2. “The Sleeper Must Awaken.”

3. “The Sleeper Must Awaken.”
There are several passages in the Bible where a sleeper is mentioned and several that have the idea of sleeping and sluggishness.

4. “The Sleeper Must Awaken.”
First, we will look at the passages that refer to a sleeper.
Jonah 1:5-6 – Jonah tries to flee from God, falls asleep in the hold of the ship and the captain abruptly awakens him
Sometimes we can be so spiritually asleep that we fail to see what is going on all around us.

5. “The Sleeper Must Awaken.”
There is danger everywhere and many people are being subjected to this danger but we are asleep and do nothing.
1 Thess. 5:1-10 – we must be awake in Jesus, watching and being sober-minded
Rom. 13:11-14 – it is high time to wake up and walk in Christ

6. “The Sleeper Must Awaken.”
The direct opposite of this is seen in Jesus.
Mark 4:35-41 – Jesus gets into a boat and goes to sleep. There is a storm and the disciples are scared and awaken Him in a similar manner to Jonah.

7. “The Sleeper Must Awaken.”
There is a single word used here that is not used anywhere else in the New Testament; it is the word pillow. The idea of a pillow suggests a sense of security and serenity. By placing His head on a pillow Jesus seemed secure in the fact that He was going to get some much needed rest; nothing would disturb this rest.

8. “The Sleeper Must Awaken.”
The disciples had other thoughts. They rushed to wake Him in their fear. Jesus rebukes the wind and the sea and then chastises the disciples for their lack of faith.
James 1:2-4 – these are the times that prove our faith
Psalm 46:1-7 – God is our refuge
2 Cor. 11:22-28 – Paul’s biggest concern seemed to be the state of the churches

9. “The Sleeper Must Awaken.”
Our serenity and calm is our God. He has established us and He will keep us to the end.
2 Tim. 1:12 – no matter the trial God is able to see us through as we commit our souls to Him
1 Thess. 4:13-15 – the sleep that we should work for is the sleep that we have through Jesus by our obedience

10. The Sleeper Must Awaken.
Second, is the sluggish aspect of sleepiness. Apathy means a lack of interest or enthusiasm. If we have this attitude toward God and His righteousness then we are essentially asleep at the wheel.

11. “The Sleeper Must Awaken.”
Matt. 6:33 – seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…
How can we do this if we are apathetic toward God?

12. “The Sleeper Must Awaken.”
The wise man told us to examine God’s creatures to learn about sluggishness.
Prov. 6:6-8 – the wise man tells us to look at the ant and consider her ways and examine our own ways
Prov. 6:9 – the wise man then asks, “How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep?”

13. “The Sleeper Must Awaken.”
This is an important question for us to consider.
We must examine ourselves to see if we are a spiritual sluggard.
We must examine ourselves to see if we are spiritually asleep.

14. The Sleeper Must Awaken.
We cannot fall asleep running from God as Jonah did.
The only sleep that we should be looking for is the sleep that we can have though Jesus, waiting for His return.
Are you asleep?

15. A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep— So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man Proverbs 6:10-11