Series: God with us Title: It’s Time to Wake Up

WATCH THE SERVICE HERE

Sermon Text: Romans 13:8-14

SLC Preacher: Josh Kleinfeld

Memory Verse:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

Romans 13:8-14

8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 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. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

And Can It Be

Charles Wesley

Verse 3

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,

Fast bound in sin and nature's night.

Thine eye diffused a quickening ray.

I woke; the dungeon flamed with light!

My chains fell off, my heart was free:

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Paul is calling us to: 

1. Wake Up

2. Rise Up

3. Get Changed

4. Walk Out in Love

Make a plan:

1. Pray for an awakening

2. Step away from the deeds of darkness

3. Put on the armor of Light

Message Reflection Questions 

1. Read Romans 15:13. Pause for 2 minutes to meditate on this.

2. Describe how loving others can be a battle.

3. Testimony Time: Where has God awakened you to live in His love?

4. Read Romans 13:8-14. Which verse does the Spirit draw your attention to?

5. Why does the Christian have a debt to love all people?

6. How are the four commandments that Paul gives in v8 and the deeds of darkness in v13 examples of unlove? How do they harm our neighbors? If people in the church disobey the commands in v8 and continue in the deeds of darkness in v13, how does this affect the life of the church?

7. Confession Time: Are there any misdeeds that you need to fling away?

8. What are practical things Christians can do to stay awake to the new day in Christ, to rise up and to put on the armor of light?

9. Prayer Time: Pray for an awakening in yourself, your home, your small group, your ministry, your neighborhood and our church.

Daily Readings

From June 4 — September 17, we’ll be exploring the good news that God is for us, in us and with us. Take the learning home with you and read Romans by yourself or with others. You can download the whole plan at www.stillnaz.com/pray. 

As you follow the plan, consider these questions:

1. What does this text say God does "for" or "in" or "with" us?

2. What does this text invite me to be or do?

3. Who can I share this with?

Day 1: Romans 15:1-6, Psalm 69:9-13

Day 2: Romans 15:7-13, 2 Samuel 22:47-51

Day 3: Romans 15:14-21, Isaiah 52:14-53:4

Day 4: Romans 15:22-29, Acts 19:21-22

Day 5: Romans 15:30-33, Hebrews 13:18-21

NEED PRAYER?

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