* The preacher is lucky the sleeper didn’t respond by saying, “It’s your job to keep us awake.” *
” Right, aimhigh
Even the apostles fell asleep in the Garden of Gethsemane ... and Jesus did not rant at them “
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Actually, Jesus kind of did...
40And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter,
“So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour?41“Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
42He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.”43Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.44And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more.45Then He came to the disciples and said to them,
“Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.46“Get up, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!”
I would say Jesus certainly expressed His disappointment. May not have gotten “personal” like the pastor in question did, but certainly gave the disciples correction.
As a pastor myself, I both sympathize with and cringe at what this pastor did. Not to say I’ve had many fall asleep, but kids playing on their cell phones, cell phones ringing, or even one time someone answering the call and walking out of their seat to the hallway to take the call.
People really should hold that time as precious and sacred. They give everything and everyone else all the time in the world the rest of the week, but can’t give a preacher offering the Word of God just 40 mins./more-less of their time once a week.
I have asked politely or made passing jokes whenever a cell phone has ringed, but it can be frustrating though. I really can’t imagine anyone doing this when I was growing up to my home church’s pastor. Today however, clergy are becoming less and less respected.
The pastor was wrong in calling out the groom-to-be, as it just seemed like it was tacked on to a raging rant rather than being mere “Biblical accountability”.
I certainly agree that this time is precious and sacred. No offense but I’ve seen many churches of this denomination hold parties in their sanctuaries, eat and drink and play in there, gossip and carry on talking in there, when there are plenty of places to do these things right in the churches’ building.
Our denomination believes that the sanctuary is a sacred place to seek the Lord. We treat it accordingly. (ok, some of us do)
I appreciate the feedback and your take on it through the eyes of a pastor.
I do believe Jesus took into account our human needs and weaknesses - the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. He even fell asleep during the storm.
Those other actions of cell phones, games, etc. demonstrates a lack of courtesy, civility, which does not seem to be taught these days. But on the other hand, smaller children are given in church packets of pictures, puzzles (religiously oriented) with crayon to keep them from fidgeting - go figure.