WHAT TIME IS IT

Romans 13:11–12 NKJV

11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

INTRO: Many inventions have been contrived to provide the answer to this question. The sundial provided an answer only during the day. The hourglass could measure the hour—day or night—but not the minute. Finally, the clock provided the best answer, day or night: the hour, the minute, and the second.

Today we must ask that question in a different dimension. It is a spiritual question, a question for the church. What time is it for God’s people at this point in history?

This is a question that the Bible answers. Our passage has a contemporary ring about it, even though it came from the pen of Paul in the first century A.D. Romans 13:11-12 gives us three answers:

I. IT IS TIME TO WAKE UP

Sleep may be either a blessing or a curse. At the end of long and laborious work, sleep is a great blessing. By it the body is restored and the spirit refreshed.

CROSS OF JESUS - CANNOT SLEEP AND AWAKENS US!!!!

Sleep can also be a curse. When a person just stays in bed it is an expression of laziness. That was the case for the first generation church that Paul was writing about (v. 11).

Noted sleepers of the Bible are now classic for the tragic circumstances that resulted because of their sleeping. Samson slept a sleep of compromise. Called to deliver God’s people from the Philistines, he slept as he fraternized with the enemy. Jonah slept the sleep of an easy conscience in the hull of a ship. Called to preach to the people of Nineveh, he slept while the ship went in the opposite direction. Three disciples slept the sleep of indifference. Called to watch with their Lord for one hour, they knew not nor cared not that He prayed His prayer unto death. Five foolish maidens slept the sleep of unpreparedness. Called to join the wedding party, they were left behind with flickering lamps; they had not brought enough oil.

Similarly today I fear that God’s people are too often asleep. We engage in the luxury of spiritual slumber when there is no leisure for doing so. Asleep, we are unaware of the urgency of our world’s needs: hungry to be fed, peace to be made, ignorant to be taught, lost to be saved. Asleep, we are unconscious of our potential and our call to meet those needs. Asleep we are inactive in God’s work and uninvolved in what He is doing. Asleep we lag behind other movements who peddle their false-solutions, quack cures, and half-truths. We are letting technology solve the problem of outer space while we ignore the void of inner space.

To admit that we sleep is to acknowledge our need for a revival, an arousal. That is what a revival ought to be.

II. IT IS TIME TO GET UP.

According to this text, it is not enough simply to wake up. We must get up. Observe how this point is made. We are not only told that it is time to awake but that "it is high time to awake." Paul does not only say that the night is spent; he says the night is far spent. The passage shows urgency (v. 11). It is not as though the alarm clock is ringing at 7:00 A.M. when we need to be at work as 8:00 A.M.; it is as though it rings as 8:01 A.M. when we are already late.

We know quite well the difference between waking up and getting up. How tempting it is at times when the alarm rings and we are awakened, to shut it off and stay in bed. It does not matter that it is getting late. It is still a temptation, and sometimes we go back to sleep when we do not mean to.

It’s time to get our focus and priorities in order. To start serving, to start studying, to start putting an effort into praying as the Holy Sprit leads. Yet we delay and instead look at our phones, pursue other things instead of the things of God. Put it off until tomorrow, or after work, or >>>> later and later never seems to arrive.

A revival that only awakens has not served its function until it gets us up and involves us. Have there not been times when we have been awakened from spiritual slumber and failed to get up? The urgent need is that we get up and mobilize for the Master.

III. IT IS TIME TO SUIT UP.

A third answer can be given to our question; it is time to dress up. That is about the first task for any morning. Put on the clothes that are suitable for the day: work clothes for work, lounging clothes for lounging, church clothes for church.

This passage tells us about the appropriate wardrobe for this new day. First, some night clothes need to be cast aside: "cast off the works of darkness" (v. 12).

Perhaps these apply to some church members. Yet let us not feel smug because we have not slept in the clothes of drunkenness, or immorality. It is quite revealing that he put fighting and jealousy in the same list. None is more suited to daytime living than the others.

Having stripped ourselves, a garment is to be donned now: "Let up put on the armor of light" (v. 12, RSV). First it is an armor. The day for the Christian is a time of warfare. In another of Paul’s letters, he wrote, "We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities...against the rulers of the darkness of this world" (Eph. 6:12). He then described the armor in detail (Eph. 6:13-18).

Notice that the armor is one of light. This suggests our break with darkness. We are to walk "honestly, as in the day" (v. 13). This armor identifies us with God’s army as it distinguishes us from the enemy.

The final verse is even plainer: "Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ" (v. 14). We are to be clothed in Christ, our Light, and our Protector. He is the armor of light. Claiming Him as your protection, reflecting Him as your light, and wielding the weapon of love, recognize what time it is!

Ephesians 6:10–20 NKJV

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness 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. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Strong in the Lord- source of our strength is Jesus Christ- not self, abilities, finances, family, others etc… it is Jesus Christ and Christ Alone! We are strong IN Jesus and IN the power of His might! Not strong because we know about Him, not strong because we go to Church, not strong because we read Bible/pray, not strong because we teach/preach/sing etc… but strong IN HIM! Abiding In Him, Walking in Obedience IN Him! The power of HIS SPIRIT.

Wiles of the Devil - tactics of the enemy that seek to kill, steal and destroy (hope, joy, blessings, advancement of God’s Kingdom) Wiles- devious, cunning persuasions that seek to get us to do something the enemy wants! Example: distraction- you know you need to do Bible Study and spend time in prayer- BUT decide to sleep in and say will do it later in day when you get back home, get home and decide well lets just relax a little, watch some TV, spend time with the family, and before long you are connected to your TV, Phone, Etc… and 3 or 4 hours have gone by and you haven’t taken time for God- now you gotta shower and get some supper and you are tired..... so you get all that done hop in the bed and are overwhelmed with sleepiness.... the wiles of the Devil are working!!

Wrestling Match- wrestling requires top physical fitness to to victorious, it uses all of our physical and mental resources- uses all of our muscles and much of our intellect while engaged in a wrestling match- we are engaged in a wrestling match against the enemy and you better believe it takes all of our spiritual fitness to be able to be victorious- we must train- spiritually in prayer and the Word and get it top shape if we are going to be successful in what we wrestle against!

Armor- protective garments that cover the body, in this case all of the body but the back- no retreat, no turning back to the enemy, no running away! The Lord’s armor is not designed for that! Covers and protects all of our vital organs/parts. Each and every part of this armor is Jesus Christ- we are to be clothed in Him! This armor made by and provided by God is impenetrable- God will not give us defective armor that is able to be penetrated or broken! However we often do not put it on properly to protect ourselves and often choose to take it off in the midst of battles!

Waist with Belt of Truth- this holds all the other pieces of armor in place. All of the other pieces attach to this belt of truth. This is the main area of attack the Enemy focuses on- seen early on in the Garden with his temptation of Adam and Eve- and his tactics have not changed. This is our center the source- God’s Word the absolute truth- not relative, not dependent upon our opinion or our interpretation- God’s Word is truth- it is the guide, the compass the source of Truth, nothing and no one else! This is our primary defense against- fear, doubt, depression, lack of self worth, etc.... We are powerless without Truth- we must use it for what ever battle we are in- ie: battle to gossip/slander- what does God’s Word say about it- that is truth and will overcome our temptation and fleshly/worldly need to to participate in this wile of the Devil!

Breastplate of Righteousness - protects our heart- the seat of our emotions- enemy often controls us via our emotions, fear, doubt, anxiety, rejection, sorrow, guilt, grief, depression, etc.... and renders us ineffective to Live the Life of Joy and Peace that we have IN CHRIST JESUS! THIS BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IS NOT OF US BUT IS IN CHRIST JESUS! Our righteousness is of the Lord- Isaiah!! Nothing we can do will ever be good enough, it is only through the Blood of Jesus Christ that we are made right with God and then HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS IS ON DISPLAY before God, not our filthy rags! Did you know the Devil can put things into our hearts? If you don’t believe me read the account of Judas the betrayer- the Word of Truth says that Satan put it into Judas’s heart to betray Jesus! He can put doubt, fear, insecurity, selfishness, guilt, condemnation, etc… into your heart to render you ineffective in the Kingdom Work God has called you too! Fear is a big one and is often tied in with tradition- where we are too fearful to try something new, even though God is calling us to step out in faith, the enemy is telling us to hold on to what we know and have always done so that we will walk by sight instead of Faith- this keeps us immobilized in fear… and the sad thing is we don’t like to be immobile alone, we want to keep others right there with us so in comes gossip, talk and doubt that we are spreading and WE ARE DOING NOTHING MORE THAN ACTING AS AMBASSADORS OF SATAN, EMISSARIES OF SATAN SPREADING HIS DECEPTION, DECEIT, LIES AND DESTRUCTION! POWER IN OUR WORDS, POWER OF LIFE AND DEATH WE CAN SPEAK FAITH OR WE CAN SPEAK THE LIES OF THE ENEMY INTO OTHERS LEADING TO DESTRUCTION OF WHAT GOD HAS CALLED US TO DO AND THE ADVANCEMENT OF HIS KINGDOM!

Sandals of the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace - PREPARATION suggests a readiness to advance, God’s soldiers are not to be standing still for too long but advancing and moving forward. Taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ as they go! This takes work- preparation and study, much prayer and like the other pieces are only capable through the help and enabling of the Holy Spirit of God! Not on our on but IN Jesus, In HIs Strength! These shoes of preparation- prayer work and learning the scripture and speaking it aloud over and over again until faith comes- are necessary to stand against the enemy and when the Commander Jesus Christ says advance to step forward! Doubt, fear, etc… are defeated! Conflict is defeated and if we are prepared and standing in the Living Word- Jesus Christ when conflict comes we will not be taken in by it. IE: talking and it turns to gossip and/or slander/lies- Sinful for the Speaker and the Listener! Have you ever thought of that- Soldier say no- I will have no part in this, call out the offender, correct them with the Word of God and speak truth into the gossip and lies that are being spoken and then call out the Source- pride and the enemy and help bring in Peace- Truth to the situation! Warrior of God fight!! So that no divisions are found among us, put in the work of preparation seeking God’s face and His will to know where He is leading us to advance and then reject, rebuke and correct any dissent from that purpose in the name of Jesus! Go through the preparation process to allow the Holy Spirit to deal with put aside your personal opinions, preferences, desires etc… and seek God’s heart!! His purpose, His preferences, His desires—---- then take your feet that have been shod with preparation and move forward!

Shield of Faith - provides protection to the warriors entire body! But it must be picked up and used! In the moment when it is needed, not saying propped up somewhere! Not left at home but used! This protects us from unbelief. Believing that God is going to do what He says He is going to to. Faith grows in our trials when we turn to God to get us through the problem instead of trying to take care of it our self and faith COMES by hearing and hearing by the Word of God- no other way! Don’t just read the scriptures say them- hear them, over and over again until faith comes in our times of need let it come and let it grow! It is there, it is available and the Holy Spirit will provide it if we seek and allow! But the choice is ours! This is simply confidence and trust in God! This will deflect each and every arrow of doubt, of fear, of rejection, etc… IT IS THE CONSTANT APPLICATION OF THE WORD OF GOD IN OUR EVERYDAY LIFE, EVERY MOMENT!

FIERY DARTS OF THE ENEMY- DEVIL IS SHOOTING FIERY MISSILES OF DOUBT CONSTANTLY- LIES, DECEIT, FEAR, HOLDING ON TO THE PAST, INSECURITY ETC… EACH AND EVERYONE CAN BE DEFLECTED BY OUR SHIELD OF FAITH!

Helmet of Salvation- OUR PRIMARY BATTLEGROUND IS OUR MINDS, There is a way that seems right to man but it leads unto death! Is your mind filled and protected by the Truth of God’s Word or is it consumed with obsessive thoughts of doubt, of guilt, of confusion, of lies, etc… these are all demonic, they are of the enemy- start speaking truth! Put on your helmet- filling your mind with the Word of God, the Hope and assurance we have in Jesus Christ- we do not have to be consumed with condemnation, fear, etc… as we are in Christ!! This is a regenerated mind, filled with the Word of God that has been MADE NEW by the Spirit of God- discipline your thoughts so that they focus on God. You have a helper and source of Strength the Holy Spirit, Our Strength is in the Lord and the Power of His Might! SIMPLY THIS IS INTENTIONALLY FOCUSING OUR MINDS/THOUGHTS ON JESUS CHRIST- AND NOT THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD WHICH IS THE ENEMIES TERRITORY- HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU PURSUE GOD VS THINGS OF THE WORLD/TECHNOLOGY ETC.????

PAY ATTENTION WE ARE TOLD TO PUT ON THESE PIECES OF ARMOR PAUL IS TALKING TO CHRISTIANS THAT ARE ALREADY SAVED, WE RECEIVE THESE ARMOR PIECES WHEN SAVED BUT WE HAVE TO CHOOSE TO PUT THEM ON EVERYDAY!!! ITS NOT AUTOMATIC! TAKES INTENTIONAL TIME AND EFFORT EACH DAY AND IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN GETTING UP, GETTING TEETH BRUSHED, DRESSED, DRINKING COFFEE AND HEADING TO WORK ON TIME- MAKE TIME TO DO THIS DAILY, PUT ON YOUR SPIRITUAL ARMOR EACH DAY AND IF IT GETS KNOCKED AROUND AND LOOSENED UP DURING THE DAY STOP AND STRAIGHTEN/TIGHTEN IT UP OFTEN!

Sword of the Spirit- The Word of God- this is the Truth, reveals errors and faults in our lives, need to first use it on ourselves before we even think about using it on someone else! It is for defense as well as offense. It is knowing, preparing, studying, speaking and applying the Living Word Jesus Christ throughout each and every day!

Praying always with prayer and supplication IN THE SPIRIT- pray as God leads, not our desires and wants, not a laundry lists of needs but IN THE SPIRIT, PRAYING THE HEART, THE WILL, THE DESIRES OF GOD- requires that the mind, heart etc… is focused on Jesus, requires us to be fully armored up and distractions removed, requires work and preparation, is not a 2 minute long half hearts, prayer!!!

Watchful- watch and be alert, the time is near for His second coming, are you ready? Are you fighting the Good Fight? How will you finish the race?

Perseverance- Don’t give up!

Boldness- take a stand ready to advance with boldness, not PRIDE but BOLDNESS NOT IN SELF BUT IN CHRIST JESUS!

Ambassador in chains- in OBEDIENCE TO HIM! MOST IMPORTANT AND TOUGHEST PART OF PUTTING ON OUR ARMOR IS WALKING IN OBEDIENCE TO HIM KNOWING HE IS TRUTH AND STOPPING THOSE DARTS, WILES OF DOUBT, FEAR, GUILD, CONDEMNATION, ETC.. FOR HIM WHO IS IN CHRIST THERE IS THEREFORE NO CONDEMNATION FOR THOSE WHO WALK AFTER THE SPIRIT. ROMANS 8