Sleepers, Awake!

Here are some annotations from this week's sermon:

Ephesians 5:14-21

14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
"Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you." (1)

15 Be very careful, then, how you live(2) — not as unwise but as wise,
16 making the most of every opportunity,(3) because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be foolish,(4) but understand what the Lord's will is.
18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.(5) Instead, be filled with the Spirit.(6)
19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.


1 According to commentator Les Painter, this could be a part of an early Christian hymn. They might have used it at baptism. The new Christian would come up out of the water and the people would sing these words. ‘Wake up from the dark sleep of sin. Rise up from the death of sin. Rise into the new life of light that Christ gives you.’

2 Pastor Allen illustrated this with the Spanish word ojo, literally “eye,” meaning “watch your step!" He also told the story pf teaching his girls to watch carefully when hiking through the desert.

3 “The wise don’t waste, kill, or lose time.” He also amended the saying “Carpe Diem,” (seize the day) with the words “Pro Deo” (for God). More on this in a future blog.

4 Here Pastor Allen reminded us of the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21). He also mentioned Larry Ellison, whom I’ll speak about in a later blog.

5 Here Pastor Allen added (although its literal meaning is a valid warning!) that it can also refer to being “blissfully checked out,” which some people do without benefit of wine.

6 Pastor Allen cited decadence as antithetical to being “filled with the Spirit.”