The Upside

Clip 1 — Play Aretha — Nessun Dorma

Falling asleep… Everyone’s sleeping… No One’s Sleeping...

No

The Bible often refers to death as sleeping...

Whenever

Sleeping, not in the sense of rest — nothing is more sacred than resting!

Sleeping, in the sense of not — maybe never — showing up for your own life.

Ephesians 5:14 ESV

14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Set up the Story… Dell… Peter (P)… Yvonne

Play clip 2 — 24:26 - 26:32 --- Peter and Dell, the chair, and Nessun Dorma

Wouldn’t it be great if no one was sleeping?

As it turns out:

We can be wide awake and utterly asleep at the same time.

Paul talks about the things that can put us to sleep in the passage...

Eph 5:14-

Ephesians 5:14–20 ESV

14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Things that put us to sleep:

Wasting your days by not engaging your life.

Foolishness

Drunkeness

Debauchery

The things Paul suggests put us to sleep are the very things the world says, “Do THEM all, all the time, and you’ll know what it is to be fully awake!”

Things that actually help wake us up:

Engaging your life fully — the life you actually have

Knowing and understanding what the Lord’s will is

Being filled with the Holy Spirit

Psalms, hymns, spiritual songs — the important part is your heart has melody and tempo and confession

Gratitude — to The Lord by the name and Spirit of His Son, Jesus

Now THERE is a list of Resolutions for you to consider.

I’ll tell you what else that can put you to sleep — trial and tragedy.

Clip 3 — 48:32 - 50:52 — Losing Jenny

Philip looking for a romantic companion who would not be put off or put out by his situation in life.

Enter his letter writing relationship with Lily.

Clip 4 — 1:09:12 - 1:11:19 — Phillip, the poet

When the heart begins to wake up by melody, tempo, and confession, don’t be surprised when inspiration emerges and you begin to take brave steps to being who God created and redeemed you to be.

Clip 5 — 1:15:14 - 1:17:02 — What is bravery.

The painting…

3x5 card with painting

Where do sleepy people live: between exile and love.

Exile — no longer home

Love — what draws and calls and brings us home.

*Sometimes it is a love that has come to it’s senses that brings those in exile home

*Sometimes is is the love that doesn’t allow the confusion, disorientation, and dangers of the exiled to keep them away

1 Peter 1:13–19 ESV

13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

Philip tries some bravery… when was the last time you were brave? Like a Doberman… like an arrow? And how did it go?

Here is how it goes for Philip as he agrees to put down the pen and take a step toward home and love.

Clip 6 — 1:40:00 - 1:44:52

Ever put yourself into exile immediately on the heels of some bravery that didn’t go as desired?

Often, the ones you exiled yourself from (spouses, kids, parents, friends… maybe — or especially — the Lord) are the ones who help bring you home… They are the ones who begin to help you wake up… to a Kingdom where no one is sleeping.

Ephesians 5:14 ESV

14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

The servants tell Dell how much Phillip has exiled himself from everyone (INCLUDING YVONNE)… and someone has to go get him… someone has to love him, and wake him up.

Clip 7 — 1:51:31 - 1:54:53 — The Brave go Flying

Ephesians 3:20 ESV

20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,

Those who the Lord awakens — who sleep no more — the Lord cleans up.

Those in exile are always a sleepy mess… their hair… their odors… their social groups… their choices… their narratives… A MESS!

But the Lord RECONCILES US… RESTORES US… RESURRECTS US… so we are no longer asleep.

Resurrection for the Sleeping

Ephesians 5:14 ESV

14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

By His Spirit, the Resurrected one, comes into the deadness of our exile. And, By his Spirit, he wakes us up… he RESURRECTS us… and we live our lives in His Kingdom where No One is Sleeping.

Clip 8 — 1:56:11 - 1:58:23 — Awake

Song — Resurrecting Me