Do you think that the New Testament warnings against sleepiness apply to you? Could you one day be among those who are surprised by the return of Jesus Christi – as if surprised by a thief in the night?

One of Jesus' parables seems to indicate that everyone will be affected by spiritual sleepiness in the time prior to His return.

"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept" (Matthew 25:1-5)

Jesus tells us that those among His disciples will be surprised by His coming who become negligent in carrying out the task He has given them: "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. But if that evil servant says in his heart, My master is delaying his coming, and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of" (Matthew 24:45-50).

What task has Jesus given His church? It is the task of making disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). That involves the public proclamation of the gospel of the kingdom of God and nurturing those whom God calls. If the church is performing this task, it is the "wise and faithful servant" doing what is is supposed to do.

Making disciples for Jesus Christ – a remedy for spiritual sleepiness.

With these thoughts I wish everyone a rewarding Sabbath!