Awakening to the Light of Christ's Return

Devotional

Day 1: Scripture Over Culture

Description: In today's world, it's easy to let cultural norms and societal trends shape our beliefs and actions. However, as Christians, we are called to let Scripture be our ultimate authority. This means actively aligning our lives with biblical teachings, even when they contradict what is popular or accepted in society. It requires a conscious effort to discern and reject cultural influences that are not in line with God's Word. By doing so, we ensure that our faith remains pure and our actions reflect true Christian values. [02:53]

Colossians 2:8 (ESV): "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."

Reflection: Identify one cultural belief or practice that has influenced your faith. How can you replace it with a biblical truth today?

Day 2: Living with Urgency

Description: The imminent return of Jesus Christ should instill a sense of urgency in us to live holy lives. This urgency is not about predicting dates but about living in a way that reflects our anticipation of His return. Our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed, and this should motivate us to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Living with this urgency means being vigilant in our spiritual walk, constantly seeking to grow in holiness and righteousness. [10:56]

1 Thessalonians 5:2-6 (ESV): "For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, 'There is peace and security,' then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to cast off darkness and put on the armor of light? How can you take a step towards holiness today?

Day 3: Navigating Dual Citizenship

Description: As Christians, we live in this present age but are also part of the age to come. This dual citizenship means we must navigate the world with a heavenly perspective, understanding that our ultimate allegiance is to God's kingdom. This perspective should influence our daily decisions and interactions, making us ambassadors of Christ in a fallen world. By keeping our focus on our heavenly citizenship, we can live lives that honor God and reflect His kingdom values. [26:32]

Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: How does your heavenly citizenship influence your daily decisions? What is one practical way you can act as an ambassador of Christ today?

Day 4: Consistent Spiritual Maintenance

Description: Just as a ship requires regular maintenance to avoid disaster, our spiritual lives need daily disciplines like prayer and Bible reading. Neglecting these can lead to spiritual shipwreck. Consistent engagement with God's Word and prayer keeps us aligned with His will and prevents us from drifting into complacency or sin. By making these disciplines a priority, we can ensure that our faith remains strong and vibrant, ready to withstand the challenges of life. [44:17]

1 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV): "Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."

Reflection: What is one spiritual discipline you have been neglecting? How can you incorporate it into your daily routine starting today?

Day 5: Reflecting Christ's Light

Description: The world needs to see the transformative power of Christ in us. This means living in a way that reflects His light, casting off sinful behaviors and embracing a lifestyle that glorifies God. Our lives should be a testimony to God's grace, compelling others to seek the same transformation. By living as light in the darkness, we can draw others to Christ and demonstrate the power of the Gospel in our everyday lives. [37:34]

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: In what ways can you let your light shine before others today? How can your actions reflect the transformative power of Christ to those around you?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

In today's sermon, we explored Romans 13:11-14, emphasizing the urgency for Christians to wake up from spiritual slumber and live in the light of Christ. We began by acknowledging the ongoing renovations and efforts within our church community, thanking those involved. This led us into a prayer for divine guidance and clarity in delivering God's Word.

We discussed how often our perceptions can be misleading, using a humorous personal anecdote to illustrate this point. This segued into a critical examination of how culture often influences our Christianity, rather than Scripture defining our beliefs and actions. The core message was a call to awaken from spiritual complacency, recognizing that the return of Jesus Christ is imminent. This urgency is not just about eschatological events but about living a life that reflects the transformative power of the Gospel.

We broke down the passage into four key parts: a context to be understood, a time to be considered, a condition to be aware of, and a lifestyle to be desired. The context involves understanding the rich theological teachings from Romans chapters 1-11 and the practical applications in chapters 12-13. The time to be considered is the nearness of Christ's return, which should compel us to live holy lives. The condition to be aware of is our dual citizenship; we live in this present age but are also part of the age to come. Finally, the lifestyle to be desired is one that casts off the works of darkness and puts on the armor of light, living in a way that glorifies God.

We concluded with a powerful analogy of a shipwreck caused by neglected maintenance, urging us to engage in daily spiritual disciplines like prayer and Bible reading to prevent spiritual shipwreck. The call to action was clear: wake up, live in the light, and let the world see the transformative power of Christ in us.

###

Key Takeaways

1. **Cultural Influence vs. Scriptural Authority**: It's crucial to recognize when culture is shaping our beliefs instead of Scripture. The Bible should be the ultimate authority that defines our faith and actions, not societal norms or trends. This requires a conscious effort to align our lives with biblical teachings, even when it contradicts cultural expectations. [02:53]
2. Urgency of Christ's Return: The imminent return of Jesus Christ should instill a sense of urgency in us to live holy lives. This isn't about predicting dates but about living in a way that reflects our anticipation of His return. Our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed, and this should motivate us to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. [10:56]
3. Dual Citizenship: As Christians, we live in this present age but are also part of the age to come. This dual citizenship means we must navigate the world with a heavenly perspective, understanding that our ultimate allegiance is to God's kingdom. This perspective should influence our daily decisions and interactions, making us ambassadors of Christ in a fallen world. [26:32]
4. Daily Spiritual Maintenance: Just as a ship requires regular maintenance to avoid disaster, our spiritual lives need daily disciplines like prayer and Bible reading. Neglecting these can lead to spiritual shipwreck. Consistent engagement with God's Word and prayer keeps us aligned with His will and prevents us from drifting into complacency or sin. [44:17]
5. Living as Light in Darkness: The world needs to see the transformative power of Christ in us. This means living in a way that reflects His light, casting off sinful behaviors and embracing a lifestyle that glorifies God. Our lives should be a testimony to God's grace, compelling others to seek the same transformation. [37:34]
### [37:34]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:34] - Misunderstandings and Perceptions
[02:53] - Culture vs. Scripture
[03:58] - Awake, O Sleeper
[05:12] - The Imminent Return of Christ
[07:06] - Context to be Understood
[10:01] - Time to be Considered
[10:56] - Urgency of Holiness
[13:03] - Seeking God's Mercy
[14:40] - Fully Aware of the Times
[17:09] - Certain Judgment to Come
[18:43] - Speaking the Truth Unashamedly
[20:06] - The Church Needs to Wake Up
[22:06] - Last Days and Difficult Times
[24:18] - Double-Mindedness and Stability
[26:32] - Dual Citizenship
[29:15] - Born Again Transformation
[32:12] - Rich in Mercy
[35:42] - Condition to be Aware
[36:19] - Lifestyle to be Desired
[37:34] - Casting Off Darkness
[40:19] - The Church's True Purpose
[44:17] - Daily Spiritual Maintenance
[45:48] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Paul mean when he says, "the hour has come for you to wake from sleep" in Romans 13:11? How does this relate to the urgency of Christ's return? [03:58]
According to Romans 13:12, what are Christians instructed to cast off and put on? How does this imagery help us understand the lifestyle Paul is advocating? [05:12]
In the sermon, the pastor mentioned a humorous personal anecdote to illustrate misunderstandings. What was the point of this story, and how does it relate to the influence of culture on our beliefs? [01:34]

Interpretation Questions

How does the concept of "dual citizenship" (living in this present age but also being part of the age to come) affect a Christian's daily decisions and interactions? [26:32]
The sermon emphasized the importance of daily spiritual maintenance. Why is consistent engagement with God's Word and prayer crucial for preventing spiritual shipwreck? [44:17]
The pastor used the analogy of a shipwreck caused by neglected maintenance. How does this analogy help us understand the consequences of spiritual complacency? [44:17]

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where culture has influenced your beliefs more than Scripture? How can you realign your life to be more biblically centered? [02:53]
The sermon stressed the urgency of Christ's return. How does this urgency impact your daily life and decisions? What changes can you make to live more in anticipation of His return? [10:56]
Considering the idea of dual citizenship, how can you better navigate the tension between living in this world and being part of God's kingdom? What practical steps can you take to prioritize your heavenly allegiance? [26:32]
Daily spiritual maintenance was highlighted as essential. What specific practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to ensure you are spiritually healthy and aligned with God's will? [44:17]
The pastor called for Christians to "wake up" and live in the light. What are some practical ways you can cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light in your own life? [37:34]
Think about a time when you felt spiritually complacent. What led to that state, and how did you overcome it? How can you prevent it from happening again?
The sermon mentioned the importance of living as light in darkness. How can your life be a testimony to God's grace and compel others to seek the same transformation? [37:34]

Sermon Clips

1. "Have you ever noticed sometimes that culture informs our Christianity instead of the Scripture dictating and defining our Christianity? You think about what I just said. We think we see something, and we apply it for accuracy. But the Bible doesn't afford us the right to take culture and use it to define our beliefs. The Bible says the Bible defines our beliefs and impacts culture." [02:53] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The glorious appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ is drawing near. In what way is this appearing going to occur? Will there be a rapture before the tribulation in the middle of the tribulation after the tribulation? Will the Lord Jesus just bring in the new kingdom? Will there be a millennium? Are we in the millennium now? All of these questions are hotly debated and argued in theological circles. The reality is that the Lord Jesus shall return and he will answer creation's groaning voice." [06:12] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The scripture tells us that we can do that with the transformation of our mind. Our mind is changed, which enables our living sacrificially, a living sacrifice. Our minds are changed by the application of the spirit of God through the word of God. And then chapter 12 goes on and it talks about using our gifts and being who God made us to be. And it talks about loving our neighbor, talks about loving our Christian brothers and sisters, talks about loving our neighbors, talks about love in general, walking in love." [07:06] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The time to be considered is the soon return of the Lord Jesus Christ. It's imminent return. So are you convinced it will be any minute? I don't know when it's going to be. And I'm okay with that because Jesus didn't know when it was going to be either. Did not Jesus say, I do not know the day and the hour of my return. Only the father in heaven knows. We don't have to know the day and the hour. What I have to know is in due response to the merciful, gracious blood atonement of Christ." [13:03] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The church does the members a terrible disservice. It does the community a terrible disservice by being afraid that speaking the truth from the Word of God is going to alienate and reduce the numerical count in the building. I have a sign that when I do booths and out in the public, it says, need prayer? it's a big sign. And I thought, you know what? That sign actually is keeping people from coming over to my booth." [18:43] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "The church needs to wake up. And how can the church wake up unless you and you and you and you and me, unless we wake up? The only reason these shysters that are robbing and fleecing the flock, the only way they have a hearing is because the people keep paying for it. If the people of God cut off the money to these thieves, they will disappear quickly and run another scam. But we're ignorant biblically, so we don't know how to argue our way out of it." [20:06] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Understand this. In the last days, there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy. They will be heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen, and with conceit. Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people." [22:06] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "You must be born again. You must have a dramatic transformation. Where God brings you from this earthly world. That your entire awareness is right here. Until you're born again. When you're born again. God gives you a new perspective. A transformation. He doesn't just make you better. He makes you over. It's time for you. You. The you here is believers. Wake up. Sleepies. And for those of you who are not asleep. The Bible declares that you are dead. And your trespasses and sins." [29:15] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "The night is far gone. And the day is at hand. I cannot wait for the night to be destroyed. By the glorious light of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is why I don't like to worship in churches. That try to make it dark on purpose. The night is gone. The day is at hand. The overwhelming grace of God is victorious. And will be victorious eternally. So then. See the therefore. The day is at hand. But as a result of. Let us cast off the works of darkness. And put on the armor of light." [36:56] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Open your Bible every day. Sit alone. Read a chapter in the Gospels. Read a chapter in the Psalms. However you want to do it, it doesn't matter. Sit alone with God's Word. Sit alone in prayer. Take everything to God in prayer. This is the daily maintenance that prevents the shipwreck of your faith. Almost nobody ever really shipwrecked. They never shipwrecked their faith except they missed and skipped some of the integral parts of daily living as a disciple." [45:06] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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