Sleep On Now, and Take Your Rest or Apathy, Apathy, Who Has the Apathy?

 

Matthew 26:36-45 KJV 36Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
37And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
38Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
39And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
40And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
41Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
42He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
43And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
44And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
45Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

 

Apathy has to be the scourge of the church in our day and time. Poor morals? Poor attendance? Poor giving? Lackluster services? Are these the problems that face our churches?

 

NO. These are all symptoms of a people that are apathetic!

 

1.  Lack of interest or concern, especially regarding matters of general importance or appeal; indifference.

2. Lack of emotion or feeling; impassiveness.

 

Lack of emotion or interest: disinterest, impassivity, incuriosity, incuriousness, indifference, insensibility, insensibleness, lassitude, lethargy, listlessness, phlegm, stolidity, stolidness, unconcern, uninterest, unresponsiveness

 

Expectations of Active Assistance seem to exist 36-37

 

How could they just sit while He prayed?

 

I know, all He asked for was “sit here”

 

Are you helping or watching while He prays?

Are you content to just sit?

Is sitting enough?

Are you interested in what is happening around you?

Do you care about His work?

 

 

 

How can we just "idly sit" while His purpose is undone?

Who will care?

Who will help?

Does it matter?

 

How can we “sleep” instead of working for Him?

 

Enlistment of special help seem to be in order

 

Those closer to Him should care the most! - 37-38

 

Those specially asked should "step up" to the task. - 38-41

Be honest, has He asked you to help?

Does His Word seek your involvement?

 

Those given the warning should heed the call – 42-43

Scripture warns of last days

 

Matthew 25:1-13 KJV 1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

 

Scripture says: Be watching. Be ready. Be sure. He comes again.

 

Encouragement is given to Endure

 

Watch

 

Pray

 

Enthusiasm exposed by our real desire to serve Him!

 

Compare vs.31-35 with text 36-45

 

Matthew 26:31-35 KJV 31Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
32But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
33Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
34Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
35Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

 

Large brags do NOT get the job done

Talk is cheap

Talk is not enough

 

Lethargic attitudes will hold us back & we will miss opportunities

 

Letting others do your share will cripple you spiritually

 

Laxness for the Lord will diminish our desire.

 

Exhibition of a burning desire will spark others to greater things for the Lord!

 

If others see us do well they will know that they can do well

 

If lost people see Christ is real in our lives, then they will know that He can live in them as well!

 

If we can do one thing for Him well, it will help us do others for Him.

 

If we really care, then we will do, and He will BLESS US!!!

 

Gary Marcum New Beginnings Church – 050309pm – first used 031697