While Men Slept, An Enemy Came!

We read in Matthew 13 verse 24, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field, but while men slept. While men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among them, among the wheat. He sowed tares. Now tares are a species of rye grass, the seeds of which are strong sorbiferic poison. It grows plentifully in Syria and Palestine. It's a rye grass which looks like wheat. It looks like wheat in the early stages of its growth. You can't really differentiate. Now the kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man that sowed good seed in his field, but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, went his way. But when the blade or the grain was sprung up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. Then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? Whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy, an enemy hath done this. An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Will thou then that we go up and gather them? But he said, Nay, lest while ye gather up the tares ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. And in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, to burn them. But gather the wheat, gather the wheat into my barn. Gather the wheat into my barn. Now, the most fearful verse to me in this parable, the most fearful verse to me in this parable is verse 28, An enemy hath done this, an enemy hath done this. Now the word Satan literally means enemy, the enemy. The word Satan literally means the enemy, but the great fearful warning to us, I believe is verse 25, While men slept. While men slept his enemy sowed tares or planted seeds among the wheat. My great fear today, my great fear today is that the church sleeps worldwide. Not asleep to unending activity, not asleep to overwhelming unending activity but to burdened fervent prayer. As an army at war on its knees, when I was first saved a godly man looked at me and said, If a saved person doesn't know from the word go, he's in a warfare between God and Satan. This world is the battlefield called earth between God and Satan. But if a Christian from the word go till he dies does not realize he's in a war on the battlefield between God and Satan. Everything will collapse in his understanding and faith. It's a terrifying thought. And so my great fear today is that the church is asleep. It's not on its knees in burdened prayer. The church sleeps not in activities that is just overwhelming but to burdened fervent prayer as an army at war on its knees. There is none that calleth upon thy name that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee Isaiah 64 verse 7. I sought for a man among them, but I found none, God said. Ezekiel 22 verse 30. There is none among them that calleth unto me. Isaiah 7 verse 7. Awake! Awake thou that sleepest. Awake thou that sleepest. Ephesians 5 verse 14 says it is high time. It is high time to awake out of sleep. Romans 13 verse 11. It is high time to awake out of sleep. Prepare war. Wake up the mighty men. Let all the men of war drawn near, let them come up. Joel 3 verse 9 cries. I believe that the greatest tragedy of any individual Christian. I believe that the greatest tragedy of any individual Christian is a prayerless life. A prayerless life. And I fearfully believe that the greatest tragedy in this world today is a prayerless church. A prayerless church. Because while men slept, the enemy came and sowed death. That is tragic. While the church today sleeps in helplessness and hopelessness and tragically with no concern. Mostly. The enemy attacks truth. The enemy attacks truth. He undermines truth. And casts doubt upon the sacred book. And its essential teachings. Truth is perishing. While the church is asleep. And if you don't know that. Your head is buried deep down in the ground. Covered with sand. Literally. While the church sleeps, truth is perishing. Tonight, I would dare to cry with Peter. The time has come. The time has come. The judgment must begin at the house of God. Judgment must begin at the house of God. 1 Peter 4 verse 17. I believe that Malachi 3 verse 18 is a calling for us to wake up. And to begin to discern between the righteous and the wicked. Between him that serveth God and him that serveth not God. Between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. 1 John 4 verse 6. My heart breaks to say this. But I believe that in most pulpits across the world today under the banner of Christianity. Truth is perished. Jeremiah 7 verse 28. They have perverted the words of God. Jeremiah 23 verse 36. Which corrupt the word of God. 2 Corinthians 2 verse 17. Who concerning the truth have erred. 2 Timothy 2 verse 18. Making the word of God of none effect. Matthew 7 verse 13. Making the word of God of none effect. In the Old Testament. In the Old Testament God said to the prophet Ezekiel. When I speak with thee I will open thy mouth and thou shalt say unto them thus saith the Lord. Ezekiel 3 verse 27. But today preachers are crying out fearlessly from the world's pulpits. Thus saith the Lord. But we disagree. Oh they don't use such strong language but they couldn't say it more clearer today. This is cried out lively. By simply not preaching what this book has. Thus saith the Lord. But we disagree. That isn't what he meant has been cried about so much. Of the radical statements God has made concerning eternity. In heaven or hell. To men who will not visit because we will not preach. Martin Luther said. It is not what we say. In the pulpits. That we will be accountable for before God. But what we do not say. What we will not preach. That is clearly taught in the sacred book. That is a staggering statement. The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine. But after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers. Preachers. Having itching ears. 2 Timothy 4 verse 3. They shall turn away their ears from the truth. Tragic. Teachers having itching ears is a staggering word. For such are false apostles. 2 Corinthians 11 verse 13. Such are false apostles. Deceitful workers transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel for Satan himself is transformed. Into an angel of light. He appears and poses as an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed. Or appear as the ministers of righteousness. We read in Matthew 7 verse 22. That many. The most in the Greek. Will say to me in that day. Day of judgment. Lord have we not prophesied or preached in thy name. That is staggering. Then verse 23 says I will profess unto them. I never knew you. Depart from me. I never knew you. God has warned us in this book. That grievous wolves. Shall enter among you. Acts 20 verse 29. Grievous wolves. Oh church of Christ wake up. We need to be awakened. And to begin to pray. To begin to pray fervently. For faithful preachers. For all faithful preachers left. Not to stoop in fear. To begin to compromise through fear of men. The faithful. Fail. From among the children of men. Psalm 12 verse 1. Literally the faithful. Are disappearing. The faithful fail. Disappear. From among the children of men. Psalm 12 verse 1. We desperately need to begin to pray. Without ceasing. Want to listen. Old Thessalonians 5 verse 17. Before there is nothing left. Of uncompromising truth. In pulpits worldwide. When the son of man cometh. Shall he find. Faith. On the earth. Luke 18 verse 8. That's a staggering statement. Shall he find faith. That is literally the faith. The uncompromising truth. Still being preached on the earth. Luke 18 verse 8. Which I believe is a confrontation. To us today. Rather than just a statement. Concerning his return. And to all those. Preachers left. Who were called by God to preach. Uncompromising truth. To preach the truth. Uncompromisingly. In this world. We need to urgently stop. Drowning in unnecessary activities. And separate ourselves. Urgently. In urgent disciplined prayer. The apostles cried out. With deep concern. Of being diverted from. Their greatest need. In Acts 6 verse 4. We will give ourselves. To prayer. And to the ministry of the word. Don't you need to cry that out too. In Romans 15 verse 30. Paul cried. I beseech you brethren. I beg you literally. I am begging you. That you strive together with me. In your prayers to God. For me. Pray for me. That I may speak boldly. As I ought to speak. Ephesians 6 verse 19. Oh church of Christ. Church of Christ. The weapons. The weapons of our warfare. Are not carnal. They are not made in this world. But mighty. Through God. To the pulling down. Of strongholds. Contextually. To the pulling down of Satan's strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10 verse 4. The weapons of our warfare. Are not carnal. But mighty through God. To the pulling down of strongholds. While Moses. Lifted up his hands. In prayer. The enemy. Retreated. You think that's just history. No. Nothing is written there apart from for us to be learned. Taught. Instructed. When Moses held up his hand. Israel prevailed. But when he let down his hand. Amalek prevailed. Therefore Aaron and her. Stayed up. His hand steady. Until the going down of the sun. Exodus 17. Verse 11 to 12. When Moses held up his hand. Israel prevailed. But when he let down his hand. The enemy. The enemy prevailed. When I cry unto thee. Then shall mine enemies. Turn back. Psalm 56 verse 9. 1 Timothy 2 verse 8. I will therefore. That men pray. Everywhere lifting up holy hands. God said. I will therefore that men pray. Everywhere lifting up holy hands. Without wrath. And doubting. In faith. Nothing wavering. James 1 verse 6 says. We read in Luke. 2 verse 36. That Anna. Anna. Served God. With fasting and prayers. Night and day. That's not just a statement. Of his history. That's a challenge to you and me. Don't ask us now. That's what this book is. She served God. With fasting. Night and day. Continuing. Instant. In prayer. Romans 12 verse 12 says. Night and day. She served God night and day. With fasting and prayers. Beloved. When a Christian is driven to his knees. He knows. He is in a warfare. When he is driven to his knees. He knows he is in a warfare. But when he is driven to fast. To fast. And stays on his knees. He enters into the front line of the battle. Between God and Satan. Do you doubt this? Have you ever gone there? At once. Oh my. When he is driven to fast. And stays on his knees. While he does it. He enters into the front line of the battle. Don't doubt it. Jesus said this kind. Can come forth by nothing. But by prayer and fasting. Mark 9 verse 29. 11 I believe. That Satan's. Strongholds and advances. Will be undone. Drastically and swiftly. When we begin to pray. And fast. With fasting. With fasting. But where are such. Burdened prayer warriors today. Where are such. Burdened. Prayer warriors today. I ask the church worldwide. There is a staggering. Book in the Old Testament. Written by. The prophet Amos. Now the name Amos. Is derived from a Hebrew word. Amash. Meaning burden bearer. Burden bearer. His was a. Divinely given burden. To lash out. Against the sin and apostasy. Of God's people. In his generation. And of God's certain. Coming judgment upon them. What percentage of the church today. Has a God given burden. I believe to the degree. We yield unto God in truth. And totally surrender to that degree. He is in control of us. By his spirit. What percentage of the church today. Has a God given burden. You can't. Work up a burden. A true burden. In prayer. It must be God given. A burden that will. Drive us to our knees. To pray. To pray. For all the compromise. And the apostasy. That is in the world. Written across. The so called church. Of Christ worldwide today. All this apostasy. Compromise. Let us. Look briefly now. At other. Godly men. Who were. Heavily burdened. By God. Paul. Wrote. I have. Great. Heaviness. And continual. Sorrow in my heart. Have you ever had that? Was that not your Christianity? It never will be. Unless you. Seek God desperately. For contents of this book. I have great heaviness. And continual sorrow in my heart. For my brethren. For the people of Israel. Romans 9 verse 1. Paul cried. My heart's desire and prayer to God is for Israel. That they might be saved. But with such heaviness. Such grief. Such burden. Romans 10 verse 1. In 2 Peter 2 verse 7 we read. About Lot. That Lot vexed. Who troubled. Who was oppressed. With the filthy conversation. With wicked. He was vexed. Literally. The word is tormented. In verse 8. He tormented. His tormented. His righteous soul was tormented. Day after day. Because of their unlawful deeds. Because of the state. Of the place. Of the land. Set a mark. Upon the foreheads of the men. That sigh. And cry. For all the abominations. That be done. Ezekiel 7 verse 8 says. In 1 Samuel. 1 verse 15 we read. That Hannah. That godly woman. Poured out her soul. She poured out her soul before the Lord. And God immediately answered her prayers. When she prayed like that in the temple. O Christians worldwide. When will you begin to pour out. Thine heart like water. Before the face of the Lord. Lamentations 2 verse 19 says. Laboring fervently in prayer. Colossians 4 verse 12 says. Will you ever join the ranks. Of such great prayer warriors. And begin to cry. I. I will pour out my soul. I will pour out my soul. Psalm 42 verse 4. I will give myself to prayer. I will give myself. To prayer. To such prayer. God I believe waits. For us. To be totally given over to him. I believe. This is my soul. He waits for us as Christians. To be totally yielded. Dedicated. Consecrated. Given over to him. Yes. We know not. What we should pray for. As we ought. But the Spirit. Itself maketh intercession for us. With groanings. Which cannot be uttered. Romans 8 verse 26. When he is in control of you. And of your prayers. And of your burden. John Knox. John Knox cried to God. Give me Scotland. Or I die. Give me Scotland or I die. And God gave him Scotland. How could he not. Jonathan Edwards. Jonathan Edwards fasted. And prayed. Crying night and day. Give me New England. Oh God. And New England turned to God. In what is probably. One of the greatest revivals. Ever recorded in the Church's history. It set off revival. Upon revival. That lasted over 120 years. Across America. It was the beginning. Of the great revivals in the world. Oh Church of God. We are called to lift up. Lift up. Thy prayer for the remnant. That is left. We are called. To lift up thy prayer. For the remnant. That is left. Isaiah 32 verse 4 says. I have left me. Seven thousand. In Israel. God said. All the knees which have not bowed. Unto Baal. 1 Kings 19 verse 12. There is a remnant. Left. There is a remnant left. We are embracing. And preaching. Uncompromising truth. In this world. Don't doubt it. There is a remnant. But we are called. Earnestly. To pray for that remnant. That is left. You think it is just Old Testament history. No. Where comes this. There is just a remnant left. Those of us who know this book. Read it. To know it. And believe it. And not deny it. May I ask you. Have you bowed. The knee to Baal. Dare I. Assent of preachers. Dare I. Assent to you. In the name of Christ. Look at your personal life now. Look at your activities. When you are not with the church. In some cases. Judgedly. Have you bowed the knee to Baal. Or do you. Still remain. One of the remnant. That is left. In this world today. In the church. So called church today. And I believe. We are. Also called. To pray for. Revival. We are called to pray. Desperately for revival. Among God's people. A godly man. When I was a young preacher. Soothed me. And shook my heart. When he said. With tears coming down his face. I have always prayed. Daily. Agonizing for the lost. To be saved. But I don't pray. Anymore. For the lost like that. I was taken aback. You see. Keith. I pray now. Agonizing for the church. The evangelical church. Worldwide. They have become. So like the world. In every imaginable way. Emulating the world in their music. Emulating the world in their singing. Emulating the world. They are so like the world. There is almost no difference between them and the world. The world is comfortable. Today in the church. Because the church is comfortable in the world. You preach. Truth. And you come out of the world. Be separate. Church of Christ. You watch how fast these masses leave your mega churches. And flee. Apart from those who will repent. Of what they see in your life. And your preaching. Oh. Now I only pray. For the church. Keith. How can we pray for the lost. And expect the church to reach the lost. When they are like the lost. Just about in every way. They have shown compromise. On every level. So that even the world is getting embarrassed. They are outdoing the world. In worldliness. Beginning with their music I would say. Which by the way has replaced. This book. Entertainment now. Is what they come for. And boy. The world is finding it hard. To keep up with our changes. And our worldliness. Yes. No wonder they come. Thus saith the Lord. Stand ye in the ways. And see us. For the old paths. The good way. And walk there. In Jeremiah 6 verse 16. On every level. Of course that is historical. Statement. But isn't it to be applied today. It is time. To seek the Lord. It is time to seek the Lord. Church of Christ. Till he come and reign. Righteousness upon us. Till he come. And reign righteousness upon us. Isaiah 10 verse 12 says. In Isaiah 62 verse 6. God said. I have set watchmen upon. The walls of Jerusalem. Which shall never hold their peace. That will not. Keep silence. That will give him no rest. That will give him no rest. I will not let thee go. Except thou bless me. Jacob cried in Genesis 32 verse 26. No wonder God blessed him so mightily. At that moment. Beloved revival. Revival is the result of war. No doubt there is now. Someone has to get into war. You will never see it. War on your knees. Church of Christ. Revival is the result of war. War on our knees. When the army of God goes. To its knees. And groans. With burdened hearts. Oh. That thou wouldst rend the heavens. That thou wouldst come down. Oh. That thou wouldst rend the heavens. Oh God. That thou wouldst come down. That the mountains might flow down. At thy presence. Isaiah 64 verse 1. That the mountains. That Satan. Has evilly created. And sold. Across the world under the banner of Christianity. That the world thinks well. That's Christianity. Let's join in then. That the mountains. Might flow down. Oh God. That thou wouldst come down. Lord revive thy work. In the midst of the years. In the midst of the years. Make known in wrath. Remember mercy. Habakkuk 3 verse 2. Wilt thou not revive us again. That thy people may rejoice in thee. God's two people. That is. Psalm 85 verse 6. Turn thou us unto thee. Oh Lord. And we shall be turned. Renew our days of old. Renew our days as of old. Lamentations 5 verse 21. Hear me oh Lord. Hear me. That this people may know. That thou art the Lord God. And that thou has turned. Back their hearts again. 1 Kings 18 verse 3. It is time. For thee Lord. To work. Psalm 119 verse 1 in 26. James said these staggering words. James said these staggering words. Ye have not. Because. Ye ask not. James 4 verse 2. Ye ask. It continues. And receive not. Why would that happen? Because. Because ye ask of this. Behold. The Lord hand is not shortened. That it cannot save. Neither his ear heavy. That it cannot hear. But your iniquities. Have separated between you. And your God. And your sins have hid his face from you. That he will not hear. That's tragic. Isaiah 59 verse 2. But. But. But if my people. Which are called. By my name. You think that's just Old Testament? Then you don't know why. Two thirds of the Bible is Old Testament. Not recorded history. It's God's heart. Which we'd be in poverty without. If my people. Which are called by my name. Shall humble themselves. And pray. And seek my face. And turn from their wicked ways. My people. Yes. Then. Then will I hear from heaven. And will forgive their sins. And will heal their land. That is a staggering statement. 2 Chronicles 7 verse 14. For when we. Are right with God beloved. We will only then. Begin to pray. Effectively and fervently. And in faith for the lost. With them that call. On the Lord. Out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2 verse 22 says. With them that call on the Lord. Out of a pure heart. For the eyes of the Lord. The eyes of the Lord run to. And throw throughout the whole earth. To show himself strong. In the behalf of them whose heart. Is perfect. Toward him. Blameless. 2 Chronicles 16 verse 9. God's looking for that. The effectual. Fervent prayer of a righteous man. Availeth much. Does amazing. Accomplices in mighty things. James 5 verse 16 says. God cries. God cries for prayers. To be made for all men. That's staggering. 1 Timothy 2 verse 1. Prayers to be made for all men. Who will have all men. To be saved. Who will have all men. To be saved. Who will have all men. To be saved. To come to the knowledge of the truth. Verse 6. Who gave himself a ransom for all. Beloved he is the propitiation. The way to God. For mercy for our sins. Christians. Not for ours only. But also for the sins of the whole world. If only they'd repent. 1 John 2 verse says. I hope you believe that. A man with the whole world on his heart. Is a rare man indeed. I once read. A man close to the heart of God. For only God loves. The whole world. John Wesley said. The world. The world. The world is my parents. No wonder to this day. The world is still affected. By him. What's left of what he preached that is. Psalm 2 verse 8. God the father said to God the son. God the father said to God the son. Ask of me. And I shall give thee. The heathen. For thine inheritance. The uttermost parts of the earth. For thy possession. That's staggering. But if you read this book. Carefully and prayerfully. And honestly. Christ stands and ever lives. To make a decision for us. He stands there in the promise of God. No matter when we pray. He intercedes and brings our petitions to God. He waits for us I believe. To pray. To him. But only then. Will he see. Intercede for this world. And the level. That we read. In Psalm 2. Or do you think. That those words. Are not truth. Not applicable. O church of Christ. Call upon me. God says. Call upon me. And I will answer thee. I will answer thee. And show thee great. And mighty things. Jeremiah 33 verse 3 promises. Friend. Nothing. Is impossible. Unto God. Matthew 7 verse 20. With God nothing. Shall be impossible. Luke 1 verse 27. With God all things are possible. Matthew 19 verse 26. Whatsoever ye ask. Of the Father in my name. That is the will of my Father. It shall be given you. And it is his will. Who have all men. To visit. If we pray. For the world in our heart. To be saved. John 16 verse 23. Church of Christ. Worldwide. This sermon. Could drive you. To hate every verse. I have quoted. Contextually. Linking and comparing. Scripture with scripture. The only thing I know how to do. Every possible verse. That could be applied. To God's call. For prayer. According to what he waits for. In prayer. And in lives of those who do pray. I have compared scriptures. From one side of the bible. To the other. What I believe. Is the cry. To God today. That will undo. And counteract. The devil's. Wicked devices. Undo. And expose. The tears. He has sown. Among the weak. Beginning with those who stand. In the pulpits. Of God. I believe. God waits for us to pray. I believe. The only true danger. This world faces. Not just your country. Sir. America. Yes. South Africa. Definitely. The only danger. This world. Honestly faces. Yes. You think of all sorts of things. Opposing Christianity. Do you? The only danger. This world truly faces. The only danger. This world faces. As it ends. Is a prayerless church. God have mercy on us. Church of Christ. Worldwide. Especially to those of us. Who are offended. Here tonight. At this message. At this word. Amen.