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Sermon #4152

From Darkness to Light

"Awake, O Sleeper" - A Sermon on Ephesians 5:14

Originally preached Oct. 4, 1959

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Scripture

Ephesians 5:14 ESV KJV
for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” (ESV)

Sermon Description

In this passage from Ephesians 5:14, Paul is calling Christians to awaken from their sleep and to let Christ give His light. What does this mean? In this sermon on Ephesians 5:14 titled “ From Darkness to Light,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches this beautiful reminder of what the gospel does and the power it possesses. This passage is a summary of the gospel and of what the gospel does in the lives of those it changes. It illuminates and brings light. Additionally, it also summarizes what Christians are to do— they are to shine as the light of the gospel. According to Scripture, unbelievers are asleep and dead to the truth about them; they will spend eternity in Hell if they do not repent of their sins and believe in Jesus. The gospel convicts people of their need for a Savior, and it also converts people, waking them up and saving them. Finally, it also enlightens them so that they follow the Lord. Those who have been saved are called to be a light in the dark world so that the power of the gospel can shine through them. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds the listener of the responsibility they have in following the Lord and representing Him to the world.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. The sermon text is Ephesians 5:14 - "Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light."
  2. The sermon begins by providing context for the verse. The practical section of Ephesians began in Chapter 4. Paul is applying doctrine to practice.
  3. Paul's method is to provide a principle first, then application. The principle here is that Christians are "light in the Lord."
  4. The verse is a summary of the gospel. The gospel brings light, as prophesied in Isaiah 60:1.
  5. The gospel convicts people of their "sleep" and "death" in sin. People are unaware of spiritual realities and in danger apart from Christ.
  6. Life without Christ is a "living death." People live in darkness, captivity to sin, and under the control of Satan.
  7. The gospel converts and brings people into the "light of life" in Christ. Christ illuminates our understanding and gives us fellowship with God.
  8. The gospel spreads through Christians, who are called to be "light of the world." Our lives and words call others out of darkness.
  9. The power to awaken and resurrect people comes from the Holy Spirit, not us. But the Spirit works through us.
  10. We should take comfort that it is not just our words, but the Spirit working through us, who brings people from death to life.

The Book of Ephesians

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.