The Christian Laborer Asleep

Acts 13:36 KJV 1900

36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:

David was a faithful worker for the Lord, but his days were numbered. The time came when his labors were ended and God called him to his rest and his reward.

As with David so with all true Christians today; Our lives are spent in service, at length they fall asleep.

I. It is God's will that the laborer shall sleep.

The text teaches that David served "by the will of God," it is equally true that "by the will of God" he sleeps. God’s work is appointed; when it is completed God will cause his servant to lie down in the grave, which He has hallowed as a bed of rest for all His faithful servants. He will issue His mandate, then "the dust shall return to the earth as it was" (Eccl. 12:7.)

II. Sleeping She rests from toils and conflicts and sufferings.

Laid in the cemetery she is discharged from earthly service. Emma has run her race, she reached her goal, she received her crown. She has fought her battles, vanquished her foes, and now she is exults in victory. She has crossed life's ocean, experienced its storms and fogs, and now has entered the haven of everlasting rest.

III. She sleeps in Jesus.

United to Christ in life his dust is in union with Him in the grave. Her sleep is sweet; sweeter than that of the babe pillowed on its mother's bosom, than that of the laborer when his day's work is done.

IV. She sleeps and yet has life.

The body may sleep and yet the mental and spiritual faculties be active. So in the case before us. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had been long asleep, yet Jesus taught they were living (Matt. 22:32). Moses fell asleep more than fourteen hundred years before the Christian era, yet he appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration and talked with Jesus.

V. She shall yet awake out of sleep.

The night shall terminate, the morning dawn. The Master will call her at the set time, then she shall rise reinvigorated, refreshed, ready for new service. She shall awake never to sleep again.