Asahel Nettleton, in his sermon Professing Christians Awake! challenges us to consider what Paul meant when he commanded his Christian friends in Rome to wake-up from their spiritual slumber. This sermon is taken from Romans 13:11. In it he answers the question, “when does the Christian sleep?” In answer to that question, he gives a three-fold answer, the first point of which I share below.
This sermon is taken from the book Asahel Nettleton: Sermons from the Second Great Awakening, William C. Nichols, editor. International Outreach, 1995. Nettleton is of particular interest to me and I am considering doing my dissertation project on him. He was a nineteenth-century Calvinistic evangelist who is said to have led over 25,000 sinners to faith in Christ. He is best known for opposing Charles Finney’s “new methods” but leaves a much richer legacy than that alone.
When does the Christian sleep?
“In general he desires his own case, and begins to consult that, when it comes in competition with duty. Religion is the great business of his life. It imposes on him many duties which are painful and crossing to corrupt nature. Thus the fraternal admonition- exhort one another daily, lest any be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor, and not suffer sin upon him is the command of God. To neglect this and similar duties for fear of incurring reproach, is to indulge in spiritual sloth. You may sit down and rest quietly if you will not disturb your fellow sinners around you with a sight of their sin and danger. This requires no effort. And here thousands resign themselves to rest. Individuals or a church may close their eyes on the conduct of an offender and be silent, and this awful indifference to his soul assumes the name of charity, without lifting a finger to restore such an one in the spirit of meekness. The slothful servant will ever consult his own ease by sinful contrivance to shun duty.” (pp 1-2)
I ask…are Southern Baptists awake today? or sleeping through our spiritual duties?
In your Story, it ask, “I ask…are Southern Baptists awake today? or sleeping through our spiritual duties?”
Answer, many have fallen asleep Pastor Terry, and it may cause many to wake up where they don’t wish to be. Keep up these post Pastor, Great work for Christ.
Steve Pugh