Rev. Rob Jones
November 30, 2025

Romans 13:11-14 NRSVue
Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Whenever my daughter has a new experience, she likes to say, “The Best Day Ever!” This past week, I have thought about that phrase a lot. I was excited to get to preach four times in one week. I was excited about not one but two ecumenical services, at which I was asked to deliver a message. I was excited about the Community Thanksgiving Meal in the fellowship hall coming up on Thursday. But nothing could prepare me for the actual week, not writing four different sermons, not praying for plans to work out. Not the reassurance of my wife that everything would be okay, even if it didn’t. 

The week was more than I could ever anticipate. On Sunday morning, two new members officially joined us at Douglas. On Sunday Night, Bethel Church welcomed us, and we sang praises to the Lord and fellowshipped in love as one church, the body of Christ. Wednesday morning, I delivered my third sermon of the week at Lancaster Grove and, with the residents, had a most wonderful Thanksgiving message. And to top it off, they donated a turkey to the community dinner. Then on Thursday, we served over 400 meals. We had four turkeys, two hams, 100 large chicken wings, and more than a hundred thighs and legs. People donated cooked food, groceries, talent, decorations, and time to feed those who did not have the means to have a Thanksgiving meal or just wanted some fellowship. People donated time to deliver meals to as far away as Heath Springs and made multiple trips to do so. People saw what was happening and either came to eat or came to help. 

I can count the days of my life when I can say best day ever: When I turned twelve and got a 10-speed bike. The first time I walked on stage and performed. The day I married my best friend, and both days when I got to hold my children for the first time. And now Thursday, when I got to see Jesus walk in and out of Douglas Presbyterian Church’s Fellowship Hall over and over… and over again. THE BEST DAY EVER. 

In our lesson today, Paul is giving the Roman church a wakeup call. “You know what time it is,” he says, “Salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers.” He is not evangelizing to those outside the church; he is speaking to those who were already there. “Put on the armor of light,” “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” 

“Make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” Our justification is a once-for-all act. It is bought and paid for by Jesus on the Cross. But Paul points out that our Sanctification is a continual process, one that we must be willing to sacrifice our comforts to maintain. It is an everyday process, one that will make you say, “Best Day Ever.” Because when we work the process of sanctification, you do not do it for yourself or for gratification; you do it because it is the right thing to do. After all, in doing so, you will see Jesus!

It’s the closest you will come until you stand before the throne of judgment.

When we received Jesus, our lives became forfeit. When willingly surrendered to Christ to be his hands and feet. The Christian life is not passive. It is an active life powered by the Spirit each and every day. Not just one hour on Sunday. Paul says, “The night is far gone; the day is at hand.” Just as sure as the sun will rise each morning, Christians are called to live in anticipation of Christ’s return, even as we do the work of sanctification. Live into the hope of Christ, letting it shape our daily choices and moral conduct, and watching, waiting, working, praying, loving, anticipating—like a child anticipates Santa, we expect Christ's return. 

Biblical scholars say this eschatological perspective energizes obedience and perseverance, grounded in God’s grace rather than human effort. Pastors say it’s what good Christians do. But to the family that didn’t have power on Thursday, who could cook a Thanksgiving meal, who, through the providence of the Holy Spirit, received enough money to have their power turned back on, without any asking, or begging, just sheer spirit-filled love and Joy; To that family, who left both full and made whole, they felt God at work in their lives. I got to watch it unfold. I was privileged to see Jesus at work. 

We might have had the idea to do “some good,” as we kept calling it, in the community on Thanksgiving. Still, God had the planto use more than 30 volunteers to show the Douglas community, NO, the Lancaster community, NO, the Lancaster/ Heath Springs area that Christ is alive, Christ is still working, the Hands and Feet of God is moving right there in the Douglas Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. That is “THE BEST DAY EVER!”

Jesus commanded us to go and make disciples, and Paul warned us not to get complacent. What was your best day ever? Was it something extraordinary that happened to you? Or was it a time when God happened through you? I’ll leave you to contemplate the words of Paul.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. AMEN.