Of Christian Watchfulness.

Adapted From A Sermon By

Philip Doddridge

And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”

(Mark 13:37 ESV)

This morning's text is Mark 13:37, And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake, or as in other translations: Watch as we consider Christian Watchfulness.

There is something in the very sound of these words that commands the profound attention of all who have any sense of the dignity or the love of that sacred Person by whom they were spoken. In the earlier portion of this chapter, our Lord delivered a striking and detailed prophecy concerning his arrival for the destruction of Jerusalem. As many elements in that account align with his most solemn manifestation on the final day of judgment, he solemnly instructs his disciples to make it their continual endeavor to cultivate such a disposition, that they may always be prepared for it.

And lest any should suppose this admonition pertains solely to the apostles, who had a special position in his church, he declares that the warnings he has just imparted are of universal importance. These matters, he says, which I address to you regarding the uncertainty of the time of your Lord’s coming and the necessity of constant readiness, I proclaim to all: Stay awake. I declare it to all your Christian brethren as well as to you; to all who will hereafter profess my faith, as well as to all who have already embraced it. Thus, you see Christ our Lord speaking directly to us, as if earnestly requesting our most diligent attention.

Let us not disregard the admonition, which he has so distinctly marked out as our particular concern. It is evident that, significant as it is, the majority of mankind overlook it; even the majority of those who profess to be Christians. Absorbed in the cares and pleasures of this world, they remain as heedless of the coming of Christ as if there were no reason to anticipate it, or as if they had no part in it whatsoever.

And the majority of those whom we have reason to believe are sincere in their Christian faith are not consistently guided by this vital expectation; they do not maintain a continual state of vigilance. Both the wise and the foolish virgins often fall into slumber and sleep, exhibiting little zeal and steadfastness in the service of their great Master. This is a serious accusation, one of which we must all acknowledge we are guilty of, should we reflect upon our own disposition and behavior. And so our topic this morning should be beneficial and essential to all of us. In addressing this matter, we will

I. Seek to clarify the nature of the duty that our Lord commends to all his followers: Watch.

II. Present several arguments to encourage you to pursue this duty with diligence and care.

III. Provide straightforward guidance to aid you in this endeavor.

May God so stir and enliven our hearts that these matters may be spoken and received with a seriousness befitting their significance; that from today onward, may we make clear progress in that sacred alertness, which, despite its importance, we have sadly neglected.

I. We first consider what is the duty that our blessed Redeemer so fervently urges upon all his followers: What I say to you, I say to all: Stay awake. Take heed, lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. This restates the earlier command that they should not be found asleep. It clearly denotes an alert and vibrant disposition, coupled with the active effort to cast off drowsiness and laziness, which might otherwise threaten to weigh down the mind.

The context clearly indicates that the command to remain vigilant pertains to the coming of Christ, specifically his arrival for judgment and at the moment of death, which will determine our place in the eternal world and assign us to judgment without any change in our condition, whether as believers or unrepentant sinners.

When the earlier teachings are compared with parallel passages in other gospels, they guides us to view this watchfulness or lively disposition, commended as a fitting preparation for our Lord’s coming, from two distinct perspectives: in relation to the dangers that surround us and in regard to the responsibilities entrusted to us. And so, it becomes evident that this watchfulness consists of both caution and diligence.

Christ portrays his disciples as servants left in a household while their Lord is away on a journey, with no definite time set for his return. During this period, it is their duty to remain vigilant to protect the house from intruders and to attend to the tasks their Lord has assigned for completion in his absence. So we are told that the Son of man is like a man embarking on a distant journey, who left his household, granting authority to certain trusted servants, assigning each man his responsibilities, and instructing the doorkeeper to stay alert. Therefore, stay alert, lest he return suddenly and find you unprepared. What I say to you, I say to all: stay alert.

Notice how, although in the parable he depicts staying alert as the specific role of the doorkeeper, who guards the entrance, and working as the task of other servants, he later includes both under the broad concept of alertness. It is unmistakable that this should be the concern of every Christian. Let us consider a few reflections on each of these aspects.

1. The watchfulness mentioned here must certainly include a caution regarding the dangers that surround us. In another part of a discourse, guarding against the invasion of enemies is directly mentioned as explaining the general exhortation to watching. If the good man of the house had known at what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not have allowed his house to be broken into.

If we take it in this sense, our watchfulness supposes a general sense of danger. It further supposes that we are so far impressed with this sense of danger that we examine our specific situation to identify where the main threats come from and what risks we face, according to the various conditions of life in which Providence has placed us.

It further includes a strong effort to avoid those dangers when it is possible to do so and a firm determination to oppose them in those instances where they cannot be avoided. This last point is extremely important, because thinking about our general and specific dangers is pointless without action. If a man is assigned to guard a castle, it means little for him to know that a large army is attacking and that the castle is especially vulnerable at a certain point if he does not prepare accordingly but instead spends the night in comfort or sleeping. Everyone would agree that, in such a case, his awareness of the danger would make his negligence worse, not excuse it.

2. Watchfulness also includes diligence and energy in carrying out our assigned duties. It was earlier mentioned that our Lord describes the Master, who set out on a journey, as having given specific tasks to his servants, followed by a call to watch, meaning to be diligent in completing those tasks. Watchfulness, in this sense, assumes that we view ourselves generally as servants of God, acknowledging his authority as our ultimate Master.

Based on this acknowledgment, we seriously strive to understand the kind of service he expects. We thoroughly study Christian duty as outlined and commanded in God’s word, and we carefully evaluate our personal circumstances in relation to it, so that we may know what is required of us in each situation as circumstances demand.

Additionally, it involves a commitment to act according to our understanding, to fulfill our duty completely and to perform each part in its proper context, thereby improving its effectiveness and beauty. It assumes a determination to continue in the performance of our duty, or, in the words of the apostle, to remain watchful until the end.

Furthermore, this idea of watchfulness involves a commitment to carry out our tasks with a suitable level of energy and enthusiasm, rejecting the laziness and idleness that would slow the soul in its most active efforts, ensuring that we do not perform God’s work as if we were uninvolved. Instead, we aim to be, as the apostle Paul expresses, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.{Romans 12:11} This includes paying attention to the attitude of the mind as well as the outward action, so that we perform every duty as to the Lord, with deep respect for his authority and a strong desire for his approval.

We adopt the mindset that we act in God’s presence, in light of eternity, which may even now be opening before us. Therefore, whatever tasks our hands find to do, we will undertake them with full effort.

It is true that such a godly attitude is not always achievable. Some temperaments are naturally more reserved and calm than others, and even those inclined toward liveliness may find their spirits dampened at times due to excessive work or physical illness, making it impossible to summon their usual energy.

However, in most cases, provided it is not our own fault, we ought to be able to muster some degree of liveliness. Otherwise, there would be no foundation for the exhortation, which aligns with the text, to avoid laziness in our efforts and to be fervent in spirit. Having thus sought to clarify the nature of the comprehensive duty prescribed in the text, which indeed covers the entirety of our Christian responsibility, we move on,

II. To be exhorted to fulfill this duty by to presentation of serious and significant considerations. They are arranged under two categories, corresponding to the two aspects previously noted as included in the general exhortation, namely, the dangers we must confront and the responsibilities we must carry out.

1. Consider arguments to encourage watchfulness and caution with respect to the dangers that surround you. You have to acknowledge that you are surrounded by many adversaries. Many of these adversaries, due to their nature and intentions, are highly threatening. Furthermore, you are susceptible to a tendency toward unawareness, which would make you vulnerable to their plots, thus requiring a stronger and more determined resistance.

i) Understand that we are surrounded by numerous adversaries. We may not immediately notice these threats, as many of our enemies are invisible, and we tend to focus only on what we can see or sense. However, the truth of this reality is confirmed by the clear statements of scripture. The human experience, especially the Christian life, is often described as a kind of warfare, which clearly shows that we face a range of opponents. As a result, the apostle repeatedly encourages us to "take up the whole armor of God, that we may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm."{Ephesians 6:11} He stresses not just the need for some protective measures but the importance of being fully prepared. He implies that we should feel fortunate if, despite all our efforts and alertness, we manage to hold our position and avoid being defeated by the enemy.

Scripture presents the entire world as an adversary, clearly stating that every person born of God, meaning every genuine Christian, must not only resist it but "overcome" it.{1 John 5:4} The things of the world and the men of the world are our enemies. Some openly express and intend hostility, while others may cause significant harm without meaning to. They may pull our hearts away from God and our responsibilities through their corrupt and ungodly actions, so that even our closest friends may unintentionally act as enemies.

In the deepest sense, our adversaries are within our own being. There are corrupt and dangerous tendencies in our own hearts that, if not strongly resisted, will cause great harm. Therefore, we are clearly instructed to "put to death what is earthly in us."{Colossians 3:5} When the apostle describes this struggle, he uses military terms, noting another law in his members warring against the law of his mind and leading him into captivity.{Romans 7:23}

Beyond this, the prince of devils plots against us, gathering his evil forces. As the apostle reminds us, "we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."{Ephesians 6:12} Such is the variety and number of the forces aligned against us.

ii. Many of these enemies possess a dangerous nature and intent. Regardless of our character or situation, the world always presents a temptation that matches our mindset or life circumstances, making it especially dangerous. The corruption in our heart is formidable, following us everywhere, hiding with clever disguises, and able to attack and defeat us when we are unaware and unprepared to resist.

The devil and his angels originally had great intellect, capable of grand plans and intricate schemes; their abilities have grown through long experience and observation. Their spiritual and invisible nature allows them to strike us in our private moments and when we are least alert. Their vast numbers mean one or another may always be near, seeking opportunities to harm us; their relentless and unforgiving malice makes their character terrifying.

We may suffer harm from ourselves or the world around us without intentional evil. The devil, named Satan due to his open hostility, seeks not just our discomfort but our destruction. Driven by hatred for God and jealousy toward man, he aims, if possible, to cause widespread ruin, disrupt God’s plans, and thwart the designs meant for the restoration and joy of fallen man, pulling all of Adam’s descendants into his realm of darkness and despair.

Do we not feel a hidden dread at this thought, or can we permit ourselves to be careless when these deadly beings constantly surround us, waiting to strike? If we knew a man like ourselves planned to end our lives, we would be cautious in every step and strive to stay vigilant. How much more critical is it in this case! For this reason, the apostle Peter strongly urges watchfulness: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” {1 Peter 5:8}

iii. Our natural tendency toward laziness, if not firmly opposed, will surely lead us to destruction. Despite the many and dangerous enemies we face, we are naturally unaware of the risks. We indulge in gentle and comforting daydreams when we should be preparing and fighting for our survival. Like the men of Laish, we live carelessly, calmly, and securely, thus inviting attacks from those who seek our ruin. In many cases, we have already been defeated by them. Even if a loss has briefly startled us, we quickly return to our previous carelessness, a carelessness that may persist even now. Given our natural inclination toward such a foolish and lazy disposition, it is very necessary to strive against ourselves to stay alert against such a range of threats.

2. We now move on to another form of watchfulness, which involves carefully carrying out the duties assigned to us in life: and here consider the following,

i. Reflect on the great scale and challenge of our responsibilities. We are given a wide range of duties. The commandments of God are very broad, {Psalm 119:96} and God requires complete obedience. We must purify ourselves from all impurities of body and spirit, achieving full holiness in reverence for God. {2 Corinthians 7:1} If we neglect any major part of our duty or claim the right to indulge in our favorite wrongdoings, God would dismiss our efforts with disdain; failing in one part makes us guilty of failing in all. {James 2:10}

The gospel teaches us to reject ungodliness and worldly desires, and to live disciplined, honest, and godly lives in this age. {Titus 2:12} Each of these instructions involves so much! Many duties relate to God and our fellow beings. Many concern ourselves and the control of our own desires and emotions. Yet all must be addressed. In any situation or circumstance where we can act rationally, a specific task is assigned to us. We must pursue a holy character, complete in every way and strong in its depth. We are to love our God with all our heart, soul, and mind; {Matthew 22:37} and we must persist in this until the end of our lives, remaining faithful unto death {Revelation 2:10} to receive the crown of life.

Consider whether such a task will not require all our energy and whether it is not absolutely necessary that, to succeed, we awaken ourselves from laziness and strongly resist the spiritual sluggishness that threatens to slowly overcome us.

ii. Think about the barriers that hinder us from fulfilling these duties, as a reason to stay alert and work hard. Our worldly situations often trap us, while our minds are burdened by sadness, scattered by worries, or drawn to pleasure; thus, our Lord warns us to avoid letting our hearts be weighed down by indulgence, drunkenness, or the cares of this life. {Luke 21:34}

Among the people we encounter, some are so openly corrupt that they deliberately try to lead us away from God’s paths and block us from doing our duties. Even if others do not mean to, they also often have this effect. Their words and actions fill our minds with thoughts and concerns unrelated to life’s most important matters; even genuine Christians, instead of showing zeal to encourage one another toward love and good deeds, {Hebrews 10:24} often talk in ways that obstruct rather than help us in our responsibilities.

Amid this external resistance, it is unfortunate that our own hearts resist God’s work. Sometimes, laziness and idleness take over, making us unwilling to tackle tasks requiring effort; at other times, our energy is misdirected, as sinful desires and wrong passions push us toward the wrong path. If we follow our natural tendencies, the result will be either neglecting God’s work entirely, serving the devil directly, or pursuing life’s essential tasks halfheartedly, with many interruptions and little progress.

3. As a further encouragement to watchfulness, remember that our Master’s eye is always upon us. This realization is very powerful, so much so that the apostle believes it would motivate even the most careless servants. Therefore, he urges them to carry out their responsibilities "not by the way of eye-service, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord."{Ephesians 6:6; Colossians 3:22} We would greatly benefit if we could adopt this mindset and remain diligent under our Master’s watchful eye, for then we would never slack off, since "the eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good."{Proverbs 15:3}

He knows us thoroughly. He knows when we sit down and when we rise up, and discerns our thoughts from afar.{Psalm 139:1-3} No matter where we are, his presence surrounds us, and his focus rests on us as if we were the only ones he observes. This awareness holds immense power. If we have any trace of honor in our hearts, we will strive to behave in a way that earns the approval of such a Being; and if we value our own well-being, we will not dare to disrespect him by being careless in his service.

4. We will soon face judgment for our actions, and the consequences of this judgment will carry immense weight, a truth that cannot be denied. Scripture so clearly confirms that we all must face this reckoning that no lengthy proof is needed. The apostle’s words are unmistakable: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil."{2 Corinthians 5:10}

Our Master is currently unseen, but we will see him revealed in a grand and majestic form, coming to assess our deeds. He will speak to each of us, saying, “I gave you such abilities and opportunities; I sustained you in life for such a time and placed you in specific situations; now give an account of your stewardship. Have you done anything for my service, or have you acted in line with your opportunities and duties?” At that moment, every aspect of our lives will be scrutinized, and, as the wise man states, "God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil."{Ecclesiastes 12:14}

This thought is daunting, especially when we realize that the results of this judgment will hold infinite importance: eternal praise or eternal shame, everlasting life or everlasting death. To those who are faithful and diligent, our Lord will say, "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master."{Matthew 25:23} However, the unfaithful servant will be "cast into the outer darkness."{Matthew 25:30}

If the servant instructed to stay vigilant says in his heart, "My master is delayed,"{Matthew 24:48} and thus indulges in excess, debauchery, cruelty, or oppression, it is clearly stated that the Lord of that servant will come on a day he does not expect, at an hour he is unaware of, and will punish him so severely that he will even cut him in pieces, assigning him a place among hypocrites, with deceitful, treacherous beings who make promises they do not keep and take on duties they do not faithfully carry out. This is the description provided by our Lord himself. We can trust its truth; and will we be careless at the risk of losing such magnificent glory and enduring such deep shame and suffering?

5. Consider that the timing of our judgment remains completely uncertain. This provides a strong reason to avoid giving in to current laziness and disorder, hoping to regain our focus and sort out our lives before our final reckoning. Unfortunately, beyond all other reasons often and rightly highlighted on this matter, the future we expect is fundamentally unpredictable. We imagine many years ahead, yet it is entirely possible that this very night our souls may be called from us.

Our Lord emphasizes this point repeatedly to strengthen the call to watchfulness, as stated in the words before the text: "Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning."{Mark 13:35} Elsewhere, he declares, "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming."{Matthew 25:13 NKJV} Indeed, it is remarkable that our Lord specifically warns the careless that he will arrive at a moment they least expect. "If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you."{Revelation 3:3}

Imagine the terrifying possibility of Christ finding us unprepared, and the deep turmoil our souls will face if we are called to account while neglecting our Master’s work, having nearly forgotten our role as his servants. May these thoughts have an impact on us and motivate us to pay close attention to what we will hear under the third main point, where we will consider,

III. Guidance to help us maintain the constant vigilance that seems so vital and necessary.

1. Let us sincerely humble ourselves before God for our past negligence. We should think about how frequently we have given our spiritual enemies reason to celebrate, despite all the warnings and experiences that have shown us their dangerous nature and harmful plans; how shamefully we have fallen into the same traps that caught us before, and repeated the sins and mistakes we had genuinely regretted and solemnly abandoned in God’s presence.

Regarding the duties of life, we should reflect on what we could have accomplished in the circumstances Providence has given us; and we should compare that with what we have actually done, and consider how many days and years of this short life have already been squandered.

Let us seriously reflect on all the factors that contribute to such foolish and sinful behavior; for the deeper our regret is for past mistakes, the more promising the prospect will be for increased diligence moving forward.

2. Let us earnestly pray that God will awaken us to a more vigilant mindset. Our Lord urges his disciples to combine prayer with their watchfulness: "Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation."{Matthew 26:41} The apostle, in one case, encourages us to be sober-minded for the sake of our prayers,{1 Peter 4:7} and in another, to remain steadfast in them.{Colossians 4:2} We must acknowledge that our strength comes from God; we should not assume we can depend only on the clarity of those rational insights we certainly felt if we have engaged with this message with any sincerity.

Although these truths are obvious even to a young mind, we may forget them, or we may remember them only to act in complete opposition to them, by falling back into negligence and wrongdoing; and we will quickly do so if left to ourselves.

Therefore, we ask the Lord to be our guardian, to heighten our awareness, so we may not slip into a dangerous and fatal unawareness, nor into any haze that might give an advantage to our spiritual enemies, and squander the time that should be devoted to actions that honor God and benefit the world.

3. If we seek to maintain constant alertness, we should regularly evaluate our actions and examine ourselves regarding them. Such a review of our past mistakes would make us more careful and diligent in the future; at the very least, it would keep us from slipping into extended periods of unawareness. For this reason, it is clear that the more frequently these moments of reflection take place, the more likely they are to be helpful.

We should definitely reserve time each evening to think about the day’s actions; and it would be beneficial to conduct this review more often than once a day. It could be very useful to divide each day into several short periods, such as the morning, mid-morning, afternoon, and evening; and to take a few moments at the end of each period to consider our behavior during it. Examining such a brief timeframe would be simple, enabling us to focus on specific details that require close attention.

A short break from work or conversation might be enough for this purpose; and, without question, if we were to make this a habit, we might be encouraged to shake off the early signs of a lazy attitude; and, having wasted one part of the day, we might be driven to greater effort in the remaining parts. Furthermore, beyond all other advantages, such regular reflection would give us material for more detailed and organized reviews at the end of longer periods, such as every month or every year.

4. We should frequently engage in deep reflection within our own hearts and in discussions with one another. We must consider the serious responsibilities of Christian watchfulness. We should repeat to ourselves those clear yet essential truths shared earlier, solemnly embedding them in our consciences as if standing before God. “Reflect, oh my soul!” let each of us proclaim, “Reflect, oh my soul! You are in a state of danger. Countless threats surround you, aiming for your eternal ruin. You must fight through countless challenges to secure the promised reward; and this laziness you are now slipping into will leave you defenseless, a captive to their control.

Remember, oh my soul, that you have a diverse and critical mission; and in every part of life, you are surrounded by many obstacles. Your great Master watches, observing your actions; and soon, he will call you to account for them. Before long, oh my soul! You must stand before his judgment seat, to receive honor or shame, life or death, based on your faithfulness or your negligence in his work.

I do not know how soon this reckoning may come: perhaps God has set this as the final day of my earthly life; and if I waste it, death may catch me in my idleness and my sin, leaving me forever regretful.”

Such thoughts should we direct to our own souls, and on these matters should we speak with one another. This is the apostle’s warning, urging us to "exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."{Hebrews 3:13}

Thus should we encourage those at risk of falling, not with harsh or unkind judgment, but with a compassionate and caring intent to awaken them from dangerous complacency and encourage them in the struggles and efforts of the Lord.

"Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” (Mark 13:35-37)