Sermon Central
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Don't Sleep While Praying
Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Jul 19, 2015 (message contributor)
Summary: To show that JESUS never wanted us to sleep when talking to Him.
I. EXORDIUM:
Are you sleeping while praying?
No. I listened and do what JESUS commanded. Matthew 26:41
All of you must keep awake (give strict attention, be cautious and active) and watch and pray, that you may not come into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:
Believers
III. OBJECTIVES:
To show that JESUS never wanted us to sleep when talking to Him.
IV. TEXT:
And He came back and found them sleeping, and He said to Peter, Simon, are you asleep? Have you not the strength to keep awake and watch [with Me for] one hour?
V. THESIS:
Praise, worship and thank You very much LORD JESUS for You've given me strength, willingness, sound mind and self-restrain to pray so that I will not fall asleep when praying.
But the end and culmination of all things has now come near; keep sound minded and self-restrained and alert therefore for [the practice of] prayer.
VI. TITLE:
Don't sleep while praying
VII. EXPLICATION:
A. Author: Mark, son of Mary of Jerusalem. Referred to as "John Mark" First name: John, Surname: Mark
B. Date written: 58 B.C. earliest of the Gospels
C. Purpose: To present Jesus of Nazareth as God's Suffering Servant, the Redeemer of the world.—Thompson Chain - Bible Book Outlines
D. Main Theme: Christ is the tireless servant of God and humanity.—Thompson Chain - Bible Book Outlines
VIII. MAIN BODY:
A. The disciples especially Peter sleeps when praying
"And He came back and found them sleeping, and He said to Peter, Simon, are you asleep?"
Let us not be controlled by the flesh but let the spirit control the flesh we used to live in, our tents, that's our bodies.
Illustration:
Who's in control? the Owner of the body or the body which is only a tent? Of course, the Owner - which is the LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Accordingly then, let us not sleep, as the rest do, but let us keep wide awake (alert, watchful, cautious, and on our guard) and let us be sober (calm, collected, and circumspect).
For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk, get drunk at night.
But we belong to the day; therefore, let us be sober and put on the breastplate (corslet) of faith and love and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
But if one loves God truly [with affectionate reverence, prompt obedience, and grateful recognition of His blessing], he is known by God [recognized as worthy of His intimacy and love, and he is owned by Him].
Example:
Jonah slept while others are praying.
So the captain came and said to him, What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call upon your God! Perhaps your God will give a thought to us so that we shall not perish.
In the last days, all believers will sleep.
While the bridegroom lingered and was slow in coming, they all began nodding their heads, and they fell asleep.
The LORD JESUS CHRIST being betrayed but we still sleep.
And again He came back and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what answer to give Him.
And He came back a third time and said to them, Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough [of that]! The hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinful men (men whose way or nature is to act in opposition to God).
WAKE UP!
We can't use Peter as an alibi and excuse of not praying and asleep when praying.
B. GOD has already given us the strength, don't be like Peter
"Have you not the strength to keep awake and watch [with Me for] one hour?"
Peter does not have the strength that we have in praying. Peter has all the alibis of sleeping while praying.
Peter's alibis of sleeping while praying:
1. The LORD JESUS CHRIST at this point in time was not yet crucified, died, rose again and seated at GOD's right hand
For I resolved to know nothing (to be acquainted with nothing, to make a display of the knowledge of nothing, and to be conscious of nothing) among you except Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and Him crucified.
2. The HOLY SPIRIT was not yet given
And having said this, He breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit!
3. They have not yet received the baptism of the HOLY SPIRIT. The HOLY SPIRIT was not yet given to them yet.
But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.
