God’s Measure Of Your Watchfulness Series

GOD’S MEASURE OF YOUR WATCHFULNESS

Please open your Bible to Luke 21 and Mark 13 as we continue our sermon series, with today’s message “God’s Measure of Our Watchfulness.”

In this series, I have shown you the many ways how the Lord will measure our lives. One of the special things the Lord will most certainly be looking for, is whether or not we eagerly watched for His return. The really sad truth is that the overwhelming majority of Christians in America are not looking for the soon return of Jesus Christ. If you are looking for the return of Jesus Christ, you among a very small minority.

God commands all Christians to understand the times we live in. Every Christian should have some understanding of where we are on God’s prophetic timetable. Knowing all that would unfold in our generation, Jesus gave two compelling words of wisdom of how to live in these final days; His two words of wisdom are, watch and pray. Today, I want you to see from God’s word how the Lord will measure your life by your watchfulness to watch and pray.

Luke 21:34"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man. NKJV

Mark 13:35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning—36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” NKJV

WATCH AND PRAY

In the eyes of Bible prophecy, there are two groups of Christians; there are those who are watching for Christ’s return, and those who are not. There are those who understand the times we live in, and those who don’t.

But here’s the point that really needs to sink in… I have shown you in this series the many ways Jesus will measure our lives for great rewards. One of the things He will most certainly be looking for, is how faithful we were in watching for His return. The reward for those who faithfully watch for Christ’s return is so great that Paul said…

2 Timothy 4:8 there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, (The Judgment Seat of Christ) and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. NKJV

Are you watching for Christ’s return? The Bible says those who love His appearing and are watching for His return will be greatly rewarded with the crown of righteousness.

This crown of righteousness is truly one of the great rewards of heaven, and it is reserved for ALL whose love for the Lord is so great, they are constantly watching for His return.

The big question is, are you watching for Christ’s return? Paul says only those who so love Christ’s appearing that they long for Him will receive the great crown of righteousness.

I don’t know about you, but I want that crown…

This crown is so magnificent that Jesus said…

Revelation 3:10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, (to keep watch) I also will

keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell

on the earth. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. NKJV

Capture that last phrase… that no one may take your crown… He is talking about the crown of righteousness… This eternal crown is so valuable that Jesus said to hold onto to your crown and we do that by watching and praying…

Don’t listen to those who mock and scoff at the blessed hope of Christ’s return. Regardless of what the world says, and regardless of the time that has passed in the last two thousand years, Jesus Christ will return, and we are that generation.

Three times in Revelation 22, Jesus promised, “I am coming quickly…”

The big question is… are you watching for His return?

I know some will say, why should I watch for His return? Some will say, I’ve been hearing about the return of Jesus Christ for 50 years and He hasn’t come yet, so why should I watch for His return. Where is the promise of His return? Do you know every time someone says that, they are fulfilling the prophecy from 2 Peter 3?