Though I never served in the military, I do know that when the commanding officers yelled, “Man Your Battle Stations!”… he meant just exactly that. As followers Of Jesus Christ, we are in a battle as well. In the spiritual warfare we maneuver in, we must always beware of our surroundings. We must be sure that we do our job! This sermon outline speaks of taking our place as a watchman and interceding on behalf of others! May it challenge your hearts! Title: “Man Your Battle Stations!”
Text: Ephesians 6:18
(Ephesians 6:18) “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” (KJV)
Introduction:
• Paul as he concludes his teaching on spiritual warfare he asserts the importance of praying.
• We are in a spiritual battle, whether we comprehend it or not! Prayer is vital!
• I want to illustrate, for those who are saved, the subject of intercessory prayer!
• Bible terminology deems intercessory prayer with that of a watchman!
• A watchman was a person who had a job to do. Their task was to man a tower, or walk (sit or whatever) along the walls of the city and watch for anything that could bring harm to the city! If they failed to warn those within the city, then they were to blame! They were to also bring word to the king of any person who approached the city.
• This terminology is employed by Jesus and also NT writers of how we are to be in our prayer lives!
• Will you man your battle station?
Proposition: There are three things we must do as a watchman in order to intercede in prayer as we should!
I. To Be A Watchman We Must Observe!
A. We must be watchful for our own souls!
B. We must be watchful for others’ needs!
“God never gives us discernment in order that we may criticize, but that we may intercede.” – Oswald Chambers
C. Consider some verses:
(Habakkuk 2:1) “I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.” (KJV)(Matthew 26:41) “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (KJV)
(Matthew 26:38) “Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.” (KJV)
(1 Thessalonians 5:6) “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” (KJV)
(2 Timothy 4:5) “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” (KJV)
(Hebrews 13:17) “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” (KJV)
(1 Peter 4:7) “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” (KJV)
II. To Be A Watchman We Must Warn!
A. Ezekiel had a unique ministry that depicts this aspect of being a watchman!
(Ezekiel 3:17) “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.” (KJV)
(Ezekiel 33:7) “So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.” (KJV)
B. Intercessory prayer will help you to warn others!
C. God will burden your heart and you will not only “tell the King”, but you will warn those who need it!
D. To see something that needs to be addressed and not say anything is to be guilty yourself!
III. To Be A Watchman We Must Persistently Pray!
A. Our text speaks of watching in prayer!
(Ephesians 6:18) “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” (KJV)
B. We should spend time in intercessory prayer for people!
C. Consider what Isaiah said:
(Isaiah 62:6-7) “I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.” (KJV)
D. We need some people to man their battle stations in prayer!
Conclusion:
To The Sinner:
• Repent and believe the gospel!
To The Christian:
• Will you man your battle station?
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