Christian, Wake up!

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-3

Sermon preached at Gospel Light Christian Church, Singapore
by Pastor Dr Paul Choo
on 17 September 1995

Introduction: Most problems (eg accidents, poor health, broken homes, poor scholastic results) are caused by lack of awareness of the dangers of erroneous behaviour because of lack of warnings, rather than by deliberate rebellion on the part of the person. Often so-called "rebellion" is the result of failure to understand the seriousness of the warning given. Most Christians are spiritually indifferent and need to be woken up. In the New Testament six areas of indifference are brought up for special mention. Failure to be watchful in these six areas leads to serious repercussions. The word "watch" means "to be awake," "be vigilant."

a) Temptation - In the Garden of Gethsamane, the Lord Jesus warned His physically tired and emotionally discouraged disciples: "Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak" (MAR 14:38). His disciples did not heed His warning and fell asleep at a time when their help was needed. The temptation to put aside spiritual duties when we are physically tired or emotionally discouraged is very great - and is the cause of many failures in our lives. There is far less temptation to put wide other activities (eg. gossiping. eating) when we are physically tired or emotionally discouraged, than there is for spiritual activities (eg. praying, reading the Bible, attending church services).

b) Satan - The Bible also warns us: "Be sober, be vigilant: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (IPE 5:8). Satan is diligent and subtle. He is busy contaminating the environment so that we will be influenced to behave in the way he desires. Few Christians realize how much the media, worldly philosophies, education, etc. are influenced by Satan. They swallow up his contamination unknowingly. For example, the Creator is mocked by the "theory" of evolution; movies blur the distinction between animals and man; and daily conversations degrade the sacred to secular.

c) Indifference - We are next warned against being indifferent because we are prone to be indifferent towards things that we are exposed to for a period of time. The gradual slide towards indifference is extremely difficult to detect, because an indifferent person is too uninterested to take notice. We are quick to lose our first love, our desire to witness, learn God's Word, pray, etc. We still like to he known as a Christian, a church worker, i.e., we still have a name but are dead (REV 3:1-3 "1 know thy works', that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful and strengthen the things which
remain, that are ready to die: for 1 have not found thy works perfect before God… If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief")

d) False teachers - There are numerous warnings in the Bible against false prophets (eg. 2TI 4:5, 2PE 2:1). In 2T1 4:5 we are told to "watch." It is very natural to assume that a pastor or well-known Christian personality should be trusted. It is common for Christians to listen to messages, and read books written by false prophets.

e) Prayer - The previous four warnings were against "negative" things. The last two are regarding "positive" ones. We are very prone to stop praying when our prayers are not answered. We are also prone to allow other activities to cat into our prayer time. Therefore, in EPH 6:18 we are told: "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and walching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." We must watch against failing to persevere in prayer.

f) Watching for the Lord's return - We are so engrossed in this present world that we usually forget that the Lord will soon return. Unless we have His coming in mind, we will not be able to set our affections on things above (COL 12). In 2PE 3:12 we are told: "Looking for and husting unto the coming of the day of God."