Romans 13:11-14
11: And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12: The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
13: Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14: But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.
Introduction:
For certain people, at certain ages, it becomes difficult to get a “good, restful, deep, night of sleep. Those who are unable to sleep soundly find themselves taking pills and other things to make them sleep through the night. After they take the sleeping pill, you could march the brass section of a band through their bedroom and they would never budge. On the other hand there are individuals like myself: Sometimes I don’t know that there has been a severe thunder-storm until I get up the next morning and find tree limbs and other debris in my yard. My grandmother used to say that if a tornado comes through I’m a “sure gonna”. Having said all this, I want to point out some hazards associated with sleeping through crucial and critical events. By “sleeping”, I don’t mean the regular sleep that each person engages in for the purpose of rest; I mean the kind of sleep where simply ignoring things around you that will directly affect your life. Refusing to recognize that a situation exist does not mean that the situation doesn’t exist. Some people even create their crisis and refuse to accept that it was their actions that brought about the mess that they find themselves in. The devil will make sure that you always have an opportunity to mess yourself up. His best work is done while his victims attention is elsewhere; He will even rock you to sleep with apathy so that he can do his dirty work.
Matthew 13:24-28
24: Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
25: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
26: But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
27: So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
28: He said unto them, An enemy hath done this.
In the days that Jesus spoke this parable men lived in accordance with their investments. If there was a need for a certain amount of produce to sustain the family, the man estimated how much to plant, and then he cultivated his investment until it became what he needed. These principles hold true today. If a man and a woman desires to end up with the desired outcome then first they have to plant the right seed. Just like planting seeds the first thing that is necessary is to prepare the ground. In today’s scheme of things too little awareness is given to the fundamental principles of sowing and reaping. God established a successful living model. God has a prescribed method for Christian living; for living as a husband or wife; for raising children.
Christian living:
What does it mean to live a Christian life? The first thing that must be realized is that just being present in the church services has little value to God. One of the glaring imbalances that I see regularly is that people who call themselves Christians are quick to claim the privileges of being a Christian just because they show up at service time; but when the needs of the church arise they turn their backs and walk away. It’s almost as if one says; “I’m not going to do anything for the Lord unless I am cornered and have no other choice. What talent, skill, or ability that God has privileged them with is used selfishly for their own benefit and is withheld from The God who blessed them with it. The church is filled with people who are sleeping through the opportunity to return some benefit to God who has blessed them all their lives. These are the same people who barter with God when hard times come upon them: “God, if you bail me out this time, I promise you that I’m going to be faithful.” When one goes back on their promise to God, why should He ever believe anything else that you say? But He knows what you’re made of and His mercy compels Him to give you more time and another chance to decide that He truly is deserving of the deepest commitment that we can give to Him.
Family living:
78% of black children are living in homes where there is only one parent. These children are coming from somewhere! It is not God plan to have children brought into this world and deny them the benefit of two parents. In the first place it takes all the effort of both parents to handle the basics of providing and raising a child. Some would argue that they have successfully raised their children alone, and didn’t miss a beat. Good for you! But how do you measure what you never had? How much better off would things have been if there had been two parents working toward the same goals?
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
9: Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10: For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
11: Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
12: And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
If there is a video game that instills character or develops compassion for fellow-man, or encourages godliness, please inform me of what it is. If there is a t.v. program that creates a lasting bond between children and their parents, I’d like to know that too. From my observations the T.V. and video games have taken charge of the family when it comes to interaction. Being busy is not a substitute for being constructive. Living as husband and wife has lost something over the years. Instead of living under the vow of becoming one flesh, it would be more appropriate to say; “Do you agree to receive mail at the same address?” The availability for each to create their own world has taken away the inter-dependence between spouses. When either of the partners think or feel that they can make it just fine without the other then you have the prime ingredient for destruction of the relationship. Failing to occupy the functional positions of a spouse is to create a vacuum within the relationship that will eventually cause the relationship to implode.
Ephesians 5:21-22
21: Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
22: Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
