1. While Everyone Was Sleeping
Matthew 13:24-30

2. Parable of the Tares: Summary
Parable used by some to excuse tolerance of sin & error in the church
Not point of Jesus’ explanation (vs )
Sower of good seed = Son of man
Good seed = sons of the kingdom
Field = the world (not the church)
Tares = sons of the evil one
Enemy who sowed tares = the devil
Harvest = end of the world
Though we must weed out sin in the church (1 Cor. 5), God will judge world at the end

3. Note How Sin Gains Foothold
He put before them another parable: The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away NRSV ---
Jesus told them another parable: The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away NIV ---

4. Tragedy Occurs While All Sleep
True with regard to daily life:
Thieves & criminals commit crime then
Vandalism most frequent then
Fires in homes tend to take place then
True with regard to problems for nations:
Babylon overtaken during night by Medes
During night is common time for a putsch
Attack on Pearl Harbor while most slept
Also use “sleep” as metaphor for neglect

5. Bible Examples of Bad Things Happening When All Slept
Bible gives numerous examples of sleep (lack of diligent watch) associated with evil actions
Mt. 26:36-47 Betrayal of Jesus - disciples slept
Lk. 12: Not prepared for master or thief
Isa. 56:10 Israel’s watchmen like sleeping dogs
Matt. 25:1-13 Bridegroom came as foolish slept
Spiritually, evil gains access while all sleep

6. How Do We Deal
With This Problem?

7. Must Wake Up!
No correction possible without change from being asleep to awaking from sleep
Need for spiritual wakefulness is obvious:
1 Cor. 15:34 Awake to truth in midst of error
Eph. 5:7-17 Must see nature of error & truth
Rom. 13:11-14 If not awake, sin will grow
Must wake up to the reality of error & present danger of sin around us
Some are in perpetual sleep & will not awake

8. Must Be Sober! Often instructed to be sober in thought:
1 Pet. 5:8 Because devil is on the prowl
1 Tim. 3:2 Elders to be “sober-minded”
Titus 1:8 Repeat of exhortation to elders
Titus 2:2 Older men to be “sober-minded”
Titus 2:12 All instructed to “live soberly”
1 Pet. 1:13 Viewing second coming of Christ
Not done by constant attention to frivolity, materialism, emotionalism, escapism…

9. Must Be Watchful! Never surprised by that for which we look
Many catastrophes escaped by watchfulness
Many saved from tornadoes by watchfulness
Few lost due to a public watchful of hurricanes
Failure to be watchful for second coming of Christ will bring destruction (1 Thess. 5:1-7)
Elders to watch as Paul did (Acts 20:28-31)
Strength, courage & watching (1 Cor. 16:13)
Must be constantly vigilant for our souls

10. There Is Present Need
To Awake, Be Sober &
Be Watchful Given
Situation Of Our Day

11. Causes for Alarm Among Brethren
Lack of Bible knowledge present in many churches
Limited use of Scripture heard in many pulpits
Number of stories, jokes & emotional tales instead
Prevalence of denominational literature & concepts
Failure to believe literal account of creation
Failure to believe literal serpent present in garden
Failure to believe literal account of universal flood
Social gospel practices in non-institutional churches
Prevalence of immodest dress among Christians
Justification of “moderate” drinking of intoxicants

12. Causes for Alarm Among Brethren
Error taught & tolerated on deity of Christ
Error on “A.D. 70 Doctrine” taught & tolerated
Error taught & tolerated on divorce & remarriage
Error taught & tolerated on other moral issues (immodesty, dancing, drinking, gambling…)
Error taught & tolerated on fellowship
Error taught & tolerated on who is a false teacher
Error taught & tolerated on the creation
Error taught & tolerated on identity of NT church
Unity-In-Doctrinal-Diversity concept that error is to be tolerated as only possible way to have unity

13. We Must Wake Up Today! Souls Are Being Lost To Sin & Error
While People Sleep