THEME: Awake and seek the Lord, thou that sleepest (Psalm 63:1; Eph 5:14)
INTRODUCTION
Sleep is a natural physical phenomenon that refreshes the body, making it healthy, active and functional. However, overindulgence and lack of self-discipline induce excessive sleep and slumber resulting in lethargy, slothfulness and weakness of mind and body with severe negative consequences that impinge on the performance and functionality of the person. A Christian is functional when the spirit, soul and mind are positively activated and the body undefiled. Just as overindulgence results in physical slumber, so does the spirit weaken with worldliness of believers.
Metaphorically, Christians/believers who develop carnal indifference to spiritual things are spiritually asleep and in a slumbering state of soul, stupefied by conformity to the world and being insensitive to divine things. Though in the Church and ministering at various levels, they are easily lured away by the devil and engage in unwholesome practices (works of darkness). They are bereft of the Holy Spirit, carnal in worship and service of God, and introducing falsehood and fake spiritual gifts to cover for their deficiencies. Such believers find it difficult to study and meditate on the word of God, pray or preach the gospel, hence slide away from God. Separation from God results in “deep sleep” that could lead to eternal death.
It is therefore pertinent to call those who are “asleep” to awake and seek the Lord, receive the light of Christ and be restored to benefit from God’s promises for His children.
WORKSHOP GUIDES
- (a) From the Bible passages, identify and list in order of occurrence the works of darkness/flesh in your Church community (Eph. 5:3-7; Rom. 13:11-14 cp Gal. 5:19-21)
(b) Which ones do church members participate in, the most?
(c) Recommend ways to avert participation by church members.
- (a) In what ways are Christians lured into sleep or slumber and separation from God? (Gen. 3:1-8; Rom. 1:18-32; 1 John 2:15-17).
(b) How can the Church help her members to awake from their sleep? (Psalms 42:1-3; 63: 1-2; Isa. 62:1-3; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; Col. 3:16).
- The Church Age will always see “wheats” and “tares” grow together, (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-42). List and discuss practical steps the church can take to produce “wheats” in the present generation (Matt. 4:18-22; 28:18-20; Mark 3:13-14; Luke 9:1-2; 10:1-3; Rom. 12;1-2; 2 Cor. 6:14-18; 10:3-5).
CONCLUSION
Many ministers and church members are in a state of spiritual stupor resulting from carnality and worldliness, and are unable to stand against ungodliness. The Church has to make a deliberate effort to raise people who can separate from the world, maintain Godly integrity, be fervent in spirit and preach the Gospel to reconcile people to God.