Wake Up (2)

I. Wake Up from Spiritual Drowsiness (Romans 13:11)

Paul’s first command is urgent and clear: “Wake up from your slumber.”

What does it mean to be spiritually asleep? It’s more than just being tired or distracted. Spiritual drowsiness is a state where we are half-conscious in our faith. It’s that hazy zone where we go through religious motions without passion, where distractions from life—work, health, grief, politics, family drama—pull us away from full alertness in God’s presence.

Have you ever woken up in the morning but just sat in bed for a few minutes, eyes open but not really ready to start the day? Or you hit the snooze button on your alarm clock—thinking, “Just five more minutes.” You’re awake, but you’re still choosing to linger in the comfort of rest instead of rising to meet the day.

That’s what spiritual slumber feels like. We’re awake, but we’re not alert. We’re present, but we’re distracted.

The Spiritual Snooze Button

Let me paint a picture: Imagine your spiritual life is like waking up on a Monday morning. The alarm sounds—the voice of God calls you to rise and walk faithfully. But instead of getting up, you hit the snooze button. Five more minutes. Ten more minutes. You linger in the comfort of what’s familiar and safe—the warmth of your bed, the numbness of routine—rather than stepping into the fresh day God has prepared.

Church, Paul says it’s time to stop hitting snooze. The alarm has sounded, and the day demands your full attention.

II. The Present Time: Jesus is Near (Romans 13:11b)

Paul continues: “Our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” This means Jesus is not just coming someday far in the future—He is near right now.

Not only will Jesus return in glory one day, but He is already active in your life, coming into your situation, your household, your calling, your lane.

What’s Dulling Your Sense of Urgency?

So I want to ask you directly: What is dulling your sense of urgency?

Is it work stress?

Health challenges?

The weight of grief?

Political division?

Family drama?

If you’re honest with yourself, some of you are drained, distracted, and dozing off spiritually. Life’s pressures have put a spiritual fog over your heart.

But the time is now to rise. To wake up fully. To realize Jesus is not distant—He is near. He is moving in your life.

III. The Night is Almost Over: Put on the Armor of Light (Romans 13:12)

Paul then gives us a vivid metaphor: “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.”

The night represents sin, confusion, and spiritual darkness. The day symbolizes God’s truth, righteousness, and salvation. We are living in a spiritual “in-between” time—a time to leave darkness behind and step fully into the light of Christ.

What Is the Armor of Light?

What does it mean to put on the armor of light? It’s a call to prepare ourselves spiritually—like putting on the right clothes to face the day’s challenges.

Think of how you dress every morning. You wouldn’t leave your house unprepared for the weather or the work ahead. You put on shoes, a coat, your work clothes. Paul says, spiritually, we must dress with the armor of light.

This armor is:

Truth: Living honestly with God and others.

Righteousness: Walking in God’s standards and holiness.

Faith: Trusting God through trials and temptations.

Salvation: Holding on to the hope we have in Christ.

The Word of God: Our spiritual sword to combat lies and attacks.

IV. How to Wake Up and Put On Christ (Romans 13:13–14)

Paul continues with practical exhortation: “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 flesh.”

To wake up fully means to live rightly, not indulging sinful behaviors, but living in purity, peace, and love. It means putting on Jesus Christ—not only metaphorically but by allowing Him to clothe you with His Spirit and character.

Putting on Christ Daily

How do we do this?

By daily surrender—choosing Jesus every morning.

By prayer—inviting His Spirit to guide and renew us.

By meditating on Scripture—letting His Word shape our thoughts and actions.

By rejecting sinful desires—not entertaining the temptations that pull us away from God.

When you put on Christ, you’re dressed for spiritual battle and prepared for a life journey, not just a parked moment.

V. The Power to Change: Jesus Equips Us

Church, transformation is not about our own willpower. It’s about Jesus equipping us.

He doesn’t just call us to wake up and put on armor—He gives us the strength to do it. We don’t walk in the light by ourselves; we walk empowered by the Spirit of Christ within us.

Audience Reflection

Let me ask you now—who here has been spiritually snoozing? Who has been half awake, distracted, weighed down, or just comfortable in their spiritual rut? What if today is your moment to rise?

To stop hitting snooze and start living like Jesus is coming—not someday far away but right now, into your life, your household, your calling?

Are you ready to wake up, get dressed in the armor of light, and walk in the power of Christ?

Altar Call

The time is now. Jesus is near. The night is ending, and the day is at hand.

If you want to wake up from spiritual drowsiness, to clothe yourself daily in Jesus, and to live with urgency and purpose, come forward now.

Let the Holy Spirit awaken your heart. Let Jesus equip you to live a transformed life.

No more snoozing. No more delay.

The Lord is waiting to clothe you with Himself and send you forward into your calling.

Benediction

Now, may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely. May your spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. May He fill you with strength and courage to walk in the light, clothed daily in the armor of Christ, living awake and alive in the power of His Spirit. Go in peace, and walk boldly as a child of the day.

Amen.