Sleeper Awake!
Scripture Reference: Jonah 1:1-5
Preached at Mt. Zion Baptist Church on February 26, 2023
Delivered by John Daniel Johnson
See the video of the sermon at www.mountzionfamily.com. This is merely an outline, the Spirit speaks during the actual message.
Jonah 1:1-5
Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.” 3 But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. 4 But the LORD sent out a great wind on the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship was about to be broken up. 5 Then the mariners were afraid; and every man cried out to his god, and threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea, to lighten the load. But Jonah had gone down into the lowest parts of the ship, had lain down, and was fast asleep.
Who was Jonah? Jonah was a true prophet of God
1. Jonah heard the voice of God
2. Jonah knew the will of God
3. Jonah knew the presence of God
4. Jonah fled from the presence of God because he didn't want to carry the gospel of judgement on sin.
5. He went down to Joppa, which means beautiful. (Beautiful but dead) you may do something good but if it's not what God said, it's disobedience.
6. He found the ship going to Tarshish and he paid the fare thereof. Disobedience cost, sin costs, sin will cost you in the long run.
7. But the Lord sent out a great wind in to the sea and there was a mighty tempest in the sea so that the ship was likely to be broken.
8. Vs 5 but Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship and he lay and was fast asleep.
9. The Mariners, the sailors, the passengers we're all terrified, they were afraid for their lives, they began to cry out to their gods, and they began to throw things overboard. Then suddenly they became aware that one of the passengers was not on deck.
10. So the shipmaster found him sound asleep and with total desperation for his life and the lives of everyone on board he asked the sleepy prophet, “How can you sleep at a time like this?”
This is the LORD’s question today for the church…
…With sin rampant, people living outside the will of God, our family and friends hanging on the verge of going to hell without Jesus…how can we sleep at a time like this?
1. Where are the prophets who are more concerned about God's reputation than their celebrity status?
2. Where are the true prophets of God that preach righteousness, holiness, separation from sin, sanctification and consecration?
3. Where are the prophets that do not overlook sin or pretend like it doesn't exist but command repentance?
Problems
1. In many homes there are two daddies or two mommies and that is being defined as normal.
2. Good is now defined as evil, and evil is defined as good. What was bitter is now called sweet, and what was sweet is now called bitter.
3. What was once called sin and an abomination unto God (homosexuality and lesbianism) is now simply called an alternative lifestyle.
4. Murder of babies in the mother's womb is now called pro-choice.
5. Drug use is not recognized as bondage or an addiction anymore, it's just called a disease.
6. Fornication and adultery are not called sin anymore they're just called normal.
Again ,I ask the question: How can you sleep at a time like this?
Isaiah 56:10 (GNT)
The LORD says, “All the leaders, who are supposed to warn my people, are blind! They know nothing. They are like watch dogs that don't bark—they only lie around and dream. How they love to sleep!
Romans 13:11-12
Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.
CHARACTERISTICS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ASLEEP
1. They Are Not Alert to Danger
Samson & Delilah
2. They Are Not Concerned About Their Calling.
They’ve forgotten who they are, that they’re sons and daughters of God (James 1:24). They don’t act like they’re saved anymore. Peter says that they have forgotten “that they have been cleansed from their past sins” 2 Pet. 1:9. They’ve forgotten what Jesus has done for them!
3. They Are More Interested in Comfort and Dreams.
Spiritual realities have become unreal to them. This transitory world has become, for them, the only real world. So they’ve assumed its culture, priorities, and belief system. As far as eternity, they’re living in a dream, denying that what God has said is true.
4. They Are Alive, but Not Active.
I'm here today with a word from God.
How can you sleep at a time like this?
The truth is you're in a storm and the truth is your ship is going down and the truth is today Jesus is your only hope. How can you bury your head in the sand and pretend everything's fine?
