Things to do Before Jesus Comes (Part 4) by Dr. Rod Mattoon

About this sermon

This is Part 4 of Some Things to Do Before Jesus Comes Back. Here is a small excerpt of the message that was preached on Sunday night, May 21, 2023, at Lincoln Land Baptist Church. Be Astute, Aware, and Attentive to How You Live and What You Believe 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. We are to be alert or watchful about several matters that concern us personally. A. Be Watchful for Satanic Attacks and Temptations Satan is our real enemy. * 1 Peter 5:8—Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. * Matthew 26:41—Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. When a bird is sleeping on its perch, it does not fall off. How does it manage to do this? The secret is in the tendons of the bird's legs. God designed the legs so that when it is bent at the knee, the claws contract and grip like a steel trap. The claws refuse to let go until the knees are unbent again. The bended knee gives the bird the ability to hold on to his perch tightly. Beloved, when we bend our knees in prayer, that choice enables us to grip onto those things which are valuable ... honesty, holiness, honor, humility, helpfulness, and a heart for God. B. Be Watchful for Selfish Pride * 1 Corinthians 10:12—Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. Philip II, father of Alexander the Great and king of Macedon was always accompanied by two men who had an interesting duty. One man would come to him each morning and say, "Philip, remember you are but a man," while the second asked the king each evening, "Philip, have you remembered that you are but a man?" We can't hire people to keep us humble, but we can turn to God's Word each day to keep ourselves in proper perspective. C. Be Watchful for Slothfulness and Apathy in Your Life * Revelation 3:2—Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. The word "watchful" (agrupneo) expresses the idea of being wakeful or sleepless, like a person scrutinizing an instant replay. It comes from two Greek words meaning "to chase sleep." In this passage, Jesus was requesting that they be wide awake to see the deplorable conditions of their dying church. Sometimes the Lord has to wake us up! Several years ago a woman, with her baby, was riding in a stagecoach in western Montana. The weather was bitter cold, and despite all that the driver could do to protect her, he saw that the mother was becoming unconscious from the cold. He stopped the coach, took the baby, and wrapping it warmly, put it under his seat. He then seized the mother by the arm, and dragging her out on the ground, drove away, leaving her in the road. As she saw him drive away, she ran after him, crying for her baby. When the driver felt sure she was warm, he allowed her to overtake the coach and resume her place with her baby. God sometimes brings life-shattering circumstances into our lives to wake us up, too. Are you awake spiritually speaking or cat-napping? Are you the watchman that God intended you to be?

Topics

• Jesus Christ