Slides: Wake Up and Get Dressed

Wake Up and Get Dressed!
Romans 13:8-14

 

⁸ Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. ⁹ The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁰ Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

¹¹ And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 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. ¹³ Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. ¹⁴ Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Eliminate debt

Owe no one anything. (13:8 ESV)

The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. (Proverbs 22:7)

The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously. (Psalm 37:21)

Debts we owe

• Debt to world to share gospel (1:14)
• Debt to Spirit to live holy life (8:12)
• Debt to rulers to pay taxes (13:7)
• Debt to lenders to pay loans (13:8)
• Debt to neighbor to keep loving (13:8)
  (John Stott, Romans)

Love your neighbor

The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (13:9)

Harmless, lawful love

Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (12:10)

• Love freely chooses not to harm others and doesn’t need to be motivated by government threats.
• Love fulfills God’s law without trying to earn God’s acceptance.

 

What time is it?

Time of crisis

• Debt crisis
• Climate crisis
• Terror crisis

Time of opportunity

• Jesus’ light and love are shining.
• Jesus return is getting nearer.

Time to wake up

The hour has 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. (Romans 13:11-12)

Sudden, not surprised

You know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night… suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman… But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. (1 Thessalonians 5:2-5)

Alert and armored

So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. (1 Thessalonians 5:6-8)

Rise and shine!

You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light … Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them… This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5:8-14)

Dress for battle!

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:11-12)

Daytime behavior

Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies 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 sinful nature. (Romans 13:13-14)

Are you wide awake?

• Alert to ways you can love.
• Alert to dark threat of evil.
• Alert to Jesus’ sudden return.
• Alert to being in Christ now.