Being Watchful!

Being Watchful!

In this sermon outline we point out the exhortation the Word gives us to watch. We cannot

ever have a vision if we do not have a vision. Our vision and watchfulness must be with the

Lord. Unless the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. Psalm 127:1

God's Word often refers to the Christian experience as a walk, seldom as a run, and

never as a mad dash. We can walk much better if we have our eyes open and have them

upon Him, our Lord.

(2 Tim 4:5 KJV) But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

I. Paul told Timothy a number of times to be watchful, here He says to watch all things.

A. Jesus said to Watch and Pray.

(Mat 26:40-42 KJV) Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

A. What are we to watch for when we pray?

1. The works of the flesh that keeps us from praying.

2. Are we praying the prayer of faith?

3. Are we praying according to the Will of God? The Word is His Will.

4. Are we mindful of those in need around us?

5. Do we lift us our eyes and see the ripen harvest field around us?

a. I believe the reason Jesus said to look on the fields and pray was so that He could say to us "Go Ye" when we pray.

(Mark 13:33 KJV) Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

Excuses are the cradle ... that Satan rocks men off to sleep in. D.L. Moody

II. We need to watch our desires. We should be like

(1 Pet 2:2 KJV) As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

A: Desire Word of God.

1. God watches over His Word.

(Jer 1:12 KJV) Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.

a. To Understand God we must know the Word of God.

1. We then can trust God's Word.

III. We must watch and desire Spiritual Gifts.

(1 Cor 14:1 KJV) Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

A. Chapter 12 and 14 of I. Corinthians is like the bread and 13th Chapter is the meat.

IV. We should watch and desire Heavenly Habitation.

A. Desire Heaven.

1. If you desire heaven you need to get ready by taking on its likeness and traits.

a. Story of 90-year-old man in India, looked 60, when he was 23 died, 3 angels came and raised him up in his vision when he was prayed for by the brethren. Some of the resurrected power still remained on him.

V. We must watch and desire God's direction for our lives.

(Prov 16:9 KJV) A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

(Eph 4:17 KJV) This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

A. Paul tells us how to walk in Ephesians 6 times.

B. Walk in good works.

(Eph 2:10 KJV) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

C. Walk worthy of our calling.

(Eph 4:1 KJV) I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

1. To follow Christ is to walk with Him first into the presence of His Father. If that is so, we had better know how to act in the divine presence now (in this present life) and then (in the life everlasting). Ultimately, we will be there a long, long time. Gordon MacDonald

D. Not to walk as unbelievers walk.

(Eph 4:17 KJV) This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

E. We are to walk in Love.

(Eph 5:2 KJV) And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.

F. We are to walk as children of His Light.

(Eph 5:8 KJV) For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

1. The Christian walk is much like riding a bicycle; we are either moving forward or falling off. -- Robert Tuttle

G. Walk in wisdom, His wisdom.

(Eph 5:15 KJV) See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,