Be Watchful: Preparedness for the Lord's Return

Devotional

Day 1: Living as Children of Light

As believers, we are called to live as children of the light, always vigilant and prepared for the Lord's return. This requires a lifestyle of watchfulness and sobriety, avoiding spiritual slumber and worldly distractions. The day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night, and those who are not vigilant will be caught unaware. However, as children of the light, we are not in darkness, and we must remain alert and sober, living in a way that reflects our faith and readiness for His return. [05:30]

1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 (ESV): "But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober."

Reflection: What specific distractions in your life are keeping you from living as a child of the light? How can you actively remove or minimize these distractions today?

Day 2: Empowered by the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit empowers us to remain alert and prepared for the Lord's return. Seeking the baptism of the Holy Spirit enables us to live in the light and not be overtaken by darkness. This spiritual empowerment is crucial for standing firm in our faith, especially in a world filled with challenges and temptations. By relying on the Holy Spirit, we can maintain our vigilance and readiness, ensuring that we are not caught unaware by the unexpected return of the Lord. [08:05]

Ephesians 5:18-20 (ESV): "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Reflection: In what ways can you seek a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit today? How can this empowerment help you stand firm in your faith?

Day 3: Avoiding Spiritual Complacency

Spiritual complacency is dangerous, as illustrated by the days of Noah and Lot, where people were caught unaware by sudden destruction. We must not be complacent in our spiritual lives, but instead, remain vigilant and ready for the Lord's coming. The righteous will not be taken with the wicked, and it is essential to be prepared for the unexpected return of the Lord. By staying alert and avoiding complacency, we can ensure that we are ready to meet Him when He comes. [28:03]

Luke 17:26-30 (ESV): "Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot—they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all—so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed."

Reflection: Are there areas in your spiritual life where you have become complacent? What steps can you take today to reignite your vigilance and readiness for the Lord's return?

Day 4: The Importance of Fellowship

Community and fellowship among believers are essential for encouragement and spiritual growth. In these challenging times, we must not forsake gathering together, as it helps us remain strong in our faith. By supporting one another and sharing in each other's burdens, we can grow spiritually and be better prepared for the day of the Lord. Fellowship provides the encouragement and accountability needed to stay vigilant and ready for His return. [23:10]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: How can you actively participate in your faith community to encourage and support others? What steps can you take to strengthen your fellowship with other believers today?

Day 5: Generosity and Readiness

Generosity and readiness to meet the needs of others are crucial aspects of living as faithful stewards. We are called to live with a sense of urgency and readiness for the Lord's return, ensuring that our faith produces fruit. By being generous and meeting the needs of others, we demonstrate our readiness and commitment to living as faithful servants. This readiness involves holding fast to our convictions and being prepared to stand firm in our faith. [35:13]

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (ESV): "As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life."

Reflection: In what ways can you practice generosity today, both in your community and beyond? How does living with a sense of readiness for the Lord's return influence your daily actions and decisions?

Sermon Summary

In the book of Jude, Enoch prophesied about the Lord's return with ten thousands of His saints to execute judgment on the ungodly. This prophecy raises questions about the timing and nature of this judgment. The scriptures, particularly in 1 Thessalonians, describe the day of the Lord as coming like a thief in the night, a time of darkness and not light. This day will be unexpected for those who are not vigilant, but as believers, we are called to be children of the light, not of the night. We must remain watchful and sober, not succumbing to spiritual slumber or the distractions of the world.

The call to vigilance is emphasized through the exhortation to be sober and awake, especially in prayer. The Holy Spirit empowers us to remain alert and prepared for the Lord's return. The scriptures warn against the dangers of spiritual complacency, likening it to the days of Noah and Lot, where people were caught unaware by sudden destruction. We are reminded that the righteous will not be taken with the wicked, and we must be ready for the Lord's coming.

The message also highlights the importance of community and fellowship among believers. In these challenging times, we must not forsake gathering together, as it is essential for encouragement and spiritual growth. The day of the Lord is approaching, and we must be prepared, not just for ourselves but also to be a light to those around us.

In conclusion, the call is to live with a sense of urgency and readiness, to be watchful in prayer, and to stand firm in our faith. We are to be generous, meeting the needs of others, and to hold fast to our convictions. The Lord is coming, and we must be ready to meet Him, living as faithful servants who are prepared for His return.

Key Takeaways

1. The day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. As believers, we are called to be children of the light, vigilant and prepared for His return. This requires a lifestyle of watchfulness and sobriety, not succumbing to spiritual slumber or worldly distractions. [05:30]
2. The Holy Spirit empowers us to remain alert and prepared. We must seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which enables us to live in the light and not be overtaken by the darkness. This spiritual empowerment is crucial for standing firm in our faith. [08:05]
3. Spiritual complacency is dangerous, as seen in the days of Noah and Lot. We must not be caught unaware by sudden destruction. The righteous will not be taken with the wicked, and we must be ready for the Lord's coming. [28:03]
4. Community and fellowship among believers are essential. We must not forsake gathering together, as it is vital for encouragement and spiritual growth. In these challenging times, we need each other to remain strong in our faith. [23:10]
5. Generosity and readiness to meet the needs of others are crucial. We are called to be faithful stewards, living with a sense of urgency and readiness for the Lord's return. Our faith should produce fruit, and we must be prepared to stand firm in our convictions. [35:13]
** [35:13]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:58] - Enoch's Prophecy
[02:31] - Timing of Judgment
[03:18] - The Day of the Lord
[05:04] - Children of Light
[06:46] - Call to Sobriety
[07:54] - Empowerment by the Holy Spirit
[09:31] - Spiritual Vigilance
[11:00] - Watchful Servants
[13:05] - Sounding the Alarm
[15:17] - Days of Noah and Lot
[19:59] - Spiritual Warfare
[23:10] - Importance of Fellowship
[28:03] - Unexpected Return
[35:13] - Generosity and Readiness

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Jude 1:14-15
1 Thessalonians 5:1-8
Matthew 24:36-44

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Observation Questions:

What does Jude 1:14-15 say about Enoch's prophecy concerning the Lord's return and judgment? How does this relate to the concept of being vigilant? [01:58]
According to 1 Thessalonians 5:1-8, how is the "day of the Lord" described, and what are believers encouraged to do in preparation for it? [03:38]
In Matthew 24:36-44, what parallels are drawn between the days of Noah and the coming of the Son of Man? How does this emphasize the need for readiness? [28:03]
How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in helping believers remain alert and prepared for the Lord's return? [08:05]

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Interpretation Questions:

What might it mean to be "children of the light" as described in 1 Thessalonians 5:5? How does this identity influence a believer's lifestyle and choices? [05:30]
The sermon warns against spiritual complacency, comparing it to the days of Noah and Lot. What are some modern-day examples of spiritual complacency, and how can believers guard against it? [28:03]
How does the sermon highlight the importance of community and fellowship among believers, especially in challenging times? What role does this play in spiritual growth and readiness? [23:10]
The sermon calls for generosity and readiness to meet the needs of others. How does this align with the biblical call to be faithful stewards? [35:13]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your current spiritual vigilance. Are there areas in your life where you feel spiritually complacent? What steps can you take this week to become more watchful and sober? [06:46]
The sermon emphasizes the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Have you sought the baptism of the Holy Spirit in your life? How can you actively seek this empowerment to stand firm in your faith? [08:05]
In what ways can you strengthen your involvement in community and fellowship with other believers? Identify one specific action you can take to encourage or support someone in your faith community this week. [23:10]
Consider the distractions in your life that may lead to spiritual slumber. What is one specific distraction you can minimize or eliminate this week to focus more on your spiritual readiness? [05:30]
The sermon calls for living with a sense of urgency and readiness. How can you incorporate this mindset into your daily routine? What practical steps can you take to prepare for the Lord's return? [35:13]
Generosity is highlighted as a key aspect of readiness. Is there a specific need in your community or church that you feel called to address? How can you plan to meet this need in the coming weeks? [35:13]
Reflect on the idea of being a "faithful servant" prepared for the Lord's return. What does this look like in your personal life, and how can you align your actions with this calling? [34:49]

Sermon Clips

"for you yourselves know perfectly do you know perfectly that the day of the lord so comes as a thief in the night for when they say peace and safety tomorrow's going to be better coven's going to be done we're going to get on with our lives we're going to be able to travel we're going to be able to buy we're going to be able to sell you know economy is going to start to go and you know life's going to get back to normal and we can go build houses and we can go plant gardens and vineyards and tomorrow will be even better than today there's a lot of hope ahead brothers for when they say peace and safety then suddenly destruction comes upon who upon them upon them as labor pains on a pregnant woman and they shall not escape" [00:03:48]

"but you brethren are not in darkness that this day should overtake you as a thief you are all sons of light and all sons of the day we are not of the night nor of the darkness therefore let us not sleep as others do but let us watch and be sober i heard a message from keith malcolm the last day and i don't know the man but i'm encouraged by him and he spoke about being sober and not sleeping and you know it's an exhortation that needs to be emphasized that when we get discouraged i think of times in my past when i've been discouraged i want to take a nap i want to lay down i want to forget about my problems and thinking maybe i'll get a little strength and after i wake up i'll feel better and i can face them" [00:05:23]

"brothers sisters we're not to sleep and we're we're to be sober and we're to be watchful especially in our prayers and in the hour in which we live let's look at this for those who sleep sleep at night those who get drunk get drunk at night brother dan shared that we need to stand in the night season and we need to watch and pray unless we enter into temptation jesus had disciples and the hour was coming when the devil was going to have his victory over jesus for the moment for the hour and those disciples they couldn't watch and pray for one hour with jesus because their eyes were heavy from sleep and jesus said it was going to be this way he said you all be made to stumble on account of me tonight but he says after you're converted strengthen your brethren after you return" [00:06:44]

"when we receive this baptism of the holy spirit the power from on high then we no longer slumber and sleep as others do it says we shall not all sleep but we shall be changed in a moment in the twinkling of an eye when at the first trump at the third trump is that when rapture happens it says that the last trumpet the dead shall be raised incorruptable and we shall be changed when jesus comes he don't come at the first jump he's coming at the last trump after all the judgment is poured out and we see that there's a people there we see that at the end of 1 corinthians 15 go look at it in scripture oh death where is your sting oh grave where is your victory there's victory in jesus when we're born again not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible seed through this word of god and the indwelling presence of the spirit of god" [00:08:17]

"let us who are of the day be sober let us who are of the day put on the breastplate of faith and love and a helmet the hope of salvation let's be girded let's be let's be guarded let's be armored up we don't know this the day or the hour the season and the times in which we live you know there's a plague that's on the earth at this time some deny it and then they've later died from it some deny it and later they've been so sick from it and i've gone specifically to their houses to deliver them some different goods and different things to try to help them and aid them and to pray for them i've been praying for them we don't want to be in denial in the hour in which we live we don't want to sleep or be slumbering we need to be vigilant we need to be guarded" [00:09:24]

"we need to be watching when they were eating that passover lamb they put the blood on the doorposts and lentils and they had their waist girded and their lamps burning they were watching and they remained in the house it says also we as servants of the lord have to have our waist girded with truth and our lamps burning the word of god has to be burning in our hearts and we need to be watching a watchman who needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth in the hour in which we live we need to study to show ourselves approved unto god we need to know what the word of god says in this hour we're not of the night brothers we're of the day lest this day overtake you as a thief but this day overtake you as a thief there's some that the day is coming as a thief" [00:10:49]

"there's that great day when jesus returns and he executes his judgment and he gathers his people together to be caught up together with him in the clouds but you know what there's a day that he's coming among sleeping christians among people who are not watching at an hour they're not expecting at a moment that they're not aware we need to be of the day not of the night dan says even in the night seasons we need to stand fast having done all to stand what does the scripture say stand there for having your waist girded having your helmet of salvation and this breastplate of righteousness and truth i read something from joel in chapter 2 the people of god had become slack they began to spiritually sleep they were slumbering" [00:12:20]

"blow the trumpet in zion who's blowing the trumpet and the hour in which we live where are the watchmen god says in isaiah the watchmen are blind and jeremiah they're blind they're dumb dogs they can't bark they're sleeping they're lying down they're loving to slumber everybody is doing what seems best in their own eyes and jesus is exhorting through the holy scriptures through the prophet joel saying blow the trumpet in zion zion is god's holy habitation god god is in in zion he's coming to his temple he's coming quickly sound the alarm on my holy mountain brother dan shared about having watchmen on the walls where are the preachers today you say well me i don't have a a bible school diploma and i don't have a certificate or no churches will accept me you know what you go to those friends in the family and your neighbors and whosoever will whoever will listen and you proclaim that jesus is coming quickly that they need to get ready" [00:12:56]

"they were buying and selling you know there's a lot of us were buying property we're we're buying products we're selling we have work to do but they were not watching it says those who do business those who buy as though they did not possess as those who build houses as though they didn't own them as those who marry as though they were single we need to be watchful we can set our hope in all these things god gives us all these things to enjoy but we need to remain watchful and sober and vigilant because the days are evil brothers sisters the days are dark but we're not of the night we're of the day blow the trumpet in zion sound the alarm my holy habitation it says that all the inhabitants of land tremble for the day of the lord is coming" [00:14:51]

"the righteous will not be taken with the wicked we see it even today even as famine pestilence and sword come before the great and dreadful day of the lord he says what then two men will be in one field one will be taken the other left who's taken and who's left brothers sisters two women grinding at the meal one take and one left watch therefore for you do not know what hour the lord jesus is coming we've been taught about rapture and jesus is coming to take his church but is he coming at the first trump or the third trump or you think we're going to have to suffer some things he said if those days were not shortened even the elect might not be saved we're gonna go through suffering and persecution like has not been seen since the foundation of the world" [00:30:25]

"we need to stand for something my grandmother gave me a poster when i was a teenager at the time i i didn't really appreciate it i wanted gifts of toys and what she gave me the teen's creed and part of that team's creed was choose your friends with care you become what they are and she said you got to stand for something or you will fall for anything i have some of my people and family and friends you know these ungodly most of them not all of them truckers are standing up to a mandate which is being forced on the people and everybody's just accepting everything we need to be vigilant in prayer and say god have mercy on our land where are the people of prayer who will pray against tyranny and control and wickedness" [00:31:33]

"we need the holy spirit to help us to be watchful so that this day doesn't overtake us as a thief brothers and sisters jesus is coming are you ready to meet him behold the lord comes with ten thousands of his saints are you ready to meet the lord jesus will he say to you well done good and faithful servant enter into the joy of the lord you've been faithful with little i'm entrusting you with much will he say to you you goats when i was hungry you gave me no food you were so busy saving hoarding putting in rsps not against these things but we have to also be mindful of those who are around us who are in need and who are hurting servants of the lord are to be generous we don't have to pass a hat around we need our people to have a conviction from the holy spirit to meet needs when they see them" [00:34:36]

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Be Watchful: Preparedness for the Lord's Return

Devotional

Day 1: Living as Children of Light

Day 2: Empowered by the Holy Spirit

Day 3: Avoiding Spiritual Complacency

Day 4: The Importance of Fellowship

Day 5: Generosity and Readiness

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Be Watchful: Preparedness for the Lord's Return

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