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(Taking Up The Armor of God - Part 6) Romans 13:11-14 by Dr. Joseph "Mike' Willmouth 11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. Introduction: Today we are finishing our series on taking up the armor of God. God's Word has taught us that believers are in an spiritual battle with the demonic forces of Satan, and that God has given us the supernatural battle gear that we need to stand firm and hold the battle line until Christ returns to this earth as the conquering king. We have also learned that it takes a special mind-set by believers in order to be spiritually and mentally prepared to hold the battle line until Christ returns. This includes not becoming so entangled in the affairs of this world that we cannot be effective in serving the Lord. Today, we need to look at another aspect of the soldier of the Lord, and that is, we are to be prepared to answer the call to battle when it comes. It is not a question of IF the call will come, but a question of WHEN it will come, and whether we will have done all to be prepared. I. The Call To Wake Up (v.11).
Transition: Paul now tells us why, knowing the time of Christ's return is near is important to believers. . . B. Inactive believers are called upon to wake up from their spiritual sleepiness (Mark 13:33-37; Rom.14:10-12; 1Cor.3:10-15; 4:5; 2Cor.5:10; Col.3:23-25; Rev.3:21; 22:12).Application: Christians need to develop an eternal perspective, and have a short-sighted worldly view that leaves us powerless and useless in our faith. It is not a question if Christ will return for His church, it is a question of when it will happen ' and the bible teaches us that it can be at any moment; The Captain of the Lord's Army has left us on guard duty, to hold the battle line, and we are reminded that He can return at any moment to see if we are awake or if we have fallen asleep on duty. In the army, falling asleep on duty could have a major impact upon the battle field, let alone on the lives of our fellow troops. Have you taken this duty seriously, or have you fallen asleep on duty? The Apostle Paul is telling us here that our Captain is about to arrive to inspect the troops so we had better wake up and be alert! It is time for believers to stand up and be counted on. It is time for believers to wake up and to have an eternal mind-set, knowing that our actions can have eternal consequences on the lost, ourselves, and even other believers in Christ; 2 Corinthians 4:18, "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.' What kind of soldier do you want to be known as, faithful and alert, or lifeless and asleep? The Lord's bugle is blowing, we need to respond!1) Knowing that Christ could return at any moment, believers are exhorted not to be lethargic, lazy or inactive in our faith.- 2 Corinthians 5:10, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.'2) This fact should motivate all believers to be diligent and obedient if we are going to make an eternal impact upon this world. Transition: Here's the reason why the Lord's soon return should concern us. . . 2. Because our time is drawing short (v.11b). 11b for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.Application: Time is running out for this world. The Apostle Paul tells us that the Christian's time on earth is growing shorter every second, because of the Lord's return. Therefore, we need to make the best use of this time while we have the opportunity. Colossians 4:5-6, "Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders [i.e., non-believers], making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person' (NASB). Transition: Because our time is running out, we need to be ready at all times to. . . II. The Call To Arms (vv.12-13). 1. To prepare ourselves properly for battle (v.12). A. The time for battle is now (v.12a)Application: When we begin to look at time through an eternal perspective, we begin to see and understand the importance of using our time wisely. We need to study our soldier manual, the Bible, to prepare ourselves for future promotions and to be better soldiers. We need to reenforce the battle lines by recruiting new troops by witnessing to the lost. Our time is limited, and our opportunities are brief. So the time to heed and to obey is now. There is no time for apathy, complacency, or indifference. If this admonition was urgent during Paul's day, how much more urgent is it today (MacArthur)! It is time for us to pick up and put on the armor of God and get busy serving the Captain of the Lord's Army, Jesus Christ.B. The time to put on your battle gear is now (v.12b; Eph.6:11, 13). Transition: Not only are we to take up our equipment, but we are. . . 2. To behave like the soldiers of the Lord should (v.13). A. We are to behave like disciplined soldiers who represent their commander well (v.13a; 1Thes.4:12; 2Cor.5:15-16, 20; 6:3; 2Tim.2:15).Transition: As a result of our new position in Christ. . . B. We are to no longer behave in undisciplined ways (v.13b; Luke 21:34-36; Rom.6:6, 12; 12:2; Gal.5:17-21, 26).Application: One of the things that we were always told in the Air Force, while stationed overseas, was that we represented our nation and that we should behave accordingly. If we behaved in an improper way, we not only brought shame and disgrace upon ourselves, but upon our whole nation too because we were the only Americans that some people would ever meet. The same holds true for Christians. How many of you have heard a non-believer make a negative comment about Christianity because of the poor behavior of a back-slidden Christian? The Barna Research Group reported a few years ago that a lot of non-believers didn't see a need to become a Christian, because they couldn't see any difference between how they lived and those who professed to be Christians. Whether we like it or not, the lost world is watching us; 2 Corinthians 3:2, "You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody' (NIV). This is why it is important that we watch our own behavior, and try to always be the best soldier that we can be for our Captain and Lord, Jesus Christ. Its been said that, "when a person claims to be a Christian, if he cannot change his life style, he had better change his name' (LBC). Transition: Once we recognize that our time is shore and we have done all to take up the armor of God, we are to continue by answering. . . III. The Call To Action (v.14).
14a But put on the Lord Jesus Christ. . .Application: To put on Christ means we must take off our own desires and put Christ first and foremost in our life; Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.' Only when we do this, can we be fully alert to what is going on around us in this spiritual battle. When we fail to put Christ first and foremost in our lives, we cannot hold the battle line because our tendency is to fall asleep in the false comfort of our own standards and desires. Transition: Next we are told how we are. . . 2. To stay alert and on guard (v.14b). 14b . . .and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.Application: The provision for sin originates in our hearts, minds, emotions, and will, which are still influenced powerfully by the flesh. It is only as we "walk by the Spirit' that we "will not carry out the desire of the flesh' (Gal.5:16). And to walk by the Spirit is to live by the Word of God (MacArthur). When our minds are on the things above, it doesn't give us the opportunities to think about the fleshly desires down below. As soldiers of the Lord, our minds need to be focused upon the mission and not off daydreaming about other things which will bring nothing but defeat. Our marching orders are clear: Matthew 28:19-20, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.' Invitation: A. "Wake up!'2. What kind of soldier have you been for the Lord?- By recognizing that our time on earth is limited and running out.B. "Clean up!'- By taking off our worldly behavior and putting on the armor of God.C. "Grow up!'- By becoming more Christ-like in our actions, attitudes and thoughts, and to stop doing those things which ensnare us in sin. A. Have you done all to stand firm and hold the battle line for Him?3. Don't be caught sleeping on duty, while the world around you literally goes to hell.
BEC - Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary. JISL - Tommy Higle, Journey Into Spiritual Liberation. LBC - Liberty Bible Commentary on the New Testament. MacArthur - John MacArthur's New Testament Commentary. McGee - J. Vernon McGee, Thru The Bible Commentary Robertson - Word Pictures in the New Testament, by Archibald Thomas Robertson Vincent - Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament, by Marvin Vincent WGB - Willmington's Guide To The Bible. Wuest - Word Studies in the Greek New Testament, by Kenneth S. Wuest. Greek Word Studies V.11. -- Vincent: seeing that ye know- "the time," ("kairos" {kahee-ros': n, acc, masc, sg}); time, season. -- Robertson: The critical period, not time in general.- "that," ("hoti" {hot'-ee: adj, adv, rel}); that, because, since. - "now," ("ede" {ay'-day: adj, adv}); by this time, now. - "high time," ("hora" {ho'-rah: n, nom, fem, sg}); hour, appointed time. -- Robertson: the "hour" has come.- "awake," ("egeiro" {eg-i'-ro: v, inf, aor, pass}); to arouse from sleep, to awake, wake up, awaken. -- Robertson: to awake, to wake up, "to be waked up out of sleep"- "out of," ("ek" {ek: prep, gen}); out of, from, away from. - "sleep," ("hupnos" {hoop'-nos: n, gen, masc, sg}); sleep, used here of spiritual apathy (wake up to reality, realize what is going on). -- Wuest: "Sleep' here refers to a lethargic, non-aggressive, lazy Christian life.- "for," ("gar" {gar: conj, subord}); for, because. - "now," ("nun" {noon: adj, adv}); at this time, the present, now, right now. -- Vincent: better, already.- "salvation," ("soteria" {so-tay-ree'-ah: n, nom, fem, sg}); salvation, deliverance, the safety of the soul. -- Robertson: Final salvation, Paul means, whether it comes by the second coming of Christ as they all hoped or by death. It is true of us all.- "nearer," ("egguteron" {eng-goo'-ter-on: adj, adv, compar OR prep, gen}); close by, near at hand, imminent, - "than," ("e" {ay: conj, subord}); than. - "when," ("hote" {"hot'-eh: conj, subord}); when, in which. - "we first believed," ("pisteuo" {pist-yoo'-o: v, indic, aor, act, 1per, pl}); to be persuaded of, placed confidence in, believed, trusted. V.12. -- Robertson: to cut forward, to advance, old word for making progress.- "the day," ("o hemera" {o hay-mer'-ah: n, nom, fem, sg}); the day, used here as the period of time appointed for a special purpose. - "is at hand," ("eggizo" {eng-id'-zo: v, indic, perf, act, 3per, sg}); to bring near, to draw or come near to, approaching. -- Robertson: Perfect active indicative, "has drawn nigh." Vivid picture for day-break.- "therefore," ("oun" {oon: conj, superord}); then, therefore, accordingly, consequently, these things being so. - "let us cast off," ("apotithemi" {ap-ot-eeth'-ay-mee: v, subj, aor, mid, 1per, pl}); to put off, of clothes taking off and lay down, get rid of, cease from, give up. -- Robertson: to put off from oneself "the works of darkness" as we do our night-clothes.- "works," ("ergon" {er'-gon: n, acc, neut, pl}); work, that which one is occupied, deeds, actions, acts. - "darkness," ("skotos" {skot'-os: n, gen, neut, sg}); darkness, used here as a metaphor for the domain under the authority of the devil and demons, the realm of evil, evil world. - "let us put on," ("enduo" {en-doo'-o: v, subj, aor, mid, 1per, pl}); put on, dress, to clothe oneself with. -- Wuest: "to put on' as a garment, "to clothe with.'- "the armor," ("o hoplon" {hop'-lon: n, acc, neut, pl}); arms, weapons of warfare, used here of what is needed for successful Christian living in light of spiritual warfare against evil. -- Robertson: The weapons of light, that belong to the light (to the day time). For the metaphor of the Christian armour see 1Th 5:8; 2Co 6:7; Ro 6:13; Eph 6:13ff.- "of light," ("o phos" {o foce: n, gen, neut, sg}); light. V.13. -- Wuest: "to conduct one's self, order one's behavior.'- "properly," ("euschemonos" {yoo-skhay-mon'-ose: adj, adv}); of honest and orderly behavior, decently, properly, with propriety. (KJV = honestly) -- Wuest: "in a seemly manner, decently.' The idea of honesty is seen in the fact that Paul is exhorting the saints to give an honest impression of themselves to the world. They should conduct themselves in a manner befitting their high station in life, as saints of the Most High God. Their outward expression should conform to their inner regenerated being.- "as," ("hos" {hoce: conj, subord}); as, like, even as. - "in," ("en" {en: prep, dat}); in, by, with. - "day," ("hemera" {hay-mer'-ah: n, dat, fem, sg}); the day, used here as the period of time appointed for a special purpose. - "not," ("me" {may: particle neg}); not, not lest, - "in revelry," ("komos" {ko'-mos: n, dat, masc, pl}); a festive procession in honor of the wine god, merrymaking, used in the NT in a bad sense; carousing, revelry, excessive feasting, a nocturnal and riotous procession of half drunken and frolicsome fellows who after supper parade through the streets with torches and music in honor ob Bacchus or some other deity. (KJV = rioting) -- Wuest: "a revel, a carousal, in the Greek writers, a nocturnal and riotous procession of half-drunken and frolicsome fellows, who after supper, parade through the streets with torches and music in honor of Bacchus or some other deity, and sing and play before the houses of their male and female friends; hence used generally of feasts and drinking-parties that are protracted till late at night and indulge in revelry' (Thayer).- "and," ("kai" {kahee: conj, coord}); and, also, even, indeed. - "drunkenness," ("methe" {meth'-ay: n, dat, fem, pl}); drunkenness, intoxication. - "not," ("me" {may: particle neg}); not, not lest, - "in lewdness," ("koite" {koy'-tay: n, dat, fem, pl}); used here of sexual intercourse outside of marriage, promiscuity, illicit affairs. (KJV = chambering) -- Wuest: "sexual intercourse.'- "and," ("kai" {kahee: conj, coord}); and, also, even, indeed. - "lust," ("aselgeia" {as-elg'-i-a: n, dat, fem, pl}); unbridled lust, living without any moral restraint, indecent and outrageous sexual behavior, flagrant immorality. (KJV = wantonness) -- Wuest: "unbridled lust' "a craving, passionate desire,' good or bad, depending upon the context, here an evil one. When the Christian puts on Christ, he clothes his soul in the moral disposition and habits of Christ (Gifford).- "not," ("me" {may: particle neg}); not, not lest, - "in strife," ("eris" {er'-is: n, dat, fem, sg}); contention, strife, wrangling, discord, quarrels. - "and," ("kai" {kahee: conj, coord}); and, also, even, indeed. - "envy," ("zelos" {dzay'-los: n, dat, masc, sg}); used here in a bad sense of jealousy and envy, an envious and contentious rivalry. (KJV = envying) V.14. -- Vincent: Etymologically akin to take thought for.- "for," ("eis" {ice: prep, acc}); unto, towards, for. - "the flesh," ("sarx" {sarx: n, gen, fem, sg}); flesh, used here of the sinful and sensual power tending toward sin and opposed to the Spirit's working. -- Wuest: "Flesh' here could be understood in its physiological sense of the human body or in its moral sense of the totally depraved nature. An overbalanced interest in the former will result in the neglecting of the spiritual part of one's life, and lead to sin. The slightest interest in the latter will bring sin into the life. Paul means that in the case of the evil nature, we are to take the attitude that we are under no obligations to obey it, and thus we will not provide for it in any part of our lives.- "fulfill its lusts," ("epithumia" {ep-ee-thoo-mee'-ah: n, acc, fem, pl}); desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden, lust, evil desire. |