Christian Life Church
February 18, 2024 at 8:30am & 10:00am
Mark 14:37-38 NKJV Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Locations & Times
Christian Life Church Columbia
2700 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
Watch and Pray 2.18.24
Mark 14:37-38 NKJV Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
I. What does it mean to Watch and Pray?
A. To stand guard
B. The four night watches (6-9pm; 9pm-12am; 12-3am; 3-6am)
C. The mindset of “watching”
II. How do we do it?
A. Realize we are approaching the culmination of all things. The Double Harvest of Revelation.
1 Peter 4:7 NKJV But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.
B. Watch for the return of the enemy.
1. 1 Peter 5:8 NASB Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
2. For a more convenient time
3. Matthew 12 - the empty house
C. A steady fervent opportunity to pray for the Saints
1. Ephesians 6:18-19 NKJV …praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel.
2. See Acts 12.
3. Paul to the Corinthians about impossible situations.
D. Look for The Lord’s Return
Luke 21:34-36 NKJV “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
E. So that you stand strong against the enemy—having done all to stand, stand therefore.
1. Mark 14:37-38 NKJV Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
2. Having done everything you can to stand, keep standing!
F. Live aware of your surroundings and the spiritual implications they bring.
Mark 13:32-34 NKJV “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 34It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch.
G. Watch that Flesh does not prevail over the Spirit.
Matthew 26:40-42 NKJV Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.”
Christian Life Lessons
2 Kings 5:20-27 NKJV But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared Naaman this Syrian, while not receiving from his hands what he brought; but as the Lord lives, I will run after him and take something from him.” 21 So Gehazi pursued Naaman. When Naaman saw him running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him, and said, “Is all well?” 22And he said, “All is well. My master has sent me, saying, ‘Indeed, just now two young men of the sons of the prophets have come to me from the mountains of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of garments.”’ 23So Naaman said, “Please, take two talents.” And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and handed them to two of his servants; and they carried them on ahead of him. 24When he came to the citadel, he took them from their hand, and stored them away in the house; then he let the men go, and they departed. 25Now he went in and stood before his master. Elisha said to him, “Where did you go, Gehazi?” And he said, “Your servant did not go anywhere.” 26Then he said to him, “Did not my heart go with you when the man turned back from his chariot to meet you? Is it time to receive money and to receive clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male and female servants? 27Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever.” And he went out from his presence leprous, as white as snow.
1. Be careful about the “watch-focus” of your soul.
· Watch for opportunities to serve others.
· Keep the Glory moving in The Lord’s direction.
· Be sensitive to Holy Spirit.
· Be wise about the things you pursue.
2. Understand the “times” in which we live.
3. Watch for the return of the enemy.
4. Watch for the return of The Lord.
Mark 14:37-38 NKJV Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
I. What does it mean to Watch and Pray?
A. To stand guard
B. The four night watches (6-9pm; 9pm-12am; 12-3am; 3-6am)
C. The mindset of “watching”
II. How do we do it?
A. Realize we are approaching the culmination of all things. The Double Harvest of Revelation.
1 Peter 4:7 NKJV But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.
B. Watch for the return of the enemy.
1. 1 Peter 5:8 NASB Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
2. For a more convenient time
3. Matthew 12 - the empty house
C. A steady fervent opportunity to pray for the Saints
1. Ephesians 6:18-19 NKJV …praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel.
2. See Acts 12.
3. Paul to the Corinthians about impossible situations.
D. Look for The Lord’s Return
Luke 21:34-36 NKJV “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
E. So that you stand strong against the enemy—having done all to stand, stand therefore.
1. Mark 14:37-38 NKJV Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
2. Having done everything you can to stand, keep standing!
F. Live aware of your surroundings and the spiritual implications they bring.
Mark 13:32-34 NKJV “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 34It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch.
G. Watch that Flesh does not prevail over the Spirit.
Matthew 26:40-42 NKJV Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.”
Christian Life Lessons
2 Kings 5:20-27 NKJV But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared Naaman this Syrian, while not receiving from his hands what he brought; but as the Lord lives, I will run after him and take something from him.” 21 So Gehazi pursued Naaman. When Naaman saw him running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him, and said, “Is all well?” 22And he said, “All is well. My master has sent me, saying, ‘Indeed, just now two young men of the sons of the prophets have come to me from the mountains of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of garments.”’ 23So Naaman said, “Please, take two talents.” And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and handed them to two of his servants; and they carried them on ahead of him. 24When he came to the citadel, he took them from their hand, and stored them away in the house; then he let the men go, and they departed. 25Now he went in and stood before his master. Elisha said to him, “Where did you go, Gehazi?” And he said, “Your servant did not go anywhere.” 26Then he said to him, “Did not my heart go with you when the man turned back from his chariot to meet you? Is it time to receive money and to receive clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male and female servants? 27Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever.” And he went out from his presence leprous, as white as snow.
1. Be careful about the “watch-focus” of your soul.
· Watch for opportunities to serve others.
· Keep the Glory moving in The Lord’s direction.
· Be sensitive to Holy Spirit.
· Be wise about the things you pursue.
2. Understand the “times” in which we live.
3. Watch for the return of the enemy.
4. Watch for the return of The Lord.