Peter Kuskie - "WATCH<i>!</i>"

Peter Kuskie, Australia

Watch!

Mk 13:37And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. (keep awake, sleepless)

Watch. (keep awake, sleepless) (to guard from loss or injury)

Sharing this message today because of 2 significant things which have taken place in the last fortnight

1.�� Anniversary of the 6 day war

Lk 21:29 29Then he told them a parable: �Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30As soon as they produce leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31In the same way, when you see these things taking place, you will know that the kingdom of God is near.

� Remember sermons saying this generation shall not pass until all things are fulfilled

� Generation 40 years

� Some thought it was from 1948 when Israel became a nation

� Others 1967 when Israel won back closer to its New Testament territory

� Whenever the starting point for the count down is, our salvation is now nearer then when we 1^st believed

2.�� Interpretation in the service � there is coming a shaking

Many people are already feeling it in their own lives

Asking questions, perplexed

a.�� 2^nd coming like a flood

Matt 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 42 �So keep on watching, because you don�t know on what day your Lord is coming.

� Recent Hunter Region floods � if they�d known they were coming they�d have prepared

� Most floods come upon people suddenly

Jesus used life scenes people of his day could relate to � today he may well have said:

� 2 people working on the business report

� 2 people working on a construction site

� 2 people planning their retirement

What is the difference?

� It was not in the work itself but in the attitude.�

� For one the work is an end in itself for the other it is a means to an end.

� So absorbed in own activities they did not discern the times

� Very real danger in our time

b.�� 2^nd coming like a man returning from a journey

Mk 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 34For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 35Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. (keep awake, sleepless)

1.�� Gave servants authority

To use His name �

Mk 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Jn 14:13 13And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

2.�� To every man his work

� This is not a great escape from our responsibilities

� We will be accountable for the work we have been given Mtt16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Jms 2:26 Faith without works is dead.� We are saved by faith & rewarded by works. Jn 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

� He has given us gifts and abilities to fulfil the work we have been given

c.�� 2^nd coming is like a thief

Lk 12:37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. 38And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. 39And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. 40Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man comes at an hour when ye think not

Our house is who we are, what motivates & directs us

Lk 21:34 �Constantly be on your guard so that your hearts may not be loaded down with self-indulgence, drunkenness, and the worries of this life, or that day will take you by surprise 35like a trap. For it will come on all who live on the face of the earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Matt 26:41All of you must watch and pray that you won�t come into temptation. The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak.�

Blessed are the servants who when the Lord comes is watching

� What is important to us � our treasure on earth or our treasure in heaven?

� If our heart is fixed on earth then when we lose what we have we suffer great loss but if our treasure is in heaven it is safe and so are we.

Watch and pray

Matt 26:41All of you must watch and pray that you won�t come into temptation. The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak.�

Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching in the same way with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

� Events are not to be viewed passively but with active participation through prayer

� Praying in the Spirit enables us to see things that cannot be seen

� We are fond of quoting the armor of God but don�t forget it says to watch also

Watch and love

1 Cor 16:13 Watch, remain alert. Keep standing firm in your faith. Keep on being courageous and strong. 14Let everything you do be done in love.

� The difference between us and others who will proclaim a message should be our love

� They will know we are Christians by our love

Watch and be sober

1Thes 5:6� Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.

� Breastplate � Guard our heart � Keep your heart with all diligence

� Helmet � Guard our minds � Renew our minds

Watch & love & be sober combined

1 Pe 4:7 The end of everything is near. So be sensible and clear-headed for the sake of your prayers. 8Above all, continue to love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.

Watch and thank

Col 4:2 devote yourselves to prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

� There is no greater sign of trust then thanksgiving

Watching Jesus leads us to know that he is the Son of God

Matt 27:54Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

� When we look to Jesus & see what He is doing we will declare he is the son of God

� But if we look only at the circumstances around us, it will become all too much for us (like Peter we will begin to sink)

� Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith

� Jesus WILL come back - Whether we live to see it physically in the pre or mid or post tribulation or we die

� 1^st was Him coming into our hearts � 2^nd will be when we meet him

� Don�t know all the theology but I will do as I am told and watch.

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