06/07/2024 – Your Responsibility: Keep Watch!
Mark 13: 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. 35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”.
When Christ ascended to heaven, He went to prepare a place for us in our Father’s house in heaven. In other words: He went to build a place for us in heaven. But He also left us in charge of His place here on earth! Christ delegated responsibilities regarding His church on this earth until He returns. Everyone who is saved receives the blessing, the honor of becoming a servant of Christ in His house.
We are experiencing this privilege. We have been given a physical and a spiritual house. Harvest Church is a small congregation that is part of the biggest and most successful enterprise ever created. The only business that is always growing and prospering in any circumstance- even more so through times of persecution and struggle. We are the church of Christ. We praise God that we are celebrating 15 years as Iglesia Cristiana El Sembrador. Harvest church is half that age: a daughter of Iglesia Cristiana born out of the need and desire to pray, praise and preach to this nation in its native language. For many culture and language is a barrier; but NOT for our God!
Each servant has an assigned task. Everyone has a responsibility given to us by Christ Himself. I have had the blessing to serve in many and I can tell you there is no greater honor and no greater reward on this earth than fulfilling your assigned task in God’ s house. But there is a special responsibility that is given to everyone in Christ’s house: the responsibility to watch- to be on alert…vigilant, guarding Christ’s house until He returns. What does this mean for you? He says to everyone: watch.
The reason a watch person is hired is to identify and eliminate danger BEFORE it can cause harm. The only surprise in our lives should be the grace of God. Every day we should be amazed by it. Evil in the world should not catch us by surprise. There are identifiable signs of danger long before harm is done. To the extent that we can identify them, we can protect God’s house, our families and ourselves from harm. God has given us spiritual senses and discernment so that we can keep watch.