Living in the Light: Putting on Christ and Walking in Holiness
Romans: Unashamed - Building the Church through the Gospel • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction
Attention - Self-identified Christians make up 63% of U.S. population in 2021, down from 75% a decade ago.
Currently, about three-in-ten U.S. adults (29%) are religious “nones” – people who describe themselves as atheists, agnostics or “nothing in particular” when asked about their religious identity. Self-identified Christians of all varieties (including Protestants, Catholics, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Orthodox Christians) make up 63% of the adult population. Christians now outnumber religious “nones” by a ratio of a little more than two-to-one. In 2007, when the Center began asking its current question about religious identity, Christians outnumbered “nones” by almost five-to-one (78% vs. 16%).
The recent declines within Christianity are concentrated among Protestants. Today, 40% of U.S. adults are Protestants, a group that is broadly defined to include nondenominational Christians and people who describe themselves as “just Christian” along with Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans, Presbyterians and members of many other denominational families. The Protestant share of the population is down 4 percentage points over the last five years and has dropped 10 points in 10 years.
https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2021/12/14/about-three-in-ten-u-s-adults-are-now-religiously-unaffiliated/
Folks, I think it’s time for the church to wake up.
Main Idea: Wake Up And Embrace The Light of Jesus
Interrogative: Why?
Transition: Our time of influence for Christ is one day less. What should we do?
1. Wake up! The Lord is Coming! (vs. 11)
Discussing the “End Times” is always a fascinating discussion. There are so many opinions on when and how the Lord will return. I have some very strong opinions as well. Regardless of you position of when and how Jesus will return, we are one day closer to His return. This is Paul’s point in verse 11...
11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.
Explanation - I believe the Bible teaches the imminent return of Christ...
Jesus will come back. He will bring judgment. The first time Christ came, He came as a lamb. The next time Christ returns He will be as a Lion. No one to be trifled with.
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. 17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “Come, gather for the great supper of God, 18 to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.” 19 And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. 20 And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. 21 And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.
The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world is also the Lion of Judah who will, one day soon, judge the world.
And that day in one day closer than it was yesterday.
And Paul’s admonition in light of this impending reality?
WAKE UP!
This admonition. This challenge isn’t for the unbelieving. Paul is talking to the believing church at Rome!
WAKE UP, CHURCH!
Why would Paul say this to the church?
Because the church at Rome was in the seat of a community of idolatry and sin. Temptation was strong and it was easy for the Christian to be swayed by popular opinion and the voice of sweet reason. It was natural for the church to be lulled into the stupor of unbiblical thinking and so Paul’s call to them to WAKE UP and shake off the apathy that so easily besets us!
And friends, there is nothing new under the sun!
The church today, the church in the USA in particular is sleeping at the wheel! She is more enamored with fitting in with society than saving it. With playing with sin instead of dying to it.
There is a very important responsibility the Bride of Christ has in the world and that is to be a witness on behalf of Jesus Christ.
Why? Because it is our witness, using the Word of God, empowered by the Spirit of God, that creates new people of God.
And according to Paul, there is a sense of urgency that the church at Rome needed to feel, and we, the church in 2023 needs to feel even more urgently.
This is what he means when he says...
11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.
The salvation to which Paul is referring is when the church is glorified as the bride of Christ.
The church/Bride of Christ, must awaken from her sleep and prepare for the arrival of her groom, Jesus Christ. This imagery is replete throughout the Old Testament and will come to fruition in the church age at some unknown point in the future.
Isn’t this the point of the parable of the ten virgins?
1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
Church, WAKE UP!
WAKE UP to your responsibility to communicate the gospel to those around you.
There is a time coming that it will be too late.
WAKE UP to the fact that God has chosen you to be the messenger of this glorious good news. Share it! Be bold! Communicate the inevitable warning of judgment to those who reject the gospel.
Illustration - An experienced firefighter was recently charged with grave neglect of duty. Prosecutors maintained that he had abandoned his responsibility when he failed to release rescue equipment. This resulted in the needless and tragic deaths of a family of five. Eyewitnesses were sickened when they discovered that the reason the firefighter remained locked in the. Simply because he was testing a new high-tech CD player, which he maintained he had bought as a gift for the Fire Chief. The Fire Chief immediately distanced himself from the defendant, and he dishonorably discharged him from the department. In a prepared statement, the chief said. Quote, there are no words to describe such a betrayal of those he was sworn to protect. The lead prosecuting attorney argued that for more than 3 minutes after arriving on the scene, the firefighter wore earphones and listened to a CD while a family of five was screaming to be rescued from the 6th floor of a burning building. Horrified onlookers related that as flames licked her clothing, a mother cried out in terror. And fell to her death while still clutching an infant in her arms. Other witnesses said that the father was clutching 2 terrified children as he was engulfed by the massive flames. This terrifying drama took place in full view of the firefighter as he remained seated in the vehicle listening to the CD. The defense pleaded no contest but added that the defendant went to great personal sacrifice to purchase the expensive gift for the chief and hope that the judge would take that into consideration as he passed the sentence. What do you think is a fitting punishment for this serious crime? Two years in prison, 20 years. A life sentence, Capital punishment. You be the judge.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_bJJJ-lVQo
Argumentation - While God is ultimately responsible for salvation, He desires to use you! The Lord is Coming! We have a glorious responsibility and privilege to share the life giving gospel with all that we can.
Oswald J Smith said. “Oh, my friends, we're loaded down with countless church activities while the real work of the church, that of evangelizing and winning the lost, is almost entirely neglected.”
Application - What can you do to share the gospel?
Perfect telling your testimony -
Service and acts of love -
know the Gospel structure and verses that go along with the great story
If nothing else, invite someone to do the “Seeking God and Finding Him” study!
Review - Wake Up And Embrace The Light of Jesus
Wake up! The Lord is Coming!
2. Wake Up! And Live For Him (vs. 12)
Listen, you and I, if we are Christians, have been bought with His precious blood and so we no longer belong to ourselves, we belong to Christ and now live for Him!
This is what Paul is driving at in verse 12...
12 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.
Explanation -
“The night is far gone” - in other words, the at the cross and resurrection, God defeated the evil one. The long awaited for Messiah came and accomplished everything necessary for our redemption and restoration.
“the day is at hand” - The night of hopelessness that sin brought to humanity is now gone and instead, the day is at hand!
What “Day” is Paul speaking of?
The “Day” of Christ’s return and reign.
2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 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. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.
And so Paul is exhorting the Roman Christians repent of their sins, especially of apathy and get at the task at hand.
What do believers have at their disposal?
The resurrected Christ. Matt 28:20 “I am with you always...”
The Holy Spirit of God - Acts 1:8
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
These two realities cause the first church to explode!
These two realities will cause the church to expand!
But do you know the other thing that will cause the church to explode and expand?
Paul tells us in the last part of the verse.
“So then lest us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”
We, as followers of Christ are no longer to live like we used to live.
1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
And as followers of Christ, we are to put on “the armor of light” - We are in a battle, friends and our fight is not against flesh and blood rather it is against, spiritual forces. And God, through Paul has told us how we are to fight this battle.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
Like Paul, when we fight this warfare with the tools God has given us, we can fight effectively and profitably the war we are in.
Illustration - “Living righteously, knowing the truth, sharing the Gospel, having faith in God and studying and applying the Bible are ways that we utilize the armor of light. That’s how we wield it effectively.” - J.R. Waller
Argumentation - The Church in the West seems to be on retreat. We seem to be bowing to the whims of the culture by
embracing the ideology of the culture
retreating from the culture.
Neither of these responses are acceptable.
Instead, the church of Jesus Christ is to go on the offensive by employing the full armor of God which is the armor of light.
This armor will provide all the protection any believer will ever need from the World, the flesh, and the devil.
Application - Daily put on the armor of God.
Review - Wake Up And Embrace The Light of Jesus
Wake up! The Lord is Coming!
Wake Up! And Live For Him
3. Wake Up! And Walk Away from the Old Way (vs. 13)
13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.
Explanation - There is a marked difference believers are supposed to walk in this life from the life of the world. We are to be distinct and different.
How so?
Paul gives a list of demarkation in verse 13. A list that discourages us to walk in a way that is contrary to the Law of God.
In fact, this is the euphemism Paul uses - walk! Walk, meaning the way in which one lives their life.
A Christian life is to be a life that is proper. In other words, Christs are to purposefully conduct their lives in such a way that it is pleasing to God.
9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.
Does it please Christ to participate in orgies - multiple sexual partners? NO!
Does it please Christ to walk in drunkenness? NO!
Does it please Christ to participate in sexual immortality? NO!
Does it please Christ or live in sensuality? NO!
Does it please Christ to quarrel? NO!
Does it please Christ to be jealous? NO!
Illustration - Holiness, not happiness, is the chief end of man - Oswald Chambers
Argumentation - Paul’s point? A person who names the name of Christ should not be characterized by orgies, drunkeness, sexual immorality, sensuality, quarreling or jealousy.
We are to walk in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. Walking in holiness is the answer.
Application - Paul in this chapter has given differing lists. And this is, yet again, one more. And, honestly, it is really good for believers to review lists like these to help us die to our fleshly desires and live for Christ. This is the sword of the Spirit cutting away those things that will destroy us if left unattended.
A simple way to apply this is by asking this one question.
Is what I am about to do, lead me to holiness and please Christ?
Friends, I guarantee if you pose this question to yourself as you navigate through the challenges and temptations of this life, you will
Review - Wake Up And Embrace The Light of Jesus
Wake up! The Lord is Coming!
Wake Up! And Live For Him
Wake Up! And Walk Away from the Old Way
4. Wake Up! And Put on Jesus (vs. 14)
This is the answer to live in holiness, isn’t it? Christ is holy and we must put on Christ!
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Explanation - Here, yet again, we see a principle that we must pay attention to in the Scriptures if we are going to see transformation in our lives?
What is this principle? The Put off and Put on principle.
Do you see it here?
Paul’s response to living out a sinful lifestyle is to put it off by putting on Christ.
We put off orgies, drunkenness, sexual immorality, sensuality, quarreling and jealously by putting on Jesus Christ.
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
So at the point of salvation, we PUT ON Christ and throughout our sanctification we are to continue to put on Christ.
“As believers, we must not only wake up and throw off our night clothes but also get dressed in the appropriate outfit for the new day. Our “old clothes” were the deeds of darkness, but the proper new daytime attire for the solder of Christ is God’s armor of light (see Ephesians 6:11–18).” Got Questions
How does one put on Christ?
“To put on Christ means to follow Him in discipleship, letting our lives be conformed to the image of Jesus (Romans 8:29). Rather than adapting ourselves to the pattern of this world, we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds and the modification of our behavior into the model of Christ’s life on earth (Romans 12:2). This change requires putting off the old self and putting on the new throughout the Christian life (Ephesians 4:22–24; Colossians 3:12). To achieve this transformation, we rely wholly on our righteous standing before God made possible in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:22; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21).” Got Questions
Illustration - Stunt Double / Doppelgänger.
Argumentation - John Wesley said to put on Christ is “a strong and beautiful expression for the most intimate union with Him, and being clothed with all the graces which were in Him”
When we put on Christ or are clothed in Christ, we are so closely united with Him, people mistake us for him.
You are Christ to those who don’t know him. You are the only Christ some people will ever see.
Application - Jesus is the Divine Logos. He is the living Word of God. If you want to put on Christ, put in His Word.
Devour His text and you will start to think and act like him.
What is your regular habit in His Word?
1. Regular Reading and Meditation: The most fundamental way to know God's Bible is to read it consistently. Start with a plan that covers all books, both Old and New Testaments. Some plans guide you to read the Bible in one year, while others might take a different approach, such as topical or thematic. The key is regularity and a systemic approach. As you read, meditate on what you're learning, ask questions, seek answers, and apply the principles in your life.
2. Bible Study: Bible study involves a more in-depth look at the text. You might focus on a single book, a set of related books, a specific character, or a theme. Use resources like commentaries, dictionaries, and concordances to help understand the historical context, linguistic nuance, and theological implications of the text. Joining a Bible study group can be particularly beneficial as it allows you to learn from the insights of others and engage in discussions that can further deepen your understanding.
3. Prayer and Reflection: As you read and study the Bible, make it a practice to spend time in prayer. Ask God to help you understand His word and apply it in your life. Reflection is also a crucial part of knowing the Bible; it's not just about gathering knowledge, but also about allowing that knowledge to transform your life. Reflect on the lessons you learn from the Bible, how they relate to your life, and how you can apply them.
Remember, the goal is not just to gain knowledge, but to grow in relationship with God. The Bible is not simply a book to be read but a means to engage with God.
This is how one put’s on Christ on a regular basis - By renewing our minds, washing them in God’s Holy Word!
You take in physical nourishment daily - So you must with spiritual nourishment
Conclusion
Visualization - At the beginning of this sermon I pointed out the tremendous decline of Christianity in America. But what if Christians woke up?
What if we woke up to the fact that the Lord is coming?
What if we woke up and purposed to live for Him?
What if we woke up and walked away from the life we were saved from?
What if the church woke up and purposely, daily, put on Jesus?
What if this was characteristic of ABC?
We would be a force for righteousness in this community.
“Light yourself on fire with passion and people will come from miles to watch you burn.” ― John Wesley
Connection Group Reflection Questions