“SLEEP ON PETER, IT’S TOO LATE TO PRAY!”
Mark 14:34-42
INTRODUCTION
A. HUMOR
1. A man, making a long driving trip, drove all night. By morning he was very tired; so he decided to stop at the next city, park somewhere, and catch an hour or two of sleep.
2. Unfortunately, the place he chose was on one of the major jogging routes. As soon as he settled back to snooze there was a knock on the window.
3. ‘Excuse me, sir,’ the jogger said, ‘do you have the time?’ ‘7:15.’ The jogger said “Thanks” and left.
4. He settled back again, and was just dozing off when there was another knock. ‘Excuse me, sir, do you have the time?’ ‘7:25,’
5. He saw more joggers coming and knew it was only a matter of time before another disturbed him.
6. To avoid the problem, he got a pen and paper and put a sign in my window that read, ‘I do not know the time.’
7. He had just fallen to sleep when there was another knock on the window. ‘Sir, sir? It’s 7:45!’”
B. TEXT
34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” He said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” 35 Going a little farther, He fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 37 Then He returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” He said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 Once more He went away and prayed the same thing. 40 When He came back, He again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to Him. 41 Returning the third time, He said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes My betrayer!”
C. THESIS
1. MANY PEOPLE IN THE BIBLE FELL ASLEEP AT ODD MOMENTS:
a. Abraham fell asleep while God was talking to him(Gen. 15:12).
b. Daniel slept in the lion’s den while the King had insomnia in his palace(6:18).
c. Peter slept soundly the night before he was to be executed(Acts 12:6).
d. Paul preached so long in Ephesus that Eutychus fell asleep and fell 3 stories to the ground, but god raised him up(Acts 20:9).
e. The 10 virgins all slept while they waited for the Bridegroom(Matthew 25:5).
2. Today we’re going to look at the danger of sleeping spiritually.
3. We’re going to look at a friend of Jesus’ named Peter, Jesus’ warning to him, and how he failed to listen and what this means for us.
4. The title of this message is “Sleep on Peter, It’s too late to Pray!”
I. PETER: JESUS’ MAIN MAN
The Lord Jesus and Peter went way back.
A. MEETING AND CALL
1. Peter met the Lord Jesus the day after Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. Andrew, Peter's brother went and got Peter and brought him to Jesus.
2. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon ("reed")... you will be called Cephas/Peter” ("rock"), John 1:42. Jesus saw the possibilities in Peter and what he would become, renaming him.
3. Later, the Lord preached out of Peter's boat, and then had him let down the nets for a catch. The haul was so great that Peter fell on his knees and said, "Go away from the Lord, for I am a sinful man!" Lk. 5:8.
4. But Jesus replied, "Don't be afraid; from now on you'll be a fisher of men." (Luke 5:7-10). Peter left his nets on the shore, abandoned his ship, and followed Jesus.
B. PETER’S FAITH & IMPETUOSITY
1. Peter became Jesus’ most ardent follower. You just have to love Peter! He had good intentions but was always fumbling and bumbling and impulsive -- rushing in where angels fear to tread.
2. He’s so human, so real. He often made mistakes and had to reverse himself. But he had great faith too.
3. FAMOUS INCIDENCES
a. Great Confession: Jesus = Son of God, Mt. 16:13-18.
b. Caught a fish -- money in mouth, Mt. 17:21.
c. Walked on water, Mt. 14:22-23.
d. Cut off High Priest’s servant’s ear, John 18:10.
e. He told Jesus, "You’ll never wash my feet" and then had to relent. John 13.
f. One time he rebuked Jesus (a mistake! Mt. 16:22) and another time boasted of his loyalty, Mk. 14:27-31.
4. ONE OF THE INNER CIRCLE.
a. There's no doubt that the Lord Jesus saw him as a trusted friend.
b. Peter and two others (the Three, with James and John) were allowed to go in with Jesus to raise Jairus’ daughter, and to go up the Mt. of Transfiguration where they saw Jesus transfigured and saw Moses and Elijah.
c. Again, Peter, James and John were asked by Jesus to accompany Him into the Garden of Gethsemane.
d. As far as I know, this is the only time Jesus ever asked the disciples to pray for Him.
C. JESUS’ SPECIAL RELIANCE ON PETER
1. This was the most critical hour of Jesus' life. The salvation of all mankind hung in the balance. Jesus had already been betrayed and His arrest was only an hour away! He was one hour from torture and death.
2. All of Satan's power was bent on tempting Him to turn back from God's will. Fear of torture and death crept over Him. Jesus turned to His disciples for help and support. What did they do? Forget him and SLEPT!
3. JOKE: (SLEEPING IN CHURCH). Lady to Pastor,
a. "I hope you didn't take it personally, Reverend," an embarrassed woman said after a church service, "when my husband walked out during your sermon."
b. "I did find it rather disconcerting," the preacher replied. "It's not a reflection on you, sir," insisted the church goer.
c. "Arthur has been walking in his sleep ever since he was a child."
4. But when Jesus returned from praying, He seemed the most disappointed in Peter, His closest disciple & friend; “Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour?” Mk. 14:37.
5. There was another reason for Jesus singling out Peter, that involves us too.
II. PETER WARNED: TRIAL COMING, PRAY!
A. WARNINGS PETER RECEIVED
1. Not only would He, Jesus, face trials that night, but so would all the disciples. They must pray!
2. At the Last Supper Jesus warned Peter, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, to sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for you that your faith fail not…” Lk. 22:31-32.
3. When Jesus told His disciples, “You will all fall away,” Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.” Mk. 14:27,29-30.
4. Peter didn’t take the Lord seriously. Paul said, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands, take heed, lest he fall!” 1 Cor. 10:12.
B. DEPTHS OF HIS FALL
1. TRIED TO THWART GOD’S PLAN. When Peter cut off the high priest’s servant’s ear, he was trying to stop Jesus from being arrested. Because of his lack of prayer, he wasn't grasping what God's plan was -- that Jesus had to go the cross for the sins of the world!
2. FOLLOWED AFAR OFF. Because Peter didn’t pray, his ‘walk’ changed; he began to walk “afar off” Matthew 26:58. The apostle John didn't follow afar off.
3. DEVELOPED EVIL ASSOCIATIONS. John 18:18. Peter went back with the old crowd; he joined with those who would crucify Jesus, warming around their fire.
4. DENIED CHRIST, BLASPHEMED.
III. WHY DID PETER FAIL?
A. FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY
1. Do you think Peter would have ever thought he would do such a thing? Peter had three opportunities to pray with Jesus and notice that Peter denied Christ three times.
2. Why did Peter fail? Because he had a false sense of security! “Hey, look at all I’ve done; look how long I’ve been a Christian! I don’t need to seek the Lord! I’ve been getting by just fine.”
3. BUT FOLKS, IF THE SON OF GOD NEEDS TO PRAY, YOU DO TOO! Trials are moments we face greater problems than ever before; LOW spiritual power won’t be enough.
4. PETER FAILED THE TEST! The 5 foolish virgins didn’t have enough! WE NEED TO REACH A HIGHER PLACE IN GOD IF WE WOULD WITHSTAND THE TRIALS THAT ARE COMING!
5. JESUS’ 2 INSTRUCTIONS: “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” Mk. 14:38.
B. PETER DIDN’T “WATCH”
1. The word “watch” means “to be a soldier on duty”/guard (Mt. 27:66; 28:11).
2. THE ROMAN WATCH, Mark 13:35. The soldier’s night was divided into 4 “watches”:
Number Schedule Description
First Watch 6 - 9 P.M. "even" watch
Second Watch 9 P.M. -12 A.M. "midnight" watch
Third Watch 12 – 3 A.M. "cockcrowing" watch
Fourth Watch 3 – 6 A.M. "morning" watch
3. Many Biblical allusions are made to things happening at late “watches:”
a. The Bridegroom came at the end of the 2nd Watch to the 10 virgins, Mt. 25:6. 5 virgins failed to have enough oil in their lamps - relationship with Jesus, to go with Him.
b. But Jesus challenges our readiness: “And if He shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants” Lk. 12:38.
4. FOURTH WATCH CHRISTIANS:
a. Jacob was a 4th watch Christian, he wrestled with God all night.
b. That’s when Jesus walked on the water, after praying all night, Mt. 14:25.
c. When Peter released from prison, Acts 12:6.
d. When Mary Magdalene met the risen Jesus, John 20:1. WILL YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE IT THROUGH?
5. In Biblical times, if a watchman fell asleep while on duty, it was a capital offense.
6. Even in colonial America - when Lewis and Clark caught a man sleeping on duty they whipped him severely and held him for court martial. WHY?
7. When you’re given the duty to watch, the life of your entire company’s at stake. They’re defenseless while asleep. You’re on duty! When you become a Christian, you’re on duty. “NOT ON MY WATCH!” will the church fail.
C. HE DIDN’T “PRAY”
1. When you don't pray, this leaves the door open to fall. Backsliding can happen while you’re sitting on a church pew!
2. Somebody told me, "Pastor, if I’d been with Jesus, I would’ve prayed." No you wouldn't! If you won't pray with air-conditioning, padded pews, and carpet -- you wouldn't have prayed then either.
3. Peter thought he was immune to weakness. Peter thought it couldn’t happen to him, but it did. And it can happen to us if we don’t pray!
4. Jesus is still saying, “What? Could you not watch with Me one hour?” Mt. 26:40, KJV.
D. HE PROCRASTINATED!
1. To “Procrastinate” is to “postpone taking action.” Peter probably intended to pray some time, but put it off.
2. Many people today intend to get right w/ God.
a. Attend Churches, listen to serious preaching...
b. The Word is preached powerfully. It impacts them. They feel the Holy Spirit in the service and He is wooing them to answer the call to Christ.
c. They may even shed a tear, or sense the presence of Angels in the place.
d. YET AS CLOSE AS THAT IS, THEY AREN’T SAVED!
3. If you don’t take action, if you don’t surrender your life to Jesus Christ, you won't be saved!
CONCLUSION
A. ILLUSTRATION: SAFE TO DELAY?
1. A woman came to Dr. Chalmers one day and said, "Dr. Chalmers, I can’t get my husband to come to the Lord. I've talked and talked to him but it's no use." The Dr. said, "Let me talk with your husband by myself and I will see what the Lord shows me."
2. One day he met the husband and engaged him in conversation; "You have been bothered a good deal about the matter of your soul’s salvation, haven't you? Suppose I tell your wife that you don't want her to talk about it for whole year, how will that do?"
3. The Scottish man hesitated a moment and replied, "Well, I don't think it would be safe to put off the matter for a whole year. Something might happen! I might die before then."
4. "Yes, that's possible," replied the doctor. "Suppose we say six months?" The husband didn't think that even that would be safe. "Well, then, how about three months?"
5. After a brief hesitation the husband replied, "I don't think it is safe to put it off at all." They knelt together & in a few moments the husband was radiantly saved.
B. THE CALL: WHEN GOD SPOKE TO FIRE
1. Some years ago a Nova Scotia town was burning. An old retired minister entered the church, and knelt to pray for its safety.
2. The oncoming sea of fire was very near. His friends begged him to leave, but the old man of God prayed on. Then the strangest thing happened.
3. The great sea of flames parted into two streams. When it had passed the church and a few surrounding buildings, the two streams of fire came together again, and completed their work of destruction and desolation. 4. But the man of God was still on his knees in the church. (Knight's 3000, p. 509). Why was it the only building spared? Because he stood in the gap!
5. Are you facing a trial right now? It's time to pray! Even if everything seems fine, it's time to pray!
6. Have you been delaying surrendering your life to the Lord? Now is the time to do it.
7. Do you have what it takes to make it until the fourth watch? Until all the End-Time cataclysmic events have passed and Jesus comes? Do you have enough oil? Have you prayed through?
