Now Is the Time - Pastor Irik Archie (3/15/26)

The scripture opens with the claim that the presence of the Lord brings fullness of joy and everlasting pleasure. True, lasting fulfillment and peace come from commitment to God rather than temporary pursuits. When life feels dry or depleted, the solution lies in reordering priorities and returning to the well of life. The world’s violence, moral decline, and distractions demand spiritual wakefulness; believers must not drift into sleep but prepare, discern, and act now.

Romans 13 urges an immediate response: salvation draws nearer than when faith first began, the night is nearly over, and the day approaches. That Greek phrase rendered “high time” points to an appointed, decisive moment that requires an urgent spiritual answer—not someday, not later. The call requires deliberate choices: put aside deeds of darkness, clothe oneself with the Lord Jesus Christ, and refuse carousing, drunkenness, sexual immorality, dissension, and jealousy. Sin often begins small, yet grows; every thought that contradicts God must be cast down before it germinates into action.

Wakefulness shows up in practical disciplines. Casting down imaginations, being sober-minded, and choosing the Spirit over temporary comforts will sharpen spiritual clarity. Alcohol and other substitutes deaden vigilance and compromise standards; true comfort and power come from being filled with the Spirit. Submitting life to God means letting God drive—no backseat bargaining—so that desires, decisions, and direction align with divine wisdom.

Luke’s lament over Jerusalem warns that failing to recognize the time of God’s visitation brings avoidable ruin. Yet the tone remains hopeful: Isaiah invites seeking the Lord while He may be found. The gifts and calling of God endure; God has not repented of plans for those who respond. Obedience in faith—like the lepers who went to the priest and found healing—initiates change. The present moment matters. Faithful, timely response brings illumination, renewed purpose, and the peace that surpasses anxious striving.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Now is the time Now demands an immediate spiritual decision, not a deferred intention. The Greek idea of “high time” describes a fixed, critical moment that forces a choice. Responding now prevents drift into habits that harden the heart and erode witness. Waiting dilutes urgency and risks missing God’s appointed opportunity. [03:41]
• 2. Prioritize God's purpose first When God’s purpose becomes priority, daily affairs realign under divine care. Making God’s work central reorders time, energy, and motives, and invites God to steward personal concerns. Pursuing kingdom work reframes success as obedience rather than mere comfort or status. This posture releases peace and power amid uncertain circumstances. [09:08]
• 3. Wake from spiritual slumber Alertness means rejecting complacency, casting down sinful imaginations, and choosing sober-minded vigilance. Spiritual wakefulness converts conviction into action and turns conviction into transformation. Sleeping through conviction allows small sins to grow into public ruin; waking up reclaims clarity, witness, and purpose. [11:54]
• 4. Clothe yourself with Christ Putting on Christ requires active renunciation of deeds of darkness and deliberate pursuit of holiness. Clothing with Jesus reshapes desires, thoughts, and behaviors so that the Spirit leads rather than the flesh. This choice produces inward peace and outward fruit even before circumstances change. [25:49]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:28] - Fulfillment in God's Presence
• [02:49] - Now Is The Time: Urgency Explained
• [11:54] - Romans 13: Wake From Slumber
• [13:57] - "High Time": An Appointed Moment
• [25:49] - Put Aside Deeds Of Darkness
• [35:10] - Ephesians: Rise And Shine
• [39:38] - Be Filled, Not Intoxicated
• [42:59] - Submit: Let God Drive
• [47:45] - Seek The Lord While Near

1. What specific actions and attitudes does Paul instruct believers to "cast off" in this passage?
2. According to the sermon, what does the phrase "high time" mean in its original language, and what kind of response does it require? [16:27]
3. What are some practical examples given of how sin can start small and grow if not addressed? [30:40]
4. How does the passage describe the relationship between time and salvation?

1. Why does Paul connect the nearness of salvation with the urgency to wake up and change behavior?
2. What might it look like in daily life to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" instead of making "provision for the flesh"?
3. The sermon mentions that disaster can sometimes be avoided if we recognize God’s timely intervention. How might failing to recognize God’s "time of visitation" lead to negative consequences? [46:00]
4. How does the idea of being "spiritually decisive" contrast with a passive or delayed response to God’s prompting? [17:05]

1. Where in your life have you been hitting the "snooze button" on something God has been asking you to address or change? [24:24]
2. What is one "deed of darkness" or unhealthy habit you need to actively "cast off" this week, and what practical step will you take to "put on Christ" in that area?
3. How can you cultivate greater spiritual alertness in your daily routine to recognize God’s voice and timing more clearly?
4. The sermon warns against letting small compromises grow into bigger problems. Is there a thought pattern or temptation you’ve been tolerating that you need to "cast down" before it takes root? [34:04]
5. In what area of your life are you still trying to be the "driver" instead of fully submitting to God’s control? What would it look like to let Him take the wheel this week? [44:25]
6. How can you shift your focus from worrying about personal affairs to seeking God’s purpose first, trusting that He will take care of your needs? [09:08]
7. Is there a source of comfort or escape you’ve been turning to (like alcohol, entertainment, or distraction) instead of seeking fulfillment in the Spirit? What would it look like to be "filled with the Spirit" instead? [39:38]