Watch and Pray
The sermon is all about being watchful and prayerful. When Jesus went to Gethsemane to pray, he brings with him his disciples. Peter, John and James accompanied him to him. Jesus went further to pray, he instructed his disciples to “Watch and Pray” so that they will not be tempted.
However, Jesus was disappointed to see his disciples sleeping when he checked them. Jesus by this time is overwhelmed with sorrow and is appealing to the Father the possibility of taking the cup from him. Then for the second time, he still found them sleeping. With much disappointment, Jesus said, “The spirit is willing but the body is weak.”
To be watchful is to be alert, to be attentive, to understand and know what is happening in your surroundings. The same thing is true in spiritual realms. We need to be watchful for the enemy is cunning and temptation comes in a very subtle way when you don’t even know that it is temptation.
To pray is to talk to God, to communicate with Him, to understand the will of the Father. Jesus taught us the way how we can be watchful. Many Christians fall into temptation because they fail to pray. Not too many people love to pray. Not too many people attend prayer gatherings. Jesus’s instruction is pretty simple to understand, “Watch and Pray”
Transformation
Transformation is all about change beyond belief. It is change in attitude, change in character, change in inner being, and change by the way we speak. Conversion on the other hand is a merely change of views, or change of belief. But conversion is nothing if transformation in one’s life does not follow.
After the conversion of Saul, transformation took place in him. First, his message has been changed. Before he became a disciple, he was a fervent persecutor and is preaching all about Judaism. When he became a Christian he started to tell people about Jesus as the Christ.
Saul has become a passionate Christian who is willing to die for what he believes. Before, he is someone who is willing to kill for the sake of his religion. His passion, his understanding of what he believes has become deeper.
Finally, Saul’s life has totally changed. From a violent, legalistic teacher to loving and peaceful man who tries to win people in the name of Christ not by hurting them, but telling them about the Lord Jesus.
When Saul was called on the road to Damascus, his life has never been the same. It was completely changed and the ministry of the Lord has been put forward to the Gentiles.
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