INTRODUCTION

If ever there was a man that qualified as the watchman for the early church it would have been the apostle Paul. When giving his testimony about the trials he endured as a minister of God, the apostle Paul mentioned that he was "in watchings often." He also suggested that these watchings approved him as a minister of God (2 Corinthians 6:4-5 [4] But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, [5] In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
See All...). When many believers were unaware of danger, the apostle Paul stood upon the tower and sounded the trumpet of alarm. When others were sleeping, the apostle Paul was sober and alert to the needs of the church. No doubt Paul endured sleepless nights, skipped meals, and went without because he was watching for the church.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) God's man warns God's people with the Bible (Ezekiel 33:7So 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.
  See All...). Paul warned the Ephesian elders to teach the church and watch for false teachers. He had warned the pastors for three years (Acts 20:28-31 [28] Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. [29] For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. [30] Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. [31] Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
  See All...). Our pastor watches and warns us (Hebrews 13:17Obey 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.
  See All...).
• Can you think of some instances where Paul fulfilled his duty as a watchman? What was the danger? What would have happened if Paul had not sent the warning?
• Why is it important that we keep our eyes open in the case of danger? What kind of warnings are given by the enemy as to the time and place of his attack?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Thank the Lord for the warnings given in His word.
• Ask the Lord to give you a desire to be a watchman for Him.

HYMN

Hold the Fort

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