Take Heed, Watch, and Pray

Pastor Keith Hassell

Foundation Scripture:  Mark 13:32-37

I.       No one knows the day or hour of Christ’s return.

          A.      Many have been proven foolish trying to predict His return

          B.      We can see by the signs that the time is drawing near

C.      Our response according to Jesus should be three-fold:  take heed, watch, and pray

II.      Jesus illustrates with a parable

          A.      A man goes to a far country (Jesus goes to the Father)

          B.      He leaves His house (individual and the church)

1.       Individual:  I Corinthians 6:19  “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?  For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

2.       Church:  I Corinthians 3:16  “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?  If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him.  For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.”

          C.      He gave authority to His servants (Those responsible for the house)

          D.      He gave to each their work (We have a purpose and a job to do)

E.      He commanded the doorkeeper to watch (Always conscious of the Lord’s return)

III.    Take Heed

          A.      To yourself

          B.      To the church

          C.      To your duty

          D.      To the time of the Lord’s return

IV.     Watch

          A.      Watching for the Lord’s return

          B.      Maintaining a daily devotion to the Lord’s work

V.      Pray

A.      Mark 14:38  “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.  The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

B.      Prayer maintains our love and devotion to the Lord of the house