#1467. Wake up, sleeper! (6/3/26)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted, at present, every weekday) as we continue our Ephesians series: Ephesians - To the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God.

From Ephesians 5:11-14, let’s reflect on how, as those have been awakened from spiritual death, we are to remain in, and help others to remain in the light of Christ. 

To watch this devotional, please select the link below:

1. Have nothing to do with darkness

Having reminded believers that they are now “light in the Lord” and “children of light,” Paul describes the fruit that should be seen in their lives:

Those who are truly born again of the Spirit, and who seek to know and do God’s will, will bear good fruit. In contrast, they are warned: ‘Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness.’

The world, with its vanity, seduction and sensual pleasures, may appeal to our flesh — but these things are fruitless. They are dead works. They promise satisfaction but cannot give true joy. Real joy is found in walking with God in the light.

So we must hear this command afresh: ‘Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness.’

Our “deceitful desires” (4:22), the schemes of the evil one (4:27), and false teaching (5:6) all conspire to draw us back into darkness. The Christian life requires vigilance. We cannot flirt with darkness and expect to shine with light.

2. Expose darkness

Paul goes further: we are not only to avoid darkness but to ‘expose’ it, because ‘everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.’

To expose the deeds of darkness includes several things:

i. Expose sin in me

It begins personally. We invite God’s Word and Spirit to search our hearts. As we pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done,” we are asking for His light to illuminate hidden areas.

Let God’s light expose our sin so that we can confess and repent. This also tests our humility. Am I responsive when Scripture challenges me? Am I open when a brother or sister lovingly corrects me?

Light must first shine within.

ii. Expose sin in the church

Paul’s main point is that we are to lovingly correcting those who are not living wisely or who have fallen into sin. This is especially important in discipling new believers who are learning to ‘put off’ the old life and ‘put on’ the new:

Paul gives further instruction:

Notice the balance: restoration and gentleness, but also watchfulness and humility. We expose darkness not to shame, but to heal; not to condemn, but to restore.

Response — Wake up, sleeper!

Our passage ends with what is likely part of an early Christian hymn:

First, this reminds believers of what has already happened to them. We were spiritually dead, and God has raised us with Christ. Are we rejoicing in this new life?

Second, it calls us to continue living in the light — in the conscious presence of Jesus. We are to keep allowing Christ to shine on us, filling us with His love and leading us into ongoing repentance and transformation. Are we allowing Christ to shine on every area of our lives?

Finally, this hymn may also serve as a loving wake-up call to believers who have drifted - those who have grown sleepy or compromised. The call is simple and hopeful: wake up, rise, return to the light.

Is this you?

Is this someone you know?

What prayerful action do you need to take today?

Community Group Notes - This week is 'SIV Week'

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.

Please ensure that everyone is aware and is signed up to our 50-hours of prayer that is starting on 11th March. Here’s the link to get the app:

https://my.jovoapp.com/invitation/?t=aW52aXRhdGlvbjoxMzA1ODpzX2tGTnN4eVNHcnZnZlJ1ZjN6WEhRTHVsVHc%3D

2. Icebreaker

Something that builds relationships and confidence to share; it’s good to regularly use this moment to ask the group: How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you? 

3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.

4. Study and pray together 

This week is SIV (Serve, Invest, and InVite) Week, so we’ll focus more on the reaching our community aspects in our study. 

What is SIV? 

SIV stands for Serve, Invest, and Invite. This is our very simple strategy to help bring our community to Jesus. We believe that God has placed us in relationships and in specific locations to be 'salt and light.' and to ‘fish for people’.  We can effectively bring people to Jesus by: 

• 'Serving' them - demonstrating the love of Christ in practical ways; 

• 'Investing' in the ‘people of peace’ (See note below) those whom we feel the Spirit is leading us. 

• 'Inviting' them into our homes by showing hospitality and inviting them to church events, to Alpha, and ultimately, inviting them to come to Jesus through the gospel. 

On Sunday, we continued our new series entitled: Ephesians: to the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God. 

Our message was, Wake Up Sleeper. We saw, from Ephesians 5:1-14, that: 

Those who have been woken up and have Christ shining on them - Seek light, refuse darkness and shine light

Please read Ephesians 5:1-14 and discuss:

• Personal Reflection – From Sunday’s message and this passage, what stood out to you? Was there anything the Spirit particularly impressed on your heart?

• SIV - Why are godly sexual ethics, and godly language, essential for a healthy life, healthy church, and why do these things make us shine like a light in this dark world?

• SIV - V.14 ‘Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you’, is considered an early Christian hymn. What does this phrase say about how one becomes a Christian, and how does this inform how we are to pray for our non-believing friends? 

• SIV - Share Stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing stories of how we’ve seen God at work through simple faithfulness.

• Practical Next Steps – Who might God be placing on your heart at this time? Are there any “people of peace” (see note) in your life—those who seem open, welcoming, or receptive to spiritual conversation?

Let’s Pray Together

Let’s pray for one another in light of what we’ve studied and bring any other needs before God.

• Pray for courage, wisdom, and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit in our Serve, Invest, and Invite opportunities.

• Pray specifically for the ‘people of peace’ in our lives - that God would open hearts and deepen relationships.

• General prayer: From our study, or from personal needs, how do people want prayer?