Awakening to Action: Dressing in Christ's Light
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound call to "wake up and get dressed" as found in Romans 13:11-14. This passage serves as a spiritual alarm clock, urging us to recognize the urgency of the times we live in and to respond accordingly. The first part of the message focused on the need to "wake up," emphasizing that we are in a moment of opportunity and action, not a time for spiritual slumber. The gospel, as detailed in Romans chapters 1 through 11, lays the foundation for our justification by faith alone in Christ alone. This justification is not the end but the beginning of a transformative journey that should lead to sanctification and ultimately glorification.
The second part of the message was about "getting dressed," which involves casting off the deeds of darkness and putting on the armor of light. This means removing sinful behaviors and attitudes from our lives and clothing ourselves with the character and virtues of Jesus Christ. The urgency of this call is underscored by the imminent return of Jesus, which should motivate us to live in a manner worthy of our calling. We are reminded that our salvation is not just a past event but an ongoing process that will culminate in our future glorification with Christ.
The message also highlighted the importance of spending time with Jesus to become more like Him. Just as we become like those we spend the most time with, we cannot be conformed to the likeness of Christ without investing time in prayer, worship, and the study of His Word. The call to "wake up and get dressed" is a call to live out our faith actively and urgently, reflecting the light of Christ in a world still shrouded in darkness.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Urgency of the Times: We are living in a moment of opportunity and action, not a time for spiritual slumber. Recognizing the urgency of the times should motivate us to live actively for Christ, knowing that our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. [29:37]
2. Three Tenses of Salvation: Our salvation is described in three tenses: past (justification), present (sanctification), and future (glorification). Understanding this helps us see that while our status as justified is secure, our growth in Christ is an ongoing process that requires active participation. [31:10]
3. Casting Off Deeds of Darkness: To "get dressed" spiritually, we must first cast off the deeds of darkness. This involves a conscious effort to remove sinful behaviors and attitudes from our lives, recognizing that these are incompatible with our new identity in Christ. [39:04]
4. Putting on the Armor of Light: Putting on Jesus means adopting His character, virtues, and habits. This is described as putting on the "armor of light," signifying that we are in a spiritual battle and need to be equipped with the qualities of Christ to stand firm. [44:44]
5. Spending Time with Jesus: We become like those we spend the most time with. Therefore, to be conformed to the likeness of Christ, we must invest time in prayer, worship, and the study of His Word. This daily communion with Jesus is essential for spiritual growth and transformation. [47:50]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[24:13] - Opening Prayer
[24:37] - Wake Up Call: Personal Story
[25:29] - Wake Up and Get Dressed
[26:08] - Gospel Explanation: Romans 1-11
[27:36] - The Order Matters: Gospel First
[28:13] - Avoiding Mistakes in Understanding Justification
[29:37] - Knowing the Time: Urgency of the Moment
[31:10] - Three Tenses of Salvation
[33:04] - Future Glorification and Christ's Return
[34:17] - Living in the Light of Christ's Return
[36:54] - Urgency in the Present
[38:07] - The Already and Not Yet Kingdom
[39:04] - Casting Off Deeds of Darkness
[44:44] - Putting on the Armor of Light
[47:50] - Spending Time with Jesus
[50:01] - Augustine's Transformation
[52:33] - Call to Action and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Romans 13:11-14
- 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the two main actions Paul urges believers to take in Romans 13:11-14? ([25:29])
2. According to the sermon, what are the three tenses of salvation mentioned, and what do they represent? ([31:10])
3. What specific deeds of darkness does Paul instruct us to cast off in Romans 13:13? ([40:24])
4. How does the sermon describe the urgency of the times we are living in? ([29:37])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to understand the three tenses of salvation (justification, sanctification, glorification) in the context of our spiritual growth? ([31:10])
2. How does the concept of "putting on the armor of light" relate to our daily spiritual battles? ([44:44])
3. What does it mean to "spend time with Jesus," and why is it crucial for our transformation into His likeness? ([47:50])
4. How does the imminent return of Jesus influence the way we should live our lives today? ([35:43])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily routine. Are there specific areas where you feel spiritually asleep? What steps can you take to "wake up" and be more spiritually alert? ([29:37])
2. Identify any "deeds of darkness" in your life that you need to cast off. What practical steps can you take this week to remove these behaviors? ([40:24])
3. How can you actively "put on the armor of light" in your daily interactions and decisions? Think of one specific situation where you can apply this. ([44:44])
4. Consider your current prayer, worship, and Bible study habits. How can you improve these practices to spend more quality time with Jesus? ([47:50])
5. The sermon emphasized the urgency of living for Christ because of His imminent return. How can this sense of urgency change the way you approach your relationships, work, and personal goals? ([35:43])
6. Think about a person in your life who may be struggling with spiritual slumber. How can you encourage them to "wake up and get dressed" spiritually? ([25:29])
7. Reflect on the future glorification with Christ. How does this future hope motivate you to live a holy and purposeful life now? ([33:04])
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing the Urgency of the Times
The times we live in are filled with opportunities for spiritual growth and action. We are called to wake up from our spiritual slumber and recognize the urgency of the moment. This is not a time to be passive or complacent in our faith. Instead, we should be motivated by the knowledge that our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. This sense of urgency should drive us to live actively for Christ, making the most of every opportunity to grow in our faith and share the gospel with others. [29:37]
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 specific steps can you take today to wake up from any spiritual complacency and live more actively for Christ?
Day 2: Understanding the Three Tenses of Salvation
Salvation is a multifaceted process that includes justification, sanctification, and glorification. Justification is the past event where we were declared righteous through faith in Christ. Sanctification is the ongoing process of becoming more like Christ, and glorification is the future event when we will be fully transformed into His likeness. Understanding these three tenses helps us see that while our status as justified is secure, our growth in Christ requires active participation. We are called to engage in this transformative journey with intentionality and dedication. [31:10]
Philippians 1:6 (ESV): "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively participate in your sanctification process today, knowing that God is working in you?
Day 3: Casting Off Deeds of Darkness
To live a life that reflects our new identity in Christ, we must cast off the deeds of darkness. This involves a conscious effort to remove sinful behaviors and attitudes from our lives. These deeds are incompatible with our calling as followers of Christ and hinder our spiritual growth. By identifying and addressing these areas of darkness, we can make room for the light of Christ to shine more brightly in our lives. This process requires honesty, humility, and a willingness to change. [39:04]
Ephesians 5:11-12 (ESV): "Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret."
Reflection: What specific deeds of darkness do you need to cast off today, and how can you take practical steps to do so?
Day 4: Putting on the Armor of Light
Putting on the armor of light means adopting the character, virtues, and habits of Jesus Christ. This spiritual armor equips us to stand firm in the face of spiritual battles and challenges. By clothing ourselves with the qualities of Christ, we become more resilient and effective in our walk with God. This involves daily choices to live in a manner that reflects His love, grace, and truth. As we put on the armor of light, we become beacons of hope and righteousness in a world that desperately needs it. [44:44]
1 Thessalonians 5:8 (ESV): "But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation."
Reflection: What specific virtues or habits of Jesus can you intentionally put on today to better reflect His light in your life?
Day 5: Spending Time with Jesus
To be conformed to the likeness of Christ, we must invest time in prayer, worship, and the study of His Word. Just as we become like those we spend the most time with, our spiritual growth is directly influenced by our daily communion with Jesus. This time spent with Him is essential for our transformation and equips us to live out our faith more effectively. By prioritizing our relationship with Jesus, we allow His presence to shape our thoughts, actions, and attitudes, leading to a deeper and more vibrant faith. [47:50]
John 15:4-5 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Reflection: How can you intentionally set aside time today to spend with Jesus, and what specific practices will you incorporate to deepen your relationship with Him?
Quotes
1. "Our paragraph has two simple movements to it. Wake up and get dressed. So we're going to look at wake up and let's kind of capture where we are in the book of Romans for just a second. Romans chapters 1 through 11. There are almost no imperatives, no commands. It's all indicative, descriptive in nature, and it's describing and detailing, the amazing truths of the depths of the gospel of Jesus." [25:29] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The gospel shows us our sin, but the gospel shows us the impossibility of humankind to get us anywhere with God. It shows us that God and his sovereignty and wisdom provided the only solution, the only acceptable sacrifice for our sins. Jesus, who died in our place while we are yet sinners in love. And the gospel calls sinners to respond in repentance and faith to Jesus. By faith in Jesus, righteousness is imputed to us as a gift of his grace alone." [26:46] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The false thinking that I've got to do something first, that my deeds and my works have anything to do with my justification before God, because they don't. The other mistake, that we need to avoid is to think that, okay, because I'm justified freely by grace through the completed work of Christ on the cross, that I can just coast. I can just sit on the couch, wait for heaven and do nothing. No, that's a mistake as well." [28:13] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I can have an actual real relationship with this Jesus. How can that not impact my actions, my choices, my behaviors? It absolutely does and should from here on out. And this is where Romans chapter 13 verses 11 through 14 comes in and tells us to wake up and get dressed. So let's look at the first part here. Wake up. So first it says you need to know the time to wake up. You need to know what time it is." [28:50] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We are in the moment of the sermon. But if I go too long, you're going to look at your watch and you're going to begin to think that's getting close to the moment of your lunch and I better wrap it up. Now the word that's used here for time is not the word for chronological time, although it's related and connected. It's actually the word for era or moment. The word is that we are in an age or a moment of opportunity and action. We're not in the era of nap taking, but the moment of movement, the moment of obedience, the moment of getting to work." [30:07] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "There is never a moment that a follower of Jesus shouldn't be growing in their faith maturity godliness and holiness and that present growth is what's being emphasized in our paragraph today. Then there's the future tense of our salvation one day our growth will reach its intended goal. Our glorification with Christ and his eternal Kingdom when he returns Jesus is coming back." [33:04] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "We don't just sit back and relax because our past has been settled and our future secured by Christ who he is and what he has done deserves our every allegiance. Not tomorrow or at some point in the future. But right now we demonstrate that we understand the amazing. Grace of Jesus when we live for him today and also what he has saved us from and what he has saved us for is to live with him for him and to live like him when we are in that future glorification when he returns." [36:54] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "We need to know the time. We need to know the gospel. We need to know Jesus and get these things out of your life. Cast off the deeds of darkness. Now is the time to get the pornography and the lust out of your life. Now is the time to get drunkenness out of your life. Now is the time to put aside the anger. The hate and the envy and by the way, this is not an exhaustive list man." [42:33] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "You cannot be like Jesus. If you're not spending time with Jesus, you can't be clothed with Jesus if you're not around Jesus. So as you look at your life, maybe you see that your life doesn't look much like Jesus. Well, it could be that you're spending more time with everything else in the world and not enough time with Jesus. We look at the state of the church in general today and we see that the church doesn't look all that different from the ways of the culture around us." [47:50] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "You put on Jesus when you seek to make Godly choices and pursue personal holiness. You put on Jesus when you flee temptation and sin and seek to be filled and strengthened. By the Holy Spirit. It's not a tornado that's coming. It's Jesus. He's returning for his beloved bride that is redeemed by his blood grace and mercy. So know the time wake up cast off the deeds of darkness put on the armor of light. The Lord Jesus Christ." [50:01] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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