Wake Up!

Ephesians 5:8–20 NKJV

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Illustration: Paul Revere

April 18, 1775 The British had brought their troops into Old Boston. The plan was to take small boats at night while everyone was asleep, go across the Charles River, and attack Concord and Lexington. Everyone was asleep and the British had their plans. There was one man who was not asleep. His name was Paul Revere. He was awake and knew what was happening. We remember his famous ride where he mounted his horse and went from village to village and house to house crying out, “Wake up! Wake up! The British are coming! The British are coming!” People got up. Lit their candles and the Minute Men began to prepare their honor, their families, and their country.

Dream: It is Time to WAKE UP!

a. On Wednesday morning, February 21, 2018, prior to getting up I had a dream. In this dream we were in church. The entrance was like the old church location with a big open area before coming into the sanctuary. There were new people there, mostly young adults, standing at the back of the sanctuary in a small group. They looked familiar. After introducing myself I realized some of them had once attended Grace Fellowship as kids. No one seemed aware of them and of the significance of their attendance. I found myself concerned that they received the attention they needed to feel welcome. I tried to find someone to get them a visitor packet and a card to fill out but could not find anyone on duty. Then I remember preaching and that I was becoming drowsy. I was looking at my notes and they were beginning to fade at point seventeen and beyond, like a computer screen that was bogged down in loading the screen. I then looked up and noticed that the room was dim. I saw that there were several beds along both side walls in the sanctuary with the headboards against the walls and the footboards toward the isle. Everyone was covered up and sound asleep. I noticed that Sheila and I were in a bed at the front with the footboard toward the back of the building. I was sitting up in the bed with my back against the headboard. Sheila was asleep next to me. When I realized that everyone was asleep, I knew it was no use to keep going. I raised my voice and said, “Hey everyone, let’s all stand!” No one moved. I said, “Hey everyone, it is time to get up!” Still no one moved. They were sound asleep. Then I raised my voice loudly and said, “Hey, it is time to wake up!” Still no one moved. Finally there were about six sleepy people who gathered at the front as we stood by my bed. I looked out and thought, “Everyone needs to be up!” The dream ended.

It is time to “awake from sleep”!

Isaiah 60:1–3 NKJV

Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.

Matthew 25:1-13 The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins

Matthew 25:5–6 NKJV

But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’

It is time to

Receive the light!

Cast off the works of darkness!

Walk in the light!

Walk as wise rather than as fools!

Be filled with the Spirit!

Redeem the time!

Encourage one another!

Give thanks to God for all things!

Submit to one another in the fear of God!

Response to the Word