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I. WATCH YE.

1. What is it to watch?

(1)  It is opposed to carnal security.

(2)  It implies a care of our souls (Ephesians 5:15).

2. What must we watch over?

(1)  Our thoughts (Psalm 139:2).

(2)  Our affections (Proverbs 4:23; Colossians 3:2).

(3)  Our words (Psalm 17:3; Psalm 39:1; Psalm 141:3).

(4)  Our actions (1 Samuel 15:22; 1 Corinthians 10:31).

3. What must we watch against?

(1)  Ourselves (Jeremiah 17:9; James 1:22).

(2)  Satan (1 Peter 5:8).

(3)  The world (1 John 2:15).

(4)  Men.

(a)  That they seduce us not into sin (Proverbs 1:10, 11).

(b)  Nor into error (Acts 20:29, 30, 31; Matthew 7:15; 2 Peter 2:1; 2 Peter 3:17).

4. What must we watch for?

(1)  For opportunities of doing good (Galatians 6:10), and performing our duty.

(2)  For death (1 Thessalonians 5:2, 3).

(3)  For the coming of Christ (Matthew 24:44).

5. When must we watch?

(1) In time of prosperity.

(a)  That you be not proud of it (Jeremiah 9:23; 1 Timothy 6:17).

(b)  Nor trust in it (1 Timothy 6:17; Psalm 49:6; Psalm 52:7)

(c)  Nor abuse it (James 4:3).

(d)  Nor set your hearts upon it (Psalm 62:10).

(e)  To improve it to God's glory (Proverbs 3:9).

(2) In time of adversity (Ecclesiastes 7:14).

(a)  Not to be impatient (Ezra 9:13; Lamentations 3:39).

(b)  But to be thankful (Job 1:21).

(c)  Not to charge God with injustice (Job 1:22).

(d)  Nor draw sinful inferences from it (Ecclesiastes 9:1).

(e)  To be better by it (Psalm 119:71; Hebrews 12:10).

(3) At all times (Luke 21:36; 2 Timothy 4:5).

6. Why must we watch?

(1)  It is for your lives (2 Corinthians 6:5).

(2)  Many enemies watch against you (1 Peter 5:8).

(3)  Unless ye watch, no sin but you may fall into (1 Corinthians 10:12).

(4)  The more we watch over ourselves, the more God will watch over us (Psalm 121:1; Psalm 127:1).

(5)  The more watchful we are, the more comfortably we shall live.

(6)  We have but a short time to watch (Matthew 26:40).

(7)  Eternity depends upon it (Matthew 25:12, 13).

(8)  We know not when our Lord will come (Mark 13:33, 37; Luke 12:37).

II. STAND FAST IN THE FAITH.

1. What faith must we stand fast in?

(1)  That God is (Hebrews 11:6).

(2)  That He is a rewarder of all that come to Him (Hebrews 11:6).

(3)  That the way to come to Him is by Christ (Hebrews 7:25).

(4)  That this Christ is God-man (John 1:14).

(5)  And hath satisfied for our sins (1 John 2:1, 2).

(6)  And now intercedes for our souls (Hebrews 7:25).

(7)  That by His satisfaction and intercession our sins may be pardoned (Romans 8:33, 34).

(8)  That He will come again at the last day (Acts 1:11).

(9)  That He will judge all the world (2 Corinthians 5:10).

(10)  That the wicked will then be condemned to hell, and the righteous received up into glory (Matthew 25:46).

2. Why stand fast in this faith?

(1)  Otherwise we can do no acts of piety (Hebrews 11:6).

(2)  Nor have our sins remitted (Galatians 2:16).

(3)  Nor our souls saved (Acts 4:12).

3. What are the means of this steadfastness?

(1)  Search the Scriptures (John 5:39).

(2)  Converse much with God in prayer.

(3)  Entertain no doubting thoughts.

(4)  Indulge no sin, lest it debauch your principles.

(5)  Oft frequent the public ordinances (Romans 10:17).

III. QUIT YOU LIKE MEN.

1. What is it to quit yourselves like men?

(1) Carry yourselves like men.

(a)  Like rational creatures. What more rational than that we should serve Him that made us (1 Corinthians 6:20); choose the best things before the worst (Isaiah 55:1, 2); mind our own good and welfare (Matthew 16:26); do to others as we would have others do to us (Matthew 7:12); and submit to God's will (Lamentations 3:39).

(b)  Like those who have immortal souls (Genesis 2:7).

(c)  Like those who are capable of the enjoyment of God Himself (1 Corinthians 13:12).

(2) Be valiant and courageous as men (Ephesians 6:10, 11).

(a)  Be not daunted with afflictions (2 Corinthians 4:16, 17).

(b)  Nor drawn aside with prosperity (Mark 4:19).

(c)  Press through all difficulties for heaven (Acts 14:22).

2. Why quit ourselves thus like men?

(1)  We have many potent enemies (Ephesians 6:11, 12).

(2)  Without spiritual courage we can never conquer them.

(3)  The reward will make amends for all (1 Corinthians 15:58).

IV. BE STRONG —

1. In faith (Matthew 15:28; Romans 4:20).

2. Love (Matthew 22:37).

3. Trust on God (Job 13:15; Hebrews 13:5, 6).

4. Why? Be strong and courageous.

(1)  The stronger your graces are the weaker will your temptations be.

(2)  The stronger your grace is the greater will your comfort be (John 14:1).

(3)  Be but strong, and you need not fear but to press through all difficulties, and get to heaven.

(Bp. Beveridge.)

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KJV: Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

WEB: Watch! Stand firm in the faith! Be courageous! Be strong!