GOD’S CALL TO THE SLEEPING WATCHMEN! (Part 3)

E. WHAT SHOULD WE WATCH AGAINST?

* We are to watch against the false teachers/prophets who are grievous wolves ravaging the world, taking advantages of insecurity and loneliness of the less privilege to dupe and deceive them. They say, “Thus saith the Lord” when God is not speaking. Therefore, be watchful so that you will not be one of them. It is written, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” Acts 20:28-31.

*  We are also charged to watch against the hypocrites, the agents of the devil who are causing division in the Church of God -- “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” Romans 16:17-18.

* Above all, on the other hand, we are to be watchful for the imminent coming of our Lord Jesus. What a great work for a faithful watchmen, that while he is watching over others, he himself will not be over-throne and be disqualified. Be watchful, so that having done all, to remain qualified and rapturable. “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” Matt. 25:13; Jesus said, “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” Revelation 16:15.

F. DANGER OF INEFFICIENCY OF A WATCHMAN.

If any watchman remain inefficient in his duty, defeat is inevitable as enemy will overpower him, carry away his weapons of war and use him in their favour for perpetration of violence and robbery. Every erring watchman shall be dismissed from the kingdom service and substituted for peace and security to reign. In Ezekiel 34:10, God personally commit Himself to the security and welfare of His people and will judge the erring watchmen to condemnation. “Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds(the erring watchmen); and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.” God’s wrath is upon any inefficient watchman. Don’t be one of them, for He will not spare anyone. His judgment is faithful and true.

EVIDENCES OF WATCHMEN SLEEPING.

Most of the present days watchmen (Ministers of the gospel) are found with lies and deceit, changing God’s word to suit their ambition, robbing God their tithes and offerings, embezzling Church fund with no one to challenge them, telling members to do what they themselves can not do, so hostile to the poor and be friendly to the rich members who can finance their ambitions. If you are found with any of these characters, it is evidence that you are not a healthy watchman. But before it is too late, retrace you steps back to God now and He will have mercy on you and give you another chance.

G. GOD’S CALL TO THIS GENERATION OF WATCHMEN.

Any watchman who is ready to follow God must…

·        Realize the waywardness and inefficiency of the present day watchmen in watching over souls for Christ. Discover your stand and come back to God in genuine repentance and change of heart – Acts 26:20; 2 Chro. 7:14..

·        Put on Christ Jesus who is the whole armour of Light in this world of darkness – Rom. 13:12-14.

·        Awake to righteousness and sin no more – 1 Cor. 15:34.

·        Be watchful and sober at all time – 1 Thess. 5:6.

·        Ready to stand for God in the face of challenges and oppositions. Be productive to the kingdom of God in evangelism and souls winning – John 15:2.

Conclusion: God will not allow His Church to be destroyed. He has promised to be personally committed to the welfare of His Church to make her healthy. He says,

“Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth. And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return, and will build them, as at the first. And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me. And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.” Jeremiah 33:6-9.