Keys To Effective Vigilance (I Am Vigilant, I Am Prepared For Eternity)

Intro:

Last week we were able to learn that Satan is only a voiceless roaring lion who wanted to set fear and worries in us by using his defenseless roar. That’s why, if we recall our theme this month “I am Vigilant, I am Prepared for Eternity” we are called to be watchful and be on guard always as the devil would like to strike us while we are caught unaware of his schemes. We’ve learned the characteristics of Satan and his schemes. Then we were encouraged to respect his ability to deceive us, recognize his schemes and lastly to resist him while we draw near to God.

This is our 2nd week of this month August and still we are called to be vigilant on those devil’s work that are trying to prowl around us. However, if we can only know how to be effective in our vigilance, then we will surely defeat the devil and share God’s victory over Satan. Today allow me to share…

Keys to Effective Vigilance

Matthew 26:36-46

Yes, after we knew, what Satan can do to harm us should, we are not aware of it, we ask ourselves how can we guard ourselves and our loved-ones against his attacks and activities? The answer is that we need to be vigilant and not just be vigilant, we need to be effective in our vigilance over Satan.

Our text is found in Matthew 26:36-46, but on the earlier verses, particularly in verses 17 to 35 (which we will not read anymore), we can see the last supper Jesus had with His disciples. There He revealed about the coming sacrifice that He need to suffer and that one of them is going to betray Him. Also here in this scenario is the emotional scene between Jesus and Peter where Peter is about to disown or deny Jesus 3x.

Now what was the reason why Jesus needed to gather His disciples for the last time and say all these things to them. He can just go the Jewish officials and submit Himself to their authority without hurting His disciples with Him and go to the cross and die. However, Jesus taught them an important aspect of a Christian life – and that is to be vigilant in a coming danger and difficulties that time.

In these verses, we can see the keys to effective vigilance as Jesus showed them an example and from there, we can see the victory that God is also expected from us. Let us read our text:

36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” 43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. 45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

After an emotional scene with His disciples, especially with Peter, Jesus taught them…

What are the keys to have an effective vigilance?

The first key is to…

1. Know when to Pray – v36 “Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”

The first thing to do in our vigilance is to know when to pray. At the height of the tension that Jesus felt at that time, He opted to go into the presence of His Father. He wanted to seek shelter from His beloved Father Who sent Him.

Before Jesus went to suffer, He needs the strength that comes from His Father. This is not the first time Jesus needs to face a battle and won. If we remember in Matthew 4 where He was tempted by the devil 3x, He was in prayer and fasting with His Father before He could start His public ministry. And now, before He end His mission, He needs to seek His Father’s strength in order to seal that victory.