It Is High Time to Awake Out of Sleep
We must make a conscious effort to stay awake and sober, continuing in prayer and watching, and stirring up ourselves to take hold of God's strength in order to overcome the enemy of faith: indolence.
A.B. Simpson emphasizes the danger of spiritual indolence, urging believers to awaken from their slumber and actively engage in faith and prayer. He compares the struggle against lethargy to the challenge of overcoming sleep, highlighting that true faith requires energetic effort and perseverance. Simpson warns against the distractions of the enemy, encouraging the faithful to remain vigilant and steadfast in prayer, drawing strength from God. He illustrates that while God provides the power, it is our responsibility to steer our lives in alignment with His will, much like a sailor guiding a ship against the wind.
Text
0ne of the greatest enemies to faith is indolence. it is much easier to lie and suffer than to rise and overcome. It is much easier to go to sleep on a snowbank and never wake again than to rouse one's self and shake off the lethargy and overcome the stupor. Faith is an energetic art. Prayer is intense labor. The effectual working prayer of the righteous man availeth much. Satan tries to put us to sleep as he did the disciples in the garden.
Let us not sleep as do others, but let us awake and be sober, continuing in prayer and watching thereunto with all perseverance (Ephesians 6:18), stirring up ourselves to take hold of God's strength, not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promise (Hebrews 6:12).
It is the wind that carries the sailing ship across the waves, but the wind is powerless unless the hand of the boatman is held firmly upon the rudder and the rudder set hard against the wind. In like manner we hold the rudder; God fills the sails. It is not the rudder that carries the ship, but it is the rudder turned against the wind that carries the ship. So God keeps us in perfect peace while we are stayed upon Him (Isaiah 26:3).
Sermon Outline
- 'The Enemy of Faith: Indolence'
- The Power of Prayer
- Staying Awake and Sober
- God's Role in Our Lives
- God fills the sails, but we must hold the rudder
- God keeps us in perfect peace while we are stayed upon Him
Key Quotes
“It is much easier to lie and suffer than to rise and overcome.” — A.B. Simpson
“Faith is an energetic art.” — A.B. Simpson
“God keeps us in perfect peace while we are stayed upon Him.” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- We must make a conscious effort to stay awake and sober in our spiritual lives.
- Prayer is a powerful tool that can help us overcome obstacles and stay focused on God.
- We must hold the rudder and allow God to fill the sails in order to stay in perfect peace.