Lesson 1: Watching and Waiting for His Coming
Watching and Waiting for His Coming
📖 Key Scriptures:
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Matthew 24:42–44 – “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”
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1 Thessalonians 5:6 – “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.”
I. Introduction
We are living in days of prophetic fulfillment. The signs Jesus spoke of are unfolding before our eyes—moral decay, wars, famines, pestilences, and the shaking of nations. Yet, the greatest danger is not the evil around us, but the spiritual drowsiness within God’s people. Jesus’ repeated command is “Watch!”—to live in spiritual alertness so we are not caught off guard at His return.
II. The Call to Watchfulness
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A Constant Command
Jesus did not say “Watch occasionally” but “Watch therefore” (Matthew 24:42). It is a present, ongoing action, meaning a lifestyle of alertness. -
The Thief in the Night Warning
In both Matthew 24 and 1 Thessalonians 5, the coming of Christ is likened to a thief—sudden, unexpected, and disruptive to the unprepared. -
Not Sleeping Spiritually
Paul warns against being like those who “sleep” (spiritually indifferent) but urges us to be “sober”—serious, awake, and discerning.
III. What Does it Mean to Watch?
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Prayerful Vigilance – Luke 21:36: “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things…”
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Guarding the Heart – Proverbs 4:23 reminds us to keep (guard) our hearts with all diligence.
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Walking in Holiness – 1 John 3:3: “Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”
IV. What Does it Mean to Wait?
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Hopeful Expectation – Titus 2:13 calls it “looking for that blessed hope.”
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Faithful Service – Waiting is not passive; it’s actively doing the Master’s work until He returns (Matthew 24:45–46).
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Patient Endurance – James 5:7–8 compares our waiting to the farmer patiently awaiting the harvest.
V. Practical Ways to Live in Watchfulness
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Start and end each day with prayer and Scripture meditation.
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Keep short accounts with God—confess and forsake sin quickly.
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Share the Gospel with urgency, knowing the time is short.
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Stay connected in fellowship with other believers for mutual encouragement (Hebrews 10:25).
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Discern the times—read world events through the lens of God’s Word.
VI. Conclusion
The reality of Christ’s soon coming should awaken us from spiritual slumber. Watching and waiting are not passive, but active postures—living every day as if it were our last opportunity to honor God and serve His Kingdom.
Reflection Questions
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In what areas of my life do I sense spiritual drowsiness?
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How can I cultivate daily habits that keep me alert and ready?
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If Christ returned today, what would I want to be found doing?
Group Prayer Focus
Pray for a renewed sense of urgency in personal holiness, evangelism, and spiritual discernment. Ask God to open our eyes to the times and seasons, and to keep our hearts burning with anticipation for His return.
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