Focus: The World Is Watching!

Text: 1Cor.4:9,13

"For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were APPOINTED to death: for we are made a SPECTACLE unto the world, and to ANGELS, and to MEN… Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the FILTH of the world, and are the OFFSCOURING of all things unto this day."

Paul says, "We are APPOINTED to death…we are made a SPECTACLE…we are made as the FILTH of the world…the OFFSCOURING of all things unto this day." Where did we even get the idea of 'celebrity preachers and ministers'? If the descriptions of Paul are anything to go by, it means that Christianity is not meat and drink, nor bread and butter. In fact, Paul himself declared that "the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" (Rom.14:17). The descriptions of Paul are certainly not those of a celebrity, but of those who in the arena of life are fighting to their death. We are seen as the scum of the earth and the lowest dregs of society.

*We're being watched

For the believer in Christ, the world is a kind of amphitheater, and God is putting us on display. Our faith is playing out on the world's stage, and our life of faith is being watched by everyone everywhere in the universe. The universe is our audience room. Our faith is not a hidden matter. God is showcasing our faith to the watching world of men and angels. We are God's exhibits, marching to our deaths. We have been put on display by God before the watching world.

*Who's watching?

Our text says that ANGELS and MEN are watching us. We are being watched by heavenly and earthly beings.

Hebrews 12:1 says, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us…" Angels are watching us. Men from all walks of life are watching us. Old Testament SAINTS, like those mentioned in Hebrews 11, are also watching us. In Act.19:5, we read, "And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?" The DEMONIC WORLD is equally watching us. When evil or demonic spirits see a Christian, they know. Jesus and Paul were known in hell. Satan is not in doubt as to who is a born again child of God.

Are you a Christian or a Christian minister, be aware of this fact that angels, men, saints of the Old Testament, and the hordes of demons are watching us.

*What's required of us?

Paul says, "That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye SHINE AS LIGHTS in the world" (Phil.2:15). God has positioned us on earth to shine as light. The Lord Jesus Christ says, "Let your LIGHT SO SHINE before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Mt.5:16). Paul again says, "That ye might WALK WORTHY OF THE LORD unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God… That ye would WALK WORTHY OF GOD, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory... I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye WALK WORTHY OF THE VOCATION wherewith ye are called" (Col.1:10; 1Thes.2:12). 

The parade is still on. Let's not lose sight of the fact that the divine parade is still going on, and we should be mindful of how we lead our lives. The whole universe is watching. In your corner of the universe, make sure you showcase the presence of Christ in your life and the reality of your faith.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter