05/05/2023
WHILE MEN SLEPT!!!
Intro.
A. Matt. 13:24-30
1. Verse 25 says, "...While men slept, his enemy came and
sowed tares among the wheat and went his way."
2. We want to consider the phrase "while men slept."
B. Many disastrous events in History occurred while men slept.
1. Sept. 12, 1759 -- In Quebec, the French headquarters in
Canada was under attack by Major General James Wolf of
England. After the French repelled three attempts by the
British, the governor felt safe and wrote a letter to a
friend and said, "We are no longer concerned about the
security of Quebec."
a. However, while men slept, the British scaled the north
wall along the St. Lawrence seaway, and at early dawn,
caught the French unprepared and won the battle. The
North American continent came under the control of
Britain.
2. Around Christmas time in 1776, the fire for American
independence burned low. Several defeats were suffered in a
row. But while men slept, General Washington led 2500 men
across the Delaware River at Trent, New Jersey, Dec.
26,1776, and swept a victory for American independence.
3. While men slept, the Meades and Persians entered and
conquered Babylon and Belshazzar the king was slain.
C. While men have slept, many tragedies have occurred.
1. Fires, tornadoes, and flash floods have swept homes, and
even cities, away.
D. We need to be aware of the dangers when we sleep spiritually.
I. SOME MEN SLEEP LIKE JONAH.
A. God had commanded Jonah to go preach to the city of Nineveh.
1. But he boarded a ship to flee in the opposite direction.
2. God brought a mighty tempest on the sea; men were in
danger, but Jonah was fast asleep. Jonah 1:5
3. The sailors confronted Jonah. Jonah 1:6
B. Many today are like Jonah so far as their souls are concerned.
1. The danger is great, but they are asleep regarding it all.
2. Their sin is raging like a hurricane.
C. Paul's admonition needs to be heeded: "Awake you who sleep,
arise from the dead and Christ will give you light." Eph. 5:14
II. SOME SLEEP LIKE THE DISCIPLES OF JESUS IN THE GARDEN. Mark
14:32-42
A. Jesus had plainly told His disciples several times that He
would suffer and die. Matt. 16:21-23
1. When that time came, it would have been good for the
disciples to encourage Him in what He was about to face.
2. But they, not understanding, and being exhausted from a
long day, went to sleep instead of giving sympathy to Jesus.
B. Today some are exhausted and worn down spiritually.
1. There is a need to be watchful, for the enemy will attack in
our weakest moments.
2. We need to be alert and watchful.
C. Remember, our enemy the devil never sleeps.
1. He is always awake and active, and we need to be on guard.
III. SOME SLEEP THE SLEEP OF SAMPSON.
A. Delilah had already tried three times to find the source of
Sampson's great strength. Judges 16:7,11,13
B. When "his soul was vexed to death," he told Delilah the truth
about his strength. Judges 16:16-22
1. Why did he do such a stupid thing?
2. No doubt, he was so enraptured and charmed by this woman
that he didn't want to lose her.
a. Verse 4 of chapter 16 says that he loved this woman.
C. Delilah lulled Sampson to sleep on her knees and had his hair
cut off. Judges 16:19
1. He thought he could go out as other times and shake himself
free, but the Lord had departed from him.
2. The Philistines put out his eyes, and made him grind at the
mill in the prison.
D. Many today, like Sampson, are charmed by someone or
something of this world.
1. We cannot presume we can place ourselves in danger and be
safe.
2. One day we may wake up like Sampson and find that the
Lord has departed from us.
IV. SOME SLEEP THE SLEEP OF THE SLUGGARD. Prov. 24:30-34
A. Today many are lazy, inactive, and are not doing the Lord's
work.
B. And, with no work to do, they often begin to bite and devour
one another.
1. There is a story about a husband and wife who were
continually arguing over whether or not the window should
be open or closed when they slept at nights. The man
insisted that the window be open, otherwise it would be
stuffy and hot. The wife insisted that the window be closed,
otherwise it would be too cold. One night he said the window
must be open for he felt hot, but she insisted that it be
closed for she felt cold. He opened it, she closed it -
open, close; open, close; over and over again.
2. Finally, without turning on a light, the husband picked up a
stool and threw it at the window. Glass shattered
everywhere. They went to sleep and in the early morning,
just before daybreak, the man said he had never slept better
with the fresh air coming in. She replied that she hardly
slept a wink, but nearly froze to death.
3. When they turned on the light, the window was not broken,
but the mirror beside it was!
4. Let us not be biting and devouring one another, but be busy
in the Lord's work.
C. Lazy farmers do not reap crops, neither does a lazy Christian.
V. OTHERS SLEEP THE SLEEP OF CARELESSNESS. Eph. 5:14-17
A. There is a lot of careless people in the world; they could care
less about the salvation of their own souls.
1. They do not understand what the will of the Lord is, nor do
they want to understand it.
2. They need to be brought to life by the gospel. Eph. 2:1-5
B. There is a lot of carelessness in the church. Many are asleep
spiritually.
1. Paul said to the Corinthians, "...For this cause many are
weak and sickly among you and some sleep." 1 Cor. 11:30
a. They were careless in worship
C. Let us not sleep as does the world. 1 Thess. 5:6-8
1. God's people are to be sober and vigilant at all times. 1
Pet. 1:13; 4:7; 5:8-9
Concl.
A. While men slept the enemy came and sowed tares.
B. Let us be awake, alert, and watchful.
1. There are dangers all around us.
2. The enemy is always awake and active.
C. Many are living unrealistically, in illusion, thinking they are
awake spiritually, but they are asleep.
1. They think that all things are fine as they are, but they
have slipped into spiritual poverty.
D. Let us wake up and see our true condition.
1. Let us be active, and do our very best in the Lord's
service.
