyard of the man lacking sense; and behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles, its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. When I saw, I reflected upon it; I looked, and received instruction. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, then your poverty will come as a robber, and your want like an armed man”.

Neglect It appears in the forms of forgetfulness, slothfulness, and procrastination. Neglect wrecks trains, brings cities down in ashes, leaves widows and orphans without provision. "Nero fiddled while Rome burned.“ Too much neglect in our world today.

Neglect So how does this apply to Christians? Neglect to act at all. "Be ye doers of the word and not hearers only." James 1:22. "Being not a forgetful hearer of the word, but a doer." James 1:25. Neglect doing our best--careless. God requires us to be all we can be and to do all we can do with diligence and effort.

Neglect Jeremiah 48:10“cursed be the one who does the LORD’S work negligently, and cursed be the one who restrains his sword from blood” Our sword is the Word of God. Ephesians 6:17. 2 Chronicles 29:11 "My sons, be not negligent; for Jehovah hath chosen you to stand before Him, to minister unto Him, and that ye should be His ministers, and burn incense."

Neglect Neglect of worship on Lord's day. Hebrews 10: “not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together” Neglect of talents. 1 Timothy 4:11-16; do not neglect the gift within you Matthew 25: The one talent servant had at least one talent the master saw in him, yet he neglected that one talent he did have.

Neglect Brings about ruin. A house that sits for years without habitation. A field that is not plowed or tended to. A road that is not travelled upon. So sometimes doing nothing causes great destruction.

Neglect This is what sinners do. You would think that no sane person would purposely want to go to hell, But they do not do anything to avoid it. Some want to go to heaven but are unprepared because they were negligent.

Neglect Matthew 25:1-13 the five foolish virgins. Luke 16:19-31 the rich man who wanted to build bigger barns. Acts 26:27-29 Agrippa was “almost persuaded” Acts 24:24-25 Felix was waiting for a more convenient season” People of today are too busy to mess with religion of any.

Neglect What are the results of neglect? When the ant fails to store up sufficient food for winter? When the owner fails to insure his house before it burns? When the sailor finds all too late that he has no lifeboat? When we neglect so great salvation? Hebrews 2:1-4.

Conclusion James 4:17 ought to be memorized and heeded every day by every Christian. There is just too much that needs to be done that is not getting done. We all are guilty to some degree. Perhaps we can work together to help each other learn not to neglect our duty.