Central Thought: A believer who is watchful will not be overtaken at the moment of temptation.
Hymn: “Christian seek not yet repose”
Text: 1 Peter 4 & 5
In the world today value systems appear to lay more emphasis on the physical rather than on the spiritual. Consequently little or no significance is attached to strict religious principles and biblical injunctions which help to ensure a spiritually disciplined life. Some believers are being trapped in this crave for wealth, power, and fame: thus gradually eroding the fear of God even from their hearts and mind.
Furthermore, these worldly attractions tend to becloud the mind of some believers from the necessity and urgency to watch, pray and live a Christ centered life. People that refuse to watch are always taken off guard. The believer must be on guard that he may not fall into error or sin. Secondly, he should be watchful as the “day of the Lord” is coming for the gathering together of the saints. “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night”. 1 Thessalonians 5:2. The believer is also on assignment as ambassadors of Christ on earth. Negligence in being watchful can prevent the believer from the kingdom of God. “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth”. Revelation 16:15.
Lesson Objectives:
- To know why believers are called to be watchful.
- To understand how a believer should be watchful.
- To understand how a believe should respond to times of trials and sufferings.
Question 1.) Why the call to be watchful as believers?
Apostle Peter in 1 Peter 4:1-3, reminded the gentile converts how they once lived for the flesh which was against the will of God. Now that they were followers of Christ, they needed to keep their eyes on the Lord Jesus Christ.
In the materialistic and lost world of today, we need to be reminded of the sufferings and sacrifice of our Lord by His going to the cross in our stead. This calls for a holy and righteous living in our present life since there is no second chance after death. “And as it is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgement”. Hebrews 9:27. There is the need to break with the habit, patterns, traditions and excesses of this world. “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens shall pass away with great noise. What manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness”. 2 Peter 3:10-11.
The scriptures declare in 1 Corinthians 10:12 , “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall”. Thus we must not become complacent or self-confident as to become negligent in our commitment to the Lord. At such times the devil who is very crafty can entice the believer to sin and fall from grace. 1 Peter 5:8.
Another reason why the believer must be watchful is that we are children of the light and as such we cannot afford to sleep. 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6. The Lord has sent us on an assignment to continue the ministry of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:19. When we fall asleep, we become spiritually inactive, then surely we fail in this responsibility.
Christians that are heaven bound must be sober, steady and ready for the Lord’s return any moment. It is absolutely important to exercise self control and be ready by watching and praying. “But the end of all things is at hand; be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer”. 1 Peter 4:7. This the second coming of our Lord should be a motivation to a sober, prayerful and watchful living.
As believers we must be watchful because it is a command from the Lord. The Lord commanded the disciples to watch and pray so that they enter not into temptation. This is because the flesh which wars against the spirit is weak. Matthew 26:41. Thus every believer must be conscious of faith so that we do not let off our guard.
Question 2.) Why should the believer maintain vigilance?
The Christian life is a battle, a warfare. The devil is the false accuser of the brethren. “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour”. 1 Peter 5:8. This calls for soberness, calmness and very high degree of vigilance to put the believer on a constant watch in order to be able to resist the devil. It is the determination of satan to pull down the Christian through series of temptations. His methods are subtle and his operations are in the unguided moment. It takes vigilance to know that a knocking at the door is of the devil necessitating appropriate response.
As God gives us grace for victory in our battles with the devil, we are perfected, prepared and made fit for His use. He empowers us for service.
Question 3.) How can a believer be watchful?
As the Christian waits for Christ’s return, we need to be fervent in prayers and have sacrificial love towards one another. We must be compassionate, merciful and forgiving. “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sin. Use hospitality one to another without grudging” 1 Peter 4:8-9.
The study of the word of God is also an important aspect of being watchful. The believer must fight against anything that prevents him from attending to the word of God. In the parable of the sower, Matthew 13:18-23, the Lord Jesus explained how the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, preventing fruitfulness. These same things can hinder us from watching and praying. The believer fully absorbed with cares of this world will surely be taken unaware. Another way of watching is by getting involved in the service of God. This helps the believer to spend his time gainfully as “the idle mind is the devil’s workshop”. It is by being in the service of the Lord that the believer can redeem the time. Ephesians 5:16.
In James 5:7,8 the Bible enjoined Christians to wait patiently with forbearance and steadfast endurance for the coming of the Lord. This waiting is compared to that of a farmer (husbandman) who after the laborious planting and maintaining of the farm, looks forward to harvest of plenty. Similarly, we must wait patiently not denying our faith or reducing in our spiritual standards.
Question 4.) How should a believer respond to trials and sufferings?
Believers are reminded that trials can come across the various lanes of life and should not be regarded as strange or taken for a surprise. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you. But rejoice, in as much as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings” 1 Peter 4:12-13. The Bible did not tell us that everything will be rosy when we become believers, but rather points us to the sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ and tells us to rejoice when we share in them. However, it calls for sober reflection over one’s life style, earnest prayers and more searching of the Word of God. Fretting, and weeping will lead to negative confession that weakens faith. Even much complaining to brethren is not the solution. We should rather pray more than before. Fasting is encouraged at times like this and we should begin to praise God for the expected victory.
We are to rejoice when we share in Christ’s sufferings now because there will be great joy on Christ’s return and we shall share in His glory. “If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him” 2 Timothy 2:12. The kingdom of God is for overcomers. “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne” Revelation 3:21.
Daily Living Application:
The coming of the Lord is imminent. A lot of things happening around the world today are pointers to the end of the close of the age. This calls for believers to be watchful, prayerful, sober, vigilant, and having a heart of expectancy of Christ’s return.
We are reminded in 1 Peter 4:17 that judgement must start with the house of God. The present world is going to melt away with ferverent heat in order to give way for a new heaven and new earth “wherein dwelleth righteousness” 1 Peter 3:10, 12-14. Believers must not allow worldly affairs to becloud their heavenly mission. As we live in the home and as we participate in our secular jobs, we must put on the robe of righteousness. Our conversations, leisure hours and general conduct must be spiritually discerned and directed.
Memory Verse:
Revelation 16:15
“Behold I come as a thief, blessed is he that watcheth, and keepth his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame”.