Opening…
On the 22nd of October 1844, a certain man named William Miller predicted that Jesus would return to earth. His congregation and thousands of people were expecting Jesus on that date. Unfortunately, Jesus Christ never came.
In 1914, the Founder of the Jehovah’s Witness predicted Jesus’ return, but Jesus never came.
In 1975, the Founder of the World Wide Church of God predicted Jesus’ return, Alas! He never came.
A renowned clergyman predicted that May 14, 2024, would be the date of Jesus’ coming back to earth. To one’s dismay, Jesus Christ never came, and today is the 1st of December.
Beloved in the Lord, many people have attempted to predict the return of Jesus but have failed, do you know why? Because the Bible says in Matthew 24: 26, that no one knows the day or the hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son but only the Father. In today’s text Jesus says that instead of focusing on the date of his coming, we must rather focus on our spiritual lives so that we can be ready when he comes back.
Today’s sermon is titled: Stay Awake !!!
This morning, three (3) scriptures were read to us :
Our First Scripture is from Isaiah 63:16, 64:1–9
Isaiah was a Hebrew prophet who lived in the 8th century before Christ, during the reign of King Uzziah, King Jotham, and King Hezekiah of Judah, he was born in Jerusalem and he prophesied to the kingdoms of Judah and Israel calling them to repentance and warming them of Impending Judgement.
So Isaiah 64: 1–9 was a prayer where the prophet implores God to intervene, come down, and shake the mountains with His presence. Isaiah reminds God that He is our Father and Creator and pleads with Him to look upon His people with mercy and compassion.
Verse 8: But now, O lord you are our Father we are the clay and you are our potter. We are all the work of your hand.
Just like the prophet Isaiah, endeavors to seek the Lord’s mercy and forgiveness when you realize that you are falling short of the Glory of God. Dust yourself off quickly from iniquities and come back to the Father.
Our second scripture is 1 Corinthians 1:3–9
In this passage, Apostle Paul was thanking God for the grace and peace they have received through Jesus Christ. Paul states that the Corinthian believers have been enriched by God in every way, both spiritually and materially.
Verse 6: The Testimony of Christ has been confirmed in the Corinthian believers: this means that they have experienced the reality of Christ’s presence and power in their lives.
Brethren, YOU have to avail yourself to experience the presence and power of Christ in your life.
Our three scripture reading is from Mark 13: 33–37
Take heed, Watch, and Pray for you do not know when the time will come. Brethren, there is a time for every matter under heaven.
There is a time to be born and a time to die. There is a time to weep and a time to laugh. There is a time breakdown and a time to build up.
There is a time to give an account to Our marker….therefore Be Alert! Watch! and Pray !!
It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his Servants and each his work and commanded the Doorkeeper to watch
You are born for a purpose, you have been given a task to accomplish on earth. Jesus commanded us to preach the gospel, Win souls, heal the sick, cast out demons, and be occupied… till he comes.
You are a Doorkeeper, a Guardians of Faith and you have the responsibility to protect and preserve the Faith, ensuring that it is passed down to future generations. Therefore Be Alert! Watch ! and Pray !!
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. Therefore Be Alert! Watch ! and Pray !!
Lastly, there is somebody in this room this morning, who is on the verge of giving up on the Faith. Somebody who is going through a difficult moment, somebody who is facing trials and tribulations.
I am here to tell you: Don’t give up on God !!
As long as God gives you air in your lungs and Fire in your belly, keep on going!… Keep the Faith !…
Stay Awake! Watch! and Pray !!
