Awakening to Salvation: Living in Anticipation of Christ

 

Summary

In Romans 13:11-14, Paul presents a compelling argument for living a Christian life, urging believers to awaken from spiritual slumber because salvation is nearer than when they first believed. This eschatological argument, focusing on the doctrine of last things, is unique to Christian teaching and serves as a powerful motivator for holy living. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that the time we live in is significant, situated between the first and second coming of Christ. This perspective transforms our understanding of history and time, highlighting the insignificance of worldly events compared to the grand narrative of salvation.

Paul's message is clear: Christians must have a distinct view of life, recognizing the world as an evil place from which we have been delivered. Our faith overcomes the world, and we are called to live in anticipation of Christ's return. This future-oriented perspective is not just about hope but also about accountability. The second coming of Christ will bring judgment, not in terms of salvation for believers, but in terms of rewards for their works. This judgment will reveal the quality of each person's work, urging believers to live lives that are pleasing to God.

The ultimate salvation that Paul speaks of involves the glorification of believers, where both body and soul will be redeemed and perfected. This future glory is a powerful motivator for Christians to live righteously, knowing that they will one day see Christ and be like Him. The promise of hearing the words "Well done, good and faithful servant" from the Lord Himself is a profound encouragement to remain faithful and diligent in our Christian walk.

Key Takeaways:

- The eschatological argument presented by Paul in Romans 13:11-14 is a unique motivator for Christians, urging them to live in anticipation of Christ's return and the ultimate salvation that awaits them. This perspective transforms our understanding of time and history, emphasizing the significance of living a life that pleases God. [01:37]

- Christians are called to have a distinct view of life, recognizing the world as an evil place from which they have been delivered. Our faith overcomes the world, and we are urged to live in anticipation of Christ's return, which will bring judgment and reward for our works. [05:50]

- The second coming of Christ will involve a judgment of believers, not in terms of salvation, but in terms of rewards for their works. This judgment will reveal the quality of each person's work, urging believers to live lives that are pleasing to God. [36:51]

- The ultimate salvation that Paul speaks of involves the glorification of believers, where both body and soul will be redeemed and perfected. This future glory is a powerful motivator for Christians to live righteously, knowing that they will one day see Christ and be like Him. [41:45]

- The promise of hearing the words "Well done, good and faithful servant" from the Lord Himself is a profound encouragement to remain faithful and diligent in our Christian walk. This assurance of future reward and glorification should influence our daily lives and decisions. [42:36]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - Introduction to Romans 13:11-14
[01:08] - The Eschatological Argument
[02:08] - Christian Perspective on Time
[03:37] - Understanding Life in This World
[05:19] - The Christian's View of the World
[06:06] - Our Outlook on the Future
[07:13] - Three Views of Salvation
[09:28] - The Day of the Lord
[12:32] - Apostolic Teachings on the Second Coming
[18:16] - The Purpose of Christ's Return
[23:05] - The Judgment and Eternal Kingdom
[25:13] - The Regeneration of the Cosmos
[30:48] - Consequences for Unbelievers
[35:10] - Judgment of Believers
[41:02] - Glorification and Future Reward
[46:07] - Living in Light of Glorification
[49:21] - Closing Remarks

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 13:11-14

Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean when he says, "our salvation is nearer than when we believed"? How does this relate to the concept of time between the first and second coming of Christ? [00:31]
2. According to the sermon, how does Paul describe the world, and what is the Christian's relationship to it? [05:19]
3. What are the "works of darkness" that Paul urges believers to cast off, and what should they put on instead? [00:49]
4. How does the sermon explain the significance of the "day" that is at hand? [06:23]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the eschatological argument serve as a unique motivator for Christians, according to the sermon? [01:37]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the second coming of Christ will bring judgment and reward for believers? [36:51]
3. How does the promise of future glorification influence the way Christians are encouraged to live their lives now? [41:45]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the significance of hearing "Well done, good and faithful servant" from the Lord? [42:36]

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 awaken and live in anticipation of Christ's return? [00:12]
2. How does your view of the world align with the Christian perspective described in the sermon? Are there worldly influences you need to overcome with your faith? [05:19]
3. Consider the "works of darkness" in your life. What practical steps can you take to cast them off and put on the "armor of light"? [00:49]
4. How does the concept of future judgment and reward impact your daily decisions and actions? Are there specific areas where you need to be more diligent in your Christian walk? [36:51]
5. The sermon emphasizes the glorification of believers. How does this future promise motivate you to live righteously today? Are there specific changes you need to make in your life to align with this promise? [41:45]
6. Reflect on the idea of hearing "Well done, good and faithful servant" from the Lord. What actions or attitudes in your life would lead to this commendation? [42:36]
7. How can you cultivate a future-oriented perspective that balances hope and accountability in your Christian journey? What specific practices can help you maintain this balance? [01:37]

Devotional

Day 1: Living in Anticipation of Christ's Return
Paul's eschatological argument in Romans 13:11-14 serves as a unique motivator for Christians, urging them to live in anticipation of Christ's return and the ultimate salvation that awaits them. This perspective transforms our understanding of time and history, emphasizing the significance of living a life that pleases God. The Apostle Paul reminds believers that salvation is nearer now than when they first believed, and this urgency calls for a spiritual awakening from slumber. The time between the first and second coming of Christ is significant, and believers are encouraged to live with a sense of urgency and purpose, knowing that their actions have eternal implications. [01:37]

"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." (Romans 13:11-12, ESV)

Reflection: How can you live today with a sense of urgency and purpose, knowing that Christ's return is imminent?


Day 2: Overcoming the World Through Faith
Christians are called to have a distinct view of life, recognizing the world as an evil place from which they have been delivered. Our faith overcomes the world, and we are urged to live in anticipation of Christ's return, which will bring judgment and reward for our works. This perspective challenges believers to see beyond the temporary allure of worldly events and focus on the eternal narrative of salvation. By living in anticipation of Christ's return, believers are reminded of their deliverance from the world's evil and are encouraged to live lives that reflect their faith and hope in Christ. [05:50]

"For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith." (1 John 5:4, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate your faith today to overcome the challenges and temptations of the world?


Day 3: Judgment and Rewards for Believers
The second coming of Christ will involve a judgment of believers, not in terms of salvation, but in terms of rewards for their works. This judgment will reveal the quality of each person's work, urging believers to live lives that are pleasing to God. The anticipation of this judgment serves as a powerful motivator for Christians to evaluate their actions and intentions, ensuring that they align with God's will. By focusing on the eternal rewards that await them, believers are encouraged to live righteously and diligently, knowing that their efforts will be recognized and rewarded by God. [36:51]

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." (2 Corinthians 5:10, ESV)

Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to ensure that your life is pleasing to God and worthy of His rewards?


Day 4: The Glorification of Believers
The ultimate salvation that Paul speaks of involves the glorification of believers, where both body and soul will be redeemed and perfected. This future glory is a powerful motivator for Christians to live righteously, knowing that they will one day see Christ and be like Him. The promise of glorification encourages believers to persevere in their faith, despite the challenges and trials they may face in this world. By focusing on the future glory that awaits them, Christians are reminded of the eternal significance of their actions and are motivated to live lives that reflect their hope in Christ. [41:45]

"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself." (Philippians 3:20-21, ESV)

Reflection: How does the promise of future glorification influence your daily decisions and actions today?


Day 5: Encouragement to Remain Faithful
The promise of hearing the words "Well done, good and faithful servant" from the Lord Himself is a profound encouragement to remain faithful and diligent in our Christian walk. This assurance of future reward and glorification should influence our daily lives and decisions. By focusing on the eternal rewards that await them, believers are encouraged to persevere in their faith and remain steadfast in their commitment to God. The anticipation of hearing these words from the Lord serves as a powerful motivator for Christians to live lives that are pleasing to God and reflect their hope in Christ. [42:36]

"His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’" (Matthew 25:23, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take today to ensure that you remain faithful and diligent in your Christian walk, so that you may one day hear the words "Well done, good and faithful servant"?

Quotes

"Paul is concerned about living the Christian life. He started with this greater people at the beginning of the twelfth chapter and having given a number of detailed instructions, he is now giving us a great argument, a great reason for fulfilling. He's already given us one which is that love is the fulfilling of the law, but here is another argument, and this is what we may call the eschatological argument." [00:58:51]

"This time is the time between the first advent and the second death of the Son of God, and all of our kings and princes, births, marriages, deaths, woes, and all the rest of it is comparatively insignificant. These are the things that really matter, and this is how you measure time, and we are living in this time between these two mighty cataclysmic events." [00:39:31]

"Christ, says Paul, the Son of God, God sent him into the world to deliver us from this present evil. Well, that's the view of the scripture. Now, that doesn't mean that we're out of it or that we see in a very vain culture, but giving all these things their maximum content, it is an evil world, and we are delivered out of it, translated out of it into the kingdom of God's dear Son." [00:48:03]

"Our faith overcomes the world, and we are fighting the world, the flesh, the devil. These are antagonists, and the world is against us, and we're all having to fight the world. So we've got this peculiar reward. Well, then at the end, last Friday night, we considered, began to consider the third thing that he tells us that we know, and that is our outlook on the future." [00:53:40]

"Now is our salvation nearer than when we believed, and he talks about the day. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. We began considering this. Now, this is most important. I suggested that a better way of looking at the translation here would be like this: not so much for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed, but rather nearer is all of us the salvation." [00:56:23]

"You can regard salvation as something that's already happened, and every Christian is already saved from the guilt of sin and the condemnation of the law. You don't go on asking for that as a Christian. That's happened to you. You have been delivered from the guilt of sin and the condemnation of the law, but we are being delivered continuously, progressively in the method of sanctification." [01:14:41]

"The ultimate final salvation that awaits us, this is something again with which we are quite familiar. These terms are used so frequently in the scripture. It talks about the day or that day or the day of the Lord and so on. Now, our Lord Himself does this in his own teaching. Let me give you but one example of it. There are many others." [01:32:09]

"Now, it is a constant theme in the preaching of the great apostle. You remember in Titus chapter 2, verses 11 to 14, it's exactly the same thing, waiting for the appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. There it is, and it's not confined to Paul. The Epistle to the Hebrews uses this as one of its great motives and one of its great appeals." [01:37:50]

"Everything is to be viewed in the light of this great teaching about this salvation which is yet to come. Whatever it's clear, isn't it, as to what he's referring to? This is none other than the great doctrine and teaching concerning our Lord's second coming, our Lord's appearing again in this world. It's been your once; he's coming again." [01:48:31]

"Time shall be no more. That's a great statement. You see, now we are living in this peculiar time, knowing the time. We are still in that position, but then when he has come, time shall be no more. Time comes to an end. God starts time; he ends time. Time shall be no more." [01:59:38]

"The whole cosmos, the whole universe is to be restored to its original perfect condition as it was created by God. The Apostle, if you like, states exactly the same thing again in Ephesians 1 and in verse 10. He says that God hath made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in himself." [02:57:00]

"Now, if you believe descriptions, if you believe that these are the divinely inspired words of God Himself given through men, this is the teaching of the entire Bible. The whole of the Bible is leading up to this, and it's inevitable, of course. Otherwise, the devil is defeated. God, this must be them, and we are told by plenty by the Lord Himself and by His apostle." [03:23:22]

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Transcript
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