Asleep in a Hailstorm
E.A. Johnston warns that the modern church is spiritually asleep amid crisis and calls for a revival marked by brokenness, repentance, and passionate preaching.
In 'Asleep in a Hailstorm,' E.A. Johnston delivers a prophetic call to the modern church to awaken from spiritual slumber amid crisis. Drawing on biblical examples and historic revivals, Johnston challenges believers to embrace brokenness, repentance, and passionate preaching. He highlights the urgent need for preachers filled with the Holy Spirit who boldly proclaim sin, salvation, and eternity. This sermon is a stirring reminder that true revival comes from a heart fully surrendered to God.
Full Transcript
In Jonah chapter 1 and verses 4 and 5 we read, but the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea and there was a mighty tempest in the sea so that the ship was like to be broken. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship and he lay and was fast asleep. The title of my message this evening friends is a sleep in a hailstorm because a fear that's where many of us are today.
In 1740 when God moved through New England it was called the great awakening. A revival has often been referred to as an awakening. At Gethsemane Jesus faced the crisis point of his earthly ministry and his disciples slept right through it.
Today the church is in a crisis point and we are sleeping right through it. What we need today friends is instead of professionalism we need brokenness before him. Instead of memorized prayers we need heart cries.
Instead of dry doctrine with no heart we need wet eyes and a broken heart. Instead of pride backed by academic degrees we need humility upon our knees. Instead of new buildings and more ball fields we need street preaching on corners and mission fields.
Instead of easy believism during gospel invitations we need repentance and full consecration. Listen to me friends the greatest need today is a preacher called of God the apostle Paul, Luther, Wesley, Whitefield, Knox, Edwards, Fanny, Spurgeon, Moody. Each shared a calm denominator, a fire in their belly.
They were each so eaten up with the gospel and thirsty for Christ and filled with the Holy Ghost. They could not stand idly by while others perished. They saw nothing but eternity, worshiped the Holy God and served the risen Christ, living not for earth nor its gains but living only for heaven and its rewards.
When they preached they linked the devil with sin and the cross with salvation. They preached hell and its fire and Christ and him crucified. Not one of them feared king, queen, or pope and not one of them sought the compliments of man.
Sermon Outline
-
I
- Jonah asleep during the storm as a metaphor for the church's spiritual sleep
- The current crisis facing the church
- The need for spiritual awakening rather than mere professionalism
-
II
- Historical examples of revival such as the Great Awakening
- Jesus and disciples sleeping at Gethsemane as a warning
- The contrast between dry doctrine and heartfelt brokenness
-
III
- The call for humility, repentance, and genuine prayer
- The need for passionate, God-called preachers like Paul and Wesley
- The importance of preaching hell, sin, salvation, and the cross
-
IV
- Rejecting worldly approval and fear of authorities
- Living for eternity rather than earthly gains
- The urgency of evangelism and mission
Key Quotes
“Today the church is in a crisis point and we are sleeping right through it.” — E.A. Johnston
“Instead of dry doctrine with no heart we need wet eyes and a broken heart.” — E.A. Johnston
“They could not stand idly by while others perished. They saw nothing but eternity.” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Examine your own spiritual life for signs of complacency and seek genuine revival.
- Prioritize heartfelt prayer and brokenness over religious routine.
- Support and engage in bold, Spirit-filled evangelism and preaching.