Ephesians 5:14....Wakey, Wakey

Psalm 16:8 “I have set the Lord always before me: Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.”

Introduction...

i am so glad that God put this theme on my Pastors heart. We should really take this to heart. WHY? Because if the church was truly awake, we wouldn’t have to be reminded to wake up...

it is so sad that there is still so many that are asleep. Not worried about that physical sleep but those that are spiritually asleep.

we all have heard someone say As we tossed and turned in the image of death. Sleep...

walk with me for a minute or 2

when you are sleep, you are not aware of what is going on around you., i hear some of you, Preacher, I am a light sleeper...

if you close your eyes at 10 and something wakes you up at 1030..guess what, for 29 minutes you had no idea of what was going on around you...

not aware of the dangers lurking, not aware of the one plotting you.

just not aware...

when you are spiritually asleep, you are not aware of how the devil has you in his crosshairs...

you are being conformed to this sinful world, getting ready to bust hell wide open...why? because you are spiritually asleep.

being asleep is being in the darkness..and we know that the darkness is where sin loves to dwell.

God knew...Genesis 1:4 “And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.”

but people still choose the darkness and sleep.

not aware of the danger that you have put yourself and others in...

you do know that your sleepyness can affect others....

need proof, someone yawn right now and let someone see you yawn, you will be yawning as well...

but here is some good news...

if you have some windows in your bedroom and when that morning light creeps thru those curtains and shines on your face...

that beautiful light that rises in the East...

it hits your face and wakes you up....now you are aware...

aware that it is another days journey, aware that you are hungry and need some breakfast, you look around and see that your loved ones are good..

you are aware that you have received some new mercy, you are aware that those bed was not your cooling board and those sheets was not your winding sheets...TALK, PREACH.....

man i hope yall are getting this analogy....i promise i will hit the text...

but it is something about that light...i just read Genesis 1 and what does that signify,  God separated light from darkness as the first act of creation. This event signifies the establishment of order from chaos, where God brought light into the formless void and declared it good. The separation not only marks the beginning of creation but also emphasizes the distinction between light and darkness, which is foundational in biblical theology. 

wakey, wakey church...get out of that darkness into that marvelous light..

it is a beautiful thing to be spiritually awake...

spiritually awakening... a journey toward enlightenment, where individuals begin to let go of old beliefs and open themselves to a deeper understanding of life. It involves a shift in consciousness, prompting one to question everything they have been taught, leading to feelings of both separation from and connection to the world. During this process, individuals may experience increased empathy and compassion, reflecting a broader conceptual awareness. Ultimately, a spiritual awakening signifies a new sense of being and awareness in one's life..TALK, PREACH.....

in my study, one of my commentaries, called Bible study for you, gives us some ways to be awake...let me go thru a few, if you don’t mind...

Awakening through Prayer...Prayer is our direct line of communication with God. As we awaken spiritually, we realize the importance of setting time aside to talk with Him. Prayer is not just about asking for things but about connecting with our Creator and expressing our hearts. Sharing our joys and sorrows helps us recognize where we stand in our spiritual journey. talk, preach....

Awakening through Community....Community plays a crucial role in our spiritual awakening. We are not meant to walk this journey alone! By gathering with fellow believers, we can uplift, encourage, and challenge each other in our faith...TALK, PREACH.....

Awakening through Trials.....Trials often develop our character and draw us closer to God. When faced with hardship, it opens our eyes to the struggles we endure and gives us the opportunity to grow in faith. 

Lastly...

Awakening through the Word...The Bible is not just a book; it is alive and powerful! When we engage with Scripture, it has the ability to awaken our spirits and help us grow in faith. Through our study of the Word, we are able to grasp God’s truth, His promises, and heart. This awakening ignites our spiritual journey, allowing us to transform our lives.(drive and draw)TALK, PREACH...

Let me get into this text...

Text/Story..

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians follows a pattern similar to some of his other letters, such as Romans and Colossians. Ephesians opens with a section of teaching or doctrine (chs. 1-3) followed by practical application of that teaching (chs. 4-6). This means, in a sense, that what we believe should directly impact how we behave. Ephesians 5:8-15 lands in the middle of that application section, concluding with verse 15: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise.”

the book of Ephesians gives us a message of reconciliation and a great picture of God’s Redemptive Purpose...

and we know His purpose, as stated in 2 Peter 3:9, that no one shall perish but all come to repentance...

and if you are spiritually asleep, there is no repentance but as long as you have breath in your body...

this lesson actuals starts back in chapter 4 around verse 17,

Paul instructs the church on how Christians should walk...

and then he rolls over into chapter 5 and encourages the church to be followers of God, one commentary states that we should be imitators of Christ...

as you read thru the text Paul shows us how to be imitators and what not to fall for...

he makes a bold statement in verse 8, Ephesians 5:8 “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:”

and then a little later he gives us our text for today, Ephesians 5:14 “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.”

Paul is saying wakey, wakey, get out of that darkness, away from death so you can live. and it will be Christ that helps us wake up and to live....

Points...

Ephesians 5:14 “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.”

1, Awake thou that sleepest,

Paul and His Letters Abandoning the Old Pagan Lifestyle (4:17–5:20)

The call to wake up is seen as the enlightenment that comes to those who are awakened from the sleep of ignorance to the knowledge of their true spiritual nature.

what is that spiritual nature....glad you asked....let scripture answer that for us

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Colossians 1:16 “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”

i know who i am and whose i am...

when you are spiritually sleep you don’t know this...

i was blind but now i see, i was lost but now i am found...because of His amazing Grace....TALK, PREACH

2, arise from the dead,

Our participation in the light is shown by our resurrection with Jesus (He made us alive together with Christ, Ephesians 2:5).

To be "Alive in Christ" means experiencing a spiritual transformation through faith in Jesus.

Salvation and Sanctification: Being made alive in Christ signifies a new relationship with God, where believers are saved from sin and empowered to live righteously....benefits of being awake..

3, Christ shall give thee light.

Exalting Jesus in Ephesians Expose the Darkness (5:11–14)

the transforming light of Christ

Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians & Colossians B. The Avoidance of Sin (vv. 3–14)

He is light and the source of their light. His shining light exposes all their darkness and transforms them into light.

Psalm 119:105 “NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.” ..TALK, PREACH......written word and living word..

Conclusion...

church it is time to get up...wakey, wakey....

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament Chapter 5

We are children of light and ought to walk in the light. Darkness produces sin and lies; the fruit of the light is goodness, righteousness, and truth. The light cannot compromise with the darkness; it can only expose it.

family wake up and smell the coffee...

its time to make sure we have that spiritual awakening within ourselves then we go out and help someone else...

i dont know about you but i was walking in the darkness and one day, i looked towards the hill from whence cometh my help...

the name of that hill was golgotha, you might know it as calvary...

it was there that i first saw the light and the burdens of my heart from the darkness rolled away...

TALK, PREACH, CLOSE...