Sunday, July 25, 2021 Sermon Notes: "Wake Up!"   Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV 1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 5:8-20 NIV 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Eph 5:14b ...“Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”   “Put simply, awakening is the transformational process and outcome of following Jesus Christ. It is a personal, communal, and societal movement from: darkness to light; death to life; chaos to order; despair to joy; anxiety to peace; poverty to flourishing; and brokenness to wholeness. Awakening is the outcome of following Jesus, by which the love of God the Father is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Awakening results from and leads to renewal of the church, evangelization of a generation, deep wholeness in people, and transformation of society.” - From The Awakened Life by JD Walt   “Where is God’s Spirit breathing on you this morning?” “To what might God want you to “Wake Up!” today?” “How might God want you to experience new life in Christ?”  

BLESSING May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit - go with you now and always. AMEN.  

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS "Wake Up!" Week of July 26-August 1   MONDAY --Isaiah 52:1-2 TUESDAY -- Psalm 57:7-11 WEDNESDAY -- Luke 21:34-36 THURSDAY -- 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 FRIDAY -- 1 Thessalonians 5:4-8 SATURDAY -- Revelation 3:1-3  

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: (From The Awakened Life by JD Walt)   Our Father in heaven, it’s me, [your name]. I have a sense of you and some things about you, but I want to actually know you. I confess I am a sinner. I have failed myself, others, and you in many ways. I know you made me for a purpose and I want to fulfill that purpose with my one life. I want to follow Jesus Christ. Jesus, thank you for the gift of your life, death, resurrection, and ascension on my behalf. I want to walk in relationship with you as Savior and Lord. Would you lead me into the fullness and newness of life I was made for? I am ready to follow you. Come, Holy Spirit, and fill me with the love, power, and purposes of God. I pray these things by faith in the name of Jesus, amen.  

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?   IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?   APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?