1. Welcome

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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 !

5. 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

6. 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 !

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.”

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

16. Nelson Chapel Church of Christ
5039 Six Mile Road
Maryville, Tn
August 26, 2018
Sermon by Arthur Pigman
2705 Druid Hill Dr.
Maryville, Tn
CCL