I. Introduction: The Word and the theme “Wake Up” Exaltation of the Bible as the believer’s foundation over feelings or worship experiences. Personal stories about people falling asleep in church and a college roommate’s alarm to introduce the “wake up” motif. Transition from physical sleep to the real concern: spiritual sleep. II. Main Text: Romans 13:11–14 Reading and emphasizing Paul’s call to “awake out of sleep” because salvation is nearer than when believers first believed. Call to cast off works of darkness, put on the armor of light, walk properly, and “put on the Lord Jesus Christ,” making no provision for the flesh. III. Paul’s Three Challenges A. Be aware of the times Explanation of “high time” as a critical, urgent moment requiring spiritual discernment. Biblical examples: Jerusalem missing its “time of visitation” in Luke 19; churches of Ephesus (lost first love) and Laodicea (lukewarm). Need for discernment of seasons (sowing vs. reaping), people, political and social issues, illustrated by the tribe of Issachar (understanding of the times). Description of last days from 2 Timothy 3 (lovers of self, money, pleasure, form of godliness without power), applied to modern culture and social media. B. Awake out of spiritual sleep Warning that Christians can be physically awake but spiritually asleep, citing Ephesians 5:14. Signs of spiritual slumber: indifference to Bible, preaching, giving, serving, holiness; callousness and hardness of heart. Testimony of a church member who realized he had been spiritually asleep, plus repeated calls: “Wake up the mighty men/women” (Joel 3:9). Example of Samson: great anointing lost after being lulled to sleep by Delilah, leading to loss of sight, power, and discernment; warning from 1 Peter 5:8 to be sober and vigilant. C. Be arrayed in the armor of light Explanation of “arrayed” as putting on, dressing, and clothing oneself with Christ and His righteousness. Pastoral explanation of preaching strongly against sin out of love and responsibility to proclaim the whole counsel of God. IV. Six Sins to “Put Off” (from Romans 13) Revelry and drunkenness Defined as wild parties, nightclubs, casinos; warning that alcohol and exposed flesh create moral danger. Strong appeal against social drinking and minimizing drunkenness, noting family damage caused by alcohol. Licentiousness and lewdness Defined as sexual immorality and debauchery; teaching that sex is for the marriage covenant only. Condemnation of fornication, adultery, pornography, and cohabitation outside marriage, with logical and biblical arguments. Strife and envy Mentioned with the other sins as attitudes and behaviors that must be cast off to walk properly. V. Biblical Foundation for Repentance and Transformation Reading of 1 Corinthians 6:9–11: list of sins (fornication, idolatry, adultery, homosexuality, drunkenness, etc.) that exclude from God’s kingdom, followed by hope in being washed, sanctified, and justified. Emphasis that no sin is beyond God’s power to forgive and transform, but believers must repent and turn from it. VI. “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ” and Make No Provision for the Flesh Definition of “make provision” as providing, accommodating, or facilitating opportunities for the flesh. Practical applications: avoid drinkers if prone to alcohol, remove pay‑per‑view if struggling with lust, avoid gossipers if prone to gossip, do not attach to those who tear down leadership. Specific rebukes: dating couples sharing hotel rooms or apartments, “playing house” for financial or convenience reasons; teaching that this is tempting the flesh and violates holiness. Illustration: not climbing through “dumpsters of sin” while wearing Christ’s clean garments. VII. Call to Response and Revival Allegorical story of Satan’s convention: demons decide the best strategy is to tell people there is time, lulling them into delay and spiritual sleep. Final threefold call: Be aware of the time. Awake out of sleep. Be arrayed in the armor of Christ. Appeal for repentance, surrender, and practical steps (e.g., separating, seeking counseling, getting properly married) as evidence of true obedience and not “cheap grace.” Invitation to the altar for all, noting both obvious and hidden sins, and insistence that the gospel is about change, new life, and ongoing dependence on the Holy Spirit.
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Dec 7 202539 m