It is Time to Wake Up
Base Text: Romans 13:11
“Besides this you know the time, that it is already the hour for you to wake up from sleep, for salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.”
Introduction
The Apostle Paul strongly exhorted the church in Rome to wake up from spiritual sleep, because “salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed” (Rom. 13:11). The time for action is short, and the Lord’s return is imminent.
Today, we observe a similar phenomenon: many churches and individual believers are asleep. There is no passion, no real missionary work, no true spiritual or evangelistic growth.
People often look at congregations and see little real spiritual activity—they gather, but they do not move to action. They are complacent.
This is why Paul’s message is still urgently relevant: It is time to wake up for the Lord!
The Bible repeatedly calls us to be alert and awake:
“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you” (Eph. 5:14).
“So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober” (1 Thess. 5:6).
To wake up spiritually, we must address five fundamental areas of our lives.
TRANSITION: Let us, then, examine five urgent areas in which we must wake up, lest we remain spiritually asleep.
I. We Must Wake Up to Love God
1. Many are Asleep in Their Love for God
God commands us to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Deut. 6:5; Matt. 22:37). Many claim to love God with their lips, but their hearts are far from Him (Matt. 15:7–9). The affection is shallow, cold, or merely theoretical.
2. Love for God is Demonstrated by Obedience
Jesus was clear: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15, 21, 23). The person who consistently disobeys God’s commands remains asleep to the true nature of God's love. True love is expressed in action and submission.
3. Loving God Implies Loving Our Brother
The Apostle John asks a crucial question: “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar... how can he love God whom he has not seen?” (1 John 4:20). Loving our brother is the tangible, unmistakable evidence of having spiritually awakened (1 John 3:16–17).
II. We Must Wake Up to the Study of the Word
1. Many Christians are Asleep Regarding the Bible
They dedicate no time to its systematic study, yet the Word is essential for spiritual growth, like milk for a newborn (1 Pet. 2:2). This neglect results in weakness and instability.
2. The Word Must be Examined Diligently
The believers in Berea were commended because they received the word with eagerness, “examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:11). The Word is the lamp that illuminates our path (2 Pet. 1:19).
3. The Word Must Be Our Delight
Psalm 119 beautifully illustrates what the Scripture should be to us:
- Delight (vv. 16, 24, 35, 47).
- Comfort (vv. 50, 92).
- Sweeter than honey (v. 103).
- Our daily meditation (v. 97).
4. If We Do Not Delight in the Word, We Remain Asleep
We must choose the Word over the distractions of television, social media, or music. If our primary enjoyment is not in God’s revelation, we are spiritually lethargic.
III. We Must Wake Up to Prayer
1. Prayer is the Means to Approach God
Prayer allows us to “draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16). Many are powerless, restless, and spiritually asleep because they do not pray.
2. Jesus Taught the Importance of Praying Always
The Parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge was told precisely “to show that they ought always to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1–9).
3. The Danger of Sleeping in Critical Times
The disciples fell asleep when Jesus was praying in Gethsemane (Matt. 26:38–45). When we do not watch and pray, the enemy catches us by surprise (1 Pet. 5:8). Prayer is our watchfulness.
4. Clear Commands on Prayer
“Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17).
“Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication” (Eph. 6:18).
5. If We Do Not Dedicate Time to Prayer, We Remain Asleep
We must wake up and become Christians of fervent, consistent prayer.
IV. We Must Wake Up to Giving
1. Many are Asleep Regarding the Command to Give
God mandates that we set aside our offerings on the first day of the week (1 Cor. 16:1–2). Sadly, some give only what is left over, like the religious leaders who gave from their abundance, contrasting with the poor widow (Luke 21:4).
2. Example of the People of God
The Israelites gave so much for the Tabernacle that Moses had to stop them: they brought “much more than enough for the service of the work which the Lord had commanded to be made” (Exodus 36:5–7). The Macedonians gave beyond their ability (2 Cor. 8:3), because they first gave themselves to the Lord (v. 5).
3. Example of the Poor Widow
She gave everything she had (Luke 21:1–4). Do we give God our best, or our leftovers? (Mal. 1:13–14). The quality of our offering reflects the condition of our heart.
4. Let Us Wake Up to Give as God Commands
The one who does not give generously and with love remains spiritually asleep regarding the truth of stewardship.
V. We Must Wake Up to Preach the Gospel
1. Preaching is a Direct Command
We are called to salvation through the Gospel (2 Thess. 2:14). The Gospel is the power of God for salvation (Rom. 1:16).
2. The First-Century Church Was Awake
They preached everywhere, house to house, in every city, and at all times:
Acts 5:42; 8:4; 13:5; 14:7, 21; 18:11. They were a movement, not a monument.
3. Preaching is an Unavoidable Responsibility
“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season” (2 Tim. 4:1–2). Paul himself declared: “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Cor. 9:16–17).
4. We Must Wake Up and Start Preaching Now
Do not wait for a special command; God has already given the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20). If you are not sharing the hope you have, you are spiritually dormant.
See also
- How to stay motivated even in the face of difficulties?
- How to take hold of God's promises?
- Three Things God Is For Us
Conclusion
Paul declares that we must wake up from spiritual sleep, reminding us that our salvation is closer now than ever before (Rom. 13:11).
Let us wake up to genuine Love.
Let us wake up to diligent Bible Study.
Let us wake up to fervent Prayer.
Let us wake up to generous Giving.
Let us wake up to powerful Preaching.
The time is short. Let us not waste another moment in spiritual slumber. Wake up, O sleeper!
