Awakening to God's Call: Embrace the New Year
Summary
The message begins with an emphasis on the importance of being spiritually awake and alert at the start of the year 2024. It is a time for reflection and for individuals to consider what God is saying to them, what the Spirit is revealing, and what God wants to do in their lives. The message warns against indifference and encourages an active response to God's call, emphasizing the urgency of the moment and the opportunity presented by the new year to join in God's work.
The message also touches on the human attraction to new things and the optimism they bring. This sense of hope and excitement is likened to the installation of a new church leader, which is seen as a charge not only for the leader but for the entire congregation. The congregation is reminded that they are part of God's church and are called to participate in what God is doing.
The message highlights the transformative power of Jesus' love, grace, and forgiveness. It is through encountering these that individuals are made new and alive in Christ. However, the message also acknowledges that it is possible to fall into spiritual slumber due to various reasons such as exhaustion, overwork, anxiety, inactivity, or mission drift—the latter being when an organization loses sight of its purpose.
The message introduces a new series with the theme "Wake Up," drawing from the biblical passage in Romans 13:11, which calls for believers to wake up from their slumber because salvation is nearer now than when they first believed. The urgency of salvation is stressed, and the message explains that it is not just about deliverance from sin and death but also about the future blessings Christians will enjoy at Jesus' return.
The message further explores the concept of waking up to live a Christlike life, which involves sharing the hope of salvation with others. It discusses the importance of relationships, both with those in authority and with peers, and how these relationships are connected to living out one's faith.
The message delves into the first part of Romans 13, which instructs believers to submit to governing authorities, recognizing that all authority comes from God. It acknowledges that while this may be an unpopular message, it is part of maintaining one's witness as a disciple of Christ. The message also emphasizes the importance of loving one's neighbor, which is described as the fulfillment of the law and a key mark of a true follower of Jesus.
The message warns against spiritual slumber, which is described as being unaware of what is happening in the spiritual realm. This state is seen as an obstacle to living like Jesus and to the realization of the promised salvation. The message cites Ephesians 5:14, which calls for the sleeper to wake up and rise from the dead so that Christ will shine on them.
The message concludes with a call to action, urging individuals to submit to authority, love their neighbors, put on the armor of light, and clothe themselves with Christ. It emphasizes the importance of rejecting the desires of the flesh and pursuing Christlikeness. The message also includes a reminder that each day brings us closer to the culmination of our salvation and that believers have an active role to play in bringing about the kingdom of God on Earth.
Key Takeaways:
- The beginning of a new year is presented as a critical time for self-reflection and spiritual awakening. Individuals are encouraged to consider their relationship with God and to be receptive to what God is communicating to them. The message underscores the importance of not being indifferent to God's call but instead being ready to actively participate in His work. [19:01]
- The concept of spiritual slumber is a central theme, with the message cautioning against becoming complacent or disengaged in one's faith. It is not physical rest that is at issue, but rather a lack of awareness and responsiveness to spiritual matters. This state of spiritual sleepiness is seen as a barrier to living a life that reflects Jesus' teachings and to being prepared for the promised salvation. [11:46]
- The message emphasizes the importance of relationships in the Christian life, particularly in the context of authority and love for one's neighbor. Submission to governing authorities is seen as an expression of trust in God's sovereignty, while loving one's neighbor is described as a reflection of God's values and a fulfillment of the law. These relationships are integral to living out one's faith in a practical and impactful way. [09:40]
- The metaphor of putting on the armor of light is used to illustrate the need for spiritual protection and readiness. This armor is not achieved through individual effort but is received through the Spirit of God as believers pursue a relationship with Him. The message calls for a rejection of sinful behaviors and an embrace of a life that honors God, in line with the example set by Jesus. [15:36]
- The message concludes with a call to action that includes five points for living into the reality of the kingdom of God: submitting to authority, loving neighbors, putting on the armor of light, clothing oneself with Christ, and rejecting the desires of the flesh. These actions are seen as essential for actively participating in the unfolding of God's kingdom on Earth and for preparing for the ultimate fulfillment of salvation. [18:17]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 13:11-14 (NIV)
> "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. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh."
2. Ephesians 5:14 (NIV)
> "This is why it is said: 'Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 13:11, why is it important for believers to wake up from their slumber?
2. What are the specific behaviors that Paul instructs believers to avoid in Romans 13:13?
3. How does the metaphor of "putting on the armor of light" in Romans 13:12 help us understand the kind of life Paul is calling believers to live?
4. In Ephesians 5:14, what is the promised result of waking up and rising from the dead?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to be spiritually asleep, and how can this state affect a believer's life and witness? [11:02]
2. How does the concept of "mission drift" relate to the idea of spiritual slumber mentioned in the sermon? [04:57]
3. Why does Paul emphasize the urgency of salvation being nearer now than when we first believed? How should this urgency impact our daily lives? [05:43]
4. How does submitting to governing authorities and loving one's neighbor reflect a Christlike life according to Romans 13? [09:40]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current spiritual state. Are there areas in your life where you feel spiritually asleep? What steps can you take to wake up and be more spiritually alert? [19:01]
2. The sermon mentioned various reasons for spiritual slumber, such as exhaustion, overwork, and anxiety. Identify one of these areas in your life and discuss practical ways to address it. [04:20]
3. How can you actively participate in God's work in your local church and community this year? What specific actions can you take to be more involved? [03:39]
4. Submission to authority can be challenging. How can you demonstrate trust in God's sovereignty while submitting to the authorities in your life, whether at work, home, or in the community? [07:47]
5. Loving your neighbor is described as the fulfillment of the law. Think of a neighbor or someone in your community you find difficult to love. What practical steps can you take to show them love this week? [09:40]
6. The sermon calls for believers to put on the armor of light and clothe themselves with Christ. What does this look like in your daily life? Identify one specific area where you can reject the desires of the flesh and pursue Christlikeness. [16:15]
7. Each day brings us closer to the culmination of our salvation. How can you live with a sense of urgency and purpose, knowing that our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed? [12:27]
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace the Call to Spiritual Vigilance
As the dawn of a new year breaks, it is vital to remain spiritually vigilant, attuned to God's voice and ready to act on His guidance. This is a time to shake off complacency and awaken to the possibilities that God lays before us, seizing the opportunities to grow and serve in His kingdom. [19:01]
Hebrews 12:1-2 - "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."
Reflection: What are some ways you can cultivate a more attentive and responsive attitude towards God's direction in this new year?
Day 2: Confronting Spiritual Complacency
Spiritual slumber is a subtle yet significant threat to our faith, where a lack of spiritual awareness can lead to a disconnection from the life Christ intends for us. It is essential to remain alert and engaged, resisting the inertia that can prevent us from fully embracing and reflecting Jesus' teachings. [11:46]
1 Peter 5:8-9 - "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings."
Reflection: Can you identify any areas in your life where you might be experiencing spiritual complacency? How can you actively combat this to live a more engaged and vigilant Christian life?
Day 3: Navigating Relationships with Authority and Love
Our relationships, especially those involving authority and our neighbors, are a reflection of our commitment to Christ. By submitting to authorities and loving our neighbors, we demonstrate our trust in God's sovereignty and our desire to live out His commandments in a tangible and impactful way. [09:40]
Titus 3:1-2 - "Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone."
Reflection: How does your attitude towards authority reflect your faith in God's sovereignty, and in what ways can you show love to your neighbors today?
Day 4: Donning the Armor of Light
The armor of light represents our spiritual defense and readiness, a gift from the Spirit as we pursue a deeper relationship with God. This armor enables us to reject sinful behaviors and live a life that honors God, following the example set by Jesus. [15:36]
Romans 13:12 - "The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light."
Reflection: What does putting on the armor of light look like in your daily life, and how can you ensure you are spiritually protected and ready each day?
Day 5: Active Participation in God's Kingdom
We are called to take active steps in bringing about God's kingdom on Earth, which includes submitting to authority, loving our neighbors, embracing the armor of light, clothing ourselves with Christ, and rejecting fleshly desires. These actions prepare us for the ultimate fulfillment of our salvation. [18:17]
Colossians 3:12-14 - "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
Reflection: What are specific ways you can actively participate in God's kingdom today, and how can these actions draw you closer to the fulfillment of your salvation?
Quotes
1) "The hour has come to wake up and so God is presenting us with an opportunity in 2024 and so let us be awake, let us be alert, ready to join him in what he's doing." [19:01] (Download)
2) "Our Salvation is closer now than even when we first sat down in these seats so let's take God's word, let's take his invitation with gladness and understanding that it is spoken with his love and his grace." [07:09] (Download)
3) "Jesus meets us where we're at and there's no judgment there, there's no condemnation there, there's forgiveness, there's Grace, there's love and from that point of seeing, of hearing and experiencing God's love we were transformed." [04:20] (Download)
4) "Mission drift, that's when an organization loses sight of what it's supposed to do and so then now they just exist for the sake of existing, losing their purpose." [04:57] (Download)
5) "Loving our neighbor is the Fulfillment of the law because love as laid out in the scriptures it's a reversal of all of the evil, all of the harmful and the self-seeking ways that pollute the world." [09:40] (Download)
6) "Spiritual sleepiness it's a huge obstacle to the life that Jesus modeled for us and yet it's a tremendous mistake to simply understand that salvation is like our ticket to Heaven." [11:46] (Download)
7) "The Armor of God is received through the spirit of God as we continually pursue him, it's not a list of individual things that we work on to achieve." [15:36] (Download)
8) "By clothing ourselves with God Christ by pursuing christlikeness we reject desires of the Flesh in order to honor God and as Jesus did with his life." [16:15] (Download)
9) "Each day that passes it's a day closer to when we'll experience the culmination of our Salvation until then we have we play an active part in the living into the already and not yet." [17:32] (Download)
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