Wake Up, Suit Up, Lighten Up | Committing Ourselves to the Lord

Today's episode of A New Beginning is brought to you by Harvest Partners, helping people everywhere know God.

Learn more at harvest.org. And while you're there, browse our library of free e-books designed to help you grow in your faith. Let Jesus be a part of everything that you do. Our relationship with the Lord isn't something we switch on Sunday morning and switch off Sunday afternoon. Pastor Greg Laurie says it should permeate our lives. Put on Jesus. Make Him a part of every decision.

Make Him a part of every area of your life. Not just Sunday Jesus, but Monday Jesus, Tuesday Jesus, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday Jesus too. This is the day when the lost are found. This is the day for a new beginning. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound. Again you hear when the angels are singing. This is the day, the day when life begins. Many people have colorful stories about their first car, dependably undependable.

Some had to hold the shift lever just so to start it or pop the hood and tap on the battery or make sure they parked on a hill so they could get a rolling start the next day. How much can God depend on us? Are we instant in season or stuck in park? Today on A New Beginning, Pastor Greg Laurie invites us to fully commit ourselves to the Lord and to the work that He wants us to do. This is the day, the day when life begins. Let's turn in our Bibles to Romans chapter 13. Today the title of my message is wake up, suit up, lighten up. Wake up, suit up, and lighten up. Romans 13 and I'm going to read verses 11 to 14.

Do this knowing the time. It is high time to awake out of sleep for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.

Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts. Well there's a lot there in those verses I'll tell you. So if you're taking notes here's point number one. Wake up.

Point number one is wake up. And I want you to notice what he says in verse 11. Knowing the time.

I believe Paul is alluding to the fact that Christ could come in our lifetime. But then there's another thing I would add. Be aware of the fact that you don't know how long you're going to live.

Live every day as though it could be your last day because one day it will be. And I don't mean that in a morbid way. But back in ancient days they had a phrase they would write over financial documents in particular. And the phrase was memento mori. What does that mean? It means think of death.

And the reason they put it on a financial document is because it would just be a grounding thing to be reminded of. Oh look how much money I have in savings. Look at how much money I have invested. Hey buddy. Memento mori. Think of death. You're going to leave it all behind you one day. So keep perspective and make each day count. That is why the Scripture says, Lord teach me to number my days that I may apply my heart to wisdom. So make each day significant. Make each day important.

Make each day count. So we need to wake up. That's point number one. Number two we need to suit up.

Suit up. Look at verse 12. Let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. We all know that we're in a spiritual battle. Some of you have gotten beaten up a little bit this week.

Some of you have gained some ground and some others maybe lost a little ground. But that's why the Bible says put on the whole armor of God. Put on the helmet of salvation. The breastplate of righteousness. The shield of faith. The sword of the Spirit.

Which is the Word of God. Point number one wake up. Point number two suit up. Point number three sober up.

Sober up. Verse 13 says don't live in revelry and drunkenness. The Christian should not be under the control of the spirits. The Christian should be under the control of the Holy Spirit. The Bible says don't be drunk with wine. Wear it as excess. But be filled with the Spirit.

Speaking to yourself in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. So we need to wake up. We need to suit up. We need to sober up. Number four we need to clean up.

We need to clean up. Look at verse 13. Don't live in lewdness and lust. This is a description of a person who's living amorally but is incapable of feeling shame.

It's shameless excess and the complete absence of restraint. That's why Paul told Timothy in second Timothy 2 22 flee youthful passions but follow after righteousness peace and joy along with those that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. By the way that's not just directed to young people. Paul says flee youthful passions. Yes it applies to a young person with raging hormones but it also applies to a dirty old man or a cougar. Right. A person who hasn't grown up.

A person who's acting irresponsibly. Ladies when you're in your 60s you can no longer shop at Forever 21. Just stop. Grow up. That's why my point is we need to grow up.

That's point number five. Grow up. Verse 13. Don't live in strife and envy. Here's an interesting thing.

Some might be listening to this message and saying well you know what I'm doing pretty well because I'm not living amorally and and I'm not drinking I'm not doing any of that stuff okay but look at this verse. Don't live in strife or envy. Why do we need to grow up because you know little kids they're always in conflict and in their minds everything has to be even steven and if you give a gift to one they expect you to give it to the others. They'll say that's not fair. Why does he get to do this?

Why don't I get to do that? And this word that Paul uses here for strife refers to a persistent contention bickering petty disagreement in enmity. It reflects a spirit of antagonistic competitiveness that fights to have its own way. It's really the desire to prevail over other people. This is the person that always wants to be number one.

They have to be the top dog. You tell a story they'll tell a better story. You talk about an accomplishment they have a better accomplishment at least in their mind they do. They want to be the star. They want to be the center of attention. If you even play a board game with them and they don't win they get visibly upset about it. This is the person he's talking about don't be like that person nor be living in envy.

This phrase describes someone who can't stand being surpassed and begrudges another success and position. You know you can be pretty content with the way things are going. Maybe you're standing out in front of your house saying you know my house looks pretty good. Yard looks good.

Paints holding up. Everything's just fine. I really like this house.

Thank you Lord for this house. And then your neighbor comes up and says hey how you doing neighbor? You say I'm good.

How are you? Yeah. Neighbor says we're doing a room addition and I need all of my neighbors to sign off so I want to show you the plans.

So they roll out the plans you're going oh okay okay I'll sign them yeah but inside now you're saying why can't I do a room addition? Why do they get to do it and not me? See we need to grow up from things like that.

Envy. I heard about a crab fisherman who would carry his crabs around in an open bucket. Someone said to him why do you keep your crabs in an open bucket? Don't you know that they can just climb out? He says oh no.

The moment one of those crabs starts to climb out the other crabs reach up and pull them back down again. Oh isn't that like life? Maybe you had a dream when you were a young person. You said I don't want to live this life. I don't want to live the life of my parents. I don't want to live this way all these people around me live. I have a dream where I'm going to break out and do something different. Others will say you can't have that dream. You can't do that thing. You're going to be just like the rest of us.

You're going to stay right here. I watched a movie on TV the other day actually with my grandkids. It was a story of Dolly Parton.

It was called The Coat of Many Colors. It was on network television. I thought it was really good. It had a lot of her gospel roots in it. And little Dolly was just so full of personality. The actress that played her was fantastic. And so they were a very very poor family.

Lots of children. And she had this dream that she was going to be a singer one day. And the other kids didn't like her attitude and the fact that she had all this confidence and so forth. And so her mother because they were so poor made her a special coat to wear. She took rags together. Different colors. Different patterns.

Sewed them together in a coat. And Dolly said it was my coat of many colors. Well that reminds us of a Bible story right?

Joseph also had a coat that was called a coat of many colors. Well he wasn't treated real well and nor was Dolly. She was really mistreated by her friends. But ultimately she did realize that dream and she became a very successful singer songwriter.

She even has her own amusement park called Dollywood. But my point is simply this. God may give you a dream and other people want to pull you down. Oh no you can't do that. You will never accomplish that.

You will always be like the rest of us. I reject that. God can change your history and he can put that dream and vision in your heart. Chase it.

Chase after that dream. Pastor Greg Laurie will have the second half of his message in just a moment. Hey everybody. Greg Laurie here and I want to personally invite you to the Harvest Ministries Israel tour.

April 9 to 19 2024. Listen this is your chance to walk in the steps of Jesus literally in what we call the Holy Land. Learn more at israel.harvest.org.

Shalom. Well Pastor Greg's study today is titled Wake Up Suit Up Lighten Up. Let's continue now in Romans chapter 13.

Number six. Focus your energies on becoming more like Jesus. Focus your energies on becoming more like Jesus. Second verse 14. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts. Now what does it mean to put on the Lord Jesus Christ? I mean does not Christ live in the heart of every Christian?

The answer is yes. How do I put him on? Well this is a picture that Paul is using of putting clothes on. You know you put your clothes on each and every day. For some people it is an outfit. Everything is an outfit.

They think it all through. Ok I have got my shoes that match my purse. I am talking about the guys.

Ok I haven't even started with the girls. No but you got your outfit. I have a friend that even on Saturdays you know he would show up and it was like he was always wearing an outfit. I said don't you ever just like put on whatever is laying around. Everything is an outfit with you. But then there is a person maybe they are a little more bohemian.

Well you know I don't care about that. I am not really into fashion but I notice that their jeans are ripped in all the right places you know. And the shirt that you don't care about is just done in a certain way and you are messed up here. It is just messed up in the right way so in reality you may think about it more than the person who is putting the outfit together. And actually it is ok to think about what you wear. But the picture that Paul is giving us here is your clothes should conform to you.

You should not conform to your clothes. And so what he is really saying is let Jesus be a part of everything that you do. Put on Jesus. Make Him a part of every decision.

Make Him a part of every area of your life. Not just Sunday Jesus but Monday Jesus. Tuesday Jesus. Wednesday. Thursday.

Friday. Saturday Jesus too. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus should be Lord at church. Jesus should be Lord at the beach. He should be Lord when we go to the movies. He should be Lord over what you watch on television and what you take in through social media. He should be Lord when you go out to dinner and when you go to work.

He should be Lord of all because if He is not Lord of all He is not Lord at all. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ. But listen here is another translation that I like. Let us be Christ's men from head to foot and give no chances for the flesh to have its flame.

That is an excellent paraphrase. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Be Christ's men. Be Christ's women from head to foot and give no chance for the flesh to have its flame. One last point. We need to lighten up.

We need to lighten up. In Romans 14 Paul is dealing with some cultural issues within the church. His focus was on diet and days. Many Gentiles had come to Christ and they were not recognizing the Jewish holy days like Sabbath and others. And the Jewish believers were upset that the Gentile non-Jewish believers weren't giving respect to all these cultures and customs of the Jews. Meanwhile the Jews would go and eat the meat that was offered to idols that the Gentiles refused to eat because the Gentiles coming out of a pagan culture did not want to eat the meat that was offered in the various temples to the false gods. So that offended them. It offended their sensibilities. But the Jewish believers are like this is stupid. These idols aren't even real.

And it is a good deal. We are buying the meat. So this was a cultural conflict. Now we look at this through a 21st century lens and it seems ridiculous. But it was a conflict back in these days.

Secondary issues were dividing them. And this happens in the church today. People will divide over the most ridiculous things. There is denominational differences. Musical differences. Cultural differences.

Generational differences. A lot of times we will divide over things that are not doctrinal. In other words it is not about theology. It is just about well I don't like the way you do it.

I want to do it a different way. It is ok to have different ways of expressing ourselves. But let's not divide over these things. I love the words of Augustine.

In essentials unity. In non-essentials liberty. In all things charity or love.

We just need to stay in our own lane. Look at Romans 14 verse 10. Why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer and follower of Christ? Because one day we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For the Scriptures say, as surely as I live says the Lord, every knee will bend to me and every tongue will declare allegiance to God. Paul is saying, who are you to be judging someone else? If more Christians would take the same energy they expend critiquing and judging each other and instead use it to become more like Jesus and sharing the gospel this world would be a much better place. So Paul is saying look. You are going to stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

You are obsessing over other people. They don't do it right. And I don't like this. And I disagree with that. Ok you know what. They will stand before God too.

But you just need to be accountable for what you are doing. After Peter denied the Lord he met with Jesus and Jesus implied to Peter that he was going to die the death of a martyr. And then Jesus said to Peter, follow me. And then Peter saw John who was walking behind him. John the beloved. And Peter says, what about him?

And Jesus says to him, what is that to you? Follow me. I love that.

Or that way. What about them? How come they don't... Hey what did I say to you? Follow me. This is between you and me our Lord is saying.

You just follow me. You will give an account of yourself in that final day. What is the judgment seat of Christ? This is a judgment that is not about whether or not you get to heaven because in fact it takes place in heaven.

This is a judgment or maybe I could call it an award ceremony. Well rewards are given for faithfulness to Christ. The Bible says there is a reward promised to the person who resists temptation. The Bible says there is a reward promised to the faithful giver. The Bible tells us there is a reward promised to the person who wins others to Christ. This is when these rewards will be meted out.

These awards if you will. And we will all have to give an account before God of why we did what we did. It will be a judgment of motive. So don't expend so much energy on what others are doing or not doing.

Just follow Him. Just do what He has called you to do. Now there is another judgment that is coming.

And I will close with this. This is called the great white throne judgment. This will not be attended by believers.

I don't expect to be there. This is a judgment for the people that have rejected God's offer of forgiveness through Jesus Christ. And in the book of Revelation it says that He saw the small and the great standing before God and the books plural were opened and another book singular was opened which is the book of life and anyone not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. These books are records of everything that you and I have said or done and more.

But the book that matters is the book of life. And if your name is not written in it you have big trouble. And there is nothing you can do to fix this. It is too late. And I believe by the way when your name is written in the book of life it will stay written in the book of life. You don't have to worry about that. But let me say in closing is your name written in the book?

I know mine is. Not because of any great thing I have done. But because of the great thing God did. And sending His Son Jesus to die in my place and the fact that I put my faith in Christ means my name is written in the book. And if you put your faith in Christ your name is written in the book as well. But there might be some of you that would say well I don't know if my name is in the book.

How do I get it there? By admitting you are a sinner. Churning from that sin and asking Christ to come and live in your heart and life.

Then you can know with certainty your name is in the book. Momento mori. Think of death. Again I don't mean this in a morbid way.

I mean it in a realistic way. We don't know how long our life will go on. What if this were our last day on planet earth?

All right then it is. I will go into God's presence. Paul said to be with the Lord is far better. But as long as God wants me here I want to make my life count.

And I want to make sure my life is right with God. What if Christ were to come back today. Tonight. Tomorrow.

Oh they have been saying that for years. How about one day it is going to be the day. And I hope you are ready. And if you are not sure if Jesus is a little bit inside of you.

If you are not certain your name is written in the book. If you don't know with confidence that if Christ were to come back you would be ready to meet Him. Why don't you respond to this invitation I am going to extend now as we close in prayer. If you need Jesus in your life. If you want to go to heaven when you die. If you want your name written in God's book of life. Respond to this invitation right now as we all pray.

Let's all bow our heads. Father thank You for Your Word to us. Thank You for sending Jesus to die for us. Lord Jesus thank You for coming and laying Your life down in our place. And now we pray for any person here who does not know You.

Any person watching wherever they may be if they don't have this relationship with You. If their name is not written in the book let this be the day that that happens. We ask that Your Holy Spirit will convict them and convince them of their need for You. In Jesus name I pray.

Amen. An important prayer from Pastor Greg Laurie with those who want to make a change in their relationship with God today. And if that's where you're at if you'd like to make that kind of change Pastor Greg will come back in just a moment to help you do that before today's edition of A New Beginning concludes.

Please stay with us. Well Pastor Greg the movie Jesus Revolution is now out on DVD and I was thinking about a conversation you had years ago with Pastor Chuck Smith. I believe you asked him about the time of the Jesus movement and whether we could have another have another time of spiritual awakening spiritual renewal as we did in the 60s and 70s and you remember what his comment was his answer back to you was?

Yes Dave I remember it very clearly I was sitting at lunch with Chuck and I always peppered him with all these questions and and so he was just finishing his meal I said Chuck I have a question for you. I said do you think we'll ever see another Jesus revolution? I think I may have said another Jesus movement and Chuck paused for a moment and then he looked at me and said I don't know Greg we may not be desperate enough and I agreed with that statement but you know fast forward many years and the days in which we're living what's happening right now in our world around us all the crazy things that are happening I think we may finally be desperate enough for a spiritual awakening in America again. We've seen some promising signs haven't we in college campuses like Asbury and other places where we hear of young people praying for hours on end day after day night after night longing for a relationship with God. You know it's sort of like when it rains sometimes when it rains it to drop here it's a drop there. I'll be out walking with my wife and I'll say hey Kathy it's starting to rain she'll say no it isn't and I'll say yes it is because bald men always know when it's raining first see it might rain for five minutes before she knows because her hair is so thick but I I feel the first drop and what I see right now happening in our country are little drops of rain revival like drops that cause me to wonder is more coming so I think we need to pray Lord do it again one of the reasons we made this film Jesus Revolution was to tell a revival story in hopes that it might inspire people to pray for another revival it's been said the fame of revival spreads the flame of revival so this film Jesus Revolution is a revival story it's a real story it's a story of the last great spiritual awakening in America and we're praying do it again Lord so that's why I want to send you your own copy of the Jesus Revolution film on DVD so you can be revived I've heard so many stories Dave of people watching it saying that I was revived in my faith I recommitted my life to the Lord one very well-known pastor called me said I didn't want to text you I wanted to say this to you in person he says I wept through this film and it made me want to get a paperback copy of the Bible in my hands again and read it like I was reading it for the first time I thought that was wow so well said and I've just heard this over and over again from leaders and pastors and folks that have just gone and seen this film it's revived them it reminds them of maybe what their relationship with God used to be like yeah I pray this film will revive you as well so order your own copy of the Jesus Revolution film we have it for you on DVD along with some special bonus content including a presentation of the gospel I did complete with a prayer for a person to pray and accept Christ into their life and I want to send you this DVD for your gift of any size whatever you send we'll send you this movie but I am going to ask you to be generous because we have had to pay more for this resource than we normally have to pay so help us continue to get the word of God out more and we pray this film will inspire others to have personal revival amen so get in touch today for your DVD of Jesus Revolution and we'll offer you we'll also include a free streaming code and we so much appreciate your partnership that allows us to bring you these daily studies from Pastor Greg here on A New Beginning call us today at 1-800-821-3300 call anytime 1-800-821-3300 or write A New Beginning box 4000 Riverside California 92514 or go online to harvest.org well Pastor Greg a few moments ago you spoke of the need to get our hearts right with God yeah could you help someone who wants to do that right now yes I'd be delighted to listen as you've listened to this program today maybe something's been happening inside of your heart where you're sensing I need to do this personally but how do I do it and what do I do let me help you it's very simple in fact it's so simple you may be shocked God this relationship with him is just a prayer away the Bible says if you will call upon the name of the Lord you'll be saved so I'd like to lead you in a prayer where you do just that you call on the name of the Lord this can be the moment where you change your eternal address literally from hell to heaven just pray these words Lord Jesus I know that I'm a sinner but I know that you're the Savior who died on the cross for me and rose again from the dead Jesus I choose to follow you from this moment forward in your name I pray Amen I know it's such a simple short prayer but you just called on the name of the Lord and you know what he heard that prayer and if you meant that prayer in your heart he answered that prayer now let me help you to get started on the right foot in your new life in Jesus Christ the greatest adventure awaits you the life of walking with God I want to send you what we call a new believers growth path that includes the new believers Bible and a whole lot more and let me be the first to say to you congratulations and welcome to the family of God and to get that free new believers growth packet just ask for it if you prayed along with Pastor Greg to receive Christ today we'll be glad to send one your way our phone number is 1-800-821-3300 you can reach us anytime at 1-800-821-3300 or write a new beginning box 4000 Riverside California 92514 or just go online to harvest.org and click on know God you know there's nothing like hearing the word of God and worshiping the Lord together I want to encourage you to join us for something we call Harvest at Home it happens at home it happens every Saturday and Sunday at harvest.org you can join Christians from around the world as we worship and we study the word of God together so join us for Harvest at Home at harvest.org well next time Pastor Greg presents the finale to our studies in the book of Romans great encouragement with the message called hope is on the way join us here on a new beginning with Pastor and Bible teacher Greg Laurie a new beginning is a podcast made possible by harvest partners helping people everywhere know God if this show has impacted your life share your story leave a review on your favorite podcast app and help others find hope