Awakening In The Storm

II. BEING ASLEEP IN THE CHURCH

Jesus describes being asleep in the storm within another story in Matthew 25:1-13. “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.”

The fact, half of the people in their little group were lost, until it was too late to help them. In this crucial hour, the church, as Christians, also needs an awakening. We have been blessed abundantly by the Lord. Our lives are filled with miracles and joy. However, we cannot be satisfied and carefree and asleep in our spiritual life. We cannot be satisfied with the oil that is already in our lamps. We must be prepared and spiritually awake in the Lord. We must be close to Him in prayer and scripture.

A. Awakening in the church

We can be awakened to the fact that we are now saved and held at the Lord’s side, but if we do not continuously pray and turn from our wicked ways and seek the Lord’s face each day, we are still asleep spiritually. The church would be like Jonah who laid down and was fast asleep. Look at these verses Matthew 25:11-12, “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us! But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly,’ I say to you, I do not know you.”

We, as the Church, have been summoned by the Lord to warn the lost of the Lord’s Coming Judgment, and His command for them to Repent and Receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. But like Jonah, many of us too, are sound asleep and at ease in Zion because of our own blessings. And because of the blessings we have, we do not cling onto God as the priority in our lives.

Professor Martin Luther once dreamed that the devil was listening to reports from his agents on the progress they were making against the Kingdom of God. One reported, "A company of Christians were crossing the desert, and I loosen the lions on them and all were lost." The devil replied, "What good was that? Their bodies were lost, but their souls were saved. I want their souls." Another little devil reported that a company of Christians were crossing the sea. He sent strong winds and caused the ship to go on the rocks and all were lost. Satan again said that was nothing, because their bodies were lost, but he wanted their souls. A third gave his report saying, “after years of trying, I finally managed to put the church to sleep.” And hearing this, the hell rejoiced.

B. Awakening in the family

Matthew 24:32-35 tells us “The Signs of the times are all around us, the leaves are on the tree and we are still asleep. Mark 13:32-37 But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.

Dear brothers and sisters, revival does not always start big. Sometimes it begins within our own families; within our own friends and family. Wake up your loved ones who are spiritually sleeping and call them to meditate in the word. Call them to pray in the spirit. Focus on the youth and younger generation who will be fighting temptations of different generations. They will be standing against morals of the different generation. Do not be steadfast with the blessing you have and be asleep in the spirit. Awaken your family in the spirit.