AWAKE FROM YOUR SLUMBER!
Proverbs 24:30-34
(Antioch Baptist Church, Sunday March 23rd. 2025)
When I was 13 years old, our family moved away from my childhood home. When my parents sold that house it was in excellent condition. Inside was a renovated kitchen & bathroom, and there was new carpet and paint throughout. The exterior had been redone as well with relatively new siding and a new roof. Within a few years that house was in a sad of state of disrepair. The siding was falling off, the roof was caving in, the windows were broken out, the floors were rotten, the walls had holes in them, and most of the electrical and plumbing fixtures had been stolen. Today that house no longer stands, all that remains is an empty lot. The strange fact is that that it didn't take 20 years for that house to decay, it actually happened rather quickly.
Neglect quickly leads to decay and destruction. This truth also applies to your spiritual health.
We all know certain people who were once "spiritual giants". They were soul winners, prayer warriors, faithful servants, and church leaders. I am referring to people who were load bearers, burden sharers, and people of the Word. These are people who were faithful to the church and the ministry. Tragically, somewhere along the way they began to neglect the things of God, and now they are now a mere shell of what they once were.
Perhaps you would be honest enough to admit that you are not where you once were spiritually. Maybe your passion and zeal has been replaced with complacency and apathy. You suffer from a far too common problem called "spiritual neglect". Proverbs 24 sounds an alarm for those who suffer from this malady. I would like to examine this passage and encourage you to "Awake From Your Slumber".
The majority of Proverbs is attributed to King Solomon, Proverbs 1-22:16 are explicitly attributed to "Solomon, son of David, King of Israel". Proverbs 22:17-24:22 are identified as "The Sayings of the Wise” and concerning Proverbs 24:23-34 verse 23 a declares "These Also Are Sayings of the Wise". Though the exact author of this portion is unknown; the wisdom that is recorded is exceedingly valuable.
The writer journeyed past a local field and noticed a vineyard. It didn't take long for him to realize that something was amiss. The field was grown over with thorns and thistles, and the wall that once protected the estate was now broken down.
In those days agriculture was a very honorable profession. Farmers and vineyard husbandmen were well respected. But the owner of this land earned no respect from the writer of this Proverb. In fact, he proclaims that the landowner was "slothful, lazy and lacking sense."
This Proverb draws our attention to the neglect and slothfulness of this vineyard owner. The writer declares that poverty is imminent for the man who had abandoned his duty. Tragically, many of our fellow Christians are headed towards spiritual poverty; even worse, some of them are already there.
- Let’s begin in verses 30-31 by examining:
I. THE CRISIS OF SPIRITUAL NEGLECT
v30 I went by the field of the lazy man, (slothful – KJV), (Slacker – CSB) (Sluggard – ESV & NASB) and by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding; and there it was, all overgrown with thorns; Its surface was covered with nettles; Its stone wall was broken down.
The owner had neglected his fields and vineyard, unless he woke up and gave it the proper attention, the situation would only get worse. Similarly, if you refuse to address the spiritual neglect in your life, things will only get worse. If many Christians would honestly appraise their spiritual condition they would find that they have become slothful concerning the things of God. Their spiritual life is withering away, their hearts are as hard as the fallow ground, they are indifferent toward the things of God; like those that Jesus rebuked in the Church at Ephesus, they have “left their first love”. This describes many people under the sound of my voice today and whether you realize it or not, you are in the midst of a spiritual crisis!
- Let’s consider:
A. THE DURATION OF THIS CRISIS
This man’s field was not consumed with weeds and nettles overnight. Likewise, his vineyard was not overrun in just a few days. The wall surrounding the vineyard did not decay in a short period of time; it was an extended period of neglect that led to the deplorable conditions on this once fruitful vineyard.
If you are currently away from God, it is probably that certain spiritual things have gone unaddressed for some time. You slowly began to drift, then stray; step by step you went further and further away from the Lord.
The crisis of spiritual neglect begins when we take our eyes off of the Savior. This followed by complacency and then apathy concerning the things of God. The natural result of this is returning to the things of this world.
David Wilkerson said - The river of neglect slowly carries you farther and farther away from the Lord. And the farther downstream you go, the swifter and more dangerous that river becomes! You don't know it, but there are raging falls ahead - a place where there are forces beyond your control, a place of no turning back, (a place) of shipwreck!
Spiritual negligence is an issue that has ruined many who were once faithful followers of Christ. Perhaps you noticed problems in the past, but you did not address them. Because they were not addressed they have grown worse. Sadly, many people fail to realize just how severe their situation is.
- Notice for a moment:
B. THIS DISCERNMENT CONCERNING THIS CRISIS
It seems as if the owner of this estate simply did not care about the pitiful shape of his vineyard and fields. Anyone who passed by this estate could see that this vineyard had been neglected for some time.
If you are an authentic follower of Christ, you know when you are backslidden. You don’t need some preacher to point it out to you; you already know it because the Holy Spirit of God dwells within you, and one of His main functions is to convict Christians of their sins.
The obvious question would be, “why do so many professing Christians fail to address their backslidden condition?” Like the man who observed this neglected estate, your brothers and sisters in Christ have likely noticed your spiritual neglect. Perhaps some love you enough that they have attempted to hold you accountable or to warn you of the danger of spiritual neglect. However, you rebelliously remain in your slumber as the fields of your life are overtaken with the weeds of sin, the vineyard of your heart is consumed with your transgressions, and the walls of protection are broken down.
If you are suffering from spiritual neglect and you are in a backslidden condition, there is hope for your restoration. However, you must first acknowledge that you are in the midst of a crisis!
I realize that not everyone here is suffering from spiritual negligence and I am thankful for that, but this slumbering vineyard owner shows us how important it is for us to guard against being spiritually negligent. One way to protect yourself from spiritual negligence is to know what causes it; our selected text contains that information. Notice:
II. THE CAUSE OF SPIRITUAL NEGLECT
After pondering the situation for a moment, the writer of this Proverb saw the source of neglected field and vineyard. He referenced the reality that:
A. IDLENESS CAUSES SPIRITUAL NEGLECT
v30 "I went by the field of the lazy man (slothful, slacker, sluggard)"
Idleness is defined as “not working, inactive, unemployed, doing nothing”. It is apparent that the owner of this estate was idle and had been for some time. For those of you who claim to be a servant of Christ, if you are not actively serving the Lord, walking with Him, and worshipping Him, TROUBLE IS COMING!
One of the greatest biblical examples of the dangerous consequences of idleness is King David. Scripture says that "at the time the Kings went forth to battle...David tarried still at Jerusalem." The King sent his captains, servants, and soldiers to war but he stayed at home. David did not go out looking for trouble. He did not plan to walk away from the Lord. He didn't expect to for his life to be overtaken by grievous sin but that is exactly what happened.
David's calamity did not happen overnight but his idleness was the beginning of a slippery slope of sin that and the consequences thereof affected him (and his family) for the rest of his life. In a moment of idleness the King looked over the top of his palace and was tempted by Bathsheba. Afterwards he asked his servant who she was, then he sent for her, committed adultery with her, and in an effort to cover his sin, the king who had been chosen by God, had her husband killed. Following this, his life spiraled downward and the consequences affected him even after he was restored to a right relationship with God.
This man that God described as "a man after His own heart" became an adulterous murderer. If you continue to read the story you will find that David had no fellowship with his Lord for almost a year! His backslidden condition didn't start murder, adultery, temptation, or even a hard heart. David’s fall began with idleness, it began when he neglected his duty!
I encourage you to assess your life; are you actively serving the Lord or would you have to admit that you have become idle? Many of our brothers and sisters refer to as "inactive church members" were once active, faithful, and devoted servants but now they are idle. Their prayer life is covered with weeds and nettles, their spiritual swords are rusty, their area of service has gone unattended and there is no fruit being produced, the walls they had built to protect their character are crumbling and broken down, and now they are enduring the consequences of spiritual neglect.
= Spiritual negligence is caused by idleness; verse 30 also shows us that:
B. IGNORANCE CAUSES SPIRITUAL NEGLECT
v30b (I went by) the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding;
In this verse the estate owner is described as being a man "lacking in sense". This man was steadily ruining himself. Verse 34 says that poverty was coming his way but he did not see it. This poverty would sneak up on him like a thief in the night. This man was oblivious to the things that were obvious to anyone who passed his estate.
Far too many Christians refuse to examine themselves; they want to believe that they are just fine spiritually; the excuses and attempts to justify their neglect are plentiful. Such people are willfully ignorant of the spiritual poverty that is rapidly approaching. The vineyard owner was ignorant of the consequences of his neglect, and when it came to his duty, he was also indifferent.
- This leads us to the fact that:
C. INDIFFERENCE CAUSES SPIRITUAL NEGLECT
v32 When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and received instruction: 33 a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest”
The owner of this estate knew what needed to be done; in the past he had been faithful to the task at hand. There wouldn't have been a field if he had not cleared the land. There wouldn't have been a vineyard if he hadn't planted one in days gone by. It is also apparent that the fields and vineyard were once precious to him, so precious in fact, that he built a stone wall to protect it.
Many of the people who are suffering from spiritual neglect were once the most faithful among the brethren but now they have walked away from their Christian duty. They have walked away from specific ministries in the church. In the past, they cleared the fields, they planted vineyards, and they constructed walls to protect the harvest. But somewhere along the way they became indifferent. They know what the Lord has called them to do, but they refuse to do it.
Just as the writer of this Proverb had a warning for the sluggard back then, God has a warning for you today. He would have you to know that there is a penalty for your spiritual neglect. Notice in verse 34:
III. THE CONSEQUENCES OF SPIRITUAL NEGLECT
v34 “So shall your poverty come like a prowler, and your need like an armed man.”
The consequences of this man's neglect would be swift, unexpected, and severe. This Proverb paints the picture of a robber coming in unexpectedly and attacking this man as he sleeps. The end result of his neglect would be great poverty. Dear friend, the consequences of your spiritual neglect will be spiritual poverty.
The neglect of the estate owner affected several areas of his life. It affected his fields, and his vineyard and his stone walls. Your negligence will affect several areas in your life as well. Notice:
A) SPIRITUAL NEGLECT AFFECTS YOUR PRODUCTIVITY
The fields were grown over with thorns and nettles. If a crop had been planted, it would have been choked by the weeds and nettles. The estate owner had not been productive, he had not removed those things that were detrimental to the harvest.
When you neglect spiritual things, you cannot be productive for the Lord. Jesus said, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few” (Luke 10:2), This was true when Jesus walked the earth and it remains true today. One reason that there are so few laborers is because so many who should be working in the fields are fast asleep!
- Such neglect affects more than the sluggard, it is important for you to understand that:
B) SPIRITUAL NEGLECT AFFECTS YOUR PEERS
The vineyard owner probably believed his neglect affected no one but himself, but he was wrong. His idleness, apathy, and neglect would have a detrimental impact on those around him. The weeds and nettles that consumed his field would eventually cause trouble for his neighbors. The seeds of those weeds would be carried by the wind into the surrounding fields and cause harm to crop of his neighbors.
The consequences of your spiritual neglect will not be contained in your own life; the seeds will spread and affect those around you. God has placed you in a position to have an impact on others. Your neglect will have a negative impact on your family, your friends, your neighbors and co-workers.
C.H Spurgeon said "If we are not blessing our neighbors by the lives we live, we are an injury and an evil to them."
- I would also like for you to understand that:
C) SPIRITUAL NEGLECT AFFECTS YOUR PROFITABILITY
The vineyard and fields should have supplied this man with food and drink that would sustain him and his family. They would have also provided necessary income to support them throughout the year. But the fields were empty, the ground was fallow, and the vines were bare.
Jesus did not simply call us to "bear fruit". He said that the "Father is glorified when we BEAR MUCH FRUIT!". (John 15:8). For this reason it is imperative that you look at your life, examine the fields, and assess the vineyard. If your life is not bearing fruit then you are suffering from the crisis of spiritual neglect!
- Spiritual neglect affects your Productivity, your Peers, your Profitability and last of all we see that:
D) SPIRITUAL NEGLECT AFFECTS YOUR PROTECTION
At some point this man erected a wall to protect the harvest, but he has been idle for so long that the wall is crumbling. A devoted Christian will build walls in his/her life. These walls indicate boundaries that are not to be crossed. These walls also protect us from harm and danger. When we neglect to maintain those walls, we lose sight of the boundaries, our work is subject to an attack from the enemy, and our fruitfulness is at stake.
Would you admit that there are some crumbling walls in your life? If so, they are broken down and crumbling because you are asleep spiritually. Seeds of wickedness and sin now consume your life, harmful nettles have overtaken your field, and whether you know it or not, your adversary is plotting and attack.
Tragically, the wall that should protect you from the impending danger is crumbling. Spiritual poverty is on its way and for some it is already at the door. You have neglected the fields and the vineyards, the walls are broken down, the time for sowing has past, it is harvest time and you will soon reap a bitter crop.
There is a great danger in spiritual neglect, but there is also a solution for this negligence. I would like to conclude by examining:
IV. THE CURE FOR SPIRITUAL NEGLECT
The owner of this vineyard valued sleep over labor. His only hope of reclaiming his property was to awake from his slumber! My friend, that is the only thing that will prevent you from encountering spiritual poverty. It is imperative that you awake from your slumber!
The Christian life is an active life, it is a life of service, it is a life that requires attentiveness, alertness & labor. But some of you have gone to sleep! Your work for the Lord is idle, your support for the church is waning, your love for others has grown cold, your heart has grown hard, your Christian progress is stagnant, your adversary is planning an attack, and you are sleeping thorough it all.
Your home is being destroyed, your children are rebellious, your family is falling apart, and you are ASLEEP! Our communities are crumbling, our neighbors are hurting, our friends are suffering, and the church is asleep! Society is in a deplorable condition and getting worse. Wickedness abounds, sin is accepted, Jesus is rejected, evil is celebrated, and God is blasphemed. All because the church has been asleep for too long.
God is sounding the alarm for His people to awake from their slumber! He has provided us with countless opportunities and we have neglected them. He has opened innumerable doors that we have failed to walk through. All around us there are children who have never been taught the Bible. Each day we encounter people who are lost and bound for hell, yet the church remains asleep!
In many ways the church in America is in pitiful shape; leaders aren't leading, servants aren't serving, worshippers aren't worshipping. Some aren't giving, others aren't attending, many aren't growing, and the majority aren't evangelizing. We can't blame these problems on the world, we can't blame the government; we can't even blame the devil! The problem is that too many Christians are asleep. As a result, God is calling us to awake from our slumber.
The fields have gone unattended, the ground is hard and so is our hearts, our vineyards are withering away, and the walls are crumbling. Seeds of sin and evilness are spreading and overtaking the harvest. While the estate is neglected, there is an enemy at the gates prepared to attack. Too many Christians are caught up in their slumber and do not see him. Whether they realize it or not, they are headed towards spiritual poverty. It is time to awake from your slumber.
God is sounding the alarm today; He is calling for His people to wake up. The hour is late, the night is far spent, and the day is at hand! Life is too short, eternity is too long, souls are too precious, and proclaiming Gospel is too important for us to sleep through it all!
Jesus said, “behold I come quickly”; this means that what we are going to do for Him we better do quickly. Paul said in - Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep”. John Wesley said: "My brothers and sisters, the hour has already come for us to wake from our slumber before the great trumpet of the Lord sounds and our land becomes a field of blood. O may we quickly see what leads to peace, before it is hidden from our eyes! “Restore us, Lord, and put away your displeasure toward us. O Lord, look down from heaven and see! Watch over this vine,” and make us recognize “the time of your coming to us.” “Help us, God our Savior, for the glory of your name! Deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake! And then we will not turn away from you. Revive us, and we will call on your name. Restore us, Lord God Almighty! Make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.” That should be our prayer today.
If God has revealed to you that you are suffering from spiritual neglect, now is the time for you to awake from your slumber, till the fallow ground in the field, weed the vineyard, and rebuild the broken-down walls, it is time to "Awake From Your Slumber"
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