Sermon: It Is Time!: Step Out of Darkness, Step into Light!

It Is Time: Step Out of Darkness, Step into Light

📖 Scriptures to Read and Ponder

Main Teaching Text:

Romans 13:11–14 —

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.

Supporting Scriptures:

• James 5:8 — “The Lord’s coming is near.”

• Ephesians 6:12–17 — The armour of God for spiritual warfare.

• Romans 12:2 — Renewing our minds instead of conforming to the world.

• Galatians 5:16–25 — Life by the Spirit vs. life by the flesh.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:4–8 — We are children of the light, not of the darkness.

📝 Sermon Recap

1. Understanding the Present Time (Kairos)

• The Greek word kairos speaks of a divinely appointed moment — not just any time, but God’s now moment.

• Paul urges believers to wake up — to recognise the spiritual urgency of the hour.

• Just like those who nearly missed the ferry in Tangier, many live unaware of how close we are to the tipping point of history.

2. Wake Up and Step Into the Light

• Paul warns against spiritual slumber: apathy, distraction, comfort-driven Christianity.

• Early believers lived with eager expectancy of Christ’s return. We are invited to do the same.

• To “wake up” means becoming spiritually alert and missionally focused.

3. Throw Off the Works of Darkness

• Paul names specific behaviors incompatible with the Kingdom:

• Carousing, drunkenness, sexual immorality, debauchery

• Dissension and jealousy — sins that break unity and grieve the Spirit

• The Greek word apoballō means to throw off violently — not to “set aside” gently. These things must go.

4. Put on the Armour of Light

• We’re not just meant to live clean lives — we’re called to engage in spiritual warfare.

• Paul uses armour (not clothing) language — because this is a battle.

• Reference to Ephesians 6: We need the full armour of God to stand firm.

5. Clothe Yourself with Christ

• The Greek word endýō is about sinking into a garment that covers completely.

• Putting on Christ reshapes our identity, our thinking, and our behavior.

• Paul says, “Don’t even think about gratifying the desires of the flesh.” This is a call to holiness at the level of our thoughts.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• “It is time to wake up from our slumber — and embrace a spirit of eager expectancy.”

• “We are living on the edge of eternity — the weight of history is upon us.”

• “Holiness is not about perfectionism; it’s about partnering with the Holy Spirit to display God’s love and power in a broken world.” — Jon Tyson

• “You don’t put on armour to go for a walk… You put it on to go into a fight.”

• “Throw them away — lose them — never to be seen again.”

❓ Questions for Discussion

1. Kairos & Wakefulness

• What does it mean to “understand the present time”? How is this different from knowing the clock time?

• What might spiritual slumber look like in our modern context?

2. Casting Off Darkness

• Paul lists sins of the body and sins that damage community. Which of these are subtle temptations in our city today?

• Why do you think Paul uses such strong language — “throw off” — instead of “lay aside”?

3. Living in the Light

• What does it look like to “put on the armour of light” in our daily lives?

• How do we balance holiness without falling into perfectionism or judgmentalism?

4. Clothing Ourselves with Christ

• How do we practically “clothe ourselves with Christ” in our thoughts, relationships, and habits?

• What role does renewing our mind (Romans 12:2) play in this process?

📚 Further Reading

Scriptures:

• 1 Peter 2:9–12 — Living as children of light among a watching world.

• Matthew 25:1–13 — The parable of the ten virgins: readiness for Christ’s return.

• Colossians 3:1–17 — Putting off the old self and putting on the new.

Books:

• Dirty Glory by Pete Greig — a book that captures the urgency and wonder of living for revival.

• Beautiful Resistance by Jon Tyson — a challenge to live counterculturally for the Kingdom.

• Forgotten God by Francis Chan — a call to live in full dependence on the Holy Spirit.

🙏 Prayer Points

1. Awakening Prayer

• “Lord, wake me up to the spiritual reality around me. Shake me free from comfort, distraction, and apathy.”

2. Repentance & Surrender

• “Father, I choose to throw off every deed of darkness. Reveal what I need to lose — and give me the grace to let go.”

3. Clothe Me with Christ

• “Jesus, I clothe myself with You. Cover my thoughts, shape my character, and fill me with Your Spirit.”

4. Equip Me for the Battle

• “Holy Spirit, strengthen me with the armour of light. Make me alert, aware, and ready to shine in the darkness.”

5. Kingdom Urgency

• “Lord, let me live with eternity in view. May I be a faithful witness in this city and in this generation.”