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Following Jesus – Keeping Watch! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the August 3, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: Keeping Watch!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 25

 

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” 
Matthew 25:13 (NIV)

As one called by Jesus to “Come, follow me”, Matthew gives us great teaching on what it looks like to live a life which follows Jesus.  In the days leading up to His crucifixion, Jesus becomes laser focused on preparing His followers not only for His death, burial, and resurrection, but also for His ascension and eventual return with a need for us to keep . . .

  • Wise:  Matthew 25:1-5

    • Keeping watch requires a wisdom which knows what it is we are watching for.  As Matthew 25 opens with Jesus telling a parable, we find individuals labeled as wise or foolish with the only difference being pointed out is their preparedness, or lack of preparation.  The Bible tells us that wisdom begins with a fear of the Lord.  We keep watch with wisdom when we prepare ourselves at all times by obedience to God’s Word so that we are always ready for the return of Jesus. 

  • Aware:  Matthew 25:6-13

    • Keeping watch requires an awareness of that which is necessary to be declared right with God.  Our preparedness for the return of Jesus is something we can share about with others so that they might also be ready, but it is not something we can do on their behalf.  The wise in our story were aware of both an unknown time period of waiting and an eventual arrival of the bridegroom.  We keep watch with awareness when we hold fast to our faith in Christ with an unwavering grasp that refuses to give it up for anyone or anything.

  • Trustworthy:  Matthew 25:14-30

    • Keeping watch requires that we are trustworthy with all the Master has given to our care.  In Matthew 25, Jesus makes it clear that what is entrusted to each individual will vary according to an ability known by Him.  The evaluation of our trustworthiness is not based on equal results, but rather on faithfulness in using what has been given to us.  We keep watch as one who is trustworthy when we treat with value every good and perfect gift which God has placed in our life, and then we use that gift with faithfulness for the good of God’s kingdom.

  • Compassionate:  Matthew 25:31-36

    • Keeping watch requires a compassionate attitude and practice toward all people in keeping with how we would treat Christ Himself.  As Jesus tells a story depicting the scene which will unfold at the end of this age, He speaks of a separation of people according to how they treated others.  We obviously know from the context of Scripture that we don’t earn salvation through our good deeds toward anyone, however our good deeds do reflect the transformation which God has done in our heart.  We keep watch as one who is compassionate when we both notice and join the suffering of others in ways which share the goodness of God’s presence with them.

  • Humble:  Matthew 25:37-40

    • Keeping watch requires a humility which understands our being able to endure the return of Christ is only possible by His faithfulness.  This is a humility which recognizes that our wisdom, awareness, trustworthiness, and compassion are only good to the extent that they come from God and are used for His purposes.  The people who showed compassion to the hungry, thirsty, lonely, naked, sick, or imprisoned and were welcomed into the Master’s happiness had such a humility that they were unaware that they had done anything special for Jesus.  We keep watch as one who is humble when we do what is right with no expectation of recognition simply because it is right.

Today, how will you keep WATCH?