November 30, 2016 | Wednesday Fellowship Service (+Bp. Ricardo Alcaraz)

Topic: Keeping Watch

“While we are waiting for the Lord to return, we are to heed the Lord’s command to watch and pray.”

Matthew 24:42:44 – Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Watch – you are on guard; alert.

What it means to be a watchman:
1.) We are to be aware of the Lord’s purposes and principles – Ephesians 5:17
2.) To give attention to His priorities and be involved in them. – Matthew 6:33
3.) We are to be on-guard that we do not forget our commitment and responsibilities to Him.

Sleep – to be unmindful of the Lord and His purposes

“To be watchful is to seek the scriptures in order to find the how.”

How to Remain Watchful:
1.) Matthew 25:14-30 – Parable of the Talents
– Jesus teaches us to use what He has given us to serve Him.
2.) Matthew 25:31-46 – Feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the people in prison.
– When you do these, you are doing these to me.
3.) Matthew 25:1-13 – Parable of the wise and foolish virgins.
– For us to have oil in our lamps, we need to have a sense of intimacy; spending time with God and knowing Him for who He is.

“We’re not just to be servants, we must also be family and friends to Him; we serve because we love the one whom we serve.”

Mark 6:7 – And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.

“Notice that He called the twelve to Himself before sending them out. God wants us to be friends with Him”

John 15:15 – No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.

“Sit down with God, Talk to Him”