Awake to Urgency: Living for Christ Today

Summary

In Romans 13, Paul urges believers to wake up from spiritual slumber and recognize the urgency of the present moment. The call is not just to be awake, but to be awake now—no more putting off what God is calling us to do. Dormancy, whether in a seed or a Christian, means being alive but not growing, and that is not what God desires for His people. Paul’s message is clear: the time for action is now, because salvation is nearer than when we first believed. This is not just about our own future hope, but about the reality that every day brings us and those around us closer to eternity.

Paul’s letter to the Romans is unique in that he had not yet visited them, so he lays out the gospel in detail, explaining salvation as a past, present, and future reality—all rooted in the work of Jesus. Our past salvation is when we first believed, our present salvation is the ongoing work of sanctification, and our future salvation is the hope of being with Christ, free from sin and death. Paul transitions from doctrine to application, urging us to let the reality of what Christ has done and what is yet to come motivate us to live for Him now.

But the urgency is not just for our own sake. Paul reminds us that the world is in desperate need of Jesus, and while the church sleeps, people are perishing. The call to wake up is a call to love others, to pursue them with the gospel, and to recognize that their future salvation depends on our willingness to be awake and active. Paul uses the metaphor of a race, reminding us that we are running toward a prize—not just our own reward, but the salvation of others. The present moment matters deeply, because today could be the day someone’s eternity changes.

Paul also warns against simply going through the motions of religion. The night of ignorance is over; it’s not about rituals or traditions, but about Jesus Himself. We are called to cast off the works of darkness—recklessness, self-indulgence, division—and to put on the armor of light, which is Christ Himself. Our identity is found in Him, and as we put on Christ, we are empowered to live differently, to love sacrificially, and to shine His light in a dark world. The urgency is real, and the world needs a church that is awake, alive, and active for the sake of the gospel.

Key Takeaways

- Urgency in the Present: The call to wake up is not for some distant future, but for today. Every moment is an opportunity to live out the reality of our salvation and to impact the lives of those around us. We are not guaranteed tomorrow, so we must not delay in responding to God’s call and in sharing Christ with others. [12:11]

- Salvation Is Nearer for All: Paul’s reminder that “salvation is nearer now than when we first believed” is not just about the second coming, but about the reality that every day brings us and others closer to eternity. Our motivation should be both our own hope in Christ and the urgent need for others to know Him before it’s too late. [18:38]

- The Danger of Religious Routine: It is possible to go through all the right motions—attending services, participating in activities, giving generously—while remaining spiritually asleep. Paul warns that the time of ignorance is over; true faith is not about rituals, but about a living relationship with Jesus that transforms us from the inside out. [33:04]

- Casting Off Darkness, Putting On Christ: We are called to renounce not only specific sins, but the patterns and attitudes they represent—recklessness, self-centeredness, and division. The way forward is not simply to try harder, but to make a determined decision to follow Jesus, allowing Him to empower us to live in the light and to put on His character. [39:16]

- Living for the Sake of Others: The heart of the gospel is not self-improvement, but sacrificial love for others. Our greatest motivation should be to see others come to know Christ, even if it means personal sacrifice or discomfort. The church must wake up, not for its own benefit, but for the sake of a world that desperately needs Jesus. [42:13]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:21] - Dormancy and Spiritual Sleep
[02:20] - The Urgency of Now
[03:34] - Romans 13:11-14 Scripture Reading
[04:49] - Context of Paul’s Letter to the Romans
[05:59] - Salvation: Past, Present, and Future
[07:47] - Motivation to Live for Christ
[08:58] - Why Now Is the Time
[10:36] - Salvation Is Nearer Than Ever
[13:30] - The Uncertainty of Tomorrow
[15:45] - The Gospel: Jesus First, Others Second
[18:02] - Urgency for the World’s Salvation
[20:36] - Paul’s Example: Living for Others
[23:19] - Running the Race for the Prize
[26:50] - The Importance of Today
[29:59] - The Night Is Gone: No More Ignorance
[33:56] - What We Must Do: Dress Appropriately
[35:08] - Casting Off the Works of Darkness
[36:53] - Patterns of Sin and Their Meaning
[39:16] - How to Cast Off Darkness
[40:25] - Putting On the Armor of Light
[41:04] - Our Identity in Christ
[42:13] - Wake Up: The World Needs Jesus

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Now’s the Time” (Romans 13)

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### Bible Reading

Romans 13:11-14 (ESV)
> Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

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### Observation Questions

1. According to Paul in Romans 13:11-14, what are believers called to “cast off” and what are they called to “put on”?
2. What does Paul mean when he says, “salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed”?
3. In the sermon, what are some examples given of “works of darkness” and what patterns or attitudes do they represent? [[36:53]]
4. How does Paul describe the urgency of the present moment for believers? [[12:11]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul connect the idea of “waking up” with the urgency of salvation being nearer? What does this urgency mean for how believers should live? [[12:11]]
2. The sermon mentions that it’s possible to go through all the right religious motions and still be spiritually asleep. What does it look like to be “spiritually asleep” even while being active in church? [[33:04]]
3. Paul says to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” What does it mean practically to “put on Christ” in daily life? [[41:04]]
4. The sermon talks about living not just for ourselves but for the sake of others’ salvation. How does this shift in motivation change the way we approach our faith and relationships? [[18:38]]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon warns against “hitting the snooze button” on what God is calling us to do. Is there something you know God is prompting you to do that you’ve been putting off? What’s holding you back? [[12:11]]
2. Paul says that “salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” How does remembering the shortness and uncertainty of life affect your priorities and choices this week? [[13:30]]
3. The message challenges us to wake up not just for our own sake, but for the sake of others who need Jesus. Who in your life might be waiting for you to share Christ with them? What’s one step you can take toward that this week? [[18:38]]
4. The sermon describes “works of darkness” as not just specific sins, but patterns like recklessness, self-centeredness, and division. Which of these patterns do you see in your own life, and what would it look like to “cast them off”? [[36:53]]
5. Paul urges us to “put on Christ” rather than just trying harder to be good. What’s one area where you need to rely more on Jesus’ strength instead of your own effort? [[41:04]]
6. The sermon warns about the danger of religious routine. Are there any church activities or habits in your life that have become empty routines? How can you renew your relationship with Jesus in those areas? [[33:04]]
7. The heart of the gospel is sacrificial love for others. What is one practical way you can put someone else’s needs ahead of your own this week, even if it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient? [[18:38]]

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Closing Prayer:
Ask God to wake you up to His calling, to help you cast off darkness, put on Christ, and live with urgency for the sake of others.

Devotional

Day 1: Awake to the Urgency—Now Is the Time

There is a call for every believer to wake up from spiritual sleep and recognize the urgency of the present moment. Paul’s words in Romans 13 remind us that we cannot afford to keep hitting the spiritual snooze button, putting off what God is calling us to do today. The time for action is now, not tomorrow or some distant future. Each day brings us closer to the fulfillment of God’s promises, and we are called to live alert, ready, and responsive to His purposes. Let this urgency stir your heart to live intentionally for Christ, knowing that every moment matters for eternity. [03:34]

Romans 13:11-12 (ESV)
"Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been spiritually “asleep” or putting off obedience? What step can you take today to respond to God’s call with urgency?


Day 2: Salvation Is Nearer—Live with Eternal Perspective

Every day, we draw closer to the completion of our salvation—whether through Christ’s return or our own journey home to Him. This reality should shape how we live, fueling a sense of urgency and hope. We are not guaranteed tomorrow, and neither are those around us. Let the nearness of salvation motivate you to live for Christ today, not just for your own sake, but for the sake of those who have yet to know Him. Our time is limited, and the opportunity to impact others for eternity is now. [12:11]

Romans 13:11 (ESV)
"Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear about Jesus? How can the reality that “salvation is nearer” move you to reach out to them today?


Day 3: Cast Off Darkness—Renounce Sin and Old Ways

Paul urges us to cast off the works of darkness, to renounce the patterns and sins that once defined us. This is not a call to simply hide or manage our sin, but to decisively separate ourselves from it. Recklessness, self-indulgence, and self-centeredness have no place in the life of someone who belongs to Christ. Instead, we are called to live with self-control, purity, and a heart for others. This is only possible as we make a determined decision to follow Jesus, trusting Him to give us the power to walk in the light. [35:08]

Romans 13:13 (ESV)
"Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy."

Reflection: What specific “work of darkness” do you sense God calling you to cast off today? What practical step can you take to renounce it and walk in the light?


Day 4: Put On Christ—Let Jesus Be Your Identity

We are not only to cast off darkness, but to put on the armor of light—Jesus Himself. Our identity is not found in our good works, traditions, or even our own efforts at holiness, but in Christ alone. When we put on Christ, His character, love, and power become evident in our lives. This is how we are equipped to stand against darkness and to shine His light in the world. Let your daily focus be to clothe yourself with Jesus, allowing Him to shape your thoughts, actions, and relationships. [41:04]

Romans 13:14 (ESV)
"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires."

Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally “put on Christ” today—at home, at work, or in your community—so that others see Jesus in you?


Day 5: Wake Up for the Sake of Others—Love and Pursue the Lost

The call to awake is not just for our own benefit, but for the sake of a world that desperately needs Jesus. While the church sleeps, people are perishing without hope. God’s heart breaks for the lost, and He calls us to share that burden. We are to love others, serve them, and pursue them with the gospel, refusing to be content with comfort or routine. Let your heart be stirred by the reality that every moment matters for someone’s eternity, and ask God to use you to make a difference in the lives of those around you. [18:38]

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (ESV)
"For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings."

Reflection: Who is one person you can intentionally love, serve, or pursue with the gospel this week? What will you do to reach out to them for Christ’s sake?

Quotes

It's not about what you can do, your rituals and your traditions. All that gets thrown out. It's about Jesus. It's nothing that any of us can earn or deserve. It's just about Jesus and his mercy and his grace. And through his mercy and grace, we obtain salvation. [00:05:39] (20 seconds)  #GraceNotWorks Edit Clip

We need to awake with an urgency because while the church, with a capital C, while the church is asleep, the world is going to hell. And that's shame on us. Paul's like, awake. There's people out there who don't even know who Jesus is. [00:18:45] (18 seconds)  #WakeForTheWorld Edit Clip

Because my fear is, is this. That the church, again, overall, the church, we become so focused on how our lives can get better. On living that better life. And whatever all those books say that we should have. Our focus has been on that so long that we've fallen asleep to what really matters. Because while we're so focused on our own selves, getting ourselves better, happier, entertained, whatever it may be, while we're doing that inside the walls of the church, the world out there is looking for help. [00:28:06] (34 seconds)  #FocusBeyondSelf Edit Clip

To dress appropriately, we take off the things of darkness, but we put on Jesus. That's what the armor of light is. The light is Jesus. And there's scripture after scripture that tells us how we are to be in Christ, how we are to be like him. In fact, here's the thing. Christ is our identity. That's the way it should be. Why? Because we put him on. [00:40:44] (24 seconds)  #ArmorOfLight Edit Clip

Paul does not say, make sure you put on good works. He didn't even say put on holiness. He didn't say put on purity. He didn't say put on any of those good things. They're good things. He says put on Christ. Put on Jesus. You know why? Because when you put on Christ, all the other things fall after it anyway. But put on Christ. Put on Jesus. [00:41:14] (27 seconds)  #PutOnChrist Edit Clip

So here's the bottom line of today's message. We need to wake up. But why? Because they need it. They need Jesus. There's an urgency. Now is the time because every moment that passes by, there's somebody going to hell. And when you stop to really consider what that means, it should break our hearts. Every moment. [00:42:10] (29 seconds)  #UrgentHeartbreak Edit Clip

``He says, wake up, church. Wake up. The world needs you. The world needs you. How are you going to win them over? Don't be like the world. Cast off those things of darkness. Put on Jesus. And then go display Him everywhere you go. [00:42:38] (17 seconds)  #WakeToWin Edit Clip