It's Time To Wake Up! (Romans 13:11-14)
INTRODUCTION
Aware of the imminent return of our Lord Jesus Christ, Apostle Paul admonished those who were still asleep to wake up from their deep slumber. He warned that the time of their salvation was nearer than when they first believed.
This warning is also proclaimed for our admonition today. Let us listen to Apostle Paul as he encourages us that in light of the imminent coming of Jesus,
1. Let us Live in Readiness
2. Let us Live in Holiness
DISCUSSION.
I - LIVING IN READINESS (11-12a)
11 And do this, understanding the present time:
The hour has already come for you to wake up
from your slumber, because our salvation
is nearer now than when we first believed.
12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here.
1. We are looking at the concluding verses of Chapter 13. Paul began his exhortation from Chapter 12, encouraging us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices and not be conformed with the pattern of the world.
2. The chapter is filled with examples of virtues that signify the mark of a true Christian, foremost of which is the command to love our enemies.
3. Chapter 13 begins with an appeal to obey the government, such as paying our taxes.
4. Apostle Paul also discussed that love is the fulfillment of the law in 13:8-10.
A. KNOWING THE TIME (Romans 13:11a)
11 And do this, understanding the present time:
The hour has already come for you to wake up
from your slumber,
1. The first reaction about time:
a) Time is short, brief, momentary.
2. Time is fleeting – James 4:14
4 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
3. It also refers to what the present time is.
a) We are now in the Light of the Gospel.
b) The Old Time was when we were in the darkness.
4. Now is the day of salvation - 2Co 6:1-2
5. Paul was not referring to physical sleep but spiritual sleep
a) When we are still conformed to the pattern of the world.
b) When we live in worldliness.
c) When we are wrapped up with activities that only serve as a distraction to our work for the Lord.
6. Effects of being spiritually asleep.
a) We become apathetic.
Which means that we have no motivation to do anything for the Lord. We don't care about what's going on in His Kingdom.
b) Another strong word here that describes our spiritual sleep is the word lethargy.
We become lethargic: We do not have the zeal to warn our loved ones, our friends, our associates about the judgment that is to come so that they may come to their senses and listen to the Gospel message.
7. Let us wake up to our duty to warn the unbelievers in our midst. This is our responsibility as Christians. (Matthew 28:18-20)
a) Many Christians "go through the motions."
b) It seems that coming to the assembly is such an ORDEAL.
8. Many members of the church lack zeal for spiritual maturity.
9. Such problems were common in New Testament times...
a) The Church in Ephesus left their first love - Re 2:4
b) The Church in Laodicea became lukewarm' Re 3:15-16
Hypocrites they were, with one foot in the world and the other foot in the Church. Jesus will spit them out of his mouth!
B. OUR SALVATION IS NEARER (Romans 13:11b)
because our salvation
is nearer now than when we first believed.
1. Paul encourages us about our final salvation – when Christ finally returns to take us to heaven.
2. Our salvation is nearer - in what way?
a) The Lord's return is nearer.
b) Our own death is nearer; should we die before the Lord's returns - (Heb 9:27)
3. Nearer than when we first believed
a) Nearer than when we first came to Christ.
b) Every day brings us closer to our final salvation.
c) Think of how much time has gone by since we OBEYED THE GOSPEL.
4. This is the encouragement that we get from this passage. We are nearer and nearer to eternal life with Jesus in heaven, where there will be no more pain nor sorrow. (Rev 21:3-4)
C. THE NIGHT IS FAR SPENT (Romans 13:12a)
12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here.
1. The night - referring to the moral darkness of this world – 1 Jn 2:8
2. Is far spent - "is cut off" It is becoming short; it is hastening to a close – 1 Co 7:31
a) If you are still living in worldliness, be careful not to become all wrapped up – to be squeezed into the mold of this world. (same warning as in Romans 12)
3. This world and time as we know it will not last long
a) Until which the Word of God serves as a light shining in the dark - 2Pe 1:19
II - LIVING IN HOLINESS (12b-14)
12b So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing
and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and
debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.
14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord
Jesus Christ, and do not think about how
to gratify the desires of the flesh.[a]
A. PUTTING ON THE ARMOR OF LIGHT (Romans 12b)
So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put
on the armor of light.
1. The breastplate of faith and love, the hope of salvation as a helmet - 1Th 5:8
2. That armor of God including truth, righteousness, the gospel,
faith, the hope of salvation, the Word of God - Ep 6:10-17
B. CASTING OFF THE WORK OF DARKNESS (Romans 13)
13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing
and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and
debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy
1. Let us watch our behavior, as mentioned in the text.
a) Revelry, drunkenness, lewdness
b) Lust, strife, envy
2. Such things as the work of the flesh.
a) Adultery, fornication, idolatry, sorcery, hatred,
contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissension's, heresies, murders - Ga 5:19-21
b) Passion, evil desire, covetousness, anger, malice, blasphemy, filthy language, lying - Col 3:5-8
C. PUTTING ON THE LORD JESUS (Romans 14a)
Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ
1. We were clothed in Jesus Christ. First, in baptism.
2. For in baptism we "put on" Christ - Ga 3:27
Let us continue living clothed in Jesus Christ.
1. We are raised "with" Christ, "made alive together with him"- Col 2:12
2. Then, in developing Christ-like character.
1. Being renewed in mind, a new man in true righteousness and holiness - Ep 4:22-24
D. MAKING NO PROVISION FOR THE FLESH (Romans 13:14b)
and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
1. The desire of the flesh is not a sin. It is when we give in to this desire that we sin. (James 1:15)
Then when desire has been conceived, it gives birth to sin.
a) To conceive –the common definition is to become pregnant. But another meaning is: to form or devise an idea or a plan in our thoughts.
2. This idea is what Paul meant when he said DO NOT THINK ABOUT HOW TO GRATIFY THE DESIRES OF THE FLESH.
3. This is why we need to live by the Spirit. (Romans 8:13)
CONCLUSION
1. The passage that we have just discussed serves as a warning to all.
2. How serious are we in our commitment to the will of God in our lives?
3. Are we still walking as carnal people, conformed to the pattern of this world?
a) If this is so, then "It's Time To Wake Up!"...
4. Let us heed the warning of Jesus to the church in Sardis concerning their spiritual slumber. (Re 3:2-4 ESV)
2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. 4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.
