Sermon 155

📖 Sermon 155 – Watchfulness Commanded

Date: [no date given]
Text: Luke 21:34–38

Introduction

After describing signs and judgments, Jesus concludes His discourse with a solemn warning to watch and pray. The dangers are spiritual — hearts weighed down, attention dulled, and the great day coming suddenly upon the careless.

I. The Danger of a Heavy Heart

A. “Take heed to yourselves”
Spiritual vigilance is personal and continuous.

B. “Lest at any time your hearts be overcharged”
A heart weighed down loses its sensitivity to God.

C. The three snares mentioned
1. Surfeiting — indulgence and excess.
2. Drunkenness — literal and figurative stupor.
3. Cares of this life — worldly anxieties that suffocate spiritual desire.

II. The Suddenness of the Day

A. “So that day come upon you unawares”
The careless will be surprised.

B. “As a snare…”
A trap closing instantly on the unwatchful.

C. “Shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth”
Universal in scope, inescapable in reach.

III. The Duty of Watchfulness

A. “Watch ye therefore…”
Awake, alert, discerning.

B. “And pray always”
Prayer keeps the heart tender, humble, and strong.

C. “That ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things”
A call to perseverance and holiness.

D. “And to stand before the Son of Man”
The final goal — acceptance by Christ at His coming.

IV. Christ’s Daily Ministry

A. Teaching in the temple by day
Public instruction of the multitudes.

B. Abiding on the Mount of Olives by night
Retirement, prayer, preparation.

C. People coming early to hear Him
Eager hearts drawn to the Word.

Conclusion

Christ calls us to a life of vigilance and prayer. Hearts weighed down will stumble, but hearts watchful & prayerful will stand before Christ with joy. Let us cast off excess, lay aside worldly cares, and fix our eyes on the coming Lord.