Could Ye Not Watch With Me One Hour? – Lesson Notes

(Matt. 26:36-41)

 

Introduction: Sleep is important. Most people don’t get enough sleep.

  * Recommended that we get 7-8 hrs. nightly. Quality sleep is essential to good health.

   * Sleep can also be detrimental when done at wrong time or for too long.

   * Matt 26: Peter, James, & John in Garden w/Jesus. Seemed to share special bond w/Jesus.

   * Jesus became sorrowful – probably due to what was to come. We can’t understand His position (II Cor. 5:21).

   * Went further into Garden and prayed for God’s will to be done.

   * “Watch” – keep awake in order to be prepared for what might come.

   * Disciples couldn’t even stay awake & offer “moral support!” Lack of concern? Lack of understanding?

   * Of all, His 3 closest disciples should have been there for Him!

   * They forgot who He was! He took care of them (Mt. 8:26) & would die for all. They couldn’t keep awake w/Him.

   * Their spirits were willing, but the flesh was weak. How often do our minds wander when they should be watching?

   * The command “watch” is for all of us (Mark 13:35).

 

1. We need to be awake and watching Jesus.

   * Mt. 14 – Peter walked on the water to Jesus. Did fine until he took his eyes off the Lord.

   * If we fail to watch Jesus, we too will sink.

   * Watching Jesus is what He wants us to do (Luke 6:46; John 14:15). This is how we learn His will.

            * Watch what He says (Mark 16:16; John 3:5; Acts 20:7).

            * Watch what He does (Acts 10:28; Mt. 20:34).

            * Without love, we’re nothing (I Cor. 13:2).

            * Follow Him constantly (Luke 9:23; Rev. 2:10).

   * Paul watched Jesus diligently. Forgot past, pressed toward the goal for the prize (Phil. 3:13-14).

  

2. We must be wide awake and watching others.

   * Christians must watch out for each other. “Watchman” principle (I Sam. 14:16; II Sam. 18:24-27).

   * Watchmen sat high – hilltops or top of walls (Jer. 31:6; Ezek. 33:7).

   * Jesus’ followers must watch (I Cor. 16:13; I Thess. 5:6; II Tim. 4:5).

   * Blessed is he who watches (Rev. 16:15).

   * We must be good soldiers (II Tim. 2:3) and watch so we can help/restore others (Gal. 6:1).

   * Must not watch in order to tell tales (I Tim.5:13).

   * 1st century preachers watched (Mark 13:34; Acts 20:31), so must we in 21st century.

   * Must watch false teachers, too (II Peter 2:1-2; Matt. 7:15; Mark 13:32).

   * Test the spirits (I John 4:1). False prophets come in sheep’s clothing (Mt. 7:15).

 

3. We must be awake and watching our own souls.

   * Ultimately, our salvation is our own responsibility (II Cor. 5:10).

   * All humanity will be judged (Mt. 10:15; 11:22; 12:41; I Kings 10:7).

   * In spite of the great crowd, I will answer for me (Ezek. 18:20).

   * Rom. 14:12 – I will give account for me and me alone.

 

4. When I must sleep, I want to sleep in Jesus (I Thess. 4:13-14).

   * Those who sleep in Jesus will enjoy eternal bliss.

   * “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their

       labours; and their works do follow them” (Rev. 14:13).

 

Repent and be baptized today!

“Except a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (Jesus – John 3:5).

 

 

                                                                                                                        R.W. McAlister  8/3/08 a.m.