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In Peril of being Unwatchful

Text: Revelation 3:1-6
24 September 2006

(I) THE CALL TO BE WATCHFUL

(Issued by none other than the Lord Jesus Christ)

“Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” Matthew 24:41
“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming” Matthew 25:13
“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

1. A very real danger highlighted

a) The significance of the inferential particle “therefore

b) It highlights the importance of taking heed to what Jesus said

c) Dangers include the following:-

i) People are not naturally watchful

ii) People will end up being unwatchful

iii) People will succumb to the weakness of the flesh and not pray

2. Watching and praying are inseparable

a) Praying with deep earnestness

b) Praying for strength to face the trials that lie ahead

c) Praying for and with those you love

d) Praying because you are battling against great spiritual forces

(II) THE DANGERS THAT IMPERIL THE UNWATCHFUL

1. Shaken in mind (2 Thessalonians 2:2)

2. Troubled (2 Thessalonians 2:2)

3. Deception (2 Thessalonians 2:3, 10)

a) According to the working of Satan (2 Thessalonians 2:9)

b) Power, signs and lying wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9)

4. Strong delusion (2 Thessalonians 2:11)

5. Condemnation (2 Thessalonians 2:12)

(III) POWERFUL PARABLES THAT WARN OF THE DANGER OF NOT BEING WATCHFUL

1. Parable of the Ten Virgins

a) Some will be unwatchful

b) Foolishness of being unwatchful highlighted

2. Parable of The Talents

a) Some will prove unfaithful

b) All will be held accountable

(IV) BECOMING WATCHFUL WITH REFERENCE TO THE RETURN OF THE LORD JESUS

“Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.
Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent.
Therefore, if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you” Revelation 3:2-4

1. Be watchful

2. Strengthen the things which remain

3. Revive the things that are ready to die

4. Remember the good times where faith was strong