Dear BPCWA worshipper, Having completed the recap of the morning devotion messages, we will go on to the summary of the first 4 thematic sermons preached. I hope these will reiterate the lessons.

The Consequence of Not Watching (Matt 24:42-51). The call to “watch” in v42 refers to the Lord’s return to rapture His church, where “that day and hour knoweth no man” (Matt 24:36). This message is hence for us, professing believers. 1) The deliberate consequence (vv42-44). “Watch” means to rouse, because our mission is in jeopardy if we neglect this watching. The call to watch refers to our holy testimony which Satan will target to ruin. We must be more careful about this as we get older since more will be impacted by our fall once others – our children, friends, colleagues, or group – look up to us. God doesn’t tell us when He is coming but tells us to watch instead so that we can be ready at any time that He comes. How should we be ready? By doing what God commands, in our roles in our family and by witnessing for Christ in our workplaces, instead of living in carnality. 2) The desired consequence (vv45-47). It is not about visibility or recognition, but about your faithfulness to God’s service. Ultimately, we must realise that without Christ, we are all basically nothing. When you are wise, you know how to apply God’s Word to each circumstance in life. All of us are put in charge of something, but are we faithful in the discharge of that responsibility, whether in our families or in the church? If we want more, we will be held responsible for more. We need to be honest about what areas of our life need fixing. 3) A dire consequence (vv48-51). On the other hand, the evil servant does not care. This is the thought in his heart, though not necessarily within earshot. Hence, he procrastinates in his carnality. When that day comes, he will regret that he was a hypocrite and was just a professing believer. Christ died and suffered for our sins, so be sure of your salvation, live for Him and be a holy witness for Him.   

The Vigilance in Watching (Matt 25:1-13). Even a faithful church will always be a mixture of believers and unbelievers. 1) A believer’s conviction (vv1-4). As God’s local witness, the pastor must ensure that every issue in church is dealt with according to God’s Word. Individually, our lives must be the salt to the world. God doesn’t want witnesses that do things for man to see instead of living out our convictions. After salvation, we glorify God by serving unconditionally and sacrificially because we have been entrusted with a spiritual task. Remember, we represent the Son of God on earth by our actions and words.  2) A persevering conviction (vv5-9). If it is a conviction, we are the same in the church and outside of the church. In those days, it was up to the bridegroom when he will return, but they must be sure they have enough oil so that they could enter. Likewise, we will be vigilant because we are interested in going to heaven. If we don’t have a conviction to live a holy life, we must check our salvation. We bear the image of Jesus Christ to unbelievers by how we live and speak. That’s how important our vigilance is to Christ’s Name. God uses us despite our flaws and imperfections, as broken instruments, to build His church. We can fail at times. Thankfully, God doesn’t expect sinless perfection from us on earth. Vigilance means when we know we have sinned, repent, bear the consequence, and get rid of the sin. As you grow, you face more and more contentions against your vigilance. Many things will whittle our vigilance away. In which areas in your life have you slumbered? Relight it again because a truly born-again believer will always have a persevering vigilance. 3) A condemnatory conviction (vv10-13). Since salvation cannot be shared, vigilance cannot be shared. The foolish virgins were shut out. Not everyone who calls themself a Christian is saved, even if they have “served” God. Persevering vigilance is a sign of your salvation.   

The Diligence in Watching (Matt 25:14-30). 1) An expected evidence (vv14-15). Once you have decided to be vigilant, you will want to be diligent. God tells the sluggard to learn to be diligent like the ant in Prov 6:6-11. We can be diligent, but sadly it is often not in God’s things. Hard work is good for us because our recreations are often sinful. Christian diligence means to be steady, earnest, energetic, and to be a blessing to others, all for the Lord Jesus Christ. To be diligent in watching, we cannot separate our secular life from our church life. We must truly be convicted that our life is like that of a slave – not owning anything and doing everything that the master says. Our family, children, life, and time on earth are not ours. Only when we serve the Lord as a slave that owns nothing then will we be able to erase the dichotomy of our church, family, work life. Without this, we will only serve the Lord with our crumbs of time after we’ve served work and family.  2) A faithful evidence (vv16-23).  There will be a time of accountability for our talents. God commends us when we use our talents to impact others for Christ. Our service on earth has a direct impact on our eternity in heaven. And, we have only our short timeline which began on the day of salvation until the day we are called home to do so. We must serve the Lord from our hearts. All that we want from service is “well done” from our Lord, even if no one knows who you are or what you’ve done. This is the mindset of a diligent and faithful servant. The 5 talent and 2 talent servants received the same commendation from the Lord – good and faithful!   3) A condemnatory evidence (vv24-30). The slothful servant only knew God in his mind, but Christianity was not the heart and soul of his existence. He was not saved. Without diligence, you are not a believer. Vigilance and diligence are not trivial but are yardsticks of the evidence of our salvation.

The Manner of Watching (1 Cor 16:13-14). While we watch, we must take care of our own spiritual wellbeing so that we both begin and end well. 1) The hallmark of watching (v13a). “Stand fast” means being stationary in the Christian faith and not moving in the objective faith of the Bible. There are differences between denominations, but in BPCWA, this must be based upon the Bible-Presbyterian faith which we stand for so that there will be unmovable unity as we worship God. We must be sturdy despite the cares of family life and the deceitfulness of riches. To do this, we must be convicted of the Bible Presbyterian faith and must be teachable. We are like sentinels guarding the Christian faith. The Christian life is not just about a good life and definitely not about self. We must defend the Name of Christ and the perfect Word of God.   2) The strength of watching (v13b). “Quit you like men” means that we must be like men, strong, and not a novice. That’s why deacons cannot be novices but must be mature. We cannot have spiritual babies taking care of the church. There must be strength a) in our bodies to serve. Take care of your body for serving God. b) emotionally. Be able to talk to people. The congregation will hurt you the deepest because they will complain and murmur. Discouragement can be used as Satan’s weapon to move us. c) mentally. Mental strength comes only from the Bible so we must study God’s Word. When our mind is strong, we’ll dare to stand fast. d) spiritually. Maintain our walk by praying, rejoicing, and giving thanks continually. This growth takes time and experiential knowledge through trials. 3) The motive of watching (v14). Our hearts must only be constrained by the love of God. God sent visible love – Christ had to suffer and die for us. Now, He equips us with unconditional, sacrificial, agape love which must be visible and practical. Put aside our preferences, turn the other cheek, and don’t be bitter. Be a happy sentinel for Jesus’ sake. Be faithful, diligent, and live constrained by the love of Jesus. Love God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind, and let that be the motive that sustain you. Never outlive your love for Christ.  

Yours in our Lord’s service,
Pastor