SF522 - THE HOUR HAS COME (Romans 13 8-14)
SF522
THE HOUR HAS COME
Romans 13:8-14
INTRODUCTION
Do you know what “time” it is?
Spiritually speaking time is running out.
Most of us live as if we have eternity to start serving God.
Paul warns us against such foolish thinking.
Romans 13:8-14
The Hour Has Come To...
1A.TO FULFILL THE LAW OF LOVE (8-10)
1B.Love’s Debt (8)
By our honesty (8a)
Includes all types of obligations
By our humility (8b)
There is something wonderfully humble about someone who can express true love.
2B.Love’s Duty (9)
Mark 12:29-31
3B.Love’s Desire (10)
“Love’s desire is for the well being of man and the well pleasing of God.” J Phillips
“This love of which I speak, he says, “is slow to lose patience - it looks for a way of being constructive. It is not possessive: it is neither anxious to impress nor does it cherish inflated ideas of its own importance. Love has good manners and does not pursue selfish advantage. It is not touchy. It does not keep account of evil or gloat over the wickedness of other people. On the contrary, it is glad with all good men when truth prevails. Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything. It is, in fact, the one thing that still stands when all else has fallen.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8, Phillips Translation)
2A.TO PUT ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST (11-14)
This is a call to sanctification - becoming more like Christ
Therefore we must....
1B.Wake Up! - Speaks of Urgency (11-12a)
Because of our Times (11a)
Times = age
We are living in a troubled time.
Because of our Slumber (11b)
Most of us greet the things of God with a yawn!
(Acts 1:11) "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."
Because of his Second Coming (12a)
Salvation - refers to our glorification
Darkness - refers to sin, God is going to put an end to all sin
(James 5:8) You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.
2B.Throw Off - Speaks of Purity (12b-13)
We must....
Confess our sin (12b)
(Hebrews 12:1) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Lay aside = forsake, renounce, repent!
Deeds of darkness = sin!
Choose the Light (12c)
“Armor of light” = armor of God
Ephesians 6:11‑12; 14-17
Continue in the Light (13)
“Behave...” = live in a way that pleases God
Orgies and drunkenness- wild living, partying
Sexual immorality and debauchery = pre-marital, extra-marital sex; bed hoping
Dissension and jealousy = to be antagonistic in spirit and jealous.
(1 John 3:2‑3) Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. {3} Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.
3B.Put On! - Speaks of Sufficiency (14)
Of Christ to keep
“Clothe...” = to be totally controlled by Christ Jesus!
Regeneration - positional
Sanctification - practical
Of Christ to control (14b)
APPLICATION
Are you serving!
What are you waiting for?
Truly the hour has come....