PS:
For some vague, unfathomable, electronic reason, the “system” decided to delete the Watchmen’s Report from todays sermon. It also deleted the picture of Rahab’s cord. I shall try again and pray that this time it works.
Gibber! Gibber!
Chugley
THE WATCHMEN’S REPORT
AUGUST 9, 2025
My Fellow Watchmen,
As I write this article, I am between rejoicing and weeping, for on one hand, millions of teenagers and young adults across the globe are hungry for Jesus. They are expressing that hunger, not only in the gatherings by the thousands in outdoor arenas to share their new interest in the things they, and their parents once rejected – life built around truth, reality, discipline, and a purpose beyond the empty promises of self-fulfillment and personal achievement, but to reveal that deep desire in their heart for a relationship with God that is real and meaningful. They want real answers to the issues of life. They want authenticity about life, the Lord Jesus, and what it truly means to believe in Him and receive Him as Savior and Lord.
But on the other hand, most of those who claim to be Christians today are so bound up in their practice of their religion, or their performance-based-entertainment-style-celebrity-pastor worship events, they cannot stand up and say to these 13-28-year-olds, “Follow me and I follow Christ.” In other words, remove the emotionally-stimulating music, the electrical theatrics, the exhilaration of being in the presence of such a dynamic, articulate speaker who is internationally known, and somewhat of a media star, and you have taken away the props upon which today’s event-based Christianity rests. Where’s the time for the corporate reading of God’s word, the call to corporate prayer, the consistent preaching of the essential doctrines of the Christian Faith, and the respectful observance of the Lord’s Supper? Beyond the assembly, where is evidence of true discipleship and biblical evangelism? Do you not understand that the generation behind us has rejected all of that – they want Jesus!
In Romans 13:12, the Apostle Paul told his readers, “The night is far spent, the day is at hand; let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light.” Paul called those who had received Jesus Christ as their Savior to repent of their sins, for when our lives are pure of all sin, having confessed them before the Lord, and received His forgiveness, we can walk in holiness, and the light of God’s glory that shines within us will attract others to ask us for the reason for the hope within us.
Beloved, God has allowed us to witness to the generation behind us, some in our own families, and some in our church family. Beyond our attendance in church, can they see Jesus in us? Would they say that our faith in God is authentic? Do they see us praying, reading the Bible, or involved in a study that offers a more profound knowledge of God? If they tapped us on the shoulder and asked us for the reason for the hope within us, could we answer their questions without sounding religious?
Okay, men, here’s your chance to show those 13-18-year-olds how to be a real man of God, a husband, father, or grandfather. Okay, women, here’s your chance to show those 13-18-year-olds how to be a real woman of God, a wife, a mother, or a grandmother. Your actions can have a profound impact. Is that “sin” that so easily besets you more important to you than your children or grandchildren? Is winning that argument with your spouse, parents, or neighbors, or holding on to that bitterness over some unresolved conflict, more important than leading your children to receive Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord?
I urge you to cast off the works of darkness, cleanse your mind, your heart, and your house of all sin, and do all that you can to resolve those conflicts with others—but do it now. Let’s take advantage of Gen Z’s hunger for truth and SHOW them Jesus. The time for action is now.
Please forward these articles to those who might be interested in receiving them.
Pastor Wayne
Wayne J. and Linda J. Edwards
PO Box 766
Perry, GA 31069
706-599-3966
wnledwards@gmail.com